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What is the Baptism
in the
Spirit?
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Acts 2: 4-8 4. And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8. And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
The Bible -
A Supernatural Book
Of the many descriptions of the Bible, the
one most appropriate to our study is that the Bible is a supernatural book.
This is true for a number of reasons:
(1) It's supernatural in its origin --
coming to us by divine inspiration.
(2) It's supernatural in its durability --
surviving all the attempts of its enemies to exterminate it.
(3) It's supernatural in its results --
transforming the lives of all those who read it and believe it.
(4) It's supernatural in its harmony --
agreeing in all its parts, even though written over a period of 1600 years by
about 40 different authors.
(5) It's supernatural in its message --
telling of many occasions when Yahweh intervened in the affairs of humans to
accomplish his redemptive purposes.
(6) It's supernatural in its preservation
-- maintaining its accuracy and reliability down through the centuries, even despite modern attempts to pervert
its message.
If the Bible is a supernatural book, then
it can be our textbook to learn about the supernatural world. If we emulate the beliefs, practices and
actions of the righteous characters it portrays, then eventually we become the same
kind receiving the same gifts that were received by the great
saints. Please take your copy of the Supernatural Book and turn to Luke 3:16
and we'll begin.
John the
Baptist - A Prophet for All Time
John the Baptist was the herald of the
Anointed Messiah Yahshua. Yahweh’s people in John's time understood that, before
the Messiah could come, the prophet Elijah would appear to "make the
Messiah's way straight." When that Messiah came on the scene, Yahshua
actually called John “The Elijah, which was to come." Now, when John's followers asked him if he
was the Messiah, he answered them all,
(Luke 3:16) "I baptize you with
water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am
not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Set-apart Spirit and with
fire."
John was a
powerful prophet of Yahweh. Yet he prophesied that Yahshua would be more powerful
than he and would baptize you with the Set-apart Spirit and fire. Today, this
Baptism in the Set-apart Spirit is one of the most controversial subjects in the
world, often unknown in mainline congregations. But if the Supernatural Book is
true and baptizing in the Set-apart Spirit’s what Yahshua came to do, then it's up to
us to seek it out so that we might enter this "Portal to the
Supernatural" ourselves.
John the Baptist here prophesies to all
people -- those who were standing there and those who are present every
time the prophecy is read. So John's
message is still true today: that Yahshua not only came to save, but also to
baptize in the Set-apart Spirit with fire.
Opinions Now
and Then
Some church folks today say, "I was
baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire automatically when I was saved." This may indeed be the case. But I would ask, "Does your life reflect
the passion and fire of the Set-apart Spirit?" "Are you working with
spiritual resources now?" "Are you living in victory?" "Do
folks know you 'got it' when they see you?" The fire-baptized are a-burn!
Others say, "The supernatural died out
with the Apostles." But I would ask, "Did the Bible become false when
they died as well?" If our church
tells us something contrary to the Bible, which will we believe? If the Spiritual Gifts died out, then how
might one be born again? To these, I
might add, "Isn't it true that you are also spiritually dead?"
John Wesley was not a charismatic figure
at 5' 2" tall. His sermons are exceedingly dull. But people flocked to
here him preach. Somebody asked him why anybody even bothered to come. Wesley
replied, "I set myself on fire, and people come to watch me
burn." It was the fire that
attracted folks like moths to a flame. Are you on fire and burning for
the Set-apart Spirit? If "Yes,"
then you do indeed exhibit evidence of the Baptism in the Set-apart Spirit.
But if you don't have the evidence, then you can't have the Baptism.
But you need this empowerment to fulfill His perfect will for your life. It
will qualify you to use the greatest power the world has ever known.
And if not, then you need to prepare your heart
for what the Set-apart Spirit has in store for you -- not only for your own sake,
but also for the sake of the coming Kingdom. PRAYER: Love Divine, all loves excelling:
Breathe, O breathe thy Loving Spirit
The Baptism with the
Set-apart Spirit and the Risen Yahshua
In Acts 1:4-5,8 we read that Yahshua has
risen and he reclines at the table with his disciples, instructing them what to
do before they dared to go forth and witness to his resurrection. Yahshua gave
them this command:
"Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for
the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. {5} For John
baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Set-apart
Spirit. {8} But you will receive power when the Set-apart Spirit comes on you; and
you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
ends of the earth."
