Notes below are for the video linked above.
How Do I Know I have Received the Holy Spirit?
Most people are taught that when they profess faith in Jesus Christ, at that moment, they receive the Holy Spirit.
Let me ask a simple question, can you justify that belief based on scripture?
Does the scripture teach that faith in Christ is equal to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
I would suggest that the Apostles did not teach this.
The individuals who walked with Jesus for three years and were chosen by God to establish the church based on the teachings of Jesus understood that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was a distinct and separate experience.
This was their personal experience.
They believed in Jesus after the crucifixion. After His resurrection.
However, Jesus explained to these believers,
Luke 24:49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
Power impartation is received when one experiences the Holy Ghost Baptism.
I want you to understand that this Holy Spirit’s promise was foundational to the promise of the Messiah by John the Baptist.
John the Baptist declared of Jesus,
Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
One of the final directions of Jesus he gave his Disciples as he was about to ascend into heaven.
I would believe it is safe to say that one of the last things Jesus says to his Disciples would be significant.
Do you agree?
So how did the Apostles know one had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost?
Acts 2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Notice, they spoke in tongues.
This happened when they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
They were deeply impacted.
They were transformed from timid believers into fire baptized, Spirit-filled apostles who began to preach and pray like never before.
What happens in the next Chapter? Acts 3?
They saw a man who they had passed for years raised up and walked/leaped into the house of God.
They knew, I have something I have never had before.
Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
I want to let you hear them say in their own words what they understood about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The Apostles understood that there was an experience and manifestation they experienced.
They saw the Gentiles, who they did not believe could even be saved, be in the church before this.
They saw them; they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
This eyewitness account convinced them… if they have received the Holy Spirit, we know they did because they spoke in tongues as we did.
They MUST BE BAPTIZED in JESUS NAME.
You see two fundamental components of expectation and understanding of the Apostles of Jesus Christ.
The Baptism of the Spirit and the Baptism in Water in Jesus Name was required.
Not Convinced?
Acts 8
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
The Apostles were moved to go to Samaria.
Why?
Because these people believed but had not received the Holy Spirit baptism.
They had joy.
They believed.
They had been healed.
But they had not received the Holy Spirit.
So they went and prayed for them that they would.
Faith is absolutely essential.
Repentance, absolutely required.
Baptism, in water in Jesus Name, is proof of faith.
Baptism in the Spirit does not happen in those three things; it is a separate and distinct experience.
Listen to the Words of Paul when he preached to the Ephesians.
The very church he would later write a letter, the Epistle of the Ephesians.
We are given a glimpse of the fundamental experience of the Ephesians connected to the theology Paul would later teach them.
Acts 19
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
One could make a point that even the baptist of the Apostles day were rebaptized in Jesus Name and were filled with the Holy Spirit
After they believed.
After they believed, they received the Holy Spirit.
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
We understand this was fulfilled.
The question, have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?
If Not, I would suggest to you, that is why you find yourself missing something that Jesus intended for you to have.
The proof, the evidence, the sign of the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that heavenly utterance that comes by the Spirit.
No doubt this is an empowerment for your daily personal prayer.
No doubt this experience fuels the overflowing life where the fruit of the Spirit are your character.
No doubt this is manifested, this baptism of the Holy Spirit will manifest in the believers life through the nine gifts of the Spirit.
Paul said, “I speak in tongues more than you all.”
Paul states, You all speak in tongues. I speak in tongues.
He is not speaking of the gift of tongues, but the praying in the Spirit, that others may not understand, but it is the means, the language of the Spirit that prays through us for the Will of God.
The promise.
Acts 2
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.