The Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Not an Option.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Not an Option.

¹³ And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. (Eph 1:13, NLT)

Some translation like NKJV says everyone that believes in Jesus Christ and has turn their lives over to Him has been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Every Christian has been sealed. This is God's proof of ownership of us, hence we always quote Galatians 2:20...I have been crucified together with Christ. It is no longer I that lives...This is our declaration that our lives have been bought at the cost of the life of God's only Son. 

How do we understand this seal ? God gave me a revelation recently. Suddenly I do understand with clarity. Think of a soda bottle lets say "Coke"...as it is widely popular with everyone. We can identify a coke bottle from lets say other colas..as we have become familiar with its shape and label. This is the seal.

For me, the baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:8 to Acts 2 is not an option for every believer. It is an imperative. Tongues is not the issue..but the Baptism is. Baptism is an overflowing...Just like water baptism is..we need to be submerged so that the new life of Christ and overflow us. The Holy Spirit in us is the promise of the Father..and as in John 7:38-39..from our hearts will flow rivers of living water...and this is talking about the Holy Spirit !

In Acts 1:8 - Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as POWER - Dunamis to be witness of His. The Holy SPirit in filling and the life that comes out of the presence of God in us is like that "Coke" bottle...when empty we know its a coke bottle still but it is useless to Coke the company and us the consumers. 

Just as that empty Coke bottle needs to be filled with that oh so delicious cola that quenches thirst and profits the Coke company...That empty container that is our lives needs to be filled with the Presence of God - That is the Holy Spirit filling us up...That in-filling is not a one-off experience but shud happen as we grow in the Lord and as we ask Him to fill us with fresh anointing. 

When God's Spirit is in you...then you are useful to HIm and useful to others as you are being poured out for the blessings of others. So if you are baptised in the Holy Spirit..go pray for someone..ask God to use you..to speak into your desires..etc..only when that bottle cap is removed and that juice is enjoyed..  then we become useful for God's glory !

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over (Ps 23:5).

See even in Psalms 23:5, God never blesses and gives by measure..He gives till you overflow ! The Holy Spirit overflowing in us is the resurrection power that raise Christ from the dead (see Romans 8)..and that power of life and creative life is in You..so ask God to baptise you today..

Tongues is the just evidence of His presence in You...So wonderful right..Your faith in Him is rewarded in outward expression of that inward presence of God ! You don't have to wonder if you will ever be saved or going to heaven..speak in tongues..and you know ! WOO HOO !

Luv 

Edwin