The purpose of these lessons are to lead the believer to an understanding of the function and purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and to experience the baptism in the Spirit.

The expression " Baptism with the Holy Spirit" occurs 6 times in the Bible. It appears from the book of Acts that the early Christians thought of the baptism of the Spirit as being the believer's "initial" experience of being filled with the Spirit.

After the initial experience of being baptized with the Spirit, the Christian is commanded to maintained a Spirit-filled life (Eph. 5:18), and can be filled with the Spirit repeatedly.

What the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is NOT
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is NOT the new birth. It is the Holy Spirit who draws the heart of the sinner to Christ (John 16:8-11). He applies the finished work of redemption to our lives and brings about the New Birth (John 3:3-8). You cannot be born-again without the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is NOT a sign of spiritual maturity. All the writings of the New Testament that follow the four Gospels were addressed to Christians AFTER Pentecost. The Epistles were written to believers who had experienced the Holy Spirit in their lives.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is NOT a requirement to go to heaven. Jesus said, "I am the way..."

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is NOT a mark of spiritual superiority. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit did not make the believers holy. The Epistles are full of exhortations to live holy and warned against sin. For examples, believers at Corinth had this testimony, "...you come behind in no spiritual gift..." (1 Cor. 1:7). Yet, Paul had to give instructions about spiritual living.

What the Baptism of the Holy Spirit IS
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience commanded by Christ for all believers. Luke 24:49, "And behold I send the "promise of the Father" upon you; but tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." It was an experience which was common in the early church. Read the following scripture:

1. Acts 2:4 - 120 with the disciples in the Upper Room
2. Acts 8:17 - Converts to Phillip in Samaria
3. Acts 9:18 - Saul's conversion
4. Acts 10:44 - Peter preached to the Gentiles in Cornelius house
5. Acts 19:6 - Paul with the believers at Ephesus

It is an experience that is available to all Christians in all lands and in every generation. Acts 2:39, "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

This experience offers the believer spiritual power for victorious Christian living and effective service (ministry) in the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you......"

What the Baptism With the Spirit is Called in the Book of Acts
The verb #1: "Bapto" - Being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
[Jesus said] "For John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts1:5).
"Bapto" in ancient times was used in an interesting number of ways. It essentially described something that was immersed.

The verb #2: "Eperchomai" - the Holy Spirit coming upon
[Jesus said] "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem..." (Acts 1:8).
The chief idea in "eperchomai" relates a coming upon a whole new set of circumstances - as in "these things that have come upon me." In other words, the Holy Spirit wants to reshape our perspective (on the world) our passion (for the lost) our pointedness (in focus on human need).

The verb #3: "Ekcheo" - the Holy Spirit poured out
In Acts 2:17, Peter quotes from Joel's prophecy about the coming of the Holy Spirit: "And it shall come to pass in the last days says God I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh."

The verb #4: "Pieroo" - they were filled "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit...." (Acts 2:4). In the Greek language this verb was not used unless there was actually an overflow. In other words, "pieroo" means there was more than enough.

The verb #5: "Epipipto" falling upon - See Acts 10-44-46. The Holy Spirit wants to "fall upon" us to catch us up in the fullness of God's love.

The verb #6: "Lambana" - to receive "Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:17). "Lambano" conveys both the ideas of giving and/or receiving.