You in the Power and The Power in You
For this important intro, I must use an illustration from Reinhard Bonnke. It is so clear a child could understand it:
The word baptism was not originally a religious reference but a common commercial term of the ancients. 2,000 years ago, “baptism” was a word used by dyers of cloth to describe the process of fabric accepting the nature of the dye. The linen would be immersed into the hot liquid of color. And when that cloth was raised from the dye water, it smelled of dye; it looked of dye! The fabric was in the dye and the dye was in the fabric. The two had become one in the body of the cloth.
The fabric had accepted the nature of the dye!!
Example concluded.
What then is the baptism into the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit in you and you in the Holy Spirit. It is the baptism into power as cloth into color. Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you…”
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose: He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire:
Jesus, as a dyer “a baptizer”, baptizes you into the Holy Spirit and fire. “The power to succeed in you and you in the power to succeed!!” Just as dye becoming one in the cloth!!
Where is the connection to power? Jesus told his disciples to WAIT until they were endued with power from on high before they were to do anything else – including even preaching the gospel… Obviously, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luk 24:49 And, behold, I (Jesus) send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high.
Power for what…power to fulfill your purpose/ your commission here.
Act_1:5, 2:1-4 For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence….
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it 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.
Notice, after this point, the power of the Holy Spirit watermarked these men and women wherever they went – even like dye that has marked linen. They were different. The enabling power of the Holy Spirit was present. 3,000 people were saved in that very hour. And if you keep reading the book of Acts, you will note that this baptism preluded the power that followed… you know the stories. The lame, blind, and demon possessed were healed and the dead raised; the gospel preached with clarity and boldness. Even the “religiously educated” took note of the difference:
Act_4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Before, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that same Peter had been a coward for sure – running away, then sneaking in to the courtyard and denying Jesus thrice!
If the apostles needed the Holy Spirit, are you greater than them not to need Him? You were born to the last days – and for many lives, it is their last hour. Whether you are a babysitter, a teenager, a police, a clerk…. You need the Holy Spirit’s power for your avenue of commission.
In closing…A car may have a perfect engine, but if that engine is not filled with gas, it is difficult to move the car. The Holy Spirit is the power of God, like fuel in an engine. Even so, belonging to God is the first part. But the gas is what that engine feeds on for success. Without the help of the Holy Spirit it’s like having one shoe on and the other off. It’s harder to run. So Jesus promised that Gift:
Act_1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
If you say, I have received Jesus as my Savior… but I have never received baptism into the power of the Holy Spirit. How do I become baptized?...
HOW do I receive the Holy Spirit?
First, do not think that you must beg and plead. The Holy Spirit is not given as a reward for your personal success. The Holy Spirit is given as an enablement to succeed. Your weakness and your need for Him make you qualified for His Help. Just ask for what He promised. He is not a man that He should lie. God cannot and will not refuse to do what He promised. Receive the Holy Spirit even as you received Jesus as your Savior.
Act 2:38-39 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 you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off…
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?
Jesus has already prayed for God to send the Holy Spirit to you. God will not refuse Jesus’ prayer. John 14:16 -17 And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the (Holy) Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and will be in you.
Matthew_3:11 I (John) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He (Jesus) that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
You in the fire and the fire in you as dye in the cloth.
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