Fruitful Living
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:5
INTRODUCTION
The baptism Of the HOLY SPIRIT may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the body of Christ at the moment of salvation.
The baptism In the HOLY SPIRIT is a gift God wants us to have. Jesus said that this gift is a promise from God the Father to all who truly purpose to follow Christ and fulfil their part in the mission to spread His message.
BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT THE BAPTISM
God’s Word teaches the following about the Baptism In The Holy Spirit:
1. The baptism in the Spirit is for all who have accepted Christ’s forgiveness and given control of their lives to Him. Such people have been “born again” spiritually. God’s Spirit has come to live within them to transform their lives, redevelop their character and guide them into God’s purposes. Receiving the Holy Spirit in this way (at the point of spiritual salvation), however, is not the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
2. One of the goals of Christ’s earthly mission was to baptise His followers in the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples that one of the main reasons He had to leave them shortly after His resurrection was so that the Holy Spirit would come and be with them from then in; “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you.” – John 16:5-7.
The Spirit’s constant presence is that important. Before He left the earth to return to heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples not to begin their mission of spreading His message throughout the world until they were baptised in the Holy Spirit and “clothed with power from on high”. “And now I wills send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” – Luke 24:49. Jesus Christ Himself did not begin His public ministry until He had been “anointed… with the Holy Spirit and power”.
To be anointed means to be set apart, commissioned and empowered for service. To be baptised suggests being “immersed”. Like Jesus, we must be immersed (completely soaked or saturated) and empowered by God’s Spirit so we can continue His mission of spreading the good news about forgiveness and new life through faith in Him.
3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a work of the Spirit that is distinct and separate from spiritual birth (salvation). On the day of Christ’s resurrection, He breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22), giving them new life spiritually. Then later He told them they must also be “clothed with power” by the Holy Spirit. For the disciples, this experience clearly followed their spiritual “birth” which came by faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible describes a similar sequence of events following the spiritual salvation of the group mentioned in Acts 8:14-17: “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they 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 baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 19:1-7, the disciples in Ephesus, who had accepted the message of Christ and were baptised in water, then received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and prophesying. Yet, the fact is that a person can be “born again” or “saved” spiritually – which means that the Holy Spirit lives within them – but still not be baptised in the Holy Spirit.
4. To be baptised in the Spirit means to be “filled with the Holy Spirit”. The word “baptise” actually means to immerse or to dip into; but since the Spirit works within a person, baptism in the Spirit implies an overflow of the Spirit.
For example, a person who receives spiritual salvation is like a container that was once empty being filled with fresh clean water. Like the container, the person is no longer empty, but has the Holy Spirit living inside. Then the baptism in the Holy Spirit is like pouring more clean water into the container until it overflows from within. A person who is baptised in the Spirit becomes saturated and immersed with God’s presence to the point that it spills out of his or her life and is so evident that it influences others. The specific experience of being baptised with the Holy Spirit occurred only at and after Pentecost.
For those who were described as filled with the Spirit before Pentecost, Luke does not use the term “baptised” in the Holy Spirit. “for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied” – Luke 1:15, 67. This would occur only after Christ left the earth and returned to heaven.
5. In the book of Acts, the initial outward sign or physical evidence that a believer had been baptised in the Spirit was that they spoke in other tongues as the Spirit prompted them, or gave them the ability and the words to speak. Speaking in tongues involves a language that the speaker has never learned, although it may be a language spoken somewhere on earth. However, it may also be a heavenly language – unknown to anyone on earth. Whether the language is understandable to the hearers or is like no other language on earth, it is a means of communicating with and expressing praise to God. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is linked so closely with the outward expression of speaking in tongues that this should be considered a normal sign when receiving this baptism.
Some think that this powerful experience, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, was only as a sign to help get the early church started. But the purpose was not just to get people’s attention or prove God’s power as the church began. Jesus said the Spirit would provide His followers with ongoing power and guidance. This purpose is just as relevant today, for we still need that power and guidance to carry on Christ’s mission in the world.
6. The primary purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to bring the personal boldness and power of God’s Spirit into a Christian’s life so that he or she can accomplish Christ’s purposes with His authority.
The highest aim for this spiritual power is to cause Christians to be effective in spreading His message throughout the world. This power is not some impersonal force, but is an expression of the Holy Spirit which makes Jesus’ presence, power and purposes a reality for His people.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just a matter of speaking in tongues or having a “deeper” spiritual experience. Christ’s followers are to use the Spirit’s power to share Jesus with those who do not know Him. On the day of Pentecost, the outward sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues, but the outward result was that many who did not know God were introduced to Him that day.
7. Other results of a genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit are:
- Prophetic messages (statements that foretell, warn, challenge, encourage or inspire) and declarations of praise.
- Greater sensitivity to things that offend God and grieve His Holy Spirit, a deeper awareness of God’s judgement against sin and a greater desire and ability to do what is right.
- A life that brings honour to Jesus Christ.
- New visions and comprehension of God’s purposes.
- Active use of the various gifts of the Spirit.
