Last time we had a discussion on Paul’s letter to the Romans, we were dealing with Romans 1:11. I mentioned that I thought perhaps the spiritual gift Paul wanted to impart to the Romans was the actual baptism in the Holy Spirit.
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— Ro. 1:11
If you missed that discussion you can catch up with it on THE ROAD THROUGH ROMANS PAGE.
I believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a very important even (dare I say it) necessary part of salvation. Oh I am not saying we need the baptism in the Holy Spirit to get to Heaven. I am saying we need it to make us strong.
Jesus said it this way:
“very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” John 16:7-15
In another place he said,
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit….you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4, 5, 8
What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Maybe our fellowship’s statement will help you understand a little better.
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.
This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.
With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
- The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.
This gift was important to Jesus and as we learned in the last post it was important to Paul. I think in light of that it should be important to us.
Thoughts?
Lillie-Put 
This is such a powerful series, Pastor J! I know for myself since being baptized in the Holy Spirit my prayer life is stronger. It’s kind of hard to put into words but when I pray in the spirit something happens deep in my soul. I just know because I know that God has heard my prayer! I guess for me my faith is increased!
Mine too Deb! The baptism seems to connect me on a level deeper than the mind. It is an understanding beyond understanding if that makes sense.