Baptism of the Holy Spirit ~ Water, Fire, Spirit

March - June 2021

After finishing the series on my old church, I sense some of you may want to read a more uplifting topic.  I am reposting this article on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit because I am starting a new series on the gifts of the Spirit.  I want to cover the what, why and how's of the nine spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10. 

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

If you are listening to His voice, then I am sure being birthed in you is a greater thirst for more.  Of course, the Holy Spirit is the only One who can quench our thirst.  How?  With the baptism of His Spirit and with Fire!

I think we all know what water baptism is.  But what is this baptism of Fire and the Spirit?  I found this explanation helpful: “The baptism in the Holy Spirt is the doorway to experiencing God in your life. Receiving the Holy Spirit is so important to the Lord that He commanded the apostles not to go anywhere until they have received the Spirt (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4). Jesus revealed the purpose of the baptism in Acts chapter 1:5 & 8.”

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  (Acts 1:4-5).

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  (Acts 1:8).

“When a person is born of the Spirit, they receive the very nature of God on the inside of them. Their spirit man comes alive and is recreated (Ephesians 2:4-5) and they become sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14). But when a believer is baptized in the Spirit, they receive the power of God for service.”

Baptism in the Holy Spirit (In-Depth Study) – The Biblical Foundation

After I became a believer in Jesus as my Savior as a teen, I was unaware of the need for baptism, in any form.  I wasn’t baptized in water as a child, so my ignorance about baptism continued into adulthood until the Lord pursued me for completion.  I mean, completion of His purpose for me in addition, preparation for a future calling that I needed to heed.  I had no idea that there was more of God that I could pursue, and I had no such desire.  So, the Lord had to chase me until I ran after Him for more.

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  (John 3:5-8 5).

Our example is Acts 2:2-4 When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one 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.

However, my experience was more like Acts 10:44-48.  I believed, was baptized in the Holy Spirit then, I was baptized in water.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished...because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Here is my story:  In the early 1990s big sister Sherry was going through a life crisis and we were on the outs.  But then she became a Christian with the help of her friend Cindy.  Sherry told me some wild things that happened to her in prayer with her friend, so I was interested in seeing her but didn’t want any funny business (like tongues) to be prayed for me!  During a visit to see Sherry, she took me to meet Cindy but before she did, she asked me if I had ever been baptized in the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:5 “…for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  I said ‘No’.

On May 25, 1995, Sherry and Cindy prayed over me for the baptism.  I might add here that all those who are redeemed are eligible for the baptism of the Holy Spirit aka fire, according to Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying to all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’”

I didn’t feel any different; see any visions or anything…kind of boring.  But soon I started having an insatiable desire to read God’s word and to pray.  They told me to ask Jesus what my gifts of the Holy Spirit were, so I prayed fervently for a couple months about what gifts I had been given.  The gift of hearing God’s voice began as I would write out scripture that the Lord gave me through prayer. Sherry and Cindy encouraged me to keep a journal.

In the summer of 1996, I got my first scripture address. It was Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.  After I got the address, I didn’t know if there was an Amos in the Bible, I had to find it. I was so excited; finally, I knew what my gift was…prophecy!  After, Cindy confirmed my calling with a word from the Lord telling me to study the gift of prophecy according to 1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 

After starting to attend church, I was sitting in the sanctuary when the Lord spoke.  He said I was to be baptized.  I was not baptized as a child, though I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was a teenager.  As I recounted earlier, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, but now God wanted a water baptism.  It seemed a little backwards with the Holy Spirit baptism first, but I obeyed and with my friend Gloria; we were baptized at La Jolla Shores. 

Certainly, I don’t know all the ins and outs, the theological reasons and doctrines regarding the Spirit’s baptism.  There is much on the Internet and many books on the subject, but I believe the best solution is to go to the Holy Spirit ourselves, asking God for guidance and His will for our lives in this.  All I have is my experience and scripture.  I do know however, that once I received prayer for the baptism of the Holy Spirit my life as a believer changed.  

If you too are looking for a life-altering experience with our Lord, seek Him…I know you will not be sorry.  Until next time, start preparing in prayer to receive what the Lord has arranged for you.