Empowered Witnesses: The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, we find John the Baptist speaking of Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Ghost. This baptism is not primarily for sanctification but for witness and testimony. The New Testament emphasizes that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is designed to empower believers to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel. In a world filled with tragedy and sorrow, the greatest need is a mighty visitation of the Spirit of God to reauthenticate the truth of the Gospel. This baptism is meant to characterize the ministry of Jesus and empower His followers to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

The baptism of the Holy Ghost brings about a profound sense of God's presence and glory, leading to humility and a deep assurance of God's love. It results in a triumphant and glorious life, even in the face of death. The joy and gladness experienced by believers, even in affliction, are evidence of this baptism. The knowledge and understanding of God's truth are not merely academic but are given by the Holy Ghost. The church must reconsider its reliance on academic teaching and recognize the importance of the Spirit's work in imparting true knowledge of God.

The external evidences of the baptism of the Holy Ghost are equally important. The apostles' experience in the book of Acts shows that the baptism was evident to those around them, creating a great stir and drawing people to investigate. The Holy Ghost falling upon people is a crucial aspect of this baptism, often neglected in modern times. The facial appearance of those baptized with the Holy Ghost can reflect the glory of God, as seen in the accounts of Moses and Stephen. This visible transformation has been noted in revivals and has led to the conversion of many.

The effect of the baptism of the Holy Ghost on speech is profound, impacting both preaching and personal conversation. It brings power and liberty, enabling believers to speak with authority and boldness. This power is not the result of human ability or academic learning but is a demonstration of the Spirit's work. Throughout history, God has raised up individuals filled with the Spirit to transform their preaching and impact the world. The church today must recognize the need for the Spirit's power to truly fulfill its mission.

Key Takeaways:

- The baptism of the Holy Ghost is primarily for witness and testimony, not sanctification. It empowers believers to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel in a world filled with tragedy and sorrow. [00:50]

- The baptism brings a profound sense of God's presence, leading to humility and assurance of God's love. It results in a triumphant life, even in the face of death, and a deep joy and gladness in affliction. [03:11]

- The knowledge of God's truth is imparted by the Holy Ghost, not merely through academic teaching. The church must recognize the importance of the Spirit's work in imparting true knowledge of God. [06:10]

- The external evidences of the baptism, such as facial appearance and visible transformation, are crucial. These manifestations have been noted in revivals and have led to the conversion of many. [12:44]

- The baptism of the Holy Ghost impacts speech, bringing power and liberty to preaching and personal conversation. This power is a demonstration of the Spirit's work, not human ability or academic learning. [23:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to John the Baptist's Message
- [00:30] - Baptism with the Holy Ghost
- [00:50] - Purpose of the Baptism
- [01:08] - Confusion with Sanctification
- [02:02] - Urgency of the Doctrine
- [02:36] - Apostles' Empowerment
- [03:11] - Marks of the Baptism
- [03:58] - Assurance and Triumph
- [05:07] - Joy in Affliction
- [05:40] - Knowledge through the Spirit
- [07:24] - External Evidences
- [08:42] - Acts of the Apostles
- [09:49] - House of Cornelius
- [12:44] - Facial Appearance
- [23:07] - Impact on Speech

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:26, 33 - "John answered them saying, I baptize with water but there standeth one among you whom ye know not... upon whom Thou shalt see the spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
2. Acts 1:8 - "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
3. Acts 2:33 - "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."

Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:26, 33, what distinguishes the baptism that Jesus offers from the baptism of John the Baptist?
2. In Acts 1:8, what is the purpose of receiving power from the Holy Ghost?
3. How does Acts 2:33 describe the evidence of the Holy Ghost's presence among the apostles?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the baptism of the Holy Ghost empower believers to bear witness to the Gospel, as described in the sermon? [00:50]
2. What role does the Holy Ghost play in imparting knowledge and understanding of God's truth, beyond academic learning? [06:10]
3. How do external evidences, such as facial appearance and speech, serve as a testimony to the baptism of the Holy Ghost? [12:44]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered to share your faith. How did the Holy Ghost play a role in that experience? [02:54]
2. In what ways can you seek a deeper sense of God's presence and assurance of His love in your daily life? [03:58]
3. How can you balance academic learning with reliance on the Holy Ghost for true knowledge of God? [06:10]
4. Have you ever witnessed a visible transformation in someone that led you to explore your faith more deeply? How did it impact you? [12:44]
5. Consider your speech and conversations. How can you invite the Holy Ghost to bring power and liberty to your words? [23:07]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need the Holy Ghost's power to overcome a challenge or fear. What steps can you take to invite His presence into that situation? [21:57]
7. How can you be more open to the Holy Ghost's work in your life, especially in moments of doubt or uncertainty? [46:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Empowered for Witness and Testimony
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is primarily for witness and testimony, not sanctification. It empowers believers to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel in a world filled with tragedy and sorrow. This empowerment is not about personal holiness alone but about being equipped to share the Gospel effectively. In a world that often questions the truth of the Gospel, the baptism of the Holy Ghost serves as a divine endorsement, enabling believers to speak with authority and conviction. The presence of the Holy Ghost in a believer's life is a powerful testimony to the reality of Jesus Christ and His message. [00:50]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the truth of the Gospel today, and how can you rely on the Holy Ghost to empower your witness to them?


Day 2: Experiencing God's Presence and Glory
The baptism brings a profound sense of God's presence, leading to humility and assurance of God's love. It results in a triumphant life, even in the face of death, and a deep joy and gladness in affliction. This experience is not just about feeling good but about a deep, abiding sense of God's nearness and love. It transforms how believers face challenges, providing a peace that surpasses understanding. The joy that comes from this baptism is a testament to the reality of God's presence, even in the darkest times. [03:11]

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

Reflection: In what current affliction can you seek to experience God's presence and glory, allowing His joy to transform your perspective?


Day 3: True Knowledge through the Spirit
The knowledge of God's truth is imparted by the Holy Ghost, not merely through academic teaching. The church must recognize the importance of the Spirit's work in imparting true knowledge of God. This knowledge is not just intellectual but deeply spiritual, transforming the heart and mind. It is the Holy Ghost who opens the eyes of believers to understand the depths of God's truth, beyond what human wisdom can offer. The church is called to rely on the Spirit for true understanding, moving beyond mere academic pursuits to a living, vibrant relationship with God. [06:10]

1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (ESV): "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Ghost to deepen your understanding of God's truth today, beyond what you have learned academically?


Day 4: Visible Transformation and Revival
The external evidences of the baptism, such as facial appearance and visible transformation, are crucial. These manifestations have been noted in revivals and have led to the conversion of many. The transformation that occurs through the baptism of the Holy Ghost is not just internal but often visible to others. This visible change can be a powerful testimony to the reality of God's work in a believer's life. In times of revival, these transformations have drawn many to investigate and ultimately embrace the Gospel. The church is called to seek this kind of transformation, allowing the Holy Ghost to work visibly in and through believers. [12:44]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What visible transformation do you desire to see in your life that would testify to others about the work of the Holy Ghost?


Day 5: Power and Liberty in Speech
The baptism of the Holy Ghost impacts speech, bringing power and liberty to preaching and personal conversation. This power is a demonstration of the Spirit's work, not human ability or academic learning. When believers are filled with the Holy Ghost, their words carry a weight and authority that is beyond their natural abilities. This transformation in speech is a key aspect of the baptism, enabling believers to communicate the Gospel with boldness and clarity. The church is called to seek this empowerment, recognizing that it is the Spirit who gives the words and the power to speak them effectively. [23:07]

Ephesians 6:19-20 (ESV): "And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

Reflection: In what conversations today can you ask the Holy Ghost to give you the words and boldness to speak with power and liberty?

