Text: Acts 8:14-17
Memory verse:
“Then Peter said to them, repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭38‬
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I have often met believers who confuse their salvation experience with the Holy Spirit infilling experience. Our text for today shows the difference between the duo. Some even compare it with other religious experiences such as rededication, confirmation etc. It’s this ignorance that keeps them from desiring the true Holy Spirit’ baptism.
Now, salvation is to turn from one’s sinful way and to believe in the Lord Jesus. This is the point. No one can do this without the help of the Holy Spirit ‭‭(John‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬-‭9‬). It’s the Holy Spirit who convicts a sinner and shows such the need to believe in the Lord Jesus. This is the first experience with the Holy Spirit but there is still another. “And now I will 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 ‭NLT‬‬). The first is like a dose or a drop of the Spirit but this second is an overflow of the Spirit. It’s a running over experience. It’s this overflow that causes an outburst in tongues and other manifestations. ‭ “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬).
It’s like an outburst of a drunk. It’s like a plastic bottle immersed in water, with water flowing in and out of it (Acts 2:13; Acts 5:18). Speaking in tongues is usually the first evidence of such infilling of the Spirit in a believer (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6).
Friends, have you had both experiences? You need to be saved to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. And if you are already baptized, don’t stop there but grow in that grace, praying daily in tongues. You also have a responsibility to teach others.

Prayer points
1. Father, please remove every confusion and lies of the devil about the gift of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all believers in Jesus name.
2. Father, use me to teach and to disciple other believers on all You have also taught me in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. The first encounter of the Holy Spirit with me brings salvation and the second brings the baptism or infilling.
2. The infilling of the Holy Spirit causes an overflow, like an outburst of a drunk, so I speak in other tongues.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng