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The Immersion with the Holy
Spirit Continued Study
“Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” –Acts 19:2 Having
Believed, Did You Receive?
“One day the apostle
Paul arrived at Ephesus and found certain disciples there. He didn't know who
they were, so he checked them out by asking an important question: Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? And
they said unto him, We have not so much as heard
whether there be any Holy Spirit” (Acts 19:26). In other words, “Paul, we don't know
what you are talking about. Never heard of such a thing. What is this Holy
Spirit?” Paul asked them in what name or authority they were baptized. They
replied that they were baptized in John's baptism, the baptism of repentance. Paul explained to
them that they should believe on the One of whom John spoke, the One who was
to come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. “When they heard this they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy
Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and
prophesied” (Acts 19:2‑6). Looking at Acts 19:2 in the original
Greek language, it is literally, "Having
believed, did you receive?" If the apostle Paul were here
today, I believe that he would ask that same question to "certain
disciples." In fact, I believe that he would ask this question to the
whole Church and to all those who say that they believe in Christ: This is a
most serious question: Have you
received the Holy Spirit since you believed? Bible Evidences
of the Baptism with the Spirit It is very clear
from prophecy, promise, and history what the evidences
of the baptism with the Holy Spirit are. They include power to: 1. Have sound health (John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26;
Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Rom. 8:11; 3 John 2; Matt. 8:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb.
11:6). Sound health was even promised to Old Testament saints who had only
the Spirit by "measure”—a portion (Ex. 15:26; Deut. 28; Lev. 26; Ps.
34:12-13; 37:1-10; 84:11; 91:1-15; 103:1-3; Pr. 3; 12:18; 13:3; 15:4; 18:8,
21; Isa. 58). 2. Get everything prayed for (Matt. 7:7-11; 17:21; 21:22; Mark 9:23;
11:22-24; Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb. 11:6;
Jas. 1:5-8; 1 John 3:20-24; 5:12-15, Ps. 91; Isa. 58). 3. Have rivers of living water flowing out of the
innermost being (John
7:37-39, Acts 2:1-4, Eph. 3:19; John 14:12; Luke 24:49). 4. Destroy the works of Satan (John 14:12; 17:18; Acts 10:38; 1 John
3:8; 4:17). 5. Bind and loose anything
and forgive sins (Matt.
9:1-8; 16:18-19; 18:15-20; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; 20:22-23; Mark
9:23; 11:22-24). 6. Be immune from poisons and have power over wild
beasts—over your enemy (Mark
1:13; 16:18; Luke 10:19; John 14:12; Acts 28:3-6; Ps. 91:1-16). 7. Do works as great as and
even greater than did Christ (John 14:12; Luke 4:16-21, 24:49, Acts
5:12-16; 9:17-18; 10:38; 19:1-29; Rom. 1:11; 15:18-29). 8. Speak with "stammering lips and another
tongue" and "new tongues" (Isa. 28:9-12; Mark 16:17; John 15:26;
16:13-16; Acts 2:1-13, 34-39; 10:44-48; 19:1-7). Compare Acts 9:17 with 1
Cor. 14:18 and Isa. 28:9-12 with 1 Cor. 14:21-22. 9. Cast out demons (Mark 16:17; Luke 24:49; John 14:12;
Acts 1:8; 8:7; 16:18; 19:11-17; Rom. 15:18-29, Heb. 2:4). 10. Heal everyone prayed for (Matt. 4:24; 8:16-17; 9:35; 12:15;
14:34; 21:14; Luke 4:40; 6:19; 9:6; John 14:12; Acts 2:43; 3:6; 4:10, 30, 33;
5:12-16; 6:3-8; 8:4-12; 9:34; 10:38; 11:21; 14:8-10, 19-20; 15:4, 12;
19:11-21; 28:1-10; Rom. 15:18-29; Heb. 2:3-4; Jas. 5:14-16). 11. Cleanse the lepers (Matt. 8:1-4; John 14:12; Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:8). 12. Raise the dead (John 11; 14:12; Acts 9:40; 20:9-10). 13. Control the elements and to do all kinds of
miracles (John
14:12-15; 15:7, 16; Luke 24:49; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; 2 Tim. 2:21; Heb. 2:3-4; Mark
9:23; 11:22-24). 14. To execute judgment—justice (John 14:12; Acts 5:1-11; 13:6-12; 1
Cor. 4:21; 5:1-5). 15. Exercise all the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor.
