Why Be Baptized With The Holy Spirit?
- May 28
- 2 min read
Aloha New Hope Leeward!
This past weekend we talked about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you missed the message, click the button below.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a powerful work of God in our lives. As we shared this weekend, many within our Pentecostal tradition understand it as a separate experience from salvation where the Holy Spirit empowers us in a deeper way through spiritual gifts, boldness, and greater dependence on Him. But what is it for? Who is it really for?
Hint: it's not primarily for you. Let me explain.
Years ago we held a Baptism of the Holy Spirit night for our volunteers. Well over 150 people came to hear my friend Pastor Alex Michel (who has since gone to be with the Lord) teach and pray for people. It was an incredible night. So many people experienced the Lord in powerful ways, and everyone walked away excited and wondering what God was going to do next in the life of our church.
Oh, did I forget to mention this was March of 2020?
MARCH OF 2020.
The very next week, we all went into lockdown and were sent home.
At first glance, that timing almost felt ironic. But looking back now, maybe it wasn't.
The Holy Spirit was never meant to stay inside church walls. Just as what happened at Pentecost immediately spilled out of the room and into the streets, the Spirit's work in us was always meant to flow outward into the lives of others.
Think about it:
Spiritual gifts are given for the "common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7) so we may build up and encourage others.
The fruit of the Spirit — "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" — shapes us so we can love people the way Jesus loves people.
The power of the Holy Spirit doesn't raise us up for our own benefit; it often lowers us into radical love, service, generosity, and sacrifice (Acts 2:42–47).
The Holy Spirit empowers us to love God deeply and love people radically.
So if you're asking for more of God's Spirit in your life, don't just look for a moment — look for opportunities. Love someone. Serve someone. Encourage someone. Give of yourself. Step into what God puts in front of you.
And if you'd like help taking that next step and finding a place to live that out, click HERE.
In Christ,
Comments