One of the most controversial subjects within the Body of Christ is the Holy Spirit Baptism. John the Baptist declared there was one mightier than him, who was coming, as he was baptizing in the Jordan river for the remission of sins. He declared the COMING ONE, would baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire. Before Jesus ascension on High He told His disciples to gather in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. This coming promise was the Holy Spirit that John the Baptist began to declare at his baptism.
Luke 24:46-48 “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” kjv
This experience was described by Jesus in Luke as being endued with power from on High, KJV version. The word endued means to clothe. Jesus was saying that the believers would be clothed with power from on high. This is Heavenly power or the power of Jesus Christ himself that is clothing the believer. The word power is means force, specifically miraculous power. There are teachings in the Church that somehow this power left after the Apostles. However, notice closely what Peter declares as recorded in the Book of Acts.
Acts 2:38&39 “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.”
This promise of the Holy Spirit was not only for the Apostles and those of that day, but for ALL that are called. God our Father delights to give us His Spirit. The miraculous of God should not be a once and a while occurrence. The miraculous of God should operate in our midst, as He is in our midst. While Jesus walked the earth there was the manifest presence of God in operation. What we must hear is that the same Spirit that was in Christ is NOW in operation within the Church His Body. Jesus even declared that the same works He had done would be also done through the believers, and greater works. This is what Jesus said, John 14:12.
The Spirit is the enablement of these works. In fact, it is the works of the Spirit. When the lame man was healed at the gate of Beautiful, Peter asked why do you look on us as if we healed the man? It was through faith in the name of Jesus Christ that this lame man was healed. The miraculous was manifested by the Holy Spirit of God through the believers.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was of utmost importance of the Apostles. When those in Samaria who received the word of God, and were baptized in water, the Apostles Peter and John went down among them that they might also receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:12-14 “But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed. 14 Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:”
This in like manner should be of utmost importance to us. We should desire that all who believe and receive the word of God, should be baptized in the Spirit. All should be clothed with God’s miraculous power to be a witness of Jesus Christ our Lord. Please enjoy this teaching on the Holy Spirit by Pastor Henry Stanley. May it touch your hearts and cause you to seek a greater relationship with the Lord Jesus.
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