1:7). 16. To impart spiritual gifts to others (Rom. 1:11; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6;
Heb. 6:2). 17. To impart the baptism in the Spirit to others (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:1-7). 18. Exercise unlimited authority in the fullness of
God (Luke
24:49; John 14:12; 15:7, 16; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; 16:15-20; Matt. 17:20;
21:22; Acts 2:43; 3:6; 4:10-16, 29-33; 5:1-16; 6:3-8; 8:5-20; 9:17-18, 32-43;
11:21; 13:6-12; 14:3, 8-20, 27; 15:4, 12; 16:16-34; 19:1-20; 20:9-12;
28:1-10; Rom. 1:11; 15:18-19, 29; 1 Cor. 1:7, 18-24; 2:1-5; 4:19-21; 5:1-5;
9:18; 12:1-31; 13:1-3; 14:1-40; 16:10; 2 Cor. 3:6-18; 4:7; 5:20; 6:7;
10:3-11; 12:9, 12; 13:4, 10; Gal. 3:3-5, 14; Eph. 1:19-20; 3:7, 19-20; 6:10;
Phil. 4:9; Col. 1:11; 2:10; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2:13; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2:17; 1 Tim.
4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6-8, 14; 2:21; 3:5; Tit. 2:14; Heb. 2:3-4; 6:2; Jas. 2:18; 5:14-16;
2 Pet. 2:4). Jesus, teaching Nicodemus on being born again, compared the moving
of the Spirit with the moving of the wind. The wind moves where it will. You
can't see from where it comes or where it is going. In the same way, one
cannot predict or control the moving of the Spirit. We don't know when the
Spirit will move or to whom He will give this new life from above, but
whenever and however it happens, the Spirit of God comes to make His home in
the life of the believer. When Jesus was teaching on the coming of the Holy
Spirit, the Comforter, He said: If a
person loves Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We
will come unto him, and make our abode with him (John 14:23, emphasis added). The Holy Spirit is the abiding presence of the Father and the Son
within the life of a follower of Jesus the Christ. It is the work of
God the Father to draw people to Christ (Jn. 6:44). When a person becomes
born-again, it is the Holy Spirit who does the work of regenerating the
heart. He convicts of sin and righteousness and judgment (justice) and calls
people to repentance (Jn. 16:8‑11). Titus 3:5 says, Not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist explains the
necessity of being baptized unto repentance and to be baptized with the Holy
Spirit, recorded above. The
other place in Scripture where fire is mentioned in the context of the coming
of the Spirit is Acts 2:3: And there
appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them. Fire is a symbol
of the Holy Spirit regarding the burning of the impurities within your heart,
so that you can be filled with His Spirit. “You shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit is come upon
you” (Acts
1:8a, emphasis added). The power of the Holy Spirit is needed to witness for
Christ and to live an effectual Christian life, because we do not have the
strength to do it on our own. The power comes from His presence within us.
