Dear Friend,

God desires for you to walk in victory in every aspect of your life, and He’s provided a way for this to be possible! The Baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers you to walk in the power and victory that Christ died for you to receive.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” This is a wonderful promise for the believer—no matter what we’re going through, we are always led to victory in Christ Jesus!

This victory is impossible if we’re not empowered by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Many denominations preach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is “not for today.” This is not true, and I’ve experienced firsthand His power living in me and through me.

I became a Christian when I was 11 years old and consistently attended church, but I never heard of baptism of the Holy Spirit. I loved God, and desired to be “good,” but I lived a defeated Christian life for a long time. I struggled with toxic thoughts, behaviors, and emotions which eventually led to drug addiction, all the while being a Christian. I didn’t know that I could have a personal relationship with God and that I was a new creature in Christ—that I could be set free from the toxicity of my thoughts and emotions.

When I learned the truth about God, and that He provided the baptism of the Holy Spirit so we would have life-overcoming power on earth—I ran to receive this gift.

I’ve found that this isn’t everyone’s reaction. Some people are weary because they’ve heard He’s weird and uncontrollable; some people reject Him because they’ve been taught against it in their church.

Either way, please know that I’m not against you, I am for you.

God is able to meet us where we are and open our spiritual eyes of understanding if we will but crack an opening in our heart.

Wherever you stand, I pray your eyes would be open to this amazing truth today, and that you too will be empowered with the fullness of God—in freedom, power, and victory.

Once I learned about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and was baptized, everything started to shift in my life in a positive way. I was free from the bondage of drug addiction that followed me for years. I started to understand the Bible. I was able to apply the Word of God in my day-to-day life with understanding. And I received supernatural power to live a life free from the destruction of sin.

Together, we’re going to go directly to Scripture to see what the Bible says about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We’re going to break down some of the myths regarding this subject, and we’re going to establish the truth about the baptism of the Holy Spirit including:

• What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

• What did Jesus say about the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

• Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit for everyone?

• Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit for today?

• What about praying in tongues?

• Are your ready to receive?

Let’s jump in!

John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. John told the people in Luke 3:16, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (NKJV).

John didn’t have the power to baptize people with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but he knew about it, and he foretold that Jesus would.

Before Jesus was crucified, He told the disciples about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He explained Him as a Teacher, a Comforter, a promise from the Father, and that they would receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon them. Let’s look at these in more detail.

The Holy Spirit is Your Teacher

In John 16:12-13, Jesus said “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (KJV).

Whether it is for the future things to come, revelation from the Word of God, or practical understanding for your daily life, Holy Spirit is our greatest teacher.

For years, I struggled to understand the Word of God and practically apply it to my life. But once I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, I understood the Bible like never before. Daily, I receive guidance from Holy Spirit when I ask him for help and wisdom.

The Holy Spirit is Your Comforter

Jesus told us that He had to leave the earth, so He could send the Holy Spirit to us. If Jesus wouldn’t have left and sent His Spirit, then we wouldn’t be able to be born again or receive this special power from God.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7 KJV)

I cannot tell you how many times when I’ve felt down and discouraged and Holy Spirit comforted me. Invite Him into your situation today, and ask for His comfort.

The Holy Spirit Fills You with Power

Jesus wanted His disciples to share the Gospel with the world but He told them to wait until they receive the promised gift from the Father.

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:4-5, 8 KJV).

They waited until they received this gift on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 where it says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (KJV).

They were all filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which filled them with the power of God to understand the Scriptures and preach the Gospel with power! Before this time, you see that Jesus’ disciples were void of understanding and power.

We see this with the example of Peter who denied Jesus right before His crucifixion—scared to associate himself with Jesus knowing He would soon be arrested and crucified by the Roman soldiers. But the same Peter, after he received baptism of the Holy Spirit along with the other disciples, he received supernatural power to preach the gospel and 3,000 people were saved (Acts 2:14-41).

I can relate to this in my life.  Once I was baptized with the Holy Spirit, I received power to do things that I’d never been able to do before. Not only was I set free from the bondage of addiction, toxic thinking, and poor choices, but I received understanding of the Scriptures, and the ability to talk to people about the love and power of God!

Is baptism of the Holy Spirit for everyone?

You may be thinking this beautiful gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is only for few or special people. That’s another myth which is not true.

It says in Joel and in Acts, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (vv. 17-18, 21 KJV).

God prophesied the pouring out of His Spirit in the book of Joel, and fulfilled it through Jesus in Acts. He told us that He would pour out His spirit on ALL FLESH! And whoever calls on the Lord can be saved. This isn’t for some people—this is for all people—who are willing to humble themselves, believe, and call on the Lord to receive it.

So if you are saved and you’ve given your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you can definitely receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit for Today?

Many people believe that this pouring out of God’s Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit passed away with the apostles. It doesn’t say that in the Bible. Why would we input our opinions and false doctrines, when we can just believe what the Bible says?

Jesus told us in Mark 16:15-18 “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (KJV).

Jesus said that these things will follow those who believe. So, the only qualification for us to walk in the signs, miracles, and wonders of Jesus is believing.

In fact, Jesus said that we would do greater works than Him!

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14 KJV)

When Jesus left the earth and sent the power of His Spirit to us, He multiplied Himself in us! Now, we get to bear fruit, heal the sick, and set the captives free in Jesus’ name, so that God’s goodness and power is revealed to the earth!

What about Praying in Tongues?

There are various myths about the subject of tongues, and I know some even believe that praying in tongues is from the devil. But let’s look at the Word of God to see what the scriptures say about praying in the Spirit or praying in other tongues.

Acts 2:4 says “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

From this scripture we see that once the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began speaking in tongues as Holy Spirit is the one who gave them this ability. So, it’s not the devil, but it’s the Spirit of God that enables us to pray in tongues.

The below scriptures show us the benefits of praying in tongues:

• Paul prayed in tongues more than anyone (1 Cor. 14:18) and by doing so he received wisdom, revelation, and power, which is evident in all his accounts that constitute one third of the New Testament books in the Bible.

• You will speak hidden mysteries of God that is otherwise impossible for you to know (1 Cor. 14:2)

• You edify yourself when you pray in the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:4)

• You are praying in accord with the will of God as your spirit is praying when you pray in tongues (1 Cor. 14:14)

• You are drawing on the wisdom of God when you pray in tongues (1 Cor. 2:10-13)

• The Spirit of God is praying on your behalf when you pray in tongues (Rom. 8:26)

• You’re building up your faith and keeping yourself in the love of God when you pray in tongues. Jude 1:20-21 says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (NKJV)

• And more!

Praying in tongues is a spiritual battery! It charges you and causes you to draw on the love, wisdom, and power of God in your everyday life.  

How do you Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

First, you have to give your life to Jesus and confess Him as your Lord and Savior (Rom. 10:9-10). And then you can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Peter said in Acts 2:38-39, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (KJV).

This promise is to fill your life with power, your children’s lives, and all that are afar off for ages to come.

I hope this teaching has helped you to understand the truth about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He is a gift from our heavenly Father to teach you, comfort you, and empower your daily life. The Holy Spirit is here to help you! His power and gifts are still for today—for anyone who will believe—and He benefits your life in so many ways.

Are you ready to receive?

Luke 11:10 and 13 says, “For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” When you believe God and ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit, you receive!

If you’re ready, pray this prayer with me.

Father, I surrender to you completely. I ask you to baptize me with your Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Thank you for filling me with the power that enables me to live the victorious Christian life. By faith I receive it now in Jesus’ name.

Congratulations! I encourage you to welcome this new part of your life with open arms and rejoicing! Give Him thanks for all that He’s done for you and all that He is going to continue to do for you! I encourage you to open your mouth and speak in tongues immediately.

Open your mouth and begin to make sounds that rise up from your heart. These sounds will be unrecognizable to your understanding. As you continue to speak them out loud with faith remember that you will be praying the perfect prayer (1 Cor. 14:2), edifying yourself (1 Cor. 14:4), and building yourself up on your most holy faith (Jude 1:20). When you pray in tongues you are praying God’s perfect will, giving thanks well, and receiving wisdom from God directly to your spirit. I encourage you to pray in tongues daily, so that you receive supernatural help from God.

Continue to ask Holy Spirit to help you in your day-to-day life, and rely on Him for everything you need. I’m rejoicing with you as you step into your new, victorious life!

Want more on this topic?

• Watch my Live Bible Study from this week’s teaching!

• Get Erin’s resources! Hello, New You Book & Walking in the New You Workbook

• New You Lifestyle Courses for every part of your lifestyle: Faith-Based Healthy Habits, Nutrition, and Fitness!

• Join our encouraging, faith-filled community to support you every step of the way!

These transformative tools and resources are designed to help you walk in your new identity in Christ, so you can fulfill your God-given purpose!

Thank you so much to all of our friends and partners! Because of you this resource is FREE! Help us equip more people with God’s practical, life-changing truth and donate or become a partner today! We'd love to have you join us!

I’m praying that you experience the transforming power of God in every area of your life!

Love,
Erin

Watch my Live Bible Study on this topic here! Don't forget to Like, Subscribe for more faith-based wellness tips, and Share with your friends and family!