Baptism of the Holy Spirit

 Many of us are familiar with baptism by water, but not so with the baptisms that Jesus Christ was to give, that of the Holy Spirit and of fire. Last Semester I did a survey on the Baptism of Holy Spirit with approximately 30 believers from various Churches Denomination; 50% believe that they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and believe that speak in tongues as initially evidence baptism of Holy Spirit; 30% do not believe in the baptism of Holy Spirit and speak in tongues is not the initially sign baptism of Holy Spirit and 20% did not know anything about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I believe as follower of Christ Jesus we need to be baptize in the Holy Spirit and I believe speak in tongue is one of the initially evidence of baptism of Holy Spirit (others signs is prophesy) this is in line with the Word of God in Acts 9: 6 in the day of Pentecost after the Apostles were baptize by the Holy Spirit the bible say they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2: 4). Act 19:6 and when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Raymond Carlson in his book “The Acts Story: the Work of the Holy Spirit in the Early church” also claimed that speaking in tongues is the one sign repeated in each instance when believers received the baptism in the Spirit

With the Biblical teaching I believe that baptism of Holy Spirit play an important role in our life and ministry as a body of Christ. This is to:

1. To empower us to perform the duties of the ministry Jesus has entrusted to us.

2. The gift of HS is to unite us in diversity