Christ’s lordship extends to all aspects of the church’s life and mission. One of his titles announced by John the Baptist is Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:11) Jesus taught his disciples that the Holy Spirit baptism is a necessity and a huge key to success in our pursuit of the Great Commission.
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”… 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit is our source of power and boldness for carrying out the church’s mission. Receiving this baptism is part of what it means to surrender to Christ’s lordship.
Jesus operated in the power and gifts of the Spirit continually during his earthly ministry, which began officially at the synagogue in Nazareth.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 (ESV)
Jesus only did what the Spirit showed him to do. He spoke the Words the Spirit gave him to speak. He counsels us to do the same.
If we present the Gospel with only the power of words and logic, we fail to communicate the fullness of God’s message, which comes in word and power.
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV) The wisdom and knowledge of the Spirit are also needed if we are going to minister as Jesus did. Can you imagine our Lord’s ministry devoid of the prophetic element? How would he have captured the heart of the woman at the well in Samaria, if he had not told her the hidden truth about her five husbands? How would he have so quickly won over Nathanael, if he had not related that he had seen him by the Spirit standing under the fig tree? The Holy Spirit brings a spiritual element into our ministry, without which it is much more difficult, if not impossible, to go and make disciples.
We are not simply to argue and debate that Jesus is Lord: we are to demonstrate.
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV) The early disciples were afraid of the Jews before they were baptized in the Spirit, but afterward boldly announced the gospel, even when threatened with persecution. Many of us are intimidated and sitting at home instead of going out into our communities to connect with our neighbors, make friends, and eventually make disciples. We need to receive the Spirit’s power and ability and realize that He is already working in the lives of those who live, work, and play around us.
Our job is to put ourselves “out there” where the Spirit can use us. We never know what God may do.
If we are going to develop a culture of mission in our churches, we must acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of the Harvest and Baptizer in the Spirit. Disciple making churches should encourage members to receive the baptism and gifts of the Spirit and become proficient in their use. We should encourage our people to listen to and obey the voice and promptings of the Spirit every day as they mingle with those who need the Lord.
