Baptism with the Holy Spirit 3

What is the “baptism with the Holy Spirit”? Whole denominations have been built on differing interpretations of the scriptures that refer, directly or indirectly, to some form of baptism. Our focus will be on how baptism in the Holy Spirit contributes to our goal of knowing God. For our purposes, baptism with the Holy Spirit is the infilling or immersing of the believer with and in the Holy Spirit. This experience occurs many times over the life of the believer. One of the reasons we are “emptied” is to make more room for the “infilling” (figuratively speaking, of course). When we are born again, Jesus comes to live within, and our spirit is regenerated by the Spirit; by definition we are birthed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, a one-time event. But throughout our life, subsequent baptisms, both infillings and immersions, where we are filled inwardly in our soul and immersed outwardly in the Spirit, will occur. The Lord has a specific relationship for each of us, and it is best to let Him reveal Himself as He chooses. So the best approach to learning about the baptism in the Spirit is the same as for knowing the Lord: Ask! Here are a couple of questions you may want to try out (remember the Lord is not nearly as concerned about asking Him the “right” way as we are—it is His nature to give good things to His sons).

“Lord, do you want me to be baptized in your Spirit?”

“Lord, is that you?”

“Lord, I ask you to baptize me in your Holy Spirit in whatever way you choose, whenever you choose, and now would be fine!”

Then give the Lord a couple of moments to make Himself known. By asking the Lord for the baptism, you have made yourself available to Him unconditionally in this area so that whatever He wants for you, you have acknowledged His right and authority to give it to you, in His manner and timing.