All believers are entitled to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and therefore should expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The word ghost in the sixteenth-century King James Version of the Bible meant only what we today understand by the word spirit. Some references in the bible speak of “the Holy Ghost and fire”. Fire, an image commonly associated with the Holy Spirit, suggests the purging, cleansing action, and zeal of the Holy Spirit, which continues the work of spiritual growth begun at salvation.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit was the normal experience of all believers in the early Christian church. With the experience comes the provision of power and productive service for victorious Christian living. It also provides believers with specific spiritual gifts for more effective ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13).
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is separate from salvation, and follows the new birth experience (Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9).
With this Baptism come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39, Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43, Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work, (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and those who have not yet accepted Him (Mark 16:20).
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