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Voice In The Cool  

The Garden Restored Through Jesus Christ!

HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM

IS HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM FOR TODAY?

"And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38

Simply answered, “Yes”! The promise of the Father known as the ‘Holy Spirit Baptism' was promised to all future generations.

 

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever." John 14:16

The Holy Spirit is the very spirit of God and the third person of the Trinity:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the Helper and The Comforter.  He is the One that will empower you to fulfill your destiny and make it possible to receive the spiritual inheritance that became yours in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

 

WHAT IS HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM?

"Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.  John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1: 4-5

All works of Heaven are created, initiated and fulfilled through the Holy Spirit.   Accepting Christ as Savior is the beginning of your journey.  Scripture teaches us that in addition to Water Baptism, there is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Through this gift, the Lord will be releasing your spirit to experience God at a deeper level; to enter into the outpouring of His love and the realization of His person in your ‘innermost being’.  Someone once explained that it is the difference between drinking a cup of water and jumping into an ocean.  I like that explanation.

 

THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

"But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God; that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh.” Acts 2: 16-17

It is so easy to think of God from a cognitive level of doctrines and studies, because the inherent condition of mankind is to control.  But, if you just keep God in your ‘head’, then you won't have to trust Hiim; and this is a life of trust and faith. Through Holy Spirit Baptism you will come to know actual person of the Holy Spirit.  In doing so, you will also realize that you are a spiritual being, as well. He will release you into spiritual gifts as described in Corinthians 12 and be empowered for Christian ministry in ways that you might not imagine. Suddenly, the things that you read in the Bible become three dimensional.  I’ll never forget the day when everything changed for me. I had just received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and I began to hear God’s voice at a much deeper level. I began singing and praying in tongues, prophesying; and my praise and worship soared to new levels of expression. Then one day I prayed for a woman who was blind in one eye and going blind her other eye. I heard the Lord say that He was healing her and God rebuilt her eyes! At that point it didn't matter who mocked me or hated me, SHE COULD SEE! She was healed, because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 

 

IS SPEAKING IN TONGUES ESSENTIAL?

"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared (as in a vision) to them tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2: 1-4

There is so much controversy in the Body of Christ about this subject. Speaking in tongues is simply speaking in a language that only God understands, even if you don’t. This happens as the Holy Spirit prays through you with His perfect wisdom and understanding, Romans 8:26. If you employ this gift, you will grow stronger in it. Having prayed like this for years, I have found that when I start praying in tongues, I immediately enter into the Holy Spirit and my understanding increases. Speaking in tongues is a gift, just like all the gifts of God.  Is it an essential gift?  Well, it is not essential to receive Jesus as Savior, but for me, it is definitely essential to strengthen my spirit to enter into the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  It’s like dialing 1-800-Heaven. It gets me out of the fleshly worries, petition prayers, and worldly-minded thoughts that get in the way; and gets me functioning in my spiritual life. The important thing is to not be afraid of anything that the Lord has for you. Speaking in tongues is just one aspect of moving into this deeper relationship with Holy Spirit. Remember He is still a Father and He will teach you and guide you about all of His gifts for you. So just be open as you pray.

 

PREPARE TO PRAY WITH ME NOW AND RECEIVE 

"And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." Luke 24:49

As a special note at this point, I would say  that you if you have ever been involved in any kind of occult activity (i.e., Ouija board games, psychics, tarot cards, witchcraft, watched movies with witchcraft in them, etc.), then you need to repent. All such occult activities are from the devil and works of darkness.  It is the counterfeit spiritual world in opposition to the real Holy Spirit.  No matter how harmless your friends or family may think these things are, it is sin. You cannot enter into your life with the Holy Spirit entertaining devils. Better to endure their ridicule and really know the abundance, beauty, love, wholeness and freedom of the Holy Spirit.

ARE YOU READY TO PRAY? OK, LET'S PRAY

Just like salvation, you receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by faith. Remember that the Lord loves you.  He is the Helper and He is going to help you with this prayer today. Repeat after me:

"Lord, to begin, I repent for my involvement either knowingly or unknowingly with occult activities or witchcraft.  I ask you to forgive me, and cleanse me.  I am ready now to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Your Word says if I will ask, I will receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and to walk in greater intimacy with the Lord. So in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I am asking You to fill me to overflowing with Your precious Holy Spirit. Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit. Because of Your Word, I believe that I now receive and I thank You for it. I believe the Holy Spirit is within me and, by faith, I accept it. Now, Holy Spirit, rise up within me as I praise God. I fully expect to speak with other tongues, as You make it possible for me to do so. By faith I thank you that I will now walk in a deep communion with you and minister in the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. I receive your power to walk in the gifts of the Spirit and to fulfill my destiny"

 

CONGRATULATIONS! START PRAISING!

Now begin giving sound to the expressions in your heart. Speak and hear the Holy Spirit speaking through you. Rejoice! You’ve just been baptized in the Holy Spirit! Some people feel things right away; some people experience a more gradual change. Just realize that YOU’VE GOT IT NOW! Keep reading all the scriptures we've talked about and believe!