Holy Spirit Small Group Study Joyce Webb 2011
Lesson #2 6 pages
#4 What is the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” or what did John the Baptist mean when he said “One is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”? Matt.3:11, Mark1:8, Luke 3: 16,
Acts 1:5
Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and tarry (wait) there until the Holy Spirit was given to them. So they and other believers went to an upper room and gave time in prayer, until the Holy Spirit came on them. Acts Chp. 1, and 2
In this “baptism” of the Spirit, there was the sound of a great rushing wind, tongues of fire on their heads, and the speaking in tongues or languages that they had never learned.
The wind was as the breath of God blowing on them. The fire was much like the burning bush that Moses saw—–where the bush did not burn up—-but it was God’s spirit that spoke out of the fire.
On Mt. Sinai when the 10 Commandments were given, we see God showing his presence there in thunder, lightning, smoke and fire, noise as a loud trumpet.
Acts 2: 1-4 Here the apostles and other Jewish believers in Jerusalem receive the Holy Spirit. They speak in “tongues”.
Later the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit. They spoke in tongues. Acts 2:38- 39 “Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness, remove) of sins, and you shall that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (The Holy Spirit is a person—-part of the Trinity of God)
Then they put their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Vs 18 “When a man named Simon saw that when the disciples put hands on the people they received the Holy Spirit , he offered them money. He said, “Give me this power, so that whoever I put my hands on, he may receive the Holy Spirit.”
(Paul scolded him. Told him that was wrong. This was not a magic trick. It was God sending His Spirit on and in people. These verses show that Simon saw something happen when the disciples prayed for the people. It was something that could be seen. It was something that was surprising and unusual. Simon wanted to have power to do this to people. They must have spoken in tongues as did the people in Jerusalem and other places.)
Acts 10: 43- 47 Peter was preaching to a group of Gentile people—-
While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on them which heard the word. And the Jews believers with them were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the Gentiles also received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter, Can any man stop us from baptizing, these which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
Acts 11:15 “And as I began to speak the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” vs. 17 “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ:….
At Ephesus: Paul said: “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………And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.” (12 men who received)
Joel 2:28-29 This is the OT prophecy about the Spirit being poured out on all flesh.
In these verses, we see that when people were baptized in the Holy Spirit, they spoke in tongues. We do not see the wind or the tongues of fire again. But in each time, we see the tongues.
#5 Why do you think God chose speaking in tongues as the (first) physical proof of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
We do not know. We could guess.
James says about the tongue: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things, The tongue is like a fire, a world of iniquity (sin): It defiles (makes unclean) the whole body……but the tongue can no man tame (control) ;” James 3:5,6,8
If people can let God control their tongue is a main way that God can use them and direct them.
To speak a language that we have never learned, or maybe have never heard,
but another person understands would not be in our own power to do. This would show a greater power working in us.
“ Tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:
I Cor. 14: 22
I Cor.14: 20 “In the law it is written: With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, says the Lord.” I Cor. 14: 20 is quoting Isa. 28:11 “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”
#6 What do we have to do to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
We have to be believers in Jesus Christ and have asked him to forgive our sins.
Then we have to give time in prayer wait in prayer like the disciples did in Jerusalem and ask for God to baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit helps us as we pray. He prays through us in a right way and a stronger, clearer way than we may when we use our own words.
Romans 8: 26 “The Spirit prays and asks for us with sounds of groaning and feelings which we can not put into words.”
Because we have learned to yield to the Spirit when the Spirit spoke through us in “tongues” we have learned a lesson in yielding to the Spirit. When the Spirit leads us to obey Him in other things we have a quicker understanding and knowing that it is the Spirit trying to lead us. We can obey faster. We can be led more easy.
I am not saying that if you have not spoken in tongues then you will not be led by the Spirit or that you will not know when the Spirit is speaking to you. The Holy Spirit comes to us when we believe in Jesus and accept Him. I think as Christians we have an inner knowing when God is talking to us. But there is a fullness of Spirit that comes to those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
There was a reason Jesus told the disciples to go back to Jerusalem and wait for it. Jesus thought it was important.
#7 Do you need to receive this gift in order to be saved?
No, remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus. Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise. Of course, the Holy Spirit had not yet been sent.
No where in the scripture does it say we must be baptized in the Spirit in order to have salvation.
#8 What are some ways the baptism in the Holy Spirit might change our lives?
This has been answered in the introduction and throughout the other questions. His power in us—–with a fullness that is more than the His Spirit that comes into us at salvation.
