The Baptism of the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit Introduction

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit Introduction

 

 

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost

 

Key Scriptures: “Matthew 3:11-12, John 14:15-17; 26” and “Acts 2:38-39*”.

 

John the Baptist baptized with water unto repentance as we learned in our study on “Repentance”.  John was the prophet that prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry.  John began by preaching “Repentance” declaring the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  John the Baptist’s ministry was prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah.  People confessed their sins and John baptized them with water. 

Matthew 3:8-12

(KJV)

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

⁹ And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

¹⁰ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he (Jesus) that cometh after me (John the Baptist) is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

¹² Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

When you do not bring forth good fruit the axe is laid to the root of the tree (you are the tree) and you are hewn (cut) down and cast into the fire (hell).  John plainly preaches he baptizes with water unto repentance, but Jesus will come and baptize with the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit, Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth) and with fire.  Now there are some religions that misquote this scripture saying, I’m saved, sanctified, baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire.  No, you are baptized with one or the other.  Those that are baptized with the Holy Ghost belong to Christ and those that are baptized with fire will spend eternity in hell fire. Look at verse 12: he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. That’s hell fire, which will never be quenched.  Look at it like this: Those that obey all that Jesus teaches are baptized with the Holy Ghost.  Those that refuse to obey Jesus teachings will be baptized with unquenchable fire: hell fire or lake of fire, which is eternal judgment/punishment.

Let’s recap water baptism:

Now, John’s baptism was similar in nature to the Old Testament offerings (washings) that symbolized a cleansing of personal repentance on the part of the believer.  To fulfill all righteousness or to fulfill the law, Jesus himself submitted himself to the baptism of John the Baptist. To be baptized with the Holy Ghost which only can be done by Jesus, refers to the spiritual rebirth of those who shall receive the baptism of the Spirit: which is the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit. (See: I Corinthians12:12-13)

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

(KJV)

¹² For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

When you are baptized with the Holy Spirit, this is when the believer is united with Christ. 

Romans 8:8-10

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Jesus began his ministry by preaching: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Matthew 4:17

John the Baptist, the greatest prophet, Jesus testified, had paved the way for his ministry.  Many people believed in Jesus when they witnessed His miracles.  The working of miracles had not been done by the religious leaders of that day.  The religious leaders were taking note of all the things Jesus did and how the crowds flocked to hear his teachings, receive healings, and see the miracles he performed. They were not happy about this.

There was Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews (member of the Sanhedrin); he was master of Israel, which means he was a rabbi/teacher.  His name was Nicodemus.  Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, probably because he feared the Jews, who were very angry with Jesus’ ministry.  The following is part of their conversation:

John 3:1-8

(KJV)

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus, unlike many of the Pharisees, knew Jesus was sent from God and desired to learn more.  Jesus knowing Nicodemus was a master of the law, who believed in him, desired to show him a more perfect way.  The word of God says, if you he that comes to Jesus, you will not be turned away.  The word also says, if you hunger and thirst after righteousness you shall be filled.  That’s a promise from the Lord.  Nicodemus was not content with church as usual, he knew there was more: Jesus was the MORE.

John 6:37-38

King James Version (KJV)

³⁷ All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

³⁸ For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Matthew 5:6

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

We need to have that same hunger and thirst for righteousness and we shall be filled.  If we come to Jesus with a repentant heart he will not cast us out. 

Jesus plainly explains to Nicodemus a very important key to the kingdom of God:

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Nicodemus, just as you and I, desired to enter into God’s kingdom.  He was not simply a church goer; he studied the Word of God, the Mosaic Law.  He was well educated in the Holy Scriptures and was obedient in the Jewish teachings. He was doing all that he knew to enter into the Kingdom of God and yet he had a great hunger and thirst for more.

Jesus explained, “He must be born again”. Nicodemus, just as we are, was born of the flesh.  Nicodemus ask a very wise question, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Verse 3. 

Jesus explains to him, he must be born of the water and of the Spirit.  Because of the price that Christ paid for us, we can be born of the water and of the spirit which refers to the spiritual birth, which cleanses us from sin and bring spiritual transformation and a renewed mind.

Read: Ezekiel 36:16-38, 25-27*

Nicodemus was able to understand Jesus teachings, because of these Holy Scriptures: Ezekiel 37:14, 1-14; Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 31:33.

Without the price of Jesus life, that he paid for our sins, which was God’s gift to us, we would not have an opportunity to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which he promised to us. First Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born again, and then he promised to send the comforter to us, who gives us power to become sons and daughters of God. 

John 14:15-18,26

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

This promise made by Jesus was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.  Pentecost is an annual festival that comes 50 days after Passover.  Not only did Jesus make this promise , but, Joel prophesied about the out pouring of God’s spirit.  Joel 2:28-32

Joel 2:28-32

King James Version (KJV)

²⁸ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

²⁹ And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

³⁰ And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

³¹ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

³² And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

There is still more of this prophesy to be fulfilled.  I thank God, we are living in the time that this part, of the prophesy (of his spirit being poured out upon all flesh) is still being fulfilled today.  I’m a witness of receiving his Holy Spirit.  In Acts 2:17-21 Peter made reference to Joel’s prophesy.  There are greater outpourings of the Holy Ghost to be fulfilled in this present time. This is a promise that is still yet being fulfilled.  When the 120 received the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, this was just the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise that came by Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel and Jesus as well as other scriptures in the Old Testament that refer to the outpouring of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost.  We will learn more in this bible study. 

Take some time to fast and pray, to get a good understanding of this very important promise that can be fulfilled in your life, if he has not taken his abode in you.  Study the scriptures daily along with prayer. 

As we continue our study of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit, you will learn his purpose and his power. He is part of the Trinity: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.

This bible study has been prepared by:

Minister Mary Waters

Pure Gold Evangelistic Ministries ©2014

An ordained Minister of Jesus Christ operating in the Offices of:

Teacher and Evangelist

Assignment: Read the Gospel of John and Acts chapter 1-2.

Schedule:

Tuesday: John 1-5

Wednesday: John 6-10

Thursday: John 11-15

Friday: John 16-20

Saturday: John 21; Acts 1-2

Sunday: Reflection and Meditation on the your reading assignment

Monday: Review passages that ministered to you, pray for understanding of passages you did not understand, this should be done daily.

 

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 Church, bible study, conference, women’s ministry, special program, etc., 

 Please contact Minister Waters on her website listed below, on the

“SpeakingEngagements Page”.

 

Contact Evangelist Waters:
www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistries.com

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