Baptism in the Holy Spirit
"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" - Act 1:8
The moment that one is saved or will be saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you. There is however two aspects of this great work of the Holy Spirit: To be born of the Spirit and to be Baptized in the Spirit. (This does not mean that the Holy Spirit comes twice, only that He does more than one work)
Born of the Spirit and Baptism in the Holy Spirit
At the immediate moment of Conversion you are being brought to Christ by the Holy Spirit and He (the Holy Spirit) performed the work of regeneration within your heart and life. This is also when you receive the authoritative Power (exousia) as stated in John 1:14. At the point of conversion, you are born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is present and working within you. This is the internal aspect of the Spirit's work; the believer at this point, though he may possess the Spirit, must still exhibit faith and yield himself to be open to receiving this form of baptism. If one denies or rejects the truth of tongue talking or any part of being Baptized in the Holy Spirit, he won't be able to receive it. Belief in all of the works of God is important in order to receive anything from Him, Spiritually and Naturally; things are spiritual before they are natural.
Herewith, one has the power to use the name of Jesus to declare and decree. The disciples (Acts 1:1-8) had this power also, yet they were told by Jesus at the time of His ascension to not depart from Jerusalem without receiving the Promise which is Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
All are told to be endowed with this form of Baptism that they may gain something they lacked. In essence Jesus was stating that they needed more power than they possessed and could only get it after He ascended.
The disciples received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is also called the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5) . They received an explosive form power (dunamis), that they may be equipped; it's initial evidence was to speak with other tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:45; 19:1-7). This form of baptism is distinguished from being born of the Spirit by location. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a supernatural endowement whereas He sits on the believer externally as with the Prophets of Old. Moses at the Red Sea, Samson with his might, and King David in his mighty slayings all are examples among those who the Holy Spirit descended upon.
Every Christian is in need of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This awesome power is what enables the believer to live to their fullest potential. He is our Helper as well as our Guide into all Truths (.Jn 16:7-15). Being born of the Spirit is automaic at conversion wheres the Baptism in the Spirit is optional, but essential to the works of the Believer.
Against popular opinion which says that this is dated and was only for the Apostles, we urge you to Try God For Yourself. His power is evident in every way in ministering healing, casting out demons and and much more.
In conclusion, as you walk with God, keep an open mind and deal with Him with spiritually open eyes and ears, He won't lead you astray!
