Two Baptisms
John the Baptist was a forerunner for Jesus. He was Jesus’s cousin and he preached repentance, baptizing a multitude of people in the Jordan River. Some were wondering if John was the Christ. John told them, “I baptize you with water … He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” [Luke 3:16].
A Rushing Mighty Wind
Some time after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, 120 of his followers where having a prayer meeting in the upper room of a house. All of a sudden they heard a sound like a mighty wind. The house was filled with the sound and fire fell on each one, man and woman. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit [Acts 2:1-4]. Jesus had promised that when he was no longer with the disciples, that He would send the Comforter or Helper who is the Holy Spirit [John 14:26] and Jesus always keeps His promises.
Did You Receive the Holy Spirit?
Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not automatically happen when we becomes a believer in Jesus. In Acts 19 the apostle Paul came upon some people who had recently become Christians and ask them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”. They had not even heard about the Holy Spirit. Paul wanted to know what kind of baptism they had received. They had been baptized in water (John’s baptism) which is important to do. Paul prayed and laid hand on them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for every believe but just like salvation, you have to receive the Holy Spirit by faith.
Fruit, Guidance & Power
The Holy Spirit living in us will in time bear good fruit if we allow Him to change our hearts. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control [Galatians 5:22-23]. Jesus called the Holy Spirit “the Spirit of truth” and He tells us that the Spirit will “guide us in all truth”. [John 16:13] Jesus told his followers just before He ascended into Heaven that, “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” [Act 1:8]. So if you want to be a powerful, loving and peaceful Christian who can sense God’s leading, receive the Holy Spirit.