04/19/2024
Today, in the charismatic and Pentecostal circles, the baptism of the Spirit is many times equated to an emotional experience involving speaking in tongues only. As a matter of fact, tongues have become the focus so much so that people teach other people to speak some unknown words and call it the baptism of the Spirit. People are focused on saying something rather than waiting to experience the third person of the trinity like never before.
This has led to a dilution of the same experience and many false experiences and even people receiving the gift of tongues but not the baptism of the Spirit. Without going into much detail on that, we will see in detail from scripture what the genuine experience looks like and from that standard, we can judge our experiences and see where they stand.
- FOCUS IS NOT TONGUES.
When Peter preached his first sermon in Acts 2:16; we see him referring to that experience to the one Joel prophesied. Joel’s prophecy contains dreams, visions and prophecy but does not mention tongues. Neither does Jesus’ mention tongues when talking about the coming of the Spirit. Although tongues are usually the initial evidence according to scripture, they are not the main focus. The main focus is on the Spirit Himself descending in power and the longing to be an effective witness for Christ.
- IT’S A SUPERNATURAL EXPERIENCE.
While tongues may not be the focus, supernatural expressions of God accompany the baptism of the Spirit. Peter attests to Joel’s prophecy being fulfilled in their time (during Acts). Combining them both; prophecy, dreams, visions and tongues are all supernatural expressions of God Almighty, communicating to and then through men and women during the baptism of the Spirit.
With the Spirit’s infilling naturally comes signs and wonders. When an individual opens up to God in total surrender, the supernatural God also reveals Himself to the individual in power as He chooses and also finds His expression through that individual for His glory!
- IT IS THE BEGINNING OF GREATER THINGS IN THE SPIRIT
During the Baptism of the Spirit, we are introduced to the supernatural in a way like never before, but that is just the beginning. As we continue to walk yielded there are far greater things of the Spirit that are in store for us. In Acts 4, as they prayed, the whole place was shaken, and they received a greater degree of boldness. In Acts 5, we see Peter’s shadow healing the sick. Later, we see Stephen being filled with faith, grace and power, performing extraordinary miracles. Philip being transported from one place to another. There is so much that awaits a Spirit filled believer and the baptism in the Spirit is just the beginning of that incredible journey.
- ONE CAN OPERATE IN THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT AND NOT BE BAPTIZED.
The disciples already had the gifts in operation prior to Pentecost. When the twelve and seventy were sent out, they did great miracles. So, the functioning of the gifts in a person, including that of the gift of tongues, does not mean that the person is baptized in the Spirit.
So, what is the baptism of the Spirit then? What does it look like? Let’s look at Pentecost and Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8 to learn and then evaluate.
