For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:5
John’s baptism changed people. The many who were baptized by John did so confessing their sins and their repentance. With that confession was a commitment to forsake their sins and live for God. Many of these people actually entered into a changed life and proved the reality of their repentance. But sadly, many others did not. Some had been baptized for show, and when the show was over, reverted to their sinful ways. Others were sincere in their desire to change, but lacked the willpower to stay away from their sinful habits and pursuits. Others went along with the new program for awhile, but slowly drifted back into their old lifestyles. What was wrong? Why did so many fail? Their baptism did not give them anything to support their desire to live a changed life. What a wonderful difference in the baptism of the Holy Ghost that is given to us!
The Holy Spirit is God. He is all-powerful. When He is living within us, we have His power to live as we profess. The Lord Jesus promised to send Him as our Comforter. In this role, He is our supporter and teacher, enabling us to understand and appreciate the truths of the Word of God. He also enables us to proclaim the Gospel, as He did with the apostles in the early days in Jerusalem, and as He does for Christians ever since. The Holy Spirit also responds to our prayers, supplying us with the strength, encouragement, and necessities that we need to function as Christians. Without the Holy Spirit, we would be powerless to live out our salvation, and helpless against the enemies of our souls.
There are those who would tell us that we ought to pray for God to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. That would be like standing in an open field and praying for God to give us air to breathe. Just as the air is there for us whether we are aware of it or not, so is the Holy Spirit with us from the moment that we trust Christ as Saviour. Peter made that very clear when he preached his powerful Pentecost sermon: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:38-39). If the Holy Spirit’s presence is a promise given to everybody who is saved, what would be the purpose of praying for something that we have already received? There is a prayer that we can, and should, pray concerning the Holy Spirit, however. That is, we should pray that the One Who indwells us will be allowed to control and guide us according to the purposes of God.
We have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. What difference does this baptism make in our lives? -Jim MacIntosh