The Promise of the Father

The Baptism With The Holy Spirit

“Therefore (Jesus) being by the Right Hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:33)

“For the Promise (the Baptism with the Holy Spirit) is unto you (all those present at the time); and to your children (will continue), and to all who are far off (not limited to Jerusalem but for the whole world), even as many as the Lord will call (available to all even to our time).” (Acts 2:39)

The Apostle Peter spoke these words on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon those in Jerusalem in power. This day is considered the birthday of the church and the start of the church’s mission to reach the lost with the Gospel. The Holy Spirit could not come until the sin debt was paid. The Lord paid the price at Calvary which ushered in the long-awaited time when the Spirit would come in a new way, dwell in those who believed and empower the believers for service.

When a person is born again or born of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit comes and resides in that person. The Spirit will help us in our daily walk with the Lord. He is present to glorify Jesus, to lead us and guide us, and teach us all things. As we place our faith in Christ and Him crucified the Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth and work in us to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. He works no other way as the following verse states:

“For the Law (this is a law of God) of the Spirit (how the Holy Spirit works) of Life (from Christ by way of the Holy Spirit) in Christ Jesus (speaks of His accomplishment at the Cross), has made me free (victory) from the Law of sin and death (the only way to be free from sin).” (Romans 8:2)

So, our sanctification, our daily walk, is accomplished by our placing our faith in Christ and Him Crucified which allows the Holy Spirit to work in us and bring us the victory over sin that we so desire. There is no other way to victory. We cannot accomplish this by our efforts. The Lord paid a terrible price a Calvary so that we might be free. After coming to the Lord by faith, if we could walk out this life in victory by what we did, or by adhering to Christian disciplines, then Christ’s victory on the cross was not total. The Apostle Paul spoke about this in the following verse:

“I do not frustrate the grace of God (move our faith from Christ crucified to anything else): for if righteousness come by the Law (any law), then Christ died in vain.” ( Galatians 2:21)

So, we see that we frustrate or stop the action of grace if the object of our faith is anything other than in Christ and the cross. Many feel that we must do our part through Christian disciplines. We cannot overcome sin by what we do. If our faith is in these things, as necessary to our Christian walk as these things are, then we will fail. We must keep in mind that Paul wrote the above words to believers.

If the Holy Spirit guides us and gives us victory over sin, then what is the purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit? The Baptism is for power for service. Jesus was adamant about His followers waiting for the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost before they did anything.

“(Jesus) Commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father, which, said He, you have heard of Me.” (Acts 1:4)

” But you shall be baptized with Holy Spirit not many days hence (Day of Pentecost).” Acts 1:5)

“But you shall receive power (power for service), after that, the Holy Spirit is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8)

The Lord commanded them to wait for the “Promise of the Father” which was the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. The Lord was telling them not to go out in ministry until they had received the Holy Spirit in power. This happened on the day of Pentecost. We see the Apostles receiving power when the Holy Spirit came upon them in the baptism and they accomplished mighty works for the Lord. The Apostle Peter, who weeks before denied the Lord three times, stood up among them and preached a powerful sermon with a boldness that saw three thousand saved. And many miracles were wrought by the believers.

In summary, we receive the Holy Spirit initially when we repent of our sins and place our faith in Christ and Him crucified. He guides us in the truth and gives us victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a subsequent work of the Holy Spirit that gives us power for service with the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues. Is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit essential for salvation? The answer is no, but why would we not seek the baptism the Lord has made available to all. The Lord thought it so important that He commanded His followers to wait to receive it before going out in ministry.

[Miracles, healings, deliverance from unclean spirits, boldness in proclaiming the Gospel, thousands coming to faith in the Lord, and the leading of the Holy Spirit in ministry- Read the Book of Acts to see the work of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles and believers in the early church.]

We need this same baptism today to accomplish all the Lord would have us do. The only requirement to receive it is that we be born again. It is received by faith just as the Apostles and the believers that were present at the time received it on the Day of Pentecost.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues (the initial evidence one has been filled).” (Acts 4:31)

If you have not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit; won’t you come in faith today and receive the “Promise of the Father.” Jesus is the baptizer with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), and it is for “even as many as the Lord will call.”

“And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter (helper – the Holy Spirit), that He may abide with you forever.” (John 14:16)

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Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com