Quotes

"The teaching of the New Testament concerning this baptism with the Holy Ghost is that it is ultimately designed for witness for Testimony not primarily for sanctification but for witness and for Testimony. We've been at pains to point out that much of the confusion concerning this Doctrine arises because people will confuse it with sanctification." [00:55:48]

"There is no question the greatest need of the world is a mighty visitation of the spirit of God, a reauthentication of the truth of the gospel and the message of the Bible. Therefore, there is nothing surely that is more urgent for any of us than this particular Doctrine here as John the Baptist says is to be something that is to characterize the rule and the Reign and the ministry of our blessed Lord." [02:02:00]

"Invariably a man who is baptized with the Holy Ghost has an unusual sense of God and of his glory. Now he's aware of a sense of awe, how he's invariably humbled. The Bible is full of that kind of thing. You get men having visions in the Old Testament and their first reaction is to say with Isaiah Woe Is unto me for I am undone I am a man of unclean lips." [03:25:04]

"The church has fallen into the error of thinking that men can get this knowledge by academic teaching and learning. I'm not here to decry that academic teaching and learning are of importance, but they're not all important, and the tragedy of the last 100 years has been to put a premium on such things and Men boast of their degrees and diplomas and their passing of examinations and so on." [06:05:52]

"The external evidences the evidences that are apparent to those who are outside and looking on and this of course is equally important. It's dealt with in the scriptures and we've therefore got to deal with it and it is always a matter which is clearly of prime importance because if the object of the baptism of the spirit is to enable us to Bear witness well we bear witness to other people." [07:40:00]

"The moment the apostles and the company assembled in the upper room were baptized with the Holy Ghost it became evident and obvious to all who were around and a great stir was created in Jerusalem and people came gathering together to look into this matter. There it is at once now we shall have to go again into this in detail but the point I want to establish is that the thing was patent and evidence evident." [08:44:00]

"The face of Moses was shining because he had been in the presence of God and something of the glory of God was being reflected back from the face of Moses. This is a great mystery it's a wonderful thing you get the same idea of course in the account of our Lord's Transfiguration how there he was transfigured before them and there came a kind of brightness upon him a glory which the apostles had not observed in him before." [12:50:00]

"The effect of the baptism of the spirit upon the speech of men now when I say the speech of men I really mean preaching or not only preaching I mean personal conversation also. I am not yet dealing with the question of tongues I'm going to deal with that Under The Heading of gifts I'm here now talking about the effect of the baptism of the spirit upon men's speaking in what we regard as the ordinary meaning of that term." [23:00:00]

"Here were men who had been with him during the three years had heard his preaching and seen his miracles here were men who had seen him crucified who had seen him die Who seen the body taken down and buried in a grave they'd seen the empty grave not only that they'd seen him with their naked eyes as he'd appear to them in the upper room and in various other places and they' received his teaching his exposition of the Old Testament." [24:48:00]

"The great element that stands out at once of course is the power and the Liberty this is most striking as it has always been in all the subsequent history of the Christian church. Now you get foreshadowings of this in the Old Testament take the prophets of the Old Testament some of them were unusual men but some were very ordinary men Amos tells us that he was a most ordinary man." [28:11:00]

"The Apostle Peter is able to stand up in Jerusalem though he's just a fisherman and he can expound the scriptures and he speaks with authority and with great power and with unusual Liberty this is the thing that always happens we read again in Acts 4:31 and following and when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the word of God with boldness." [30:29:00]

"Now my dear friends there's only one way of explaining a thing like that you see that's the Holy Spirit coming upon a man and filling him and then leaving him where he was before it doesn't mean he done anything wrong it just means that the spirit is Lord he can give this power he can withdraw this power you all remember the story I've told you several times about DL Moody what made that man what he was was that baptism that came to him on the street in New York City." [45:58:00]

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Transcript
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