"THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST"

WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY ABOUT THE HOLY GHOST?

Isaiah 28:9-12, tells of stammering lips and another tongue that God will give to His people. Paul spoke of this experience in 1 Corinthians 14:21. Isaiah said that this experience would be like drawing water from the wells of salvation ( Isaiah 12:3 ).

WHAT DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT SAY ABOUT THE HOLY GHOST?

John the Baptist is quoted by all four Gospel writers ( Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33 ) that Jesus would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Jesus said that John was a prophet ( Luke 7:24-30 ). Jesus said that the Spirit: 1) Was like a river of living water ( John 4:10-14 ); 2) Was like being born again ( John 3:1-8 ); 3) Would be a comforter ( John 4:10-14 ); 4) Would be the power of God in us ( Acts 1:8 ).

WHAT IS THE HOLY GHOST?

The Holy Ghost is described on many occasions throughout the scriptures. It has been referred to as: Spirit of Christ ( Romans 8:9-11 ); A baptism ( 1 Corinthians 12:13 ); A birth ( John 3:1-8 ); A seal, or promise ( Ephessians 4:30 ); The earnest of our inheritance ( 2 Corinthians 1:22 ); Rest and refreshing ( Isaiah 28:12 ); Spirit of adoption where we cry ABBA, FATHER ( Romans 8:15 ); Living water ( 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ); Power from heaven ( Acts 1:8 ); The Comforter ( John 14 ).

WHO CAN HAVE THE HOLY GHOST?

1. God's promise of the Holy Ghost is to all flesh - sons, daughters, servants, and handmaids.

(Acts 2:16 KJV) "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;"

(Acts 2:17 ) "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:"

2. John the Baptist did not exclude anyone in his preaching about the Holy Ghost baptism.

(Matthew 3:11 KJV) "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

3. Peter declared " for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off" ( Acts 2:38-39 ).

4. God gives the Holy Ghost to them that obey Him.

(Acts 5:32 KJV) "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

5. Those at Samaria, the Ethiopian, and the people at Azotus received the Holy Ghost ( Acts 8:1-40 ).

6. Cornelius and those in his home received the Holy Ghost.

(Acts 10:44 KJV) "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."

(Acts 10:45 ) "And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost."

(Acts 10:46 ) "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,"

(Acts 10:47 ) "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

(Acts 10:48 ) "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

7. (Acts 10:35 KJV) "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

8.(Revelation 5:9 KJV) "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST?

On the Day of Pentecost, the birth of the church, one hundred and twenty spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them the utterance when they received the Holy Ghost.

(Acts 2:1 KJV) "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."

(Acts 2:2 ) "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

(Acts 2:3 ) "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."

(Acts 2:4 ) "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

God's Word is very precise in giving us example after example to this phenomenal sign of speaking in tongues as evidence one has received the Holy Ghost. Millions have experienced this glorious ecstatic utterance when they receive the like precious gift. Paul spoke with tongues more than all the Corinthian church.

(1 Corinthians 14:18 KJV) "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:"

No doubt, the first occasion was when he received the Holy Ghost.

(Acts 9:17 KJV) "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."

(Acts 9:18 ) "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."

Numerous scriptures are at your disposal for study. These are a few of them:

1. Isaiah prophesied of God speaking through another tongue ( Isaiah 28:9-12 ).

2. When the New Testament church began, they spoke in other tongues, 
( Acts 2:1-4 ). 

3. It is conclusive that the Samaritans spoke with tongues, ( Acts 8:1-25 ).

4. Cornelius' household, who were all Gentiles, spoke with other tongues, (Acts 10:44-48).

5. Believers in John's baptism were re-baptized and spoke with tongues, ( Acts 19:1-6 ).

WHY IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST SO IMPORTANT?

1. It is necessary for salvation ( Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3 ).

2. It will lead us into all truth ( John 16:13 ).

3. It acts as a discerner and intercessor ( Romans 8:26 ).

(Acts 2:1 KJV) "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."

(Acts 2:2 ) "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

(Acts 2:3 ) "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."

(Acts 2:4 ) "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

(Acts 2:38 ) "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

(Romans 8:9 KJV) "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

(Romans 8:10 ) "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

(Romans 8:11 ) "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

(Romans 8:12 ) "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh."

(Romans 8:13 ) "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."

(Romans 8:14 ) "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

(Romans 8:15 ) "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

Our first and foremost goal must be to be saved! The steps to salvation are not difficult or enshrouded in mystery! Salvation can be readily found in the scripture. The first step is repentance, a sorrowful attitude and confession of sin. The second step is water baptism in the name of Jesus by immersion. The third step, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.