The important thing is in the surrender of one’s self, spirit, to the control of the Holy Spirit and to obeying when we think the Holy Spirit is telling us to do something.
When I say “do something” I do not mean it will always be an outward physical action that others see. It may be to change the way you are thinking, and your attitude about something.
First, let us talk about surrendering yourself to the “Holy Spirit” .
We hear much in today’s world of those who go into meditation and go into a trance and let a “spirit” speak through them or come to them to talk to them. When we talk about the Holy Spirit we do not think about someone going into a trance.
People who go into trances are most often those who are not worshipping the true God of Heaven and Jesus His Son. They are most often part of the occult (witchcraft, worship of spirits, Eastern religions, or those who worship idols, spirits, or dead persons). We see people of the islands often do dances and drum beating going into trances. Sometimes people who do certain kinds of meditation go into trances.
While they are in this trance spirits come to them or into them and speak to them or speak through them.
You have heard of those who “channel” spirits. These people have learned how to open their spirits up to evil spirits and allow those spirits to speak through them. These sprits talk to them and give them words about things that will happen in the future, or words that tell about someone’s dead loved one.
There are many spirits in the world. When Lucifer was thrown out of heaven, 1/3 of the angels were thrown out of heaven, too. We believe these to be the “demons” spoken of in the Bible. These evil spirits come to people, and come into people. These spirits speak through people—-yet they will call themselves by a name of some dead person.
People doing these things may think they are making contact with God, but they are not because God has said He is against reading the stars, worshipping sprits, fortune tellers and such things as the occult does.)
Satan is a great imitator (copy). His realm is full of counterfeits (false copy) of the things that are original (first and real) in God’s kingdom.
His has copied speaking in tongues and interpretations, word of wisdom and word of knowledge in clairvoyants (people who say they can read minds or hear from the spirits,) He has copied prophecies, healings, and miracles.
Church people see people doing these things and so they say “speaking in tongues’ and giving “interpretation” is of the devil. Some church people do not believe in the miracle of healing.
They say this because they have seen these things in the occult. They know that those people are not true believers in Jesus and obeying Him.
Some of these people who get in touch with spirits, find that the spirit comes to them and tries to control them in other ways. Satan and evil spirits are not gentlemen.
The nature of an evil spirit is to try to force and try to override a person’s will. People could choose to resist it, however, once an evil spirit has been given freedom in a person’s life, that evil spirit will push strongly to retain control of the opening made for it. Usually the evil spirit is so strong that the person needs outside help of prayer to release them from this spirit.
This is why Paul said, “Neither give place to the devil.” Eph. 4:27
Any sin of any size gives place to the devil. Self-will opens the door. His first opening is in our thoughts—it may be small things like negative thoughts, doubt, discouragement, or despair. It may be stronger things like anger, immoral pictures, drugs, drinks that fog our mind, etc.. These open the door to more sin. Sin is evil. It gives an open door to the devil to try to get more. Evil spirits may try to get in a take control. Once an evil spirit gets his foot into the open door—he will not give up easily.
Certain kinds of things open the human spirit up to the control of evil spirits more than other things: such as things of the occult (witchcraft kinds of things), fortune telling, spirit worship, meditation as in Eastern religions, occult reading cards, occult board games, horoscopes, etc.
Letting the Holy Spirit have control is different;
Letting yourself yield to the Holy Spirit is different from those who yield to an evil spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gentlemen. He waits for us to invite Him. He speaks to us in our spirits and wants us to listen to Him, put He will not just take over—–we must decide to yield.
Often people invite evil spirits into their spirit by going into a trance. This is done by chanting, drums and dancing, or quiet meditation.
When a person yields to God’s spirit —-such as in receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit —- he does not go into a trance where he is unaware. He is always somewhat aware of his surroundings and what is happening—-except that what God is doing for him may have more of
his attention. He can stop himself and choose to do otherwise.
When a person yields himself to the Holy Spirit, he can stop at any time. The Holy Spirit does not “capture” you or force you or control you over your will. You choose to yield to the Holy Spirit. He leads you. He does not possess you over your will.
God’s spirit will be faithful to try to get us to yield to the Holy Spirit, but he is a gentleman. He will call. The Holy Spirit may put some pressure on you, but he will respect your decision. For us to be controlled by the Holy Spirit we must yield to Him minute by minute. He does not force His control on us.
