BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Baptism in the Holy Ghost is the enduement of power from on High upon the sanctified believer. It is the promise of the Father and when one receives this gift of the Holy Ghost, it is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking a language unlearned previously, referred to as speaking in tongues as the Spirit give utterance (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8; Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 1:30-33; 7:37-39; 14:16,17,26; 15:26; 16:12-15; Acts 1: 5-8; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-18, 10:44-46; Acts 19:14). We do not teach or instruct people how to speak in tongues: the Holy Spirit gives utterance. It is very important to note that Purity comes before Power.

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is not the new birth, salvation, conversion or regeneration (John 7:37-39; 14:17; 17:6-9, 14-16; Luke 10:19-24; 24:49). It is not the sanctification experience (John 17:9; 17:21-23, and Acts 2:1-4). Jesus prayed for the sanctification of His disciples and yet commanded them to wait for the enduement of power, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Moreover, sanctification is for purity whereas the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for power.

It is not also illumination, joy, feeling, liberty and victory in prayer, self-denial or zeal (Luke 24:27,31-32,44-45; Acts 8:8,14-1 7; Matthew 19:27; 16:17).

The Holy Spirit is not a mere impersonal force. He is not a mere power that we can get hold of and use. He is not a mere influence that we feel. He is a person who seeks to get hold of us and use us. The Holy Spirit is Divine Personality whom we must honour
, worship, fellowship with and listen to.

It is important for every Christian not only to correctly understand what is this baptism in the Holy Spirit so as to be able to explain it to others correctly, but also to actually experience this baptism in the Spirit, and thus enter into an aspect of life full of the power of God. Christians need the power that comes with the Baptism in the Spirit in order to do their part in continuing the supernatural ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus promised the believers that they would do greater works than He (John 14:12).