How many of you have been told you automatically receive the Holy Spirit when you are saved? Though one can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when they believe, many do not. Yes all receive the Holy Spirit as in we accept God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), into our hearts and lives, but that isn't the same as receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings the gifts of the Spirit, the offices, and seals our spirit. It is when we are completely engulfed in the Holy Spirit, thus baptism.
How do we know they are not the same and you don't automatically receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when you believe? We have much scripture to support that we must receive it and that it can and usually is a separate event. We know that Samaria first believed and was baptized but did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit until the apostles laid hand on them and prayed for them to. We know that Paul went to Ephesus and found those that were believers, scripture says disciples even. When he asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost, nobody had even heard of Him. So they were disciples of Jesus Christ that had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit which bring their gifts such as tongues, healing, etc. Yet, even the original apostles had to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit until the day of Pentecost. John the Baptist also told us Jesus would baptize us not only with the Holy Spirit, but also with fire which is a separate baptism we should ask for and receive.
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voices, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 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 8:5-17
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. And all the men were about twelve. Acts 19:1-7
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 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. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:1-9
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
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Matthew 3:11
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Luke 3:16
Just to add a bit of testimony, I didn't receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit until decades after I was saved as I didn't know I was supposed to. When I did, my life changed dramatically. I was healed from asthma, OCD, PTSD, depression, slipped disc, pinched nerves, arthritis, and much more. I also began to receive my gifts of the Spirit. A year later I received tongues and more gifts. I began to see and walk in miracles, signs, and wonders of the Lord Jesus Christ. I now understand the meaning of the verse "greater thing than these shall you do" (John 14:12) My eyes are opened to the scripture and my understanding goes deeper everyday. I have a hunger for the Lord. I want more of Him. I never have enough. The day we stop growing in the Lord we are in trouble.
Scripture plainly tells us that these are separate things and we must repent, be baptized in water in the name of Jesus (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and then receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of fire in order to receive all that God has for us. There are false doctrines made by man who tell you that those things aren't meant for today, but scripture tells us that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He doesn't change. His Word doesn't change. No where in the Bible does it say these things will cease. They are simply making excuses for why they haven't seen these things. The reason people don't see these things, is because they don't walk in them. They don't want to be disciplined enough to walk in all Christ has for them. It means surrendering completely to Him, giving up our own plans for our life and following His plan. It means giving Him time daily in worship, prayer, and studying the Word of God. Some just don't want to work that hard, and some don't know they're supposed to. How many sheep have never been fed this information by their shepherd? Why wouldn't you want these things? If God has more for you and wants to use you to perform miracles, why would you not want to do that? Open your eyes and your minds and hearts to understand . Eye has not seen nor ear heard the mysteries that the Lord God has to show His children. Rise up! It's time to rise up church. Jesus is calling. What will you answer? Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Get in a discipleship program and learn how to go deeper with Him.
