BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE
“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
These words were spoken by John the Baptist, and, of course, he was talking about Jesus Christ. The word “baptism” comes from the Greek verb “bapto” which means “to submerge”. When we think of baptism, we often think of water baptism when a repentant sinner is submerged in water in the name of Jesus Christ “for the remission of sins”. But what is baptism with fire? Well, the baptism that John was referring to was the baptism of the Holy Ghost, when a person is completely submerged and filled with the Spirit of God.
We have to understand, first of all, that the Holy Ghost is God. It is not something or someone that He sends on His behalf. It is not His approval or [...]. The Holy Ghost is God Himself who comes to reside with you. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” I Corinthians 6:19
For many years, people were not able to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. God was always present. He was “with” us. He was “upon” us. He walked with us. However, He did not reside in us. There were many interactions between men and the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament, but they were only for a time and only for a specific purpose. “for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:39 The baptism of the Holy Ghost was a brand new experience for the New Testament church that only became available after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. John 16:7 says “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” This brand new experience came with a brand new sign, speaking in tongues. Several weeks after the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Ghost was poured out for the first time. Acts 2:1-4 says “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The apostles and those with them were the first to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, but they were not the last. In every generation, repentant sinners have raised their hands, become lost in worship, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues. The journey does not end there, though. From that point the LORD dwells with them, guiding them and doing many wonderful things in their lives, transforming them and using them to minister to others.
The first purpose of the Holy Ghost is to manifest the fruit of the Spirit on a person’s life. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Another important purpose of the Holy Ghost is to help us to understand the truth of the scripture, to remember it, and to use it in ministry. Jesus told his disciples “ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth . . .” John 16:13 In another scripture, He said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26
Yet another benefit of the Holy Ghost is to equip the church for ministry through the gifts of the Spirit. I Corinthians 12 teaches us about the different spiritual gifts that are given through the Holy Ghost. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” The gifts of the Spirit is a complex topic that deserves more time and attention than we can give it in this short article. Let us keep it simple here by saying that these gifts are available by the Holy Ghost to those who are called to them and this exists for ministry.
Another purpose that the Holy Ghost serves is to guide us in intercessory prayer. Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Finally, it is the Holy Ghost dwelling in us that will resurrect us in the day of the rapture. Romans 8:10-11 says “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
All of these are incredible blessings in our lives and in the church! However, perhaps the greatest benefit is salvation! The baptism of the Holy Ghost is necessary to salvation. “Now if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Romans 8:9.