4 - Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Let's take a look at what scripture says about this gift from the Father:

• Believers can have the Holy Spirit, commune with the Holy Spirit, and operate in the Fruit of the Spirit, whether they are baptized in the Spirit or not. (John 20:22)
• The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the gift promised by the father, and it empowers us. (Acts 1:4-8)
• In scripture we see people begin to speak in tongues once they’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4, 10:44-48, 19:1-6)
• The gift is for all believers, both in the days of Acts and thereafter up to the present time. (Acts 2:38-39)
• We don’t see the early believers operating in power until after they’ve received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 3:12)
• Not all the believers in the early church were known to be full of the Spirit, though it is available to all and urged for all. (Acts 6:3, 1 Corinthians 14:2-5)
• In scripture we see people receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit sometimes with the laying on of hands, and sometimes without. It is a free gift from God and cannot be bought or sold. (Acts 8:14-24)
• The Holy Spirit can teleport people from one physical location to another. (Acts 8:39-40)
• Speaking in tongues was viewed as “evidence” of having been baptized in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 10:44-48) 
• Speaking in tongues edifies oneself and goes hand in hand with building oneself up in one’s most holy faith. It is desirable for every single believer to speak in tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:2-5, Jude 1:20-21)
• Speaking in tongues is one’s spirit praying, though the mind does not understand. It is valuable to pray both in tongues, and in one’s own language with understanding. Speaking intelligible words among gathered believers is more profitable unto the body, as opposed to speaking in tongues which edifies the individual. (1 Corinthians 14:13-19)
• In a gathering of believers, people should only speak in tongues if there is an interpreter, or they should keep quiet and speak to themselves and to God in tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)
• The Holy Spirit is the advocate sent by the Father. He teaches us all things and reminds us of everything Jesus has said to us. He will literally bring just the right thing to our memory right when we need it most. (John 14:15-17, 25-26)
• The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, and He tells us what is yet to come. (John 16:8-13)
• The Father is eager and willing to give us the baptism of the Holy Spirit! Whether a spirit-filled brother or sister in Christ lays hands on us, or whether we ask the Father in our own private prayer closet, no matter the circumstance, the Father is eager to give us this gift! (Luke 11:11-13) Also, it is important to note, He will not force us to open our mouths and speak. We must choose to “loosen our tongues” and vocalize to “prime the pump” and allow the speaking of tongues to take place. And above all we must remember how eager the Father is to give us this good gift!