The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – with Fire.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is often referred to as the baptism by fire.

In the second part of Matthew 3:11 John the baptist is talking about Jesus and says  ”He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire”.

We ar all familiar with the picture of Jesus standing and a dove landing on Jesus. This picture is symbolic of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus Himself received. the scene is described in Matthew 3:21 and 22.

“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while he prayed, the heaven was opened.

And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘ You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased ’.”

John 16 : 7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if i do not go away, the helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

Jesus told us very clearly that it was to our advantage that he left the world. Jesus was here in bodily form and suffered the same bodily restrictions as we do.  Jesus could not be everywhere at the same time.  Instead Jesus promised the Helper (Holy Spirit) that would come live inside of us and guide us and lead us through our spiritual life.

Acts 2 describes the events of the day of pentecost, the day in which the Holy Spirit rained down upon the disciples. They we all filled and began to speak in different languages. They appeared to be drunk!  When you receive the Holy spirit into your life you will start to speak with new tongues. You may even become slightly intoxicated.

How do we receive the Holy spirit.  Acts 8:15 to 17 describes how Peter and John  went and prayed for those who had not yet received the Holy Spirit , and they laid hands on them and they were filled with the Holy spirit.

We are still to be filled with the Holy Spirit to this day, and this gift is received through the laying on of hands.