Baptism-Holy Spirit
Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit involves the Body of Christ (Church) and the Spirit of God. Therefore, baptism is a symbol of cleansing our bodies before God. In the Old Testament, God obligated the priests to cleanse themselves before entering the holy of holies to present themselves with their sacrifices. So likewise, Jesus Christ became a man for our sins and needed cleansing before the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate and distinct work of the Holy Spirit, with its distinct purpose and effects. The Baptism officiated by the priest or other denominational Pastors is a public ceremony. It has nothing to do with our Salvation, while the Baptism with the Holy Spirit” is a personal experience, and the effect and purpose of the work of the Holy Spirit can be felt within the person. Baptism is a public ceremony wherein the person baptized is dedicated to the church (Body of Christ), but it is not the same as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by fire.
When a non-believer hears the gospel’s message, chooses to believe in Jesus, and becomes a doer of the Word, the process of saving grace begins through justification. Then, by the grace of God, the non-believer is sanctified, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside his body, and the natural spirit becomes more Spiritual.
Once a person becomes a partaker of God’s divine nature, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives power to the body. Acts 1:8. Any human being who receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit experience some heat (sometimes in the form of goosebumps followed by warm feelings), and there will be witness or witnesses to that event.
Speaking in tongues like the followers of Jesus who were gathering in the upper room experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit—”They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2). The most extraordinary baptism event ever was during the Baptism of Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit of God came down from heaven; Let us read the Scripture as it is written:
The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17)
13- “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14- John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16- Jesus went up out of the water as soon as he was baptized. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17- A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”
When a Christian receives Baptism with the Holy Spirit, there is the power that will enable him to fulfill his calling more effectively. It is available for many Christians to receive it. Apparently, not all that is called will be chosen for various reasons. There are a lot of Christians that never receive it to this date. One reason I could say is a lack of knowledge of God’s accurate Word, ignorance of God’s Word, and True confession of being a Christian; Faith alone is dead. Therefore we need to work for our Salvation by separating ourselves from sins (sanctification).
Believing in Jesus Christ alone will give us justification and sanctification by faith alone, but we must remember that there is a process of Salvation. Justification, sanctification, and glorification, and through faith in Jesus Christ alone, we pass only the first step of Salvation with ease because he already did it on the cross. We move on to the next level, the 2nd step of sanctification, which is a bit challenging for us without the help of the Holy Spirit of God. You can read an article about the Process of Salvation at amazingkingdom.org.
Predestination is a doctrine that those predestined are already assumed to be saved, which I could say will pass the 2nd sanctification because they are the chosen ones. This means we must draw closer to God by strengthening our relationship with Him and acknowledging His existence every day. However, most Christians are not practicing these methods but rather believe in false teachings, false feelings, fear of not losing what they are enjoying, and, more likely, feel grateful for what they thought had given them good benefits from various circumstances. Those who have already received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by fire and continue serving God as He pleases are fortunate. Blessed are you who are called and chosen to be with Him and be glorified.
God is all in all!