Step Five: The Power Of The Holy Ghost And You
The believer's walk is called, ‘the spiritual life.’ In other words, we cannot live it without the help of the Holy Spirit. There is one baptism and there are several infillings. Today, we will speak a little about the Baptism.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience subsequent to salvation. If you have successfully completed steps 1-4, and you are a believer in Christ Jesus, the only thing left to do is simply go to God the Father in prayer and ask Him to baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Our text from verse 14 through 17 says:
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:14-17
This is conclusive proof that these people were genuinely saved. These apostles recognized they were because after they heard the word of the wonderful things God had done through Philip’s ministry, they sent Peter and John to minister to them the Holy Ghost baptism.
I want to encourage you to desire to walk in the fullness of God’s Spirit and power. Make it your daily prayer, “Father, fill me with the Holy Spirit today.” Remember that you have a place in the plan of God. You have to prayerfully ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do for Him once you are baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told His disciples, "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 Judea, and Samaria, and unto all the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
The disciples were abundantly blessed of God after they were baptized with the Holy Ghost. To be baptized means to be totally immersed into the Spirit. That is where the believer receives the power for miracles. In the apostle’s ministry just like Jesus had promised, mighty miracles were constantly being performed. In Acts 8, the Bible says, “For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8: 7-8
Because of the work of the Holy Spirit through the ministry of Philip, we are told that the Samaritans BELIEVED the things concerning the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus Christ, and they were BAPTIZED, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
Are you living by the power of the Holy Spirit?
CONFESSION: Heavenly Father, I believe Your living Word. And I ask You to Baptize me today with the Holy Ghost and with power, to carry out and fulfil the ministry to which You called me, in Jesus name.