Acts 10:38 tells us that God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing
good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. God was with His Son by the
anointing of the Holy Spirit. Now, with the Holy Spirit's presence, Jesus had
the power to heal and drive out demons. Jesus was aware of the power of the
Spirit flowing through Him. After a woman touched the hem of His garment in
order to be healed, Jesus knew that power had gone out of him (Mk. 5:30). If
Jesus needed to be anointed through the power of the Holy Spirit to do the
work of the heavenly Father, what does that say for you and me? Hello! An
illustration from the Old Testament The children of
Israel worshiped in a portable tabernacle during their time in the
wilderness. The tabernacle was comprised of the outer court, the inner court,
and the Holy of Holies. Most of the people stayed in the outer court, while
others entered the inner court for service. A veil hung between the inner
court and the Holy of Holies. Once a year the high priest could enter into
the Holy of Holies, which contained the Mercy Seat, where the blood was
applied seven times to make atonement for the sins of the people. The Mercy
Seat symbolized the throne of God, or as it says in Hebrews 4, the throne of
grace. By the finished work of Christ, believers can now enter into the Holy
of Holies, into the very presence of God. The blood applied provides the
grace to come into His presence to praise and worship Him. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and
living way… (Hebrews 10: 19‑20a). Applying this
truth to the church, many believers remain in the outer court, which is like
being born again, some move onto service into the inner court where they
become busy with work and activities, while others move into the Holy of
Holies where the Spirit of God dwells, from which flows the living water of
grace. The Holy of Holies represents that deeper spiritual life that
believers are to enter into, which Jesus spoke of as
the "Abundant Life." Joy and power come from living in that deeper
spiritual life which comes from dwelling in the presence of God where the
glory is. As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by
the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). Believers are
called to become more and more like Christ who created this new life within
them (Col 3:10). Jesus taught His disciples that
the Spirit of Truth dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you
comfortless: I will come to you (Jn. 14:17b‑18). Believers are
blessed by the infilling presence of the Holy Spirit. Every blessing we know
and have comes from the throne of grace, because God is the God of all grace
(1 Pet 5:10). He lifts up Christ within us, gives us faith to believe, leads
us into all truth, fills us with His power to live the victorious Christian
life, intercedes to the Father on our behalf, and empowers us to proclaim
Christ and to do His work in the world. The Flow of Grace
The flow of grace
began in the heart of God and was accomplished at the cross in the shedding
of blood. There is no grace without the blood sacrifice. The grace of God,
shed abroad in our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit, began in the heart
of God; it was accomplished at the cross; it sprang to life at the
resurrection; and then came upon the believers who were gathered in the Upper Room on the Day of
Pentecost, so that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
(Acts
2:4). To be baptized with the
Holy Spirit, it has to be taught before it can be understood; it has to be
understood before it can be believed; and it has to be believed before it can
be received. Today, many Christians are
missing the power and joy of the Holy Spirit. In their minds and hearts they
believe in Christ and have been baptized by water. They may also be actively
involved in a fellowship of believers. That is good—so far. But why are
believers living joyless and unfruitful lives? Where is the power of the Holy
Spirit manifested in witnessing for Christ? The answer is simple: the power
available to be baptized with the Holy Spirit is not taught. We cannot apply
that which we do not have or know. It is very important to understand the
Biblical teaching of the work of the Holy Spirit. Its truths will open your
eyes to the richness and blessedness of living your life in the power of the
Holy Spirit. Many lives stop growing into the fullness of Christ because the
life in His Spirit is not understood. Jesus Depended on the Holy Spirit, Who
Was Promised to His Followers “And you know that
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then
Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil,
for God was with Him.” – Acts 10:38 “Then John [the
Baptist] testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from
heaven and resting upon Him [Jesus]. I didn't know He was the one, but when
God sent me to baptize with water, He told me, 'When you see the Holy Spirit
descending and resting upon someone, He is the one you are looking for. He is
the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'” – John 1:32-33 “The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me [Jesus], because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to
the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them
that are bruised…” – Luke 4:18 “But if I [Jesus]
cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto
you.” – Matthew 12:28 “And I [Jesus]
will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter [Advocate],
that He may abide with you for ever. …But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you. …When the Comforter is come, whom I will
send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from
the Father, He shall testify of [tell you all about] me…” – John 14:16, 26;
15:26 “When the Spirit
of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting
His own ideas; He will be telling you what He has heard. He will tell you
about the future.” – Jesus at John 16:13 “He will bring me