Here Yahshua
affirms John's prophecy. Furthermore, Yahshua distinguishes the Baptism in the
Set-apart Spirit from baptism in water.
Lesson 1: So we learn first that the Baptism in the Set-apart Spirit is not the
same thing as water baptism. Also, this baptism is a gift from the Father and
originates not on Earth, but in the spiritual dimension.
Yahshua'
disciples were already "saved" and water-baptized; yet they needed
something further in order to go forth. Yahshua told them they would receive
it soon.
Lesson 2: So we learn that the
Baptism in the Set-apart Spirit is not the same as salvation, nor does it
automatically happen when someone accepts Yahshua. This Baptism has a
different function. Through it the disciples received supernatural power,
not only in inspired speaking, but also in miraculous abilities. This Baptism
in the Set-apart Spirit with fire is the doorway to wonderful spiritual realities
and resources. A believer’s spiritual abilities are dormant until she
has entered through this door.
Lesson 3: So we learn that we may be
saved and baptized in water, even be a professional minister, yet still not
have experienced the Baptism in the Set-apart Spirit. We need not wonder what holds
us back from living a fulfilled and "perfect" believer life. If
we're not baptized in the Spirit then our power for victorious living is very
limited. Yet this baptism is not a "gimme"; it doesn't usually happen
without our knowing it. For He instills
in us tangible evidence that it has that he has come powerfully into his
temple. We immediately receive a wonderful gift that we may hold precious for
the rest of our lives.
Let's pray the Father for this Baptism:
PRAYER OF PREPARATION: Father in Heaven,
giver of gifts, prepare my heart for immersion in your Spirit. Through Yahshua Messiah, our Sovereign. Amen.
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It Happened
One Pentecost
A few days after Yahshua told his disciples
to wait on the Set-apart Spirit, they came together in a second-story apartment to
watch and pray. The KJV tells us that they were "in one accord," or
"single-minded." The city of Jerusalem was full of Jews from all over
the world that had come to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. The story of what
happened in the "upper room" is found in
Acts 2:1ff. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one
place. {2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven
and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to
be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of
them were filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as
the Spirit enabled them.
Who was
there? Acts 1:6-7 tells us that the twelve disciples were there along with
Yahshua' mother, family, and all his women friends, all "constantly in
prayer." They heard a sound like the wind then saw "flames of
fire" alighting. In other words, specks of fire fell upon them from above.
Then everyone in the room - men, women, and children - was baptized with the
Set-apart
Spirit and they spoke praise and exhortation in languages they’d never learned.
Lesson 4: So we learn that the
Baptism in the Set-apart Spirit is not just for some Pentecostals. This Baptism is
for everyone who will seek it out in prayer.
In this first instance, languages were given so that these folks
might be able to proclaim the Gospel to all the pilgrims present in the city.
Later on in the chapter, Peter interprets the languages. We will learn about
“the gift of tongues” later so as to clear up any confusion. But for the time
being, let’s note that all in the upper room were baptized with the
Set-apart
Spirit and all spoke out in languages as recorded in the Supernatural Book.
If the Baptism with the Set-apart Spirit was for
these men, women and children, then the Baptism is for me and for you. Whatever
good thing the Set-apart Spirit of Yahweh has for me, I want. Don't you?
PRAYER OF ACCESS: Breathe on us, Set-apart
Spirit. Pour out your shining glory. Baptize us with power. Manifest your
presence with fire. We have been a scattered people. Gather us into your
one-ness. Send a mighty wind and bursts of flame. Let us hear and see and feel.
And let us speak with new tongues, the languages of our heavenly home.
Wings Over
Cliff College
In the first month of 1993, I was sent from
as a delegate to the World Methodist Evangelism Institute's congress at Cliff
College in Manchester, England. There were over a hundred delegates from all
over the world representing 20 million Methodists. There were many different
cultures, races and language groups represented.
On the last morning of the congress, we
were all invited into the auditorium for worship. A Welsh lay pastor testified
that he had been baptized in the Spirit.
When it happened, he said, he began spontaneously praising his Yahweh in a
language he had never learned, just as it says in the Bible. He beseeched the
group to open their hearts to the power of the Set-apart Spirit’s baptism. Then he
began to lead the singing in a wonderful way that took the old starched stoics
by surprise. The Spirit wind began to blow in that place.
