THURSDAY July 28, 2022

Have You Been Baptized with the Holy Spirit?

He [Jesus] commanded them [the disciples] not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 1:4-5

The disciples heard Jesus explain about the Promise of the Father; the Holy Spirit would be given to them. Notice, Jesus made a marked distinction between water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Many people have a false security about their salvation. They believe they are saved eternally just because they have been baptized––sprinkled with water as an infant or immersed in water as an adult. Understand, water baptism is only a symbol; it does not save a person. It has no power at all in salvation. Nor does it make you a member of the church.

The only way a person can be saved is by placing their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation:

...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

After a person is saved, they need to understand what it means to be baptized. Going under the water speaks of the grave. Symbolically, they have died to their old self––the desires of their sinful, carnal flesh––the old man has been put to death (Romans 6:6). When a person comes out of the water, speaks of the Resurrection. Again, symbolically speaking, they are being raised a new man––Spirit filled––walking in the newness of life. The greatest witness of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is love.

The disciples needed to remain in Jerusalem, waiting for the Holy Spirit to come. I believe there are a lot of Christians today who have no power to be a witness for Christ. As you spend time with God each day, ask Him to baptize you with the Holy Spirit anew.

The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Risen Christ. His anointing filling, empowering work is a baptism of love that gives power to make Jesus real to you and known to others.
~Winkie Pratney~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!