After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples were instructed to go to Jerusalem and wait. Through out the Old Testament the Holy Spirit intermittently dwelled with men, guiding, comforting, and helping them. Yet, He did not indwell men and women as He does now. The baptism of the Holy Spirit came only after the completed work of Jesus Christ on Calvary. Now every true believer is indwelt with Jesus Christ. His Spirit indwells us. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Romans 8:9). Jesus commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5).
True Believer
From that day forward, all true believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. So, who are true believers? Those who by faith believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, with all the full attributes of God. Furthermore, one must believe that He who had no sin, took upon Himself our sin. Dying on the cross, He paid our sin debt in full. A debt that we could never pay ourselves. He, then, rose again from the dead on the third day, victorious over sin and death. Because of all this, a true believer comes to Christ acknowledging His Lordship over their life.
Even the demons acknowledge that He is God’s son who died on the cross and rose again; however, they do not surrender to Him as their Lord and Savior. But all who come with a heart humbled by Grace, desiring to bow before Him in all His Glory, through faith are saved. And all who are saved, have the Holy Spirit’s presence in them.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit-First Church- God’s Timing
Remember how exact the timing of Daniel’s prophecy regarding the Messiah entering Jerusalem. The Final Sacrificial lamb died on Passover and rose again on the day of the feast of first fruits as outlined in Leviticus. Then, the day of Pentecost was on the 50th day after Passover which is the feast of Harvest. The word Pentecost means the 50th day. And of note the feast of the Harvest was when the Jewish people had a pilgrimage to Jerusalem from many nations on the 50th day after the Passover.
On the day of Pentecost there was an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit with such Glorious Grandeur at a time when many were present to witness this. Therefore, the harvest of Christians that day was 3000. No coincidences with God. He is Sovereign in all that He does. His timing is perfect. The church began.
Acts 2: 1-11
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 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 Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. They were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Can You Imagine?
Can you imagine, the sounds of a rushing wind like a hurricane with no wind present? Following this everyone heard in their own language despite no interpreters and the multiplicity of languages being spoken. An amazing entrance for the Holy Spirit.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit Today
A few key points of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- The Spirit came, not because of the people praying. Rather He arrived on God’s timing.
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at the time of salvation. He remains with us throughout our lifetime. Even though there are times when we feel Him more than others; but that we will discuss the next time.
Concluding Thoughts
Just to say, Wednesday I did have major surgery and am still in the hospital. Medications did make it hard to write, so I apologize if at any point I did not make sense.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Posts in This Study of ACTS
How to Wait with Cautious Discernment
How to Hold Fast to the True Gospel Message
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.