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Born Again – Part 27

By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
12 September 2021   |   4:03 am
Is Regeneration The Same As Baptism In The Holy Spirit? Contd. Conclusion On Baptism In The Holy Spirit If Jesus had stayed on earth, His physical presence would have limited the spread of the gospel, because physically, He could be in only one place at a time. After Christ was taken up into heaven, He…

Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide

Is Regeneration The Same As Baptism In The Holy Spirit? Contd.

Conclusion On Baptism In The Holy Spirit
If Jesus had stayed on earth, His physical presence would have limited the spread of the gospel, because physically, He could be in only one place at a time. After Christ was taken up into heaven, He would be spiritually present everywhere through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent, so that God would be with and within His followers after Christ returned to heaven. The Spirit would comfort them, guide them to know His truth, remind them of Jesus’ words, give them the right words to say, and fill them with power (see John 14-16).

“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.” (Acts 1:8)
Power from the Holy Spirit is not limited to strength beyond the ordinary—that power also involves courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability, and authority. The disciples would need all these gifts to fulfil their mission. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you can experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Jesus also wants us to pray our Heaven Father to give us the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).

Jesus promised the disciples that they would receive power to witness after they receive the Holy Spirit. Notice the progression: (1) they would receive the Holy Spirit, (2) He would give them power, and (3) they would witness with extraordinary results. Often, we try to reverse the order and witness by our own power and authority. Witness is not showing what we can do for God. It is showing and telling what God has done for us.

Jesus had instructed His disciples to witness to people of all nations about Him (Matthew 28:19,20). But they were told to wait first for the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). God has important work for you to do for Him, but you must do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. We often like to get on with the job, even if it means running ahead of God. But waiting is sometimes part of God’s plan. Are you waiting and listening for God’s complete instructions, or are you running ahead of His plans? We need God’s timing and power to be truly effective.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit: An Overview
“John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 11:16)
An important teaching of Scripture is the baptism in the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:5). Concerning the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Word of God teaches the following:

(1) The baptism in the Spirit is intended for all who profess faith in Christ, have been born again and thereby have received the indwelling of the Spirit.

(2) One of Christ’s key goals in His earthly mission was to baptise His followers in the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). He instructed His disciples not to begin witnessing until they were baptised in the Holy Spirit and “endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Jesus Christ Himself did not enter His ministry, until He had been “anointed… with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38; cf. Luke 4:1, 18).

(3) The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an operation of the Spirit that is distinct and separate from His work of regeneration. Just as the Spirit’s sanctifying work complements His regenerating work, so the baptism in the Spirit complements His regenerating and sanctifying work of the Spirit.

Email:mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.uk www.thebiblicalwomanhood.com Mobile: +234 803 344 6614; +234 808 123 7987

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