[Jesus] glory by revealing to you whatever He receives from me.” – John 16:14 “But when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about
me [Jesus] everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth." – Acts 1:8 “I [John the
Baptist] indeed have baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with
the Holy Spirit.” – Mark 1:8 “For John [the
Baptist] truly baptized with water; but you all shall be baptized with the
Holy Spirit in just a few days.” – Jesus at Acts 1:5 “And now I [Jesus]
will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the
city until the Holy Spirit comes and endues you with power from on high
[heaven].” – Luke 24:49 “And when the day
of Pentecost had fully come, they [Jesus’ disciples] 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 all the house where they were sitting. Then, what
looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and
began to speak with other tongues [in other languages], as the Spirit gave
them utterance.” – Acts 2:1-4 “(When He [Jesus]
said ‘living water,’ He was speaking of the Spirit, who should be given to everyone
believing on Him. But the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus
was not yet glorified [had not yet entered into his
glory].) – John 7:39 “Now He [Jesus]
sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the
Father, as he had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us,
just as you see and hear today.” – Acts 2:33 “They
[unbelievers] were all amazed and marveled. ‘How can this be?’ they
exclaimed. ‘These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking
the languages of the lands where we were born! Here we are – Parthians,
Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the
province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya toward
Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts
to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these people speaking in
our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!’” – Acts 2:7-11 “'In the last
days,’ God said, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and
daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men
will dream dreams.’” – Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28 “For this promise
is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, and even to
as many as the Lord our God shall call.” – Acts 2:39 “If you sinful people 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?” – Jesus at Luke 11:13 Baptism in the Holy Spirit Endues the
Believer With Power From On High “….And they [Jesus’ disciples] were all filled with the
Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues [in other languages], as
the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4 “As soon as they
[Peter and John] arrived, they prayed that these new Christians might receive
the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 8:15 “Then Peter and
John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy
Spirit.” – Acts 8:17 “So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him
and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the
road, has sent me so that you may get your sight back and be filled with the
Holy Spirit." – Acts 9:17 “Even as Peter was
saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the
message.” – Acts 10:44 “The Jewish
believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit
had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. And there could be no doubt about
it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God…” – Acts
10:45-46 “…Have you
received the Holy Spirit since you believed?…” –
Acts 19:2 “Then when Paul
laid his hands on them [the disciples at Ephesus], the Holy Spirit came on
them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.” – Acts 19:6 “But the time is
coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in
spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him
that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit
and in truth.” – Jesus at John 4:23-24 “But you, dear
friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy
faith. And continue to pray in the Holy Spirit.” – Jude 20 “The fruit of the
Holy Spirit in our lives is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience],
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance [self
control]; against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 “Though I speak in
any language in heaven or on earth and have not
charity (love), I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or
a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.” – 1 Corinthians
13:1-2 “And in any event,
you should desire the most helpful gifts. First, however, let me tell you
about something else that is a more excellent way! …Let charity (love) be
your highest goal, and also desire the special abilities the Holy Spirit
gives, especially the gift of prophecy.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1 “'In the last
days,’ God said, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and
daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men
will dream dreams.’” – Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28 “How is it then my
fellow believers? When you meet together, every one
of you has a song, has a teaching, has a tongue, has some special revelation
God has given, has a tongue [speaks in an unknown language], has an
interpretation. Let all that is done strengthen you all in the Lord.” – 1
Corinthians 14:26 “Through the work
of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing He
promised to Abraham, so that we who are true believers might receive the promise
of the Holy Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:14 Importance of the Spirit-Baptism If the chief
purpose of the Spirit-baptism is to endue men with power to accomplish what
is stated above, then it is the all-important experience of believers today.
Jesus commanded His disciples to teach all nations throughout this age
"to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt.
