January 26: The gift of the Holy Spirit

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were greatly astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” So he gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  (Acts 10:44-48)

To understand this scripture completely you need to go back and read Acts chapter 1 and 2. The apostles of Jesus had followed Him for several years and had seen Him crucified and raised from the dead. After all these experiences and all this training, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to fill and empower them. But in this passage Peter is preaching to non-Jews for the first time, and before he even finishes his message, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to baptize them. The Gentiles begin to speak in tongues and glorify God. With such an obvious testimony of God's approval, Peter commands them to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus.

Faith in Jesus, baptism in water, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit are all absolutely necessary. If you have faith in Jesus, and haven't been baptized in water—do it now! Just remember it is not a religious ritual or a magical ceremony, it involves dying to the flesh and repenting from all that the flesh wants us to do. 

If you have been baptized in water, but haven’t yet been filled with the Holy Spirit—tell Jesus you want His Holy Spirit and seek Him with all your strength. Remember, you can choose the day that you are baptized in water but not the day you will be baptized in the Spirit. He will descend upon you in power when He sees that you are ready, that you put Him first, that you are sincere and humble, and hungry for Him. 

It is obvious from this passage that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all Christians. How can we successfully serve Jesus Christ in this world without Him? …or stay faithful to Him through the many years and struggles that lay before us? The Holy Spirit and our salvation are the most important possessions in life.