THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

I believe that the second most important event in a Christian's life is to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Of course, the most important is to become acquainted with the Lord Jesus at salvation and receive eternal life.
There are many Biblical commands and teachings concerning the baptism in the Holy Spirit. One of these commands is: "Do not be drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit." (Eph. 5:18)
After Jesus had been crucified but had not yet ascended into Haven, He blew on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:22) I believe this breathing on them of the Holy Spirit gave them the power to be saved. It is like unto salvation where we receive revelation of the truth of Jesus and His resurrection. Jesus also told His disciples to tarry until the promise of the Holy Spirit was sent to them. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8) This is the gift that empowers us to be witnesses with accompanying signs and wonders.
There are a number of scriptures reporting and teaching about this baptism in the Holy Spirit in Acts. Many show the Holy Spirit being received at a separate time from conversion. For example, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until His Spirit was poured out from on high upon them. When that happened, all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. They spoke in languages from every nation under heaven. When this occurred, they were in the presence of God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. So when the disciples spoke in tongues, the God-fearing Jews heard them speak in their own languages. Many were amazed. Then Peter preached to them and said,
In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:17-19a, 21 NIV)
Then Peter continued and preached about Jesus. He mentioned that Jesus had done miracles, wonders and signs, that He died on the cross and rose again, that He is exalted to the right hand of God and has received from God the Father the promised Holy Spirit they were seeing and hearing at that moment. He told them that God had made this Jesus both Lord and Christ.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:37-39 NIV)
So, this promise of the Holy Spirit is for everybody. But some of you say, "I have received that when I was saved." Yet you have not evidenced it. You have not spoken in tongues; you have not prophesied; you have not done works of miracles or any of the other gifts of the Holy Spirit that are manifested when you are filled, or baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Another example of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Acts 8. The apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God so they sent Peter and John to them. When Peter and John arrived,
They prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.' (Acts 8:15b-19 NIV)
First of all, these people had already received the word of God; these disciples had already been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When they received the word of God and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus they knew who Jesus was. They were Christians, yet they sent apostles to lay hands on them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Simon saw the Holy Spirit was given. How would Simon see the Holy Spirit, if it were not followed after by some sign, such as speaking in tongues?
When someone receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit there is a change that is seen by those around. It is not something that is quietly done inside. Becoming a Christian might be done quietly inside, but it will be evident in the days, weeks and months ahead that you are a Christian. There is usually zeal to share the gospel and character begins to develop. There definitely will have been a change. In a similar manner, when someone receives the baptism in the Holy Spirit, there is a definite change. That person will start operating in the gifts of the Spirit spoken about in I Corinthians 12-14, specifically listed in 12:8-11. None of these are "quiet" gifts. All are obvious and powerful.
Do you know if you have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Have you spoken in tongues? Have you operated in any of the gifts of the Spirit mentioned In I Corinthians 12 such as laying hands on the sick so they recover, performing miracles, or prophesying? Have you done those things? Have you used any of the other gifts? If you have not used any of these gifts, then you need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
For those who are unsure about this baptism, I recommend the study of the many examples and teachings about the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Some other specific examples include:
Acts 9 - Paul's conversion and baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was received through Ananias’ laying hands on Paul.
Acts 10 - Gentiles' conversion and baptism in the Holy Spirit at Cornelius' home. Both salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit were received simultaneously during Peter's preaching. Others knew of the baptism because the Gentiles spoke in tongues.
Acts 19:1-7 - Disciples received the Holy Spirit when hands were placed on them. Then they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
I Corinthians. 12-14 instructs us as to how to use these spiritual gifts. It is important to use them in love.
To fully study this issue, I recommend using Strong's Concordance to look up every New Testament scripture dealing with the Holy Spirit. Other helpful books are Derek Prince’s The Holy Spirit in You and chapters that relate to the Holy Spirit in The Spirit-Filled Believer’s Handbook. I also recommend Brian Holda’s outline on The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
For those who are ready to receive the Holy Spirit baptism, I suggest that you ask God for Him. Luke 11:9-13 is a promise stating that whatever we ask from God we receive, especially with regard to the Holy Spirit.
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:9-13)
I recommend that you go to someone who has already received this baptism and ask that person to place his or her hands on you so you can receive the Holy Spirit baptism. (God can and will fill you sovereignly but most scripture examples show another person placing hands on the one who wants to receive this baptism.)
As you grow in knowledge of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, you will find that the baptism in the Holy Spirit allows us to do the works that Jesus did. The Holy Spirit will enhance your prayer and praises of God with exuberance and fervor. When we don't know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will help us. With the Holy Spirit comes the gifts He bestows. (They are mentioned in I Corinthians 12:8-11.) These are the gifts the first century church used to turn their world upside down. They preached the word with signs and wonders following. Many lives were turned to Jesus as a result. Now it is your turn to participate in this Gift of God.

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Derek Prince, The Holy Spirit in You (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1987).
Derek Prince, The Spirit-Filled Believer’s Handbook (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 1993).
Request an outline from Brian Holda via his e-mail: brian.holda@gmail.com.
My underline for emphasis.