CHAPTER 3
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not an experience that one must seek and tarry for months or years to receive. It is to be received by faith (Galatians 3:2,14). Countless hundreds have received the baptism in the Spirit by following the simple steps outlined below.
1. Accept the promise of the Holy Spirit on the basis of the promise in the Word of God. Acts 2:38-39.
2. Ask for the baptism in the Holy Spirit and expect to receive. Luke 11:9-13; Matthew 7:8.
3. Confess that you have received the Holy Spirit after you ask. Mark 11:24. For example, you may pray: “Father, on the authority of your promise, I now ask for, and by faith receive, the baptism in the Holy Spirit—in Jesus’ Name.”
4. Act on your confession of faith. James 2:17.
The scriptural evidence of having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the sign of speaking with a new tongue as the Spirit gives you the words to utter (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:1-6; Mark 16:17). In Acts 2:4 we are informed that they “began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The Spirit gives you the utterance, but you must do the uttering or speaking. Determine not to speak a word of English at this time (as you cannot speak two languages at once). Therefore, do not try to praise God with the understanding, but lift up the sound of your voice and the Holy Spirit will begin to give you phrases and words supernaturally in other tongues.
Do not be concerned about “what to say,” as the language does not come from the mind or intellect, but through the spirit as the Holy Spirit anoints you to speak what He gives. In faith, you must put your vocal or speech faculties into operation as you do in speaking any language. However, in this case, it is the Holy Spirit who will give you the words to speak.
Remember, receiving the Holy Spirit is an act of faith; and this promise is to be appropriated in the same way as all of God’s promises are, such as salvation, healing, and so on. Some have failed to receive because they have not understood this fact and were looking first of all for some “feeling,” “anointing,” or “emotional experience” before they would believe that they had received the baptism. We are to receive the Holy Spirit by faith; and then as we act on our faith, the evidence and assurance will certainly follow.