We are intended to Walk in the Power from Heaven!
The revelation of Scripture is to take us into an encounter with the Person that transforms us. Jesus walked in power and authority, so should we.
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 24:
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father (the outpouring of THE SPIRIT) upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from On High.”
In other Words, “until you are clothed with the mighty power of Heaven.”
The real evidence of the baptism of The Holy Spirit is power. Many people are satisfied with good Theology, and they stop short of a Divine encounter.
Power from Heaven has two basic functions. Most obvious to us is miracles. Impossibilities yield to people who walk in power. The second purpose of power is endurance. FATHER is looking for a people who will hold fast to what HE has said regardless of circumstances. A baptism of fire will burn up doubt and unbelief.
It is the grace of GOD, it’s the empowering Presence of GOD, it is that fiery work of the Spirit of GOD upon us to bring a miracle and endure until it comes.
After the resurrection of Christ, the Beloved Disciple recorded by The Holy Spirit in John chapter 20:
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
This was prior to the Day of Pentecost so the disciples were “born again” by receiving The Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost. This was the beginning of the ekklesia. The Spirit of GOD was now in them, but they still needed the Baptism of Fire.
Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 1:
2 Just before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus left instructions through the Holy Spirit for the apostles he had chosen.
3 After the sufferings of His cross, Jesus appeared alive many times to these same apostles over a forty-day period, proving to them with many convincing signs that he had been resurrected. During these encounters, He taught them the Truths of God’s Kingdom.
4 Jesus instructed them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the Gift I told you about, the Gift the Father has promised.
5 For John baptized you in water, but in a few days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit!”
The Baptism of Fire is not a one-time experience. When you are on fire, you are contagious. Fire creates an appetite for the impossible! If the appetite for the impossible is not there, you need to get a fresh baptism.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 5:
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the Will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (rebellion); but be filled (continually) with the Holy Spirit,
We are commanded to be full! There is a difference in the Fire of GOD that these disciples walked in after the Day of Pentecost and what many of us have experienced… that includes me. I am thankful but I also hunger for more. I trust that you also hunger for more. Thankfulness with hunger causes us to become complacent.
What happens when you are freshly baptized with fire?
Luke also recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 4:
13 Now when the Pharisees saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.
22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
The baptism of Fire brings forth a boldness that otherwise you would not have. You are no longer concerned about men’s threats or attempts to silence you. You will be obedient to The Holy Spirit and endure to the end.