People raised their hands in praise. The
Set-apart Spirit moved over the crowd, and some got excited. Others burst into tears
of joy. Then some began to speak in unlearned languages. As praise from a
hundred mouths filled the room, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there came the
mighty blast of the rushing wind overhead. The wind came in waves,
and lingered for nearly a minute before it subsided. Everyone in the room was
astounded at how the Spirit was moving in their midst. It was like a new
Pentecost. The event was a fitting climax to two weeks of seeking the Almighty
in "one accord."
What about the sound of the wind heard and
felt there in Manchester England in 1993? As it turned out, several RAF jet
fighters chose just that moment to make a low pass over the auditorium. We
experienced a "sonic boom" baptism.
You see, Yahweh Sabaoth had called in the RAF just for the
occasion! Isn't that just like Him to
provide the sound effects for a new Pentecost?
And the Set-apart Spirit will provide signs, wonders, gifts and resources for
us when we're ready to receive in like fashion.
Don't Be a
Squencher
It's critical for us to be open to what the
Spirit has for us and that we must wait and watch expectantly and prayerfully
for His arrival; that we must be in one accord -- nobody may be contrary. To be
against the move of the Set-apart Spirit is the same as going head to head against
Yahweh. The Apostle Paul, who wrote the book on spiritual resources, admonishes
us in his earliest letter that we "Quench not the Spirit" when He
comes to us.
Pastor Vance Havner friend created a word
by combining the two words "squelch" and "quench." He'd
say, "Don't 'squench' the Spirit." He once preached that,
We squench the Spirit in more ways than we
suspect. When we criticize or discourage others by an unspiritual attitude, we
'throw cold water' on their inner fire. The Set-apart Spirit can be grieved very
easily. A frivolous attitude, a rebellious frame of mind, or a fed-up
complacency will do it.
As in every
congregation, there may be some who are simply spiritually dead. They feel nothing but boredom. But there also may be some who are excited
about receiving spiritual realities. If you don't believe in it then don't be a
spoilsport and "squench" it for others. Always make an effort! We
should be unified in our desires for Messiah’s best. If we could create a new
word for what the church needs, it might be one-accord-ness, especially in
regards to the second blessing baptism.
The
Millionaire
And “How much more shall your heavenly
Father give the Set-apart Spirit to those who ask him?” If the Set-apart Spirit has gifts hidden for you, are you willing to
seek them out? The Millionaire was a TV
series thirty-five years ago. It was about the philanthropist John Baresford
Tipton who sent his agent out to give someone he picked a $1,000,000 check. In
one episode, the check was to go to a righteous man who worked hard in his life,
yet he was poor -- and proud of it. He
liked to say that he "pulled himself up by his bootstraps." The man
certainly deserved the million, but try as he might, the millionaire's agent
couldn't get him to take the check.
At first the man wouldn't believe the check
could be for him. Next, if it was for him, there were strings attached.
Finally, he’d never take the check because he'd always made it on his own; his
pride wouldn't allow him a handout.
Although the millionaire never took the check back, the man it was
intended for would never receive it, and so he remained poor and powerless.
The Great Spirit has a gift for you worth
much more than a million! I wouldn't take ten million for the Spirit-baptism I
received in 1967. He's promised that the same fire, glory and power that fell
upon the first disciples will also fall on you, if only you will only be
receptive and diligent. He offers tangible evidence when you receive; evidence
that will convince you that it’s real.
Let's make an effort to receive what we
deserve as children of Yahweh. Let's expect Heaven to come down and glory to
fill our souls! Let's claim a new Pentecost for our church, and ask that it
come soon! Heavenly Father, I want to experience all that You have in store for me in Messiah Yahshua. I am sorry for my pride that may have kept me from experiencing any part of the life in the Spirit. I do repent of this pride and I ask You to reveal Your life and love to me. I want You to take over my guidance and be my Master. I don't know all that this means now, but I trust You to teach me. Father, I ask You to baptize me in Your Set-apart Spirit. I want all You have suffered to give me. O, Sovereign Yahshua, I empty myself of all that I thought I knew if it stands in Your way of baptizing me in your Spirit. Pour out your power upon me so that I might live a life worthy of Your name. I thank You Father; I do now receive all of Yahshua; I thank You Yahshua, I do now receive all of Your Set-apart Spirit; I thank you Set-apart Spirit that You have made all this possible by Your faithful love. I thankfully pray in Yahshua' name. Amen.
Jackson Snyder, July
19, 1992, updated January 16, 2002 |
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