Doctrine #9: Evidence and Benefits of Baptism of the Holy Spirit

December 19, 2023 Cathy

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. [Acts 2:1-4]

Okay, let’s dive straight into this topic. This particular scripture tends to be divisive among churches and believers. Some assert that this event was only applicable to the day of Pentecost and that the Holy Spirit or the baptism of the Holy Spirit is no longer relevant today. As we explored in Doctrine #8 – Baptism in The Holy Spirit, it does remain relevant. All believers are entitled to, required to, and earnestly seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I will come back to this scripture in a few minutes, but lets first review the benefits of sound doctrine.

Benefits of Sound Doctrine

Sound doctrine gives us a deep sense of awe for God.
Sound doctrine gives us a reverential fear of the Lord.
Sound doctrine is imperative for all believers in these last days.
Sound doctrine will cause you to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Sound doctrine will produce a church that allows the Holy Spirit to lead.
Sound doctrine will provide power and supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit.
Sound doctrine provides a life of peace, prosperity, and purpose.
Sound doctrine gives you a solid foundation for everything in your life.
Sound doctrine prevents you from living in fear and anxiety.
Sound doctrine will give you boldness in the Holy Spirit.
Sound doctrine will give you the ability to be a living sacrifice.
Sound doctrine will help prevent you from receiving the antichrist spirit.
Sound doctrine gives you discernment about heaven and hell.
Sound doctrine will allow you to live a holy life.
Sound doctrine will keep you from falling away from the faith.
Sound doctrine will prevent you from being deceived.
Sound doctrine will help you from going insane in this crazy world.
Sound doctrine will help you to STAND FIRM.

Evidence and Benefits of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 2:1-4 (the scripture above) this was the first time that anyone was baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is a symbol of what it should look like for us upon our baptism.

On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place.

The day of Pentecost was a celebration of the Holy Spirit coming to the Church. Pentecost was fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was taken up into heaven (Acts 1:9) forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3). Therefore, the disciples were waiting for the Holy Spirit for ten days after Jesus told them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

This also shows that as believers we need to meet together, in person whenever possible. The Holy Spirit shows up in great force when two or more are gathered. One of the big reasons that the power of God is not in the church today is because we are not of one accord and in one place, on a local level.

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.

This sound within this quiet room was the presence of the Holy Spirit who appeared suddenly among the people. This most likely took place in the same upper room where Jesus had His Last Supper with His disciples.

We can’t always see physical proof of God’s blessings coming, but we can rest upon His promise. And it may happen suddenly when we least expect it.

Notice this outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit didn’t just fall anywhere. It came only where people were gathered together in unity, waiting, and believing for the Holy Spirit’s power.

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.

This was both a visible and audible supernatural manifestation of the Holy Ghost in addition to the gift of speaking in tongues that accompanied this baptism. This doesn’t typically happen this way today, where visible tongues of fire are evident. But the same empowerment and gift of tongues that the apostles experienced still happens today.

Here are some notes about the fire from Andrew Wommack’s living commentary.

The supernatural fire of God consumed the sacrifices when the tabernacle was first dedicated (Leviticus 9:24)
Solomon’s temple was dedicated (2 Chronicles 7:1).
From that time onward, the priests were supposed to just add wood to the supernatural fire the Lord had already kindled (Leviticus 6:12-13).
When Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire (fire kindled by their effort), they were slain.

Likewise, we are now the temple of the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19), and when the Holy Spirit first came to inhabit His new temple, the supernatural fire of God was once again present. We are required to keep the fire that the Lord starts stoked and burning!

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

It is not completely clear who was included in ‘everyone’. In Acts 1, Luke spoke of 120 men and women being present in the Upper Room, but it cannot be for sure that all of those were present when the Holy Spirit came. It can be safely assumed that the eleven apostles who were waiting, as Jesus had commanded, were present.

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Something kind of important that I didn’t mention in our prior message about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, was how to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Jeepers, blonde move).

Luke 11:10-13 tells us all we need to do is ask and believe. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is given by the Father.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.

So, say this prayer: Heavenly Father, I recognize and know that I NEED your power to live a holy life and a life as a living sacrifice. Please baptize me in the Holy Spirit and fill me up with the Holy Spirit. I believe and receive it right now! Holy Spirit, you are welcome in my life. Thank you for baptizing me with the power of the Holy Spirit – in Jesus’ name, amen.

