“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit will radically change your life, and change it forever. It will empower you to be victorious and live a life that reveals God’s goodness to those around you. The word “power” here means supernatural miracle-working ability. This shows us that when we receive the empowering of the Spirit, it enables us to live a life which isn’t naturally possible. It’s not naturally possible to resist temptation or to love people unconditionally, to pray for and bless those who use and hurt you. We don’t have any natural ability to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, or to break demonic bondages in people’s lives. The Holy Spirit enables us to live supernatural lives which testify to the goodness of our living God. The Holy Spirit is the source of power in the believer’s life.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Acts 10:38 (NKJV)
The reason that Jesus lived a supernatural life on earth – how he performed the miraculous (healing the sick, loving people unconditionally, raising the dead, commanding the weather etc.) – was that He was empowered by God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit and “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.” The purpose of the empowering that comes from the Holy Spirit is to help others. Jesus helped others by setting them free from the oppression of the devil. When we are empowered by the Holy Spirit we are enabled to be a blessing to others by helping them walk in victory and freedom.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
John 14:12 (ESV)
When we receive the Holy Spirit we receive the same power source that Jesus had, and when we believe (operate in faith) we are able to do the same works that Jesus did and greater ones. This is divine enabling to live a supernatural life.
“…how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
Luke 11:9-13 (KJV)
If you’ve never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, all you need to do is ask for it. Jesus said that when you ask, you receive (Luke 11:9) for everyone who asks receives (Luke 11:10). Simply believe in the goodness of your heavenly Father to give you this good gift when you ask for it.
“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.”
John 16:7 (KJV) – emphasis mine
Jesus said that He would send us the Holy Spirit, which means that the Spirit is a gift. A gift is something that is unearned and undeserved; it’s something freely offered without expectation of payment in return. Jesus sent the Spirit to us as a gift. All you need to do with a gift is receive it and enjoy it. The reason I am making this point is because some people think that before they can receive the Spirit they need to clean up their lives; they need to be holy and perfect. But if that were so then no one would be able to receive the Holy Spirit. You don’t need to have it all together to receive the Holy Spirit. All you need to do is ask and believe.
If you have never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit I encourage you to simply ask God for it now. Pray: Father, I recognize my need for Your power to live this new life. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. By faith, I receive Him right now! Thank You for baptizing me. Holy Spirit, You are welcome in my life.
If you prayed that prayer then we would love to send you a gift to help you grow. Please email us and let us know that you have prayed to receive the Holy Spirit.
Thought to focus on for the day:
The Holy Spirit is a gift for me from God to help me live in victory and live a supernaturally fruitful life that helps others, serves others and strengthens others and so brings glory and honour to Jesus.
Learn more about the empowering of the Holy Spirit and the Gift of Tongues when you download this short study guide.