Calvary Chapel of Louisa

228 Louisa Ave • P.O. Box 103

Mineral, VA  23117

540-894-4006

GOD'S PROMISE OF POWER

If ever there was a time when we as Christians need to be strengthened with all might and power it is today.God has promised to give us this power through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. This booklet is a clear, straightforward, and balanced teaching that is needed in the church today.

Pastor Chuck Smith

Many Christians rely on their own natural ability and strength to live their lives, never knowing that the overflowing life and power of the Holy Spirit is available to them. In this booklet you will discover the Spirit-filled, abundant life that God intends for each of us to experience. It is with deep gratitude that June and I dedicate this book to Keith Ritter, the man God used to disciple us in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Jim Hesterly

INTRODUCTION

Many great teachers such as R.A. Torrey, D.L. Moody, and Hudson Taylor believed that the power of the Holy Spirit was an absolute essential for effective service in the church. R.A. Torrey states in his book The Baptism with The Holy Spirit, "It was a great turning point in my ministry when, after much thought and study and meditation, I became satisfied that the baptism with the Holy Spirit was an experience for today and for me. "There is a great thirst and hunger for more of the Holy Spirit's ministry and power in the church today as well. Because of the many questions and requests that we have received for greater understanding of this teaching, we felt the need to make this booklet available. We have seen great response form the Church in every place this message has been presented.

OUR GREATEST NEED
Billy Graham has expressed that the world's greatest need is to feel the effects of a spiritual awakening. Our world needs to experience a renewal that can only occur through individual
Christians who are filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit. Chuck Smith says, in his book Living Water, "I am convinced that the greatest need in the church today is a renewal of the teaching on the subject of the Holy Spirit. Only then will you and I be empowered to go into the world as effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. The only hope for our nation today is a spiritual awakening that begins in the church with a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit upon the lives and hearts of the saints of God. And this takes the epi, the baptism with the Holy Spirit."

PROMISE OF POWER
In Acts 1:8 we are promised, "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts
of the earth." This promise of power, or the experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, is mentioned in all four gospels: Matthew 3:11; Mark1:8; Luke 3:16; and John 1:33. In other passages, this experience is also referred to as the "the promise of the Father," the "filling of the Holy Spirit," and the "power from on High." The Scriptures also speak of the Spirit coming "upon" many who believe. After His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission to go into all the world, to teach and to make disciples. In Acts 1:4-5, He directed His disciples to wait for the promise He had made concerning the power they would need to fulfill this commandment: "And, being assembled together with them, (He) commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." These same disciples had walked with Him, talked with Him, eaten meals with Him, and watched Him as He had performed many miracles in their midst. He knew there was no possible way for them to do the very thing that He had commanded them without His power in their lives. The promise is that His power will come upon us so we can be His witnesses. A witness is who we are, not just something we do. It is living our lives in such a way that others will want what we have. We need this power, or enabling in order to live our lives in such a manner that Christ will be seen in us and reflected in our lives.

ALL OR NOTHING
Many years of my life were spent with misconceptions concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Even though I had been taught that He was the Comforter, I really thought He only showed up at funerals and times of tremendous sadness and grief. At the church I attended, we set aside one week out of the year for special revival meetings. After much encouragement from my wife, I made plans to attend, not knowing that God desired to do a very special work in my life. I remembered that as a youth, I had told the Lord I would serve Him anytime or anywhere, but I had walked away from that commitment. That night the speaker talked about former commitments we may have made. Even though I had forgotten, God had not forgotten. As people filed forward to the speaker in response to his altar call, I was facing an internal struggle with my flesh. I did not want to go forward. I did not want to yield to God's Spirit, but as everyone found their places at the front of the church, the speaker's next words electrified me and held my attention. He said the Lord had told him there was one more person that needed to come to the front. I could not resist any longer. I almost ran to the altar in complete submission to the Holy Spirit. A spiritual revival took place in my life as I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I wanted the rest of my life to count for Jesus. That night I received the epi, power from on high, as I yielded to Him and was baptized with the Spirit. The direction of my life radically changed that night as I discovered that He is not only the Comforter, but He is also the Giver of power.