Once you said this prayer, it doesn’t matter whether you felt anything or not. When you prayed to receive the Lord and His Spirit, your prayer was heard and you were baptized in the Holy Spirit. God always honors His Word. If you believe His promise, you’re filled with God’s supernatural power!

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. [Mark 11:24]

BENEFIT #1 OUR PRAYER LANGUAGE

For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. [1 Corinthians 14:14-15]

Some syllables from a language you don’t recognize will rise up from your heart to your mouth. As you speak out loud by faith, you are releasing God’s power from within and building yourself up in the spirit.

Speaking in other languages is also for all of us, not just for the disciples. This is one physical form of evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It’s not just for apostles, pastors, and teachers.

When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, this is when our prayer language is established. This is praying in an unknown language to the Lord. This is not public speaking for others, or speaking in a prophetic tongue to a congregation, this is our prayers to the Lord.

This is a prayer for self-edification, meaning when we pray in the spirit (another language/our prayer language) this is how we can keep our mind renewed and our focus on God.

The reason it’s another language and so powerful is because it’s the Holy Spirit praying and speaking on our behalf based on the will of God. When we don’t know what to pray or how to pray, we can pray in our prayer language and the Holy Spirit will speak the words that need to be spoken before the Father. It may sound gibberish to us, but the Lord understands perfectly what is being said. We can ask for an interpretation and the Lord can show us, but most of the time these prayers are spoken in faith and power.

This is a gift that can be exercised at will, it’s not something that is going to come out of you randomly, we control when we speak in our prayer language. Let me give you an example: If we are praying with a friend and we break out in another language this is not edifying to our friend because they can’t understand what is being said. This could cause confusion, misunderstanding, or even fear because it’s not understood by them. Therefore, this is not the proper time to pray in our prayer language, it’s mostly appropriate within a like-minded body of believers or in our alone time with the Lord. It’s a powerful way to pray that is beyond our comprehension.

BENEFIT #2 THE WORD BECOMES CRYSTAL CLEAR

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. [John 14:25-27]

I know from my experience, being baptized in the Holy Spirit gave me even more discernment and understanding of the Word. In our natural mind, we cannot understand the Word fully.

Indeed, a non-believer could logically explain the scriptures. However, without the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand God’s Word to the fullest, especially about ourselves. We could grasp the thoughts, but yet miss the life-changing purpose behind the thoughts. In that sense, we can comprehend the raw concepts, but we cannot truly see. Without the baptism of the Holy Spirit cannot fully understand or appreciate the things of God.

You may have noticed that there are very different experiences within churches. Sometimes the Word of God and the Spirit of God get emphasized differently depending on the denomination, preacher, or theological background. Taken to the extreme, sometimes one or the other is all but neglected. This is a tragedy. The Spirit of God and the Word of God were never meant to be separated or pitted against one another.

On one side you may have some charismatic churches emphasizing the “Spirit” but sometimes neglecting God’s Word and getting into all kinds of strange practices that are nowhere justified in the Bible.

On the far other end, you may have intellectual churches that heavily emphasize the “Word” but can seem somewhat dry and perceived as lacking spiritual enthusiasm, the fluffy churches.

And then you have all kinds of churches in between that may emphasize the Spirit and Word in varying degrees. This is a very unnatural divide, which causes division among believers.

The Holy Spirit will give you peace and wisdom that will NOT contradict the Word.

BENEFIT #3 WE BECOME USABLE

You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! [John 15:3-7]

I love these scriptures because it is a perfect word picture of us being connected to the Holy Spirit. We cannot do ANYTHING without the Holy Spirit.

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to be used by God. If we try to do things in our own ability and talents without the Holy Spirit, we will fall flat on our faces. It’s the Holy Spirit that gives us wisdom, direction, and guidance. This is what will give us the supernatural energy, health, and power to do the work of the Lord. We need to learn to trust His leading for everything that we do.

Look at all the promises the Lord gives us IF we remain connected to the Holy Spirit, just in this one passage.

