• What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
• Why should I be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
• What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is the receiving of divine power from God to be a witness for Jesus Christ.

In John 1:32-34 John the Baptist said:

"I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
 

In Luke 24:46-49 Jesus told His disciples:

 “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
 

Then, in Acts 1:4-5 Luke quotes Jesus as saying:

 "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
 

Finally, in Acts 1:8 Jesus said,

"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."
 

Why should every christian be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
 
 

POWER! As Christians we are to present such an attractive picture of Jesus to other people that they will want to know Him too; but living the Christian life that way can’t be done without His help. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at conversion our lives are changed to live for Christ. Then by baptizing us in the Holy Spirit Jesus gives us all the power we will ever need to witness for Him to a lost and dying world.

POWER TO BE A WITNESS

The emphasis here is on being, not doing! Jesus wants our lives to impact those around us. That impact comes from the way we live and the things we say. To live the Christian life without verbally sharing it with others is selfish and not pleasing to the Lord. But to talk about being a Christian, and not living the life, is equally displeasing to Him. Our lives have to be both a behavioral and a verbal witness. 
 

POWER TO WITNESS Many Christians, when confronted with opportunities to witness for Christ, don’t! When asked why they often say they are afraid or timid or embarrassed. After being baptized in the Holy Spirit a person receives power (boldness) to witness.

2 Timothy 1:7 says:

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

God wants us to be powerful, loving and self-disciplined (not controlled by fear)! If you find yourself afraid to speak up for Jesus Christ, perhaps you need to ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

This power is demonstrated in more than just a feeling of boldness however; it is also a new prayer language that the witness can use to pray for those they are trying to reach; and enables them to be used by the Holy Spirit in the realm of spiritual gifts during the process of sharing their faith with others.
 

Jesus’ Instructions To His Disciples
 

Luke 24:46-49 “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Jesus knew His disciples needed divine power to be His witnesses! How much more do you think we need it today?! Jesus knows we need it today?!

How Did the Disciples Know When They Were “Clothed With Power?”
 

There are three clear accounts in the Bible where people were baptized in the Holy Spirit and describes the physical manifestations which were present and told everyone something unique was happening: 
 

Acts 2:1-4

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place...All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
 

Acts 10:43-46

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were 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.”
 

Acts 19:1-6

“...Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit’...When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”

In each of these instances the disciples KNEW they had been “clothed with power from on high”, or “filled with the Holy Spirit”, because they spoke with other tongues! 

Speaking in other tongues is the initial evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. There may also be other evidences, as there were in these examples, but EVERYONE who is filled with the Spirit will speak in other tongues!

See Baptism Logic Table