|
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." Acts 1:8
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them 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 Jesus answered, "Truly, I tell you emphatically, unless a person is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ... John 3:5 |
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Have you ever heard someone say, "I was baptized as a baby, I don't need to be baptized again. What's the purpose? What is baptism in the Holy Spirit anyway?" Was Jesus baptized in water? Of course. Were the apostles baptized in water? Since Andrew, Peter's brother, was originally John's disciple, we can understand at least one of them was baptized in water. John 1:40 It doesn't say if the others were, but if Jesus thought it was necessary for Himself, it is reasonable to think the apostles did as well. We know that Philip baptized the Ethiopian in water, Acts 8:14-20. Why would he do that if Jesus didn't do that? Jesus believed that baptism with the Holy Spirit was important enough to instruct his apostles and disciples to "wait for the Promise of the Father" telling them, "you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4 Interestingly enough, Scripture tells us in Acts 10:44-48, that while Peter was preaching to the gentiles, the Holy Spirit fell on them the same way He fell on the apostles at Pentecost. Then Peter declared, "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" The Holy Spirit was poured out on them even before they received the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. The Life in the Spirit Seminar is a sure way to deepen a relationship with Jesus, reestablish a connection with Him in the business of life, and bring people into a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. The Life in the Spirit Seminar at Abba House is called THE GIFT. Through study, teaching, prayer, and practice, the charisms of God’s children come to the front. This enables the community to become vibrant and evangelizing just as Pope St. John XXIII prayed at the opening of Vatican Council II “Renew in our day, O Lord, your wonders as in a new Pentecost.” Jesus promised us, "If you love me, keep my commands; and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of Truth. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:15-17 THE GIFT (of the Spirit) Seminar teaches us a way to learn more about living in the Spirit. Another promise Jesus gave us is that He came so that we may have life and have it in abundance John 10:10. The Gift is a path to step into that promise. The Gift of the Spirit fills our whole life and changes us so that we begin to know and experience God's love and the abundant life Jesus promises. Keep an eye out after Easter for: THE LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR. We will post fliers. |
The phrase "baptized in the Holy Spirit" occurs two times in in the book of Acts; first in Acts 1:4-5 and second in Acts 11:16. Other terminology is used in Acts to indicate Spirit baptism, such as "filled".[20] "Baptized in the Spirit" indicates an outward immersion into the reality of the Holy Spirit, while "filled with the Spirit" suggests an internal diffusion. Both terms speak to the totality of receiving the Spirit. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is described in various places as the Spirit "poured out upon", "falling upon", "coming upon" people. To "pour out" suggests abundance and reflects John 3:34, "God gives the Spirit without limit". Another expression, "come upon" is related to a statement by Jesus in Lk 24:49, "I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high". The language of "come on" and "clothed with" suggest possession by and endowment with the Holy Spirit.