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Introduction

Today is the Pentecost Sunday. Today is a day in the Christian calendar dedicated to preach and teach about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Though most preachers tend to preach about the Pentecost day itself I chose to speak about the above topic as it is more important. What is the importance of the Holy Spirit baptism as to reserve a day for it?

1. Holy Spirit baptism is important because it’s a promise

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29

John answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy  to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Luke 3:10-17

This is a promise for every born again Christian. I want to encourage all of you to pray unto God that He will fill you with the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught, if we ask God to fill us He is faithful to grant our request (Luke 11:11).

2. Holy Spirit baptism is important because it’s a privilege

The Spirit baptism is not something we can buy for money or earn by merit (Acts 8:18). It’s a privilege of every Christian. Father’s gift to every child.

Before Jesus’ birth, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension to heaven, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was limited to a chosen group. The Holy Spirit never dwelt within them, rather he descended upon them when it was necessary.

Examples:

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.'" 2 Chronicles 24:20

The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. Judges 14:6

Today the church takes the Holy Spirit baptism for granted. Some are living in ignorance. I want to encourage everyone to pray that Jesus will baptize you with fire and the Spirit.

3. Holy Spirit baptism is important because it empowers the church, Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Pentecost means 50. It comes after 50 days from Easter. On the 50^th day Jews take the harvest home. Therefore in the Spiritual realm the Holy Spirit was poured on the day of Pentecost to indicate the gathering of a spiritual harvest of souls.

This is what happened after Peter’s sermon followed by the outpouring.

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added. Acts 2:41

But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Acts 4:4

Peter preached and 8000 people got saved within 2 days. Today we preach 8000 sermons and no body gets saved. We cannot be effective witnesses unless we are full of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can convict sinners when you share the good news with them.

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”…. Acts 2:37-41

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:32

Jesus was resurrected but the New Testament church did not begin until the disciples were filled with the Spirit.

Frankly speaking I have observed when ever a spirit filled Christian shares the good news with sinners the gospel sets their hearts on fire. People start to cry and weep before God’s presence. Therefore ask God to fill you. And the sinners will come to the saving knowledge of Christ when they hear your words.

4. Holy Spirit baptism is important because it gives boldness

• Peter denied Jesus 3 times fearing death sentence. Matthew 26:69-75
• After the resurrection also the disciples were hiding in the upper room. They were afraid they will end up with the same fate that Jesus did. Acts 2:1

What keeps a Christian from witnessing about Jesus is the fear of being let down or the fear of being harassed. Prior to the day of Pentecost Peter was a man with a big mouth and a cowardly heart. But followed by the day of Pentecost the same man started preaching in public out of a tremendous courage and boldness identifying himself with Christ.

It’s the same with the church. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit and His power you become fearless. You are ready to die for Christ. You find that you cannot sit and wait quietly anymore.

5. Holy Spirit baptism is important because it gives us the supernatural power of God. Acts 3:1-11

The first miracle after the Pentecostal experience is described in Acts 3:1-11. Peter and John goes to the synagogue where they meet the beggar who begs at the gate called beautiful. They were used to pass by this beggar everyday. But today they looked at him differently. Their response was different

When the beggar stretched forth his hand expecting a penny Peter looked at the beggar and said, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

Further on the bible says,

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

God gave signs and wonders as proof of His saving power so the unbeliever will believe. If you want God to use you to heal the sick, make the blind see, make the crippled walk and prove to the world that Jesus is alive ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

We are living in a time where the church needs a great revival. When the church is revived we can reach out to the lost and touch them with the power and love of Christ.