We will be pruned and purified by the Word. This we will talk about more in the next doctrine, but this is our process of becoming a living sacrifice.
When we choose to stay connected to the Holy Spirit – He will stay connected to us.
We cannot and will NOT produce any fruit apart from the Holy Spirit.
We are connected to the Holy Spirit like a branch is to a vine. Without Him He will die.
When we remain with the Holy Spirit, we will produce much fruit!
When we are separated from the Holy Spirit, we can do NOTHING.
If we choose to NOT stay connected, we will become useless and die.
We become a branch that is burned in fire (not the good fire), if we are disconnected from the vine – Holy Spirit. This is an eternal separation from God.
IF we remain connected to the Holy Spirit and stay in the Word, we can ask for anything, and it will be granted.

CONNECTED TO HOLY SPIRIT	WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
Pruned and purified by the Word	NO righteous or holy living
He will stay connected to us	NO power and life
We will produce a lot of fruit!	NO fruit will be produced
We can do ALL things	We can do NOTHING
We will be useful and live	We become useless and die
We will remain with Christ forever	Separated from Christ forever
We can ask for anything, and it will be granted

The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us the ability and supernatural power to be used by God.

BENEFIT #4 OVERFLOWING FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, Rivers of living water will flow from his heart. When he said living water, he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory. [John 7:37-39]

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit allows the spirit to flow through us. We operate from the overflowing fullness of the spirit within us. Remember, we cannot do anything with the Holy Spirit. This is totally God’s will that we are filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s presence brings deep, abiding, and personal hope. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the outflowing of the Holy Spirit from our lives, which brings transformation. When baptized in the Holy Spirit we become Rivers of living water that flow freely onto others.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit gives us anointing and three main things:

Increases our ability to understand the Word and for worship.
Supernatural desire and power to witness to others.
A firm stance for spiritual warfare.

BENEFIT #5 GREAT LOVE

He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. [Colossians 1:8-10]

The baptism of the Holy Spirit transforms us to where we will have a more profound love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost. We have more compassion and love for ALL people, even those that are not easy to love. This kind of love can only be produced through the Holy Spirit.

BENEFIT #6 SUPERNATURAL ABILITIES

And then he told them, go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed. When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. [Mark 16:15-20]

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit gives us the power and supernatural abilities just as Jesus had. Now this is again another dividing doctrine. However, if we go back to doctrine #1 and the Word being our foundation – John 14:12 tells us: I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we will be given supernatural abilities. It’s these unexplainable experiences that draw people to Jesus. It’s NOT us, it’s the Holy Spirit working within us. (powerful, amazing, incredible)!!

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to share the good news with anyone.
When we share this news, because of the Holy Spirit – ANYONE who believes and is baptized (water) WILL be saved.
Because of the Holy Spirit anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
When baptized in the Holy Spirit miraculous signs will accompany those who believe.
When baptized in the Holy Spirit we have been given the ability to cast out demons in Jesus’ name.
When baptized in the Holy Spirit as we talked in benefit number one we will speak in new languages. Allowing the Holy Spirit to pray on our behalf.
When baptized in the Holy Spirit we will be supernaturally protected from the devil. I’m not planning on accidentally or intentionally picking up a real snake. (This is either speaking literally of supernatural protection if we pick up a snake or symbolically of protection in our fight against the devil. Since the other four signs in this list are literal, it is most probable that this is speaking of physically taking up snakes).
When baptized in the Holy Spirit and when we are forced into a position to take our stand for Christ, we can again believe in supernatural protection. (drinking the poison).
When baptized in the Holy Spirit we will be able to place our hands on the sick, and they will be healed. This specifically is something that I desire to do; I am overflowing with the Holy Spirit and believe that when I lay hands on someone they are healed.

All these promises are NOT just for evangelists, pastors, and teachers this is for ALL of us who believe and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

MULTIPLE BENEFITS AND EVIDENCE

All believers are entitled to and should expect and earnestly seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 Spiritual gifts. Take the time to read and meditate on these scriptures, as these scriptures can be and will be at some time a separate teaching on their own. But just know the baptism of the Holy Spirit is when the bestowment and the activation of these spiritual gifts occur.

Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice.
To another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.
The same Spirit gives great faith to another.
To someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.
He gives one person the power to perform miracles.
To another the ability to prophesy.
He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit.
Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages.
While another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand, that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, I am not part of the body because I am not an eye, would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, I don’t need you. The head can’t say to the feet, I don’t need you.

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.

This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

first are apostles
second are prophets
third are teachers
then those who do miracles
those who have the gift of healing
those who can help others
those who have the gift of leadership
those who speak in unknown languages.

Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.