Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Notice in John 20:19-23 that Jesus said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" but later, just before He ascended to heaven in Acts 1, He also told them they would receive power when the Holy Spirit had come upon them. Though the same word "receive" is used, it is clear it refers to two separate experiences the disciples had. The Baptism of the Holy spirit can occur at the time of salvation but not necessarily. If the youth are missing the Power of God in their lives, encourage them to come forward to have prayer and laying on of hands to receive this Power.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is both a specific experience and a state of being. It is not just a one-time event, but an ongoing process of being filled again and again. When an automobile's gasoline is filled up, it is done at a specific point in time. But a "full tank" also refers to its state of being full. A one-time experience with the Spirit is not our goal - our goal is to be constantly empowered to do the work God has called us to do.

Most people are familiar with the word "baptism" as it relates to water baptism. Knowing more about the word "baptism" can be really helpful in understanding how the Holy Spirit comes upon people and empowers them. In the original Greek, in non-religious contexts, "baptizo" meant at least three things:

To dye:	Once dyed, a garment does not return to its original
	state, but retains the new color. Jesus wants to saturate
	us so completely with Himself that once we take on His
	nature, His color, we will never allow that glory to fade.

To dip in or under:	Like a piece of bread dipped in Au Jus, the flavor and
	nature of that bread can never be the same again; It is
	permanently changed. Let it be so when we encounter
	the Holy Spirit.

To drown or sink:	When a ship sinks, two things can be said of the
	situation: the water is in the ship and the ship is in the
	water. When we are immersed in the Holy Spirit, we
	are surrounded by His nature and also filled up with it.

ACTIVATION: Have a time of ministry for those who wish the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Arrange to have members of the church leadership or eldership present to help lay hands on the youth to pray for the Baptism to be received. This time may be combined with another class that is working on the same lesson.