In the previous articles in this series, I explained what the baptism in the Holy Spirit is, what are the benefits of receiving this promise, and how to overcome common obstacles. In this and the concluding articles on the subject, I will show you how to receive this promise by faith.
It does little good to know all about a subject and never personally experience it.
It is one thing to generally believe that God’s promises are real and true and quite another to personally receive one. Many believe that God heals, but fewer have received a supernatural healing. Many, even the devil, believe Jesus died to save sinners, but fewer receive that salvation personally. As long as we keep truth at arm’s length and make it purely objective, we may be able to safely distance ourselves from the costs associated with obedience, but we will also rob ourselves of the joy of receiving something from God.
Faith is like breathing. It must be “inhaled” or received and “exhaled” or acted upon. God wants us to believe his promises are true, receive them for ourselves, and then act as if we believe.
For example, when Jesus told the centurion that his servant had been healed, that man believed Jesus’ words and acted appropriately: he returned home.
What we do after saying that we believe reveals whether we were just spouting empty words or truly believed in our hearts.
To receive the baptism in the Spirit requires that we accept the truth of God’s Word, receive his promise by faith, and act as if we believe he gave it to us.
Can I Be Sure This Promise Is for Me Today?
In the first sermon recorded after the initial outpouring of the Spirit, the apostle Peter made it absolutely clear that the baptism in the Spirit is for all of God’s children.
Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." Acts 2:38-39 (NASB)
A contextual reading of this section of Acts makes it plain that the “promise” means the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Peter explained what their speaking in tongues meant: it evidenced the outpouring or baptism in the Spirit, which was prophesied by Joel and later promised by John the Baptist and Jesus himself.
Peter made it clear that God has made the baptism in the Spirit available to every person who would ever come to Christ – those present, their children, the Gentiles (those “far off”), and everyone else throughout time who will respond to the Gospel (“as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself”).
Jesus also made it clear that every child of God can receive this gift. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Holy Spirit when we ask him.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:13 (NASB)
Jesus died as the Lamb of God to provide us with forgiveness and reconciliation to the Father. He rose and ascended to heaven to become the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and pour out the Spirit upon his church. Because of this, we can be sure this amazing gift is for us.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14 (NASB)
If we believe what is written above is true, we are faced with a decision. Will I receive this promise for myself by faith or not?
Will I value what Jesus died to give me or remain fearful or indifferent? I hope each of us will treasure and pursue what cost our Lord so much to provide for us!.
To access this entire series, click here.
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