Chukwu Mmuo Nso

Imagine waking up to the voice of your neighbour, speaking Swahili and you are sure he has never been outside the shores of this country nor did he learn to speak Swahili from anywhere, just that he is speaking Swahili language and making cohesive speech. That was the case of the people of Jerusalem that morning when they woke to the prayers of the Christians but this time, they were speaking in foreign languages and with such boldness as they have not always had.

This record of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a powerful reminder to all believers that Holy Spirit baptism is essential for all, regardless of background, God wants to baptise all believers leading them into a life of vibrant power they have never before experienced. God made his intentions known by not segregating into groups, diving by class, background, gender or anything else motivated by human prejudice. God’s gift of salvation and all the accrued blessings are available to all.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is God’s wonderful way of equipping humble, openhearted believers to serve Him. Spiritual power and authority come from Him and depend on Him alone. It is through this baptism that we receive power necessary to live a life, begun at repentance as it blossoms into ministry and service.

WHO IS THE POWER FOR?

The Holy Spirit enters the life of every believer at salvation. He works within believers to assure them of their relationship with God, make them holy and enable them to leave for God. However, the baptism in Holy Spirit, which is evidenced by speaking in tongues, empowers believers afterwards to serve God and be powerful witness of Christ. In response to this question, it is imperative to understand that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience limited to only believers. It should also be noted that it is not the same as salvation. Salvation is one renouncing sin and accepting Jesus and lord and personal saviour while baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift of power for service and evangelism that enables believers to fulfil the Great Commission.

WHY THE BAPTISM OF HOLY SPIRIT?

In layman’s terms, the Holy Spirit is a helper,  He helps us with the tasks we cannot effectively carryout on our own. Comforter in Greek translation means someone who helps one with what he is unable to do. Holy Spirit is not just for what we do in church, it encompasses everything we do in life. Thus, the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues is a gift from God to believers to help them pray effectively (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit also empowers believers to be effective and powerful witnesses of Christ. With the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes the gifts of the spirit 1 Corinthians 12, which can affect the society and build up the Church. It is therefore a necessity for every believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need this experience for the help only God can give. We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit to serve effectively, to defeat carnality, to defeat sin.

People filled with the Holy Spirit

o   Genesis 41:37 (David filled with the Holy Spirit that he advised on the affairs of Government and Economics)

o   Daniel 5:10-12, 6:3 (because Daniel was filled with excellent spirit, he was distinguished)

o   Exodus 35:30-35 (God filled Bezaleel with spirit to do crafts for the building of his temple).

o   The Holy Spirit helps us commune with God (Romans 8:26; I Corinthians 14:2, 4; Jude 1:20; Acts 4:31). The spirit of God recharges us.

o   We need to be led by the Holy Spirit so that God's promises in our life will be fulfilled.

o   The Holy Spirit gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit that will enable us serve God aright.