Each week, we’ve explored how the Holy Spirit transforms our lives to live out our faith boldly. Today we want to look at what it means to be baptized in the Spirit.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5
What is baptism in the Spirit?
We start in Acts 1, where Jesus tells His disciples: “Wait for the promise of the Father… John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…” It required patience, waiting for God’s timing rather than pushing our own agenda.
We need to set aside our hurry and learn to wait on the Lord. Often, He’s looking to see if He truly has our undivided attention before pouring out His Spirit. So, here’s the question for us – are we willing to wait? When it comes to God and His Kingdom, do we see it as worth our time? Will we be still, prioritize, and make space for Him? Will we prioritize His Kingdom over our schedule? True transformation happens in those moments of surrender. This, Jesus says, is the first step He asks of us.
The Promise of the Father
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” . Acts 2:38-39
This gift is here, now, ready to fill and empower anyone who asks.
But what does “baptism” mean here? The word comes from the Greek baptizo, implying a full immersion. Jesus used this term intentionally, a thorough soaking, a complete covering. Jesus using “baptizo” is this wonderful picture of a complete drenching, soaking, covering and clothing by the Holy Spirit. An all encompassing gift of God in and through us. That is what the Holy Spirit does when we are baptised by Him, we are the same person, but we are also different. What a joy and privilege that God would pour himself out to us in this way!
Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for Today?
Some might wonder if the baptism of the Holy Spirit was only for the early church. Scripture is clear on this. It’s a promise for everyone, for today, for you. The Spirit helps us know God deeply and empowers us to share His love with others. In Acts, we see instances where believers were baptized in Jesus’ name but later received prayer for a distinct baptism in the Spirit (Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:1-6). Baptism in the Spirit is often a moment of renewal, a fresh outpouring of God’s presence and power.
What Happens When We’re Baptized in the Holy Spirit?
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2
The experience of Spirit baptism varies from person to person. In Acts 2, we read of a powerful, even dramatic, outpouring: a sound like a rushing wind, tongues of fire, and believers speaking in other languages.
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4
In this instance there was a physical shaking of the room and the result of being filled with the Spirit was great boldness like never before. Interestingly, this may have been a second filling of the Holy Spirit for some people.
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, Acts 10
Peter noticed visibly that the Holy Spirit was touching people – by expression, their bodies, by praying in tongues, or singing. These tongues were a heavenly language that was given to different people.
There’s no single blueprint for how this moment will look, but common threads include a deep sense of peace, a physical reaction like laughter or tears, or perhaps a new ability to pray in a heavenly language.
Personally, the first time I was prayed over to receive the Spirit, I felt an overwhelming peace and joy. For others, Spirit baptism may come quietly. The experience is unique, but always marked by a closeness to God and a sense of His tangible presence.
Praying in Heavenly Languages
One of the gifts that often accompanies Spirit baptism is the gift of tongues, a heavenly language. Scripture teaches that speaking in tongues allows us to pray from our spirit rather than from our mind (1 Corinthians 14:14). It’s a spiritual language that can bring comfort, strength, and alignment with God’s heart, especially when words fail.
Here’s an explanation of tongues that has really helped me: you feel in your heart and spirit faith filled syllables that rise within you and as you start to speak them out, they bring peace and life. There is a sense that these are not randomly made up but that the Spirit is with you in the midst of them, He is giving a language.
Though you won’t understand what you’re saying, God does. It’s a spiritual language. Paul describes this beautifully in 1 Corinthians 14:14: “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.”
That’s the beauty of tongues. I’ve personally found this gift invaluable during times of crisis, deep sorrow, and bold prayer, when I do not have English words to pray and I break into tongues.
Are there different kinds of spiritual languages in Scripture?
Yes, but I’d say they’re more often heavenly than earthly. This aligns with Paul’s personal experience, as he frequently used what he called a “heavenly prayer language” rather than speaking different earthly languages. His expectation was that others would pray this way too—he just happened to do it more often!
How Do We Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
We wait with expectation, setting our hearts to receive all that the Lord has for us.
In Scripture, we see that the Holy Spirit sometimes came upon people spontaneously and at other times through the laying on of hands by those already filled with the Spirit. We want to be open to both.
Love and peace are the true markers of His presence. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is about drawing closer to the Father and the Son and bearing witness to God in the world.
What If I Don’t Feel Anything?
You may wonder, What if I don’t experience anything right away? Remember that we are not primarily after an experience, we are after knowing the Lord more closely. Love and Peace are the great indicators. If nothing extraordinary happens, keep pressing in, keep waiting, and don’t give up. God’s Spirit moves uniquely in each of us.
If you don’t feel anything right away, don’t be discouraged! Keep seeking, keep receiving, keep enjoying His presence. It’s not a sign of being more or less loved by God; simply stay open and keep pursuing Him.
Living Life in the Spirit Every Day
And remember, this is a lifestyle. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” That phrase “be filled” means to be continually filled. We need the Spirit’s filling every day. There are pivotal moments, but living daily in the Spirit – that’s the heart of this journey!
Conclusion
Finally, consider the following passage:
[11] What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; [12] or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13
The Father longs to pour out the Holy Spirit upon us today and everyday.
