40 Days of Prayer - Day 2
Jesus promised to baptize His followers with the Holy Spirit so that they would be empowered to take the gospel to the world:
"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 1:4-8).
This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost:
"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" (Acts 2:1-4).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not only for the disciples at Pentecost; this experience was, and is, for all Christians since that time.
Not every believer was present at Pentecost. A practical question might be, How did Christians receive the baptism of the Spirit after Pentecost? The answer is found in the book of Acts. On at least two occasions the Spirit fell on a group while Peter spoke to them:
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:44-47).
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:15-17).
It appears that God also led the church to receive the baptism of the Spirit in a more orderly way by the laying on of hands. Concerning Samaritan believers receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we read:
"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:12-17).
Note that in Acts 8 the individuals of Samaria were led by the Spirit to accept Christ and be baptized in water. Yet they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when they were baptized in water. Peter and John came to them from Jerusalem for the specific purpose of laying hands on them and praying for the baptism of the Spirit to come upon them. This is a clear indication that water baptism and Spirit baptism are two separate experiences. The Spirit leads an individual to accept Christ and be baptized in water. This is a different work of the Spirit, which must be wrought separately when one becomes aware of this wonderful experience.
We see in Acts that Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, also received the baptism of the Spirit by prayer and the laying on of hands:
"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightiest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18).
In Saul's case the baptism of the Holy Spirit came soon after his conversion on the road to Damascus but before his water baptism.
We find a similar example of prayer with laying on of hands when Paul met with disciples in Ephesus:
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied (Acts 19:1-6).
The one performing this prayer with laying on of hands should be a believer who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit themselves. It should also be pointed out that the laying on of hands is not necessary to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful experience to seek the Spirit's infilling in this manner; however, it is not necessary. Receiving the baptism of the Spirit is simply a matter of claiming by faith God's promise of the Spirit:
"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14).
Ellen White understood that Christians do not automatically receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion or when baptized in water. Of our great need for the Spirit's infilling in order to witness to others effectively, she wrote:
"What we need is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this, we are no more fitted to go forth to the world than were the disciples after the crucifixion of their Lord" (Review and Herald, Feb. 18, 1890).
Concerning our personal spiritual growth and the Spirit's infilling, she wrote:
"Impress upon all the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of the members of the church, so that they will be living, growing, fruit-bearing trees of the Lord's planting" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 86).
If Christians automatically had the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Mrs. White would not admonish us to receive it. When one reads her statements it is clear that she saw its importance and urged every believer to seek the fulness of the Spirit in his/her life.
PERSONAL REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
Why did Jesus tell the disciples to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
When did the disciples receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Did every Christian when they received Christ or were baptized in water, automatically receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit after the day of Pentecost?
How did the Samaritan believers receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
When and how did Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
What did Ellen White say about the importance of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Is prayer with laying on of hands necessary to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
PRAYER ACTIVITY
Call your prayer partner and discuss this devotional with him/her.
Pray with your prayer partner:
for God to continue to baptize each of you with His Holy Spirit
for God to minister through you in the power of the Spirit
for individuals on your prayer list.
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING BIBLE VERSE IN YOUR PRAYER:
"Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindness; for they have been ever of old" (Psalm 25:6).
_________________________
Be merciful to us and forgive us our sins.
Restore us to Your favor and glorify Your name through us.
"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 1:4-8).
This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost:
"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" (Acts 2:1-4).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not only for the disciples at Pentecost; this experience was, and is, for all Christians since that time.
Not every believer was present at Pentecost. A practical question might be, How did Christians receive the baptism of the Spirit after Pentecost? The answer is found in the book of Acts. On at least two occasions the Spirit fell on a group while Peter spoke to them:
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:44-47).
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:15-17).
It appears that God also led the church to receive the baptism of the Spirit in a more orderly way by the laying on of hands. Concerning Samaritan believers receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we read:
"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:12-17).
Note that in Acts 8 the individuals of Samaria were led by the Spirit to accept Christ and be baptized in water. Yet they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when they were baptized in water. Peter and John came to them from Jerusalem for the specific purpose of laying hands on them and praying for the baptism of the Spirit to come upon them. This is a clear indication that water baptism and Spirit baptism are two separate experiences. The Spirit leads an individual to accept Christ and be baptized in water. This is a different work of the Spirit, which must be wrought separately when one becomes aware of this wonderful experience.
We see in Acts that Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, also received the baptism of the Spirit by prayer and the laying on of hands:
"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightiest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18).
In Saul's case the baptism of the Holy Spirit came soon after his conversion on the road to Damascus but before his water baptism.
We find a similar example of prayer with laying on of hands when Paul met with disciples in Ephesus:
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied (Acts 19:1-6).
The one performing this prayer with laying on of hands should be a believer who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit themselves. It should also be pointed out that the laying on of hands is not necessary to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful experience to seek the Spirit's infilling in this manner; however, it is not necessary. Receiving the baptism of the Spirit is simply a matter of claiming by faith God's promise of the Spirit:
"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14).
Ellen White understood that Christians do not automatically receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion or when baptized in water. Of our great need for the Spirit's infilling in order to witness to others effectively, she wrote:
"What we need is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this, we are no more fitted to go forth to the world than were the disciples after the crucifixion of their Lord" (Review and Herald, Feb. 18, 1890).
Concerning our personal spiritual growth and the Spirit's infilling, she wrote:
"Impress upon all the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of the members of the church, so that they will be living, growing, fruit-bearing trees of the Lord's planting" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 86).
If Christians automatically had the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Mrs. White would not admonish us to receive it. When one reads her statements it is clear that she saw its importance and urged every believer to seek the fulness of the Spirit in his/her life.
PERSONAL REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
Why did Jesus tell the disciples to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
When did the disciples receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Did every Christian when they received Christ or were baptized in water, automatically receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit after the day of Pentecost?
How did the Samaritan believers receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
When and how did Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
What did Ellen White say about the importance of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Is prayer with laying on of hands necessary to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
PRAYER ACTIVITY
Call your prayer partner and discuss this devotional with him/her.
Pray with your prayer partner:
for God to continue to baptize each of you with His Holy Spirit
for God to minister through you in the power of the Spirit
for individuals on your prayer list.
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING BIBLE VERSE IN YOUR PRAYER:
"Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindness; for they have been ever of old" (Psalm 25:6).
_________________________
Be merciful to us and forgive us our sins.
Restore us to Your favor and glorify Your name through us.
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