Holy Spirit & Fire

Scripture Focus (Joel 2:28-29) – “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. [29] Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

Scripture Focus (Luke 3:16) – “John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Scripture Focus (Luke 24:49) – “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Scripture Focus (Acts 1:4-5) – “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Scripture Focus (Acts 2:1-4) – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

I. The Early Promise of the Spirit (Joel 2:28-29)

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. [29] Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

• Joel’s promise: God would pour out His Spirit on all people – young, old, male, female, with visions, dreams, and signs.

II. The Forerunner’s Prophecy of the Spirit (Luke 3:16)

“John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

• Water baptism is a spiritual act of obedience, but Holy Spirit baptism is something different, and it carries different results. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire is about supernatural power from God in our lives.

III. The Savior’s Pledge Concerning the Spirit (Luke 24:49 & Acts 1:4-5)

(Luke 24:49) “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high…Acts 1:4-5 “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from Me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

• Jesus did not unpack for them exactly what to expect with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He told them that He was sending the Spirit to them and that He would clothe them with power from Heaven. He described this experience as a promise from God to His people and told them to position themselves for the experience and to wait for it. Again, he also reminded them that Spirit baptism was distinct from water baptism.

IV. The Baptism of the Church with the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. [2] And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. [3] And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

• The baptism of Church in the Holy Spirit was initiated on the Day of Pentecost. The Church is comprised of saved people who have the Holy Spirit within (see Romans 8:9-11).
• Throughout the Book of Acts, we find multiple occasions wherein people experienced this Baptism of the Spirit. This Spirit-baptism produced speaking in tongues, prophesying, and praise.
• The Baptism of the Spirit is seen in the book of Acts as coming in different ways: some were baptized in the Spirit as soon as they were saved. Some were baptized sovereignly in the Spirit by God with no laying on of hands by other believers. Some were baptized in the Spirit after having already believed and receiving the baptism of the Spirit through the laying on of hands.