Ministering the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

By Jim Ripley

This article is a sidebar to—"Pentecost—A New Empowerment for Witness & Ministry"
"It is important for everyone to know what the coming of the Holy Spirit means to the Church and what each believer must do to receive the precious gift of the Spirit...."
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In leading to a response for the altar call, I anticipate a desire that is created by the Holy Spirit. I speak faith and hope to those who respond and try to get them to relax and overcome any obstacles or nervousness they may have. Here are some ideas I present that can achieve results:

Creating Desire and Building Faith

Paul wrote "desire spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 14:1). Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst…they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6, NIV). I tell people, "You are going to ask to be filled, and you are going to receive the real thing." This is crucial for the skeptic and long-time seeker. The devil deals in doubt. He did it in the Garden and with Jesus in the desert, and he will do it to believers. Satan will do anything to keep believers from seeking this gift from God.

In Luke 11:13 Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a good gift. Here is a wonderful truth: When you ask for the real thing, that is exactly what you get-the real thing.

How do you receive? By asking by faith. Some ask, "How can I speak in a new language when I don't know what to say?" If they knew what to say, it wouldn't take any faith. Emphasize that those who are seeking the baptism in the Holy Sprit are participants, not spectators. "And they…began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).

Overcoming Obstacles

Some people say, "I am not good enough; I am not worthy." People will never be worthy. But Jesus is worthy. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts 2:38,39; 10:45). Like salvation, we can accept or reject it, but we certainly cannot earn it. Believers need to receive this gift with childlike faith.

Others say, "Today is not the day. Some other time." "It is not real." "It may be for some, but not for me." "What will people think?" But today is the day; now is the time. Tomorrow is the devil's favorite word. And it doesn't matter what people think. If they think anything, they will think you are hungry and thirsty for more of Jesus.

Speaking in tongues as the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the real thing; it is not gibberish. Also, never judge a language by its sound. Those who have traveled overseas or lived in an international area have heard languages that didn't sound like languages.

Some are afraid they are making up a language or have been accused of copying someone. But people cannot make up a language. But even if you could, Jesus wouldn't let you. If you ask for bread from Jesus, you get bread. And that is what people are going to receive because Jesus is waiting, willing, and able to baptize them in the Holy Spirit. Besides, when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are not copying anyone-we are speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives us utterance.

Jim Ripley, Olympia, Washington