Paul said: “And the spirits of the prophets are subject (under the control) of the prophets.” I Cor. 14:32
I Thess. 5:19 “Quench (Stop) not the spirit.” these verses show we can refuse to allow the spirit to move in us.
Some churches teach that speaking in tongues is of the devil. They say this probably because they have seen people in the occult do such things. Satan’s copy.
But Paul said, “Forbid not to speak with tongues.” I Cor. 14:39
If there is a counterfeit (copy) there must be an original.
We do not stop using real honest dollar bills, just because there are counterfeit ones.
We should not refuse speaking in tongues because there are people who yield to spirits other than the Holy Spirit.
We learn how to yield our wills to the Holy Spirit. Some people are afraid to let go and allow the Holy Spirit to move in them. They are afraid to give up control to the Holy Spirit, so that the Holy Spirit can move their tongue and speak through them.
The Holy Spirit can only move and work when we yield to Him. Learning to yield to His control is something we must do for Him to use the “gifts of the Spirit” in us. If we want Him to use us for the “word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, knowing the difference in spirits, having special faith, speaking in tongues, words of interpretation, working healings or miracles,
—–we have to learn how to yield to the Sprit’s control and leading.
The “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is the first step of learning how to yield to the Holy Spirit. This speaking in tongues is a personal experience for you and for your prayer time.
This is not the “gift of tongues” Paul speaks of in I Corinthians Chp. 12. What Paul speaks of there, are things used in a church service for all to hear and for God to speak to the whole church group.
The “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is what the disciples received in the upper room. It is what the other believers received once they believed in Jesus.
“Gifts of the Spirit” are special gifts given to certain people for the purpose of helping the church group grow in faith.
“Baptism of the Holy Spirit” is given to any believer who asks and seeks God to give it to him. It is for his personal spiritual growth and prayer time.
The “Gifts of the Spirit” used in a church group have at times not been done in a true way. People—being human—have not always learn how to yield in a right way to the Spirit.
Or they may do or say things—-that are their own words and not of the Spirit. People let their own ideas come out.
There are times in churches, when a person gets away from letting the Spirit lead him and does things of his own idea. This happens sometimes when a person is interpreting a message in tongues, or is giving a word of wisdom or knowledge. A person’s pride sometimes gets in control and instead of letting the Spirit lead them, they give their own words and ideas.
When people let their own ideas and “flesh” get the way of the Holy Spirit’s leading is how the “Spirit” gets a bad name. People do not trust the Holy Spirit anymore. This is too bad, because it is not the Holy Spirit’s fault, it was the person’s fault.
As true Christians, we need to learn to know the difference. The Holy Spirit in us should help us know the truth of what we see and hear in a service. Things should “ring true” in our own spirit, if we also have the Holy Spirit in us.
Some church groups who speak in tongues have done some other things that people think are wrong. This is another reason why people do not want to believe in speaking in tongues because they see these “strange” things being done.
Example: There are churches in the southern mountain states that believe in holding poisonous snakes. They read the verses of Mark 16: 17-18 and Luke 10:19.
It is true that Jesus said that God would protect us. Paul found that out when he picked up a poisonous snake that bit him, but it did not hurt him. Acts 28: 1-6 The thing to remember, Paul did not go looking for the snake to pick it up. It was an accident. And God protected him.
We can not do foolish things and then expect God to make it all OK. If we are doing God’s work and we are in a dangerous place, we can ask God to protect us.
Jesus, himself, is the one who told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to “baptize” them. And when they obeyed, they spoke in tongues.
Luke 24:49 “Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but you wait in the city of Jerusalem, until you are filled with power from on high.”
When people spoke in tongues—-sometimes people around them understood what they said because they heard their own languages spoken. Acts 2: 5 – 12
Sometimes when people spoke in tongues —-other people did not understand what was being said. I Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with tongues of men and of angels.”
Paul spoke in tongues often. Read I Corinthians Chp. 14 This chapter tells how speaking in tongues in a church service should be done.
When we are praying by ourselves and we are speaking in tongues as we pray to God, the Holy Spirit is praying through us in ways and for things we may not know about. Yet it is something important that God wants us to pray for. Romans 8: 26 “The Spirit prays and asks for us with sounds of groaning and feelings which we can not put into words.”
The speaking in tongues is important but it was not the main thing. The main thing was the power that came with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is his power that we need within us to help show the world the truth of the gospel and God’s power.
Speaking in tongues does not make a person more spiritual than someone else. The main thing is obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life. Letting the power of the Holy Spirit work through you to bless and help others.