28:20). That being baptized in the Spirit was a definite command to them is
clear from Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5. If it was a command for them to be
baptized in the Spirit it still is commanded of men, for we are still in this
age. Such an enduement of power for service is promised to every believer in
the most simple language possible (Matt. 3:11; Luke
11:13; 24:49; John 1:31-34; 7:37-39; 14:12-17, 26, 15:26; 16:13-15; Mark
16:15-20; Acts 1:4-8; 2:16-21, 38-39; 5:32; 19:17). In fact, it is one of the
two things for which Christ died (Gal. 3:14). Jesus made it very
clear to the disciples that it was imperative that they be baptized in the
Spirit before going out to evangelize the world (Luke 24:40; John 14:12, 17;
16:7-15; Acts 1:4-8). Only one hundred and twenty of many hundreds of
followers of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:6) felt it was necessary to obey (Acts 1:4-5;
12-15) and these are the only ones who received the enduement of power at
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-33). The Spirit-baptism
was promised only to saved men and women after they had repented (changed
direction and attitude), were baptized in water, were obedient to God, and
had asked for it as a child of God (Matt. 3:11; John 1:31-34; 14:12-17, 26;
15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 1:4-8; 2:38-39; 5:32; Luke 11:7-13). For one to receive
this power today is even more needful, for there are infinitely more demon
possessed people, more sick and diseased people, more false doctrines, more
false teachers, and more divisions among Christians than at any other time in
history. The Word of God needs confirmation today as before to convince men
of the truth. This is the greatest need of the modern church, and if God
could get people to believe in these things again and "tarry until"
as people did of old we would again see mighty works
of power and a new type of Christianity. Let no person complain of the lack
of power to win souls, heal the sick, and do the works of Christ. Instead,
let every one again seek
God "till he come and rain righteousness" on us (Hosea 10:12); and
God will show again His mighty works (Jer. 33:3); and "hear from
heaven" and forgive and heal as of old (2 Chron. 7:14; Luke 24:49; Mark 16:15-20). Continual Dedication In contrast with
the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David from that day forward (1 Samuel
16:13), the same Holy Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit troubled
him (1 Samuel 16:14). This is evidence
again that one who returns to sin may lose the Holy Spirit. Saul lost Him after having Him on his life
for several years (1 Samuel 10:6,9-13; 1 Samuel 11:6; 1 Samuel 13:1). David believed such was possible, for he
prayed for God not to take the Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11). Lucifer, fallen angels, demons, Adam and
Eve, and many others are examples of sin causing one to lose what he has been
given by the Lord. There is no such
thing as once baptized in the Spirit always baptized in the Spirit, any more
than once saved always saved; once in grace always in grace; once healed
always healed; once alive always alive; once in sin always in sin, once a
child of the devil always a child of the devil; or once full of chicken
always full of chicken. No such principle exists. Common sense alone teaches
us that certain conditions must be met continuously in
order to maintain any position in life or in God. If it takes a
complete submission, and yieldedness to God to be wholly possessed with the
Spirit, it will take this consecration daily to maintain a life in all the
fullness of God. If one wants to
always be in grace and be saved, let him stay in grace and stay saved. If one
wants to always be a child of the devil, let him continue in sin. And if one
wants to always be full of chicken, let him meet the conditions of such a
state and we all know what he would have to do. If one ever gets baptized in
the Spirit s/he must constantly maintain this place in God or s/he will lose
the spiritual anointing. The Holy Spirit
can fill you even now as you pray the words of this song: Fill me now, fill me now Jesus come and fill me now; Fill me with thy hallow'd presence, come, oh, come, and fill me
now. —Rev. E. H. Stokes, D.D.” The Wind in Your Sails “When you and I have been born
again, we are given a measure of the Holy Spirit that transforms our human
spirit from spiritual death to spiritual life. (See John 20:22-23.) “But Paul writes that this is
not enough. We must also “be filled with the Spirit.” (See Ephesians 5:18.)
The form of the verb filled here is in present continuous, which means
“to be filled,” like wind filling a sail, making the ship move. “Matthew 25:1-2 states, ‘Then
the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps
and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five
were foolish.’ The foolish virgins had just enough of the Holy Spirit to get
through normal times. When they reached the limit of what was needed to get
along in the world, they had no more. The wise virgins had supplies in excess of what they needed. “It is not one filling at one
time but a continuous, moment-by-moment filling, all the time, moving you
forward in God’s will for your life.” —Michael Davis Evans, Founder Jerusalem Prayer Team Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church “Now concerning Spiritual gifts,
brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant.” (1 Corinthians 12:1) Continue this Bible study
here. Thank you Finnis
Dake, Dake Ministries and its inspired book entitled, God’s Plan for
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