What is the Feast of Pentecost? Then & Now? ~ Part 3 ~ Who & How

What is the Feast of Pentecost? Then & Now? ~ Part 3 ~ Who & How

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Last week we looked at scripture showing that there are 3 different baptisms we can experience.

The Baptism the Holy Spirit does – He baptizes us into salvation. (1Cor.12:13)
The Baptism Jesus does – He baptizes us with or in the Holy Spirit. (Mat.3:11)
The Baptism we do – we baptize new believers in water. (Mt.28:19)

Text: Luke 11:9-13, Acts 1:4-8

The last words of instruction to us are not go, but wait until. Acts 1:4-5
At the end of last week’s message, I asked the question: Does Jesus say we need this Baptism? The answer is yes.

So - Who can receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and How do you receive it?

Who?
The only requirement I can see in Scripture is that you are a born again believer in Jesus. That’s it! It has nothing to do with your doctrine, your gender, denominational background, age, maturity level.

Peter said "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (Act.2:39) Not just for some.

In Acts 1:4 Jesus said this Baptism in the Holy Spirit that is poured out in Acts 2 was the “Promise of the Father.” So this is a gift from the Father for ALL.

If this is a gift from Father God that Jesus baptizes us with, then why is there so much fear attached to it?

Fear is from the enemy, especially if fear keeps me from a peace that God gives. (1Joh 4:18)
Luke 11:9-13

If Jesus wants me to have this gift, and the Bible talks about this baptism in a positive light, and if it is a gift from the Father, why the fear?

Many people, and many churches have wrongly misrepresented the things of God.

Focusing on Hell instead of the Love of God, focusing on the abuse of tongues instead of the Holy Spirit. Focusing on just 1 of the manifestations of the Spirit.

Our enemy doesn’t want me to have Acts 1:8 so if he can take the focus off this being a gift from a loving Father and create fear around this topic, he keeps people from walking in power.

A major foundation to remember is when you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, you don’t receive “A” gift, you receive Him. With the Holy Spirit comes the ability to operate in any of the gifts of the Spirit, not just one of them.
For example, you don’t’ receive the “gift of tongues,” or the “gift of prophecy,” etc. You receive the Holy Spirit – He is the source of the individual gifts.
One gift – the Holy Spirit – has MULTIPAL functions and manifestations.
TOO OFTEN tongues get all the attention because it seems to be the most unique.
(1 Cor.12:7:-10 Holy Spirit manifestations listed)

How?
Since it is a “gift of the Father” all I need to do is ask.

In Acts 2, as they were praying, it simply explains they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17
Acts 10:1-48, v.44-46 The Holy Spirit fell upon all while Peter was speaking.
Acts 19:1-7 When Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

What’s going to happen? Every time it’s uniquely different.

Brian Lovelace – When he was baptized in water came up speaking in tongues.

My dad – prayed for the manifestation of tongues for at least 2 years, then one day, as he was at the altar worshiping, heard someone speaking in tongues.

Heatherann, when she was a child, after the children’s church teacher taught on this gift, went to the altar after Sunday night service, asked for the Father’s gift, began speaking in tongues, went and sat down and no one around her knew, because she wasn’t demonstrative.

At camp when I prayed for a young lady.

At camp, watching around 50 young people, they all started speaking about the same time.

Some don’t seem to manifest tongues, yet they often operate in words of knowledge, and words of wisdom. (1 Cor.12:7:-10 Holy Spirit manifestations listed)