A DYNAMIC DIFFERENCE
R.A. Torrey said, "The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an absolutely necessary preparation for effective service for Christ." For years I tried to serve the Lord in the energy of my flesh. I had not been taught nor had I any understanding that I needed the power of God's Spirit to enable me. I was frustrated, weak, and even questioning my salvation. There was a deep inner longing for more, but I wasn't aware what was missing. God supernaturally intervened in response to my cry and gave me the answer to my desperate need. How wonderfully and powerfully He touched me and filled me with His Spirit! My innermost being was flooded and overflowing with love for Him and for others. I began to read and understand His word for the first time. I began to share the gospel with others, as His Spirit just seemed to overflow without any effort on my part. Songs and verses I had learned and memorized as a child began to well up within my heart and mind atunexpected moments. I began to have a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ than I had ever experienced in the past. He became more precious than gold. He became everything to me and I began to serve Him from a heart now motivated by love.

OVERFLOWING LIFE
In Acts 1:8, we are promised power. The Greek word for power is dunamis, from which we derive our word dynamic. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us we will have this dynamic power of God in our lives. The world desperately needs to see lives that are dynamic testimonies of the power of Christ. The promise states that we will be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. Jerusalem represents our homes and family members. Judea represents our neighborhood or the school where our children attend or the place where we work. Samaria represents the nextcommunity or state. The "uttermost part of the earth" represents anywhere the Lord chooses to send us. As His living water flows constantly into our hearts and lives, there is an overflow that naturally occurs. When this takes place, we begin to touch and affect the lives of others. Some time ago I stood and watched
the mighty flow of water pouring over the great Niagara Falls. All the nearby buildings were covered with a green moss, caused by the excessive moisture from the falls. People were bundled up in raincoats because it was impossible to avoid the moisture. When we are overflowing with His Holy Spirit and yielded to Him, the outcome will be lives that are touched by Him, just as the water touched everyone at Niagara Falls. Pastor Chuck Smith says, in his book Living Water, "The Bible teaches that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is separate and distinct from regeneration. It is one thing to be born of the Spirit; it is yet another to be baptized with the Holy Spirit." In John 20:22, we read that Jesus was with His disciples after His resurrection and that He breathed on them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." At that moment, the Holy Spirit came in them to indwell them and to give them regeneration, or new birth. Earlier, in John 14:17, Jesus promised His disciples that the Comforter would be with them and would be in them. This promise was fulfilled at that very moment as He breathed upon them. They were then directed to wait in Jerusalem until they received the "promise of the Father." This indicates to us that their new birth preceded their baptism with the Holy Spirit, which took place on the Day of Pentecost in the Upper Room.

WITH, IN, AND UPON
There are three key Greek prepositions, which help us to better understand this work of the Spirit. The words with, in, and upon are para, en and epi in Greek. He is with (para) us even before we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, for it is the Holy Spirit who draws us to Jesus, and convinces us of our need for a Savior. The very moment we say "yes" to Him and invite Him in (en) He gives us new birth or regeneration. We are now His child, part of the family of God. We have the Holy Spirit residing in (en) us. According to Ephesians 1:13, we are now sealed with the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is a third work of the Spirit given to us, which imparts power upon (epi) us enabling us to be dynamic witnesses. In Acts 1:8 we find this third preposition, the word upon, which is epi in the Greek. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." This word indicates that the Holy Spirit desires to be continually overflowing us. In Luke 3:21-22, Jesus came to John at the Jordan River to be baptized in water. As He came up from the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon (epi) Him and a voice from heaven said, "You are My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." In Luke chapter 4, we find Jesus being filled, or overflowed with the Spirit. Returning from the Jordan River, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan and then having overcome every temptation, He returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.
Scripture does not record much about Jesus' life before these events took place. We know of His birth, His parents, and His experience in Jerusalem at the age of 12 years. After He
was baptized in the Jordan River and the Spirit descended upon Him, we see Him beginning the ministry His Father had sent Him to do. In Luke 4:18, Jesus spoke of His anointing by the Father "to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captive, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." This upon (Epi) experience empowers the believer for service. It is an out-flowing of the Spirit, a flowing forth from my life of the dunamis. It is the power of the Spirit working through my life and touching the lives of those around me. Pastor Chuck Smith also states in his book Living Water, "It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit with you (para), another thing to have the Spirit in you (en), but something even more to have the Holy Spirit upon you (epi)."

FIVE EXAMPLES
There are five places in the book of Acts that speak of people who had received this upon (epi) experience of the Spirit and each one was distinctly different, showing us that God works in His own sovereign way and not by methods or patterns. The first example is given in Acts 2:4. On the Day of Pentecost, there were 120 followers of Jesus who gathered in obedience to His command to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was with them, as well as His brothers. They were waiting together in an upper room in the city not knowing exactly what to expect. Suddenly, there came the sound of a great and rