The Holy Spirit (Part 2)

Many Christians really don't fully understand the kind of relationship they should have with the Holy Spirit. They may know something about the Holy Spirit, but do they really know the person, the Holy Spirit?  There is only one way to get to know the Holy Spirit; and that is through the Word and through constant fellowship with Him. As Christians we should not only know the mechanics of the Holy Spirit, but the dynamics as well.  In this post I will share the different types of "baptisms" a Christian has and why there is so much controversy surrounding the Holy Spirit, as well as the importance of having a relationship with Him and the power the Holy Spirit brings to the life of the Believer.

1.  Three Baptisms

The believer experiences three different baptisms:

• Baptism into Christ -- The Holy Spirit is the agent that baptizes the believer "into Christ" and "into His body," the church. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• Baptism into water -- The minister or some other person then baptizes the believer in water. (Matthew 28:19)
• Baptism into the Holy Spirit -- Then Christ baptizes the same believer in the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 3:11)

Baptism "into Christ" is essential to salvation.  Baptism into water is essential to obedience and to a "good conscience" after a person is saved and in Christ.  And baptism into the Holy Spirit is essential to receiving power for service (Acts 1:8).

2.  The Holy Spirit's Relationship With The Believer

The Holy Spirit dwells in the believer.  We are the "temple" of God and He is in us through His

omnipresence. (1 Corinthians 3:16).  In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would come upon, rest upon, move upon, inspire, enable or give men power to do certain things but He dwelt in temples make with hands not in the lives of the people. Now, the Holy Spirit has made our body His temple and He dwells in us.  When you get saved, your body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit and you have a union with Him. That's why when a Christian sins they feel conviction as a reminder to repent.

3. Why Such Controversy About The Holy Spirit And His Power

Satan desires to keep the church ignorant of the power of the Holy Ghost because he knows how much it would threaten his schemes and plans.  As a result, the church has allowed confusion about the Holy Spirit to thwart its potential power.  There are four reasons why the working of the Holy Spirit's power is not evident in the church today.

• A lack of correct teaching about the Holy Spirit's work.  There has been a lot of inaccurate teaching about how the Holy Spirit is to operate and what His function is.  As a result we don't see His power demonstrated in the lives of the believers or the church.
• Believing that the Holy Ghost power is not needed and has passed away.  Many believe that the Holy Spirit's power was limited to 1st century Christians and therefore believe there is no need for that power to be manifested today.
• Many believers aren't sure if miracles still happen today.
• People are afraid of any kind of demonstration.  They think any display of the Holy Spirit's power would get out of hand.

4.  Why You Need The Power Of The Holy Spirit

There are three reasons why it is necessary for the power of the Holy Spirit to be evident in the believer's life.

• So the church can experience God's power.  God works through us.  We are the channel and vessels through which He moves.
• So God can manifest to us who He is.  Many people don't believe in God, because they see no demonstration of who He is in our life.  Each believer needs a personal experience with Him and a demonstration in their life of who God really is.
• So the Body of Christ can be edified, comforted and exhorted.  It's not just enough to have a church service.  We need the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be so magnified in our lives that every time we come together souls are being saved, bodies healed, and needs met.  God wants to demonstrate His anointing.

The power of the Holy Spirit is essential for the life of the Believer.  God desires you to have a close relationship with Him and His Spirit.  It is my desire that you know who the Holy Spirit is and what His relationship is to be to you.

-- Pastor Temple