Acts 1:8 “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses.”
Power: As a Christian you are required to share your faith with other people! It can be hard to be a witness when your reputation and popularity are on the line! However, what is more important…popularity with God or with people in school? GOD!! Be a witness in your classroom, lunchroom, and every other place you go. Although it is hard and scary, do not be afraid – God can and will give you courage and boldness to tell people about Jesus and live out the Christian life! Being a witness means that you must be speak about Jesus and what He means to you and live the kind of life God wants you to live!
Witness: The words you use inside the classroom will show everyone whether or not you are a real Christian or not! Do not curse, talk back, gossip, or use any kind of language that God would not want you to use. The works that you do will show everyone whether or nor you are a real Christian or not as well! Be nice to people when they are not nice to you, help teachers and other students, dress modestly, and behave when the teacher is not looking. Remember to do the works and speak the words of Jesus!
When the Holy Spirit comes on you: As a Christian, there is something called “the baptism in the Holy Spirit.” This experience is for everyone who is a Christian and all you have to do is ask that God will fill you with His Spirit! What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Well, here are seven things the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not.
7 THINGS THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT
1. It is not the same as salvation (Acts 19:1-6). *
In Acts 19:1-7, we read of Paul’s encounter with a group of believers in Ephesus. The believers had been baptized in John’s baptism. They stated, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Paul explained salvation through Christ to these men. They accepted the message, were baptized in Jesus’ name, and then Paul placed his hands on them and prayed. Every man was then filled with the Holy Spirit. Two separate experiences are mentioned in this chapter. The Ephesians believed on the Lord Jesus, (salvation), and then were empowered for ministry, (Holy Spirit).
2. It is not just for Bible times (Acts 2:39). *
Men and women and boys and girls throughout church history have received this infilling. On the day of Pentecost, Peter said, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). Children are being filled with the Holy Spirit today! God is no respecter of persons whether by race, gender, or age. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This experience is for today’s church.
3. It is not for adults only (Acts 2:17, 39; 21:5).
God’s promises are for every believer. I know that even a child may not understand all of the theological or eternal implications of speaking in tongues. I don’t understand all of them either! I know that even though many things in this life are reserved for adults, God gives freely of His Holy Spirit to those who seek Him regardless of their age. The Pentecostal promises of Scripture that we cling to are never prefaced by a child-exclusion clause. God wants to and will fill boys and girls, peoples of any age or race with His Spirit.
4. It is not scary (1 John 4:16 & 18).
God will never do anything to harm or to scare His children. Many often wonder if God is going to move their lips uncontrollably. This is a scary proposition for a person of any age. God will not move a one’s lips. He will not scare one who sincerely seeks Him. John wrote, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:16, 18).. His perfect love can drive out this fear. When fear is gone, the seeker will receive.
5. It is not an experience where tongues are optional (Acts 2:4; 19:6). *
There are so many options in life. A boy buying a skateboard can choose between literally dozens of wheels. His board can be painted and shaped different ways. One thing is not optional though. When he buys a skateboard, there will be a board and there will be wheels. Without a board and wheels, it just isn’t a skateboard.
When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will speak with other tongues. This is not optional. It will happen. It happened in Bible times and it still happens today. The prayer language you receive is a sign that the empowerment has taken place.
“Speaking in tongues is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit, a Spirit-inspired utterance whereby a believer speaks in a language he has never learned.” (Stamps).
God gives us the words to say and that we simply open our mouths and say them. I have never witnessed someone being filled with the Holy Spirit who had his mouth shut. In every case, believers who actively, vocally praise God are the ones who receive this gift. Because of this, I encourage seekers to ask God for this gift and then to praise Him.
6. It is not an end (Acts 2). *
This experience is a beginning fore the believer. It is a beginning of a life of victory over sin. He is empowered to witness! Many Christians, after receiving the Holy Spirit, will brag to others “I’ve got it!” I have seen Christians sitting back during an altar time, as if to say, “I received that last year, I don’t have to pray anymore.” Help Christians to realize that the Christian, even after he receives the Holy Spirit, should seek God’s face on a daily basis. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not an end. It is a beginning!
The remaining events in the book of Acts!
The change in the Apostle of the Gospels to the Apostles of Acts!
Peter denying 3 times to saving 3,000!
When you are genuinely baptized in the Holy Spirit, you will then find power to live a genuine Christ-like life!
7. It is not natural (Acts 2:4).
This is a supernatural gift. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4). The Spirit gives us the words to say. This is supernatural. Neither you nor I can teach a person how to speak in tongues. God is more than able to give person the words to say.
