The Holy Spirit is a Gift of Grace

 

 

Whether you consider yourself to be Baptist, Pentecostal, or Non-Denominational, if you are TRULY saved and water baptized, then you have received the free gift of the Holy Spirit. However, there is a difference between being indwelt with the Holy Spirit, and being filled, or baptized in the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 2:28) Then Peter said unto them, "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."

Notice what Peter's first command is: repent.

(Acts 3:19) "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

Salvation begins with true repentance of sins. Repentance is a change of mind and heart in regard to the old sinful lifestyle. God gives grace to those who seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and his righteousness. Repentance occurs when you surrender all to Christ. You must first realize that you cannot save yourself through the strivings of the flesh. We are justified by faith in the atonement that Christ made upon the cross. Salvation is for those who walk in the light, not darkness.

. After we truly repent of our sins and put our faith in Christ and his atonement upon the cross, it is also essential that we are baptized in water. Water baptism is an act of obedience; it proclaims to the world that you have been born again. You are marked by God, and you identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ through water baptism. You are also proclaiming that you have been crucified with Christ and are dead to sin and risen with Christ as a new creation!

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

When you are truly saved by Grace (unmerited favor) alone, you are indwelt by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. You are saved by Christ's merit, righteousness, and holiness alone, and not by your own works.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a second act of Grace, and it is when a believer is filled with Holy Spirit. It is a release of God's Spirit in your life. It is like taking a spiritual shower where God's anointing is poured out upon you. The Baptism is an immersion of power that is accompanied by spiritual gifts according to God's will and must be sought after by faith. The Holy Spirit is God, he is the third person of the Holy Trinity, and he indwells us, as well as ministers to us. It is God’s will that we all experience the fullness of God and that is only possible by receiving the baptism in the Spirit. The infilling of the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the hands of the Apostles within Scripture. It was first given on the Day of Pentecost to those seeking God in the upper room. You may receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit by earnestly seeking God in prayer, or through the laying on of hands.

Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

There are nine gifts and nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is God's will that we seek him for the fullness of his Spirit. The strivings of the flesh are worthless. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we may become a new creation (set apart people). Only through the Holy Spirit is the love of Jesus poured into our hearts. We cannot walk, live, or bear good fruit apart from the Holy Spirit. If you love Christ, you will keep his commandments. This is only possible by being transformed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit. To live and walk in the Spirit is to walk away from sin.