The baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all who profess faith in Christ. They are born again spiritually by receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
One of Christ’s goals in His earthly mission was to baptize His followers in the Holy Spirit. He instructs His disciples not to begin witnessing until baptism in the Holy Spirit and endued with power from on high, as described in Luke chapter twenty-four verse forty-nine. Jesus Christ, Himself did not enter into His ministry until He had anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power as explained in Acts chapter ten verse thirty-eight.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an operation of the Spirit distinct and separate from His work of regeneration. Just as the Spirit’s sanctifying work complements His regenerating work, so the baptism in the Spirit compliments the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Spirit. On the day of Christ’s resurrection, He breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost,” as stated in John chapter twenty verse twenty-two, and indicates that regeneration and new life received on them. Then later, Jesus told them the disciples must be endued with power by the Holy Spirit as previously mentioned. To be baptized in the Spirit means to be filled with the Spirit. However, this baptism occurred only at and after Pentecost.
In the book of Acts, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial outward sign accompanying the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is linked so closely to the manifestation of speaking in tongues which a should expect when receiving that baptism. The baptism in the Holy Spirit brings personal boldness and power of the Spirit into the believer’s life to accomplish mighty works in Christ’s name and make one’s witness and proclamation effective. This power is not some impersonal force but is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit by which Jesus and His glory and works are present with His people.
Other results of a genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit are: prophetic utterances and declarations of praise, enhanced sensitivity to sin that grieves the Holy Spirit, a seeking of righteousness, and a deeper awareness of God’s judgment against ungodliness, a life that brings glory to Jesus Christ, new visions, a manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, a greater desire to pray, a deeper understanding of God’s Word, and an increasing awareness.
God’s Word cites several conditions by which baptism in the Holy Spirit gives. We must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and turn from sin and the world. That involves surrendering our wills to God. We must turn from that which offends God before we can be “a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use.” We must desire to fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit and have a deep hunger for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We often receive the baptism in answer to prayer and expect God will baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
The fullness in the Holy Spirit is sustained in the believer’s life by prayer, witness, worship in the Spirit, and sanctified life. However powerful the initial incoming of the Holy Spirit on the believer may be, if this does not find expression in the life of prayer, witness and holiness, the experience will soon become a fading glory.
The baptism in the Spirit is the initiation into the Spirit’s fullness, prophetic activity, and supernatural gifts for a lifetime of witnessing for Christ in power, which occurs once in a believer’s life. The Bible teaches that there may be new fillings with the Holy Spirit after the believer has to receive the baptism in the Spirit. Therefore, baptism in the Spirit brings the believer into a relationship with the Spirit which is renewed and maintained.