Baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire

Luke 3:16

16 John answered them all by saying, I baptize you with water; but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of Whose sandals I am not fit to unfasten. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Acts 1:4-5, 8

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ....8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-4

"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It's time to celebrate Pentecost. In Luke 3 we read how John the Baptist prophesied that the Messiah will baptize us with His Holy Spirit and with fire. Acts 1 add that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit results in us being empowered to be witnesses for Christ in near and far places. In the first place in our families, between our friends, in our neighbourhood, workplace or home town. Then in our own nation and to people we do not necessarily know and also into the nations further from home and abroad. For all of this the Holy Spirit empowers us - supernaturally. He ignites the fire in our spirits that burns with passion and enthusiasm day and night, empowering us to follow His lead and hear His voice.

Let's ask God for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit on us - just like He did in that first Pentecost as described in Acts 2. Let's yield our hearts to Him as He re-ignites our spirits with passion and purpose for this season with all its challenges. God knows what we need for a time such as this. He knows because He created us for this time and He has placed His Spirit within us. The Spirit knows, we just need to follow. The Spirit will teach us. Come Holy Spirit, come... 

Spirit Break Out - Kim Walker Smith