The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

Acts 1:5  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

This is the baptism of Jesus with the Holy Ghost and fire that John the Baptist said would come.

 

Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The Holy Ghost is the third person of the Trinity, or Triune God. His presence will convict the world of sin. The fire of God will burn away the chaff, the impure thoughts and deeds by conviction, not condemnation. If we stay away from Jesus and do not want him, we are condemned already.

 

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Salvation through faith in Jesus comes first. There is no Baptism of the Holy Ghost apart from Jesus. The first outpouring of the Holy Ghost was at the time of the Pentecost.

 

Acts 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:7  And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:8  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Acts 2:9  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Acts 2:10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Acts 2:11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Acts 2:12  And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Acts 2:13  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Acts 2:14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:15  For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Acts 2:16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Acts 2:17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

When the Holy Ghost came there was a wind, and tongues of fire appeared upon their heads. They spoke in other tongues, or languages. I have heard testimonies of people who were saved in foreign lands who spoke in languages that were of the language of someone there. Something I believe even more important occurred at the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. The example is Peter, who spoke with boldness by the Spirit of God. He no longer was depending on his own abilities, but he was speaking by the power of God. I do not believe that there is any true believer who does not want more boldness to speak and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Today the Baptism of the Holy Ghost may be manifested with tongues, others speak of the in filling of the Holy Ghost. He is behind the gifts of God. We cannot do the work of God in the flesh, although some are gifted to sway people by natural abilities. One motivational speaker called into a radio talk show and said that his great ability to sway people came only by the use of a powerful drug. Some use drugs and gain great authority. No, this is not of God, but of the devil. We do not want to move others by the flesh or another spirit. We must have the power of God through the Holy Ghost to do the work of God. All true Christians will agree with this.

 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Receive Jesus and his baptism and you will have power to overcome this world and to serve him by His Spirit.