Holy Ghost Baptism: The Impartation of Power and Spiritual Gifts
Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the imparting of the power of the Holy Spirit in baptismal measure upon a Believer in Christ. The experience imparts on the Believer power for effective Christian service. According to the Holy Scriptures in Acts 1:4-5, being assembled together with them, He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The Purpose and Promise of the Spirit
The primary purpose of this experience is outlined in the key verse, Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." This power was foretold by Jesus when He promised, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” This impartation brings a true life connection to the Trinity.
The Unmistakable Evidence of Tongues
Speaking in tongues as the spirit gives utterance is the initial outward sign accompanying the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues as the Spirit enables you is the unmistakable, objective, outward, initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Act 2:4 says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The Greek terminology helps us understand this phenomenon. Two types of vocabulary are happening here: language, which is the Greek word dialektos, and tongues, which is the Greek word glossa. Dialektos is a learned language, while glossa is “not a word of everyday speech but one belonging to dignified and elevated discourse.” Luke lists visitors from over 15 different places around the world that heard their native tongue being spoken by these native Galileans.
The Manifestation of Spiritual Gifts
Another result of the baptism in the Holy Ghost is the manifestation of various gifts of the Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are still valid today. As written in I Corinthians 12:7-11, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. These manifestations include:
- The word of wisdom and the word of knowledge
- Faith and the gifts of healing
- The working of miracles and prophecy
- Discerning of spirits
- Divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues
All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Evidence of the Pentecostal Encounter
If you had been present on the day of Pentecost, there were three pieces of evidence you would have noticed regarding the impartation of the Spirit:
| Evidence | Description/Origin | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | Greek word pneuma, Hebrew word ruach | Impartation of the Spirit for life connection to the Trinity. |
| Fire | Foretold by John (Luke 3:16) | To light up our witness to a dark world. |
| Tongues | Fulfillment of Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8c | To be witnesses to the ends of the earth. |
Holiness and the Requirements for Heaven
While this power is vital for service, baptism with the Holy Ghost is not a requirement for entering Heaven. What qualifies for Heaven is holiness. Therefore, the thought for the day is that Holy Ghost Baptism is the impartation of his power, but we must also seek the power through His spirit to live a holy life, evangelize and live a life of prayer. As N.T. Wright said: “God acts completely unexpectedly—as He always said He would.”