Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Immediately afterward the Heavens opened and an image like a dove descended from Heaven and came down to rest on Jesus.
This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Now baptism with water does not necessarily arrive together with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It can and it often does. But it is not necessarily a simultaneous thing as is evidenced in the verse above. People were baptized by John the Baptist but did not get the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
And being baptized with the Holy Spirit does not necessarily come with speaking in tongues. It is not recorded that when Jesus was baptized He spoke in tongues.
Speaking in tongues is a gift from the Holy Spirit but it does not necessarily mean that if you do not speak in tongues, you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit.
To be baptized in the Holy Spirit is a life changing event for any Christ follower.
It is the Holy Spirit taking up residence in us and convicting us of our sin and it encourages our separation with the things of this world. Suddenly, no longer can we behave as we did before because it grieves the Holy Spirit living in us.
No longer can we use bad language. No longer can we take the Name of Jesus or our FATHER in vain, and when we hear it done by others, the Holy Spirit in us is grieved. When we sin, the Holy Spirit immediately convicts us to stop sinning and to repent.
That is how we know we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. We are made anew. And, no, it is not an immediate thing. It is a process and it is one that GOD uses to prepare us to give glory to HIM.
Prayer: ABBA FATHER, I thank YOU that I know the Holy Spirit is living in me. FATHER help me to listen closely to the groanings of the Holy Spirit and to make me more worthy to serve YOU. I humbly pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Stay obediently Jesus Blessed today!
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