“But you shall receive power,” (Acts 1:8). This power is not some impersonal force, but is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit by which Jesus and His glory and works are present with His people (John 14:16-18; 16:14; 1 Cor 12:7).”

OTHER results of a genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit are: (a) prophetic utterances and declarations of praise (Acts 2:4; 17; 10:46; 1Cor 14:2); (b) enhanced sensitivity to sin that grieves the Holy Spirit, a greater seeking after righteousness and a deeper awareness of God’s judgment against ungodliness (see John 16:8; Acts 1:8); (c) a life that brings glory to Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14; Acts 4:33); (d) new visions (Acts 2:17); (e) a manifestation of the various gifts of the Spirit (1Cor 12:4-10); (f) a greater desire to pray (Acts 2:41-42; 3:1; Acts 2:42); and (h) an increasing awareness of God as one’s Father (Acts 1:4; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6).

(8) God’s word cites several conditions by which the baptism in the Holy Spirit is given. (a) We must accept by faith Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and turn from sin and the world (Acts 2:38-40; 8:12-17).

This involves surrendering our wills to God (“to them that obey him,” Acts 5:32). We must turn from that, which offends God before we can be “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and useful for the Master’s use,” (2 Tim 2:21). (b) We must desire to be filled. Christians should have a deep hunger for the baptism in the Spirit (John 7:37-39; cf. Is 44:3; Mat 5:6; 6:33). (c) We often receive this baptism in answer to prayer (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:14; 2:1-4; 4:31; 8; 15, 17). (d). We should expect that God will baptise us in the Holy Spirit (Mark 11:24; Acts 1:4-5).

(9) The fullness in the Holy Spirit is sustained in the believer’s life by prayer (Acts 4:31), witness (4:31,33), worship in the spirit (Eph 5:18-19) and a sanctified life (see Eph 5:18).

However powerful the initial coming of the Holy Spirit on the believer may be, if this does not find expression in a life of prayer, witness and holiness, the experience will soon become a fading glory.

(10) The baptism in the Spirit is initiation into the Spirit’s fullness, prophetic activity and supernatural gifts for a lifetime of witnessing for Christ in power; thus it occurs only once in a believer’s life. The Bible teaches that there may be new fillings with the Holy Spirit after the believer has been baptised in the Spirit (see Acts 4:31; cf. 2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9; Eph 5:18).

The baptism in the Spirit brings the believer into a relationship with the Spirit that is to be renewed (Acts 4:31) and maintained (Eph 5:18).