DISTINCT WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Acts 19:2

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit distinct from his regeneration work. To be born again of the Spirit is one thing, to be baptized with the Holy Spirit is something different, something additional. Like receiving another gift from the Father. This is evident from Acts 1:5, "In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." The disciples were not as yet baptized with the Spirit, but they were born again. In John 15:3, Jesus had said to these men, "You are already clean because of the Word I have spoke to you. It is clear from James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:23 that to be made "clean" means to be "born again" through the Word of God. Of the disciples, Jesus noted that all had been made clean except for Judas Iscariot (Jn. 13:10-13). But they were not yet baptized with the Holy Spirit.

The same situation was evident in Acts 8:12-16. Here we find a large company of baptized believers, but the record informs us that when Peter and John visited them, "they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them". In as clear and undeniable language as possible, Scripture shows the baptism with the HS to be distinct and something additional to being born again. Let us bow to the teaching of the Word of God even if it does not agree with our preconceived theories or ways.

But we should add that one may be baptized with the HS at the very moment he is born again. Lets look at the household of Cornelius in Acts 10:44-46, "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the Gospel message... the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God".

I believe this was meant to be the norm for the church. Matter of fact this was the norm as we read in the Church history books for the first 500 years. Baptism of the Holy Spirit was not a question, but received with joy.

Salvation, then get baptized in water and Holy Spirit. One package to receive in your early days as a new believer, not three different seasons of your life.

When I was born again I shortly got water baptized then I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. All within a few weeks. In the Jesus Movement it was common to see people met Jesus and then taken to water for water baptism and coming out of the water speaking in tongues and praising God.

The Holy Spirit is every believer's privilege and birthright through the crucified, risen, and ascended Savior, and He has poured out this marvelous gift (Acts 2:33). But in a manner similar to the believers as Ephesus Acts 19, "On hearing the message, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied".

Have you claimed what is rightfully yours? This gift is the promise from the Father (Acts 1:4).

Have you asked the Holy Spirit to baptize you and give you the gift of tongues. I see this as foundational and also opening the door for other gifts of the Spirit and the Super Natural.

Lets pray

God, I want everything you have for me. All the gifts of the Spirit. I want to be open and hungry for your ways. Will you baptize me afresh right now. In Jesus powerful name. Amen