LESSON 22 BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 2:1-47
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is also known as the Holy Ghost baptism. The Holy Spirit is the third Person in the Godhead.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is meant for children who are born again and have been made clean in their hearts. One of the most important works of Jesus on earth is to save, sanctify and baptize His people with the Holy Spirit. After His death and resurrection, Jesus instructed His friends to wait in Jerusalem until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. This baptism happened after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. The early Christians were in one place awaiting the outpouring. They were all of one mind and united in faith. As they waited, suddenly on the day of Pentecost, there came a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind that filled the house where they sat. This happened during the Jewish feast of Pentecost.
The sound like that of the wind and the experience that followed surprised the whole city. The people that came from different nations to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost saw the great wonders of God. The one hundred and twenty disciples who prayerfully waited in the upper room were all baptized in the Holy Ghost. And they began to speak in new languages, which the people from different nations were able to understand. You too can be baptized like the early disciples when you fulfil the required conditions.
1. PURPOSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Acts 1:4-8; 2:14-21; Joel 2:28,29; 1 Corinthians 2:10,11
There are important reasons Jesus promised to send the Holy Ghost to His church. These include to:
(a) Make sinners know that they are bad so that they can repent (John 16:7-11).
(b) Search the heart to know our thoughts (1 Corinthians 2:10,11).
(c) Help children of God to have victory during temptations (Romans 8:2).
(d) Help friends of Jesus to pray very well (Romans 8:26).
(e) Empower us to be faithful in God’s work.
(f) Guide us to understand God’s word.
(g) Fill friends of Jesus with joy and peace.
(h) Guide believers into all truth (John 16:13).
Much more importantly, He gives the believer boldness to preach the gospel. After the outpouring of the power of the Holy Ghost, Peter manifested the purpose by rising up to preach boldly about Christ. His message touched and transformed the hearts of the people. Consequently, about three thousand souls were saved and added to the church. These were the converts who formed the foundation of the New Testament Church with the one hundred and twenty disciples.
2. PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM IN THE EARLY CHURCH:
Acts 2:1-12
The baptism in the Holy Spirit occurred only at and after Pentecost. We have records in the Bible of many who were baptized with the Holy Spirit.
(i) One hundred and twenty believers who were waiting in the upper room.
(ii) The Samaritan believers who were saved through the preaching of Philip the evangelist (Acts 8:14-17).
(iii) Apostle Paul after his conversion (Acts 9:17-19).
(iv) Cornelius and his family (Acts 10:44-48).
(v) Some disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7).
Many millions have received the baptism in our own time. If you believe, you will receive.
3. PREPARATION FOR THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM:
Acts 2:37-41; 1:4,5
The power of the Holy Ghost is very important in the lives of Christian boys and girls. God is willing to give you the power even today. To receive the Holy Ghost power, you must:
(a) Turn away from your sins and become a friend of Jesus (Acts 2:38).
(b) Pray to receive a pure heart and live a holy life daily (Ezekiel 36:26,27).
(c) Thirst or have a strong desire to receive the Holy Ghost baptism (Isaiah 44:3).
(d) Have faith to receive like the disciples in our study today. They waited in Jerusalem, praying and expecting the Comforter to come.
You need the power of the Holy Ghost in your life. So make sure you desire and pray to God until you receive the Holy Ghost baptism.
QUESTIONS:
1. Who is the Holy Ghost?
2. Who promised the disciples the Holy Spirit’s power?
3. Mention four things that the Holy Ghost baptism does in a believer’s life.
4. What preparations do you need to make in order to receive the Holy Ghost baptism?
5. What is the first sign to show that a person is baptized in the Holy Ghost?
MEMORY VERSE: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).
LESSON: The Holy Ghost baptism is for all friends of Jesus who are saved and sanctified.
THOUGHT: I will pray to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
ACTIVITY: Prayer session. A teacher should lead the children in fervent prayer for salvation, sanctification and Holy Ghost baptism.
HOMEWORK: Children are to preach about the love of Jesus to other children in their (a) schools (b) neighbourhood
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 153 – WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING
CHORUSES: (1) Revival, Pentecostal revival. (2) Holy Ghost fire. (3) He will fill my heart today to overflowing.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary: 1. Sanctify 2. Ascension 3. Outpouring 4. Pentecost 5. Believers
