When John the Baptist came baptising people, he prepared the way for Jesus by saying, “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am…I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)

The Promised Holy Spirit

Jesus himself spoke of this promise:

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.) (John 7:37–39)

After his resurrection, Jesus reminded his followers again of this promise, ‘the promise of the Father‘, and said that the Spirit would clothe them with ‘power from on high‘ (Luke 24:49). Just before he ascended, he said once more:

“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptised with water, but in just a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4–5)

What was he referring to?

Baptism Means Immersion

When someone becomes a Christian, they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 20:21–23; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9). But Scripture also speaks of this further experience, the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The word ‘baptizo’ means to immerse, to soak, to drench. This baptism is an immersion in the life and power of God’s Spirit. It is the filling, clothing, empowering presence that takes hold of the whole person. It is distinct from conversion, though it may happen at the same time or later.

The book of Acts shows us what this looks like. At Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Spirit and found themselves overflowing with boldness, joy, and power to witness. They spoke in tongues (see the lesson to come on this) and experienced the life of God in a fresh and unmistakable way (Acts 2:1–18). The outward signs may differ, but the inward reality is clear: when you are empowered from on high, you know about it! It reminds you that this life you have come into is not just a reformed way of living but is life in a whole new, supernatural dimension.

Go On Being Filled

That first outpouring was not the end but the beginning. Again and again in Acts, believers are filled with the Spirit and are empowered to speak, to serve, to exercise powerful gifts of healing, and even to suffer with courage and love (see Acts 4:8, 31; 6:5; 7:55; 9:17; 13:9, 52).

The baptism in the Spirit is both a decisive moment and a continuing invitation. Paul urges the church, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). This literally means, “keep on being filled.”

It is the Spirit who gives us the power to grow, to serve, to pray with power, and to share the good news of Jesus. The baptism in the Holy Spirit may feel a little strange, and it may take us out of our comfort zones, but it is not something to fear. It is God’s gracious and powerful way of equipping his people for life in his kingdom.

How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Jesus gave us a pattern in John 7:37–38. The promise is for those who are thirsty, who come to him, and who drink.

Thirst – Recognise your need for God and desire him above all else. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1) If you feel little thirst, ask him to awaken it in you, to reveal your need for, and stir your longing for more of his presence.

Come – Step out of your familiar places and come to Jesus, maybe leaving certain things behind you because he is now your priority. This “coming” includes asking. The Spirit is the Father’s good gift to his children: “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

Drink – The Spirit’s gift is freely offered, but you must receive it. To drink is to open your heart, exercise your faith, and respond to the inner stirrings of his presence. Let him fill you and move within you.

In the New Testament, it was common for believers to receive the Spirit as others laid hands on them and prayed (Acts 8:17; 19:6). You may wish to ask trusted Christians to pray with you in this way. They can help you to drink, and it reminds us that the Spirit’s coming is never merely a private experience. It is a gift given to the whole church, for the building up of all (1 Corinthians 12:13)

The baptism of the is the empowering of the body of Christ to partner with God in bringing heaven to earth. Notice what Jesus said when he spoke of this experience:

…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

This is not just for our personal experience or for the church to have great meetings. It is for mission – that we might be effective witnesses for Jesus wherever we go. It is is power for purpose.

For Reflection and Discussion:

1. How do you understand the difference between receiving the Spirit at conversion and being baptised or filled with the Spirit? Have you experienced the baptism in the Spirit?
2. If you have received the baptism in the Spirit, what difference is it making in your life as a Christian? Do you need to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit?
3. How is the Holy Spirit helping us to be effective witnesses in our community?

Putting It Into Practice

1. If you have not been baptised in the Spirit, make sure you are thirsty for God, and ask some trusted Christians to pray for you and with you, or take the next opportunity in a meeting when there is the offer for prayer to be filled with the Spirit.
2. If you do not feel thirsty, ask God to help you to understand why and to work in your heart until a longing and thirst grows in you; then ask him to immerse you in the Spirit (see point 1 above).
3. If you have been filled with the Spirit, but have felt you have run dry or your have been ‘leaking,’ ask God to show you why, but then come to him again and ask him to fill you afresh.

More from the Bible

Read and reflect on Acts 2:1–21 — the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. What stands out most to you? How did the Spirit change the disciples?

Remember This:

“You might as well try to see without eyes, hear without ears, breath without lungs as try to live your Christian life without the Holy Spirit” (D.L. Moody.)

Recommended Resources

Andrew Wilson, The Baptism in the Spirit (video)

Arthur Wallis, Living God’s Way, Chapter 6

David Pawson, The Normal Christian Birth, Chapter 5

John Bevere, The Holy Spirit: An Introduction