- A greater desire to pray.
- A deeper love and understanding of God’s Word.
- An increasing awareness of God as one’s loving Father.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the baptism of the Holy Spirit does two things:
1) It joins us to the Body of Christ.
2) It actualises our co-crucifixion with Christ. Being in His body means we are risen with Him to newness of life.
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Dr Joyce Aryee
Fruitful Living
Qur’an: A Book of Guidance beyond Ramadan (Pt.2)
The Structure of the Qur’an
The Qur’an consists of 114 chapters (Surahs), classified into Makkan and Madinan chapters:
•86 Makkan Surahs – Revealed in Makkah before migration, primarily focusing on faith, monotheism, and the Hereafter.
•28 Madinan Surahs – Revealed in Madinah, covering laws, governance, and societal justice.
Each chapter contains divine instructions, addressing spiritual, moral, and legal matters.
The Qur’an itself testifies about its revelation:
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion…” (Qur’an 2:185).
The first revelation occurred in the Cave of Hira, where Prophet Muhammad was commanded:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created—Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous—Who taught by the pen—taught man that which he knew not” (Qur’an 96:1-5).
This event marked the beginning of divine communication between Allah and His final messenger.
The Quran as a book of Justice and Morality
“Indeed, Allah commands you to act with justice, to do good, and to give to relatives, and He forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.” (Qur’an 16:90)
This text is often recited in Friday sermons (Khutbah) as a reminder to believers about the core values of Islam: justice, kindness, family ties, and avoidance of immorality and wrongdoing. It serves as a comprehensive command for ethical and moral behavior in both personal and societal affairs.
The Quran Commands Modesty in Dress code
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 33:59)
Explanation of the Verse:
This verse was revealed as a directive for Muslim women to wear the jilbab—a long, loose-fitting outer garment— that covers their bodies when they go out in public.
Allah commands the Prophet to instruct his wives, daughters, and all believing women to adopt a modest dress code to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments) instructs Muslim women to cover themselves in a way that distinguishes them as modest and chaste women.
That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. This means that modest dress helps identify believing women as respectable and pious, preventing harassment or harm from ill-intentioned people.
Allah’s Mercy in the Command
The verse ends with (And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful), showing that Allah’s commands are for the protection and honor of women, and those who struggle with observing them can seek His forgiveness and guidance.
The Qur’an as a Guide for All of Humanity
The Qur’an is not restricted to any race, nationality, or social class. It is a universal book meant to guide all of humanity—men and women, the rich and the poor, Arabs and non-Arabs. Allah says:
“And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?” (Qur’an 54:17).
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Qur’an 21:107).
This means that no one is excluded from the mercy of the Qur’an. It is a guide for the lost, a source of hope for the despairing, and a moral code for all societies.
* The writer is the Metropolitan Chief Imam of Kpone Katamanso
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai – 1 BN Michel Camp, Tema
Fruitful Living
Bearing the fruit of love
But the fruit of the Spirit is love ………… – Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
The tendency of us human beings is to love only those that we find convenient to love. And that I guess it makes sense, but it does only in our selfish nature. The question then is: Is it really possible to love everyone?
We will not get the chance to meet every one of the 7 billion plus people living here on earth, but chances are high that each of us will get the opportunity to meet at least 100 people in our lifetime. Of the figurative 100 people we’re likely to meet in our lifetime, how many have we actually connected through the chord of love? How many have we loved, as Christ commands? Or has our focus been on only the loving, the lovely, and the loveable?
If we want to be truthful, we will admit that some people are downright hateful, and make better enemies than friends. Nothing will make us happier than to just avoid or ignore them when they’re around us, and to try to forget that they exist as soon as they’re out of our sight. Jesus knows about such hateful people in the world for He had a lot of enemies and suffered at their hands. He knows how easy it is to concentrate on the easy people. It’s why He reminds us:
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. – Luke 6:27-35 (NIV).
Who then are the enemies that come to mind? The ones that have gossiped about us, stolen from us, killed our loved ones, cheated us of our rights, made attempts to kill us, do not wish us well at all, and done or possess all the bad things that define an enemy from a friend?
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back,” is what Jesus is telling us.
Unfortunately for us, no matter how hard we try, we can’t by ourselves love people the way God wants us to do. We’ve been too hurt and are too scared to really let go and love people as we ought. Too many people have done too many bad and unforgettable things to our dead ancestors and living relatives, to us in our childhood that still hurt us. We have heard a lot of horror stories about what happened to neighbors, colleagues and friends’ friends. We have read novels and watched too many movies. Hence, by age thirty-five most people have usually worked out an acceptable formula of those to love. Yet none of these changes God’s command to bear the fruit of love.
God knows that our formula isn’t good enough for what He knows He has deposited in us. He knows that we are also capable of loving those who are not our friends, and He called our attention to loving beyond duty, really stepping out of our comfort zones to where we would allow God to love others through us, including our enemies. He reminds us: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5. Bearing the fruit of love is possible only through Christ, a provision that’s been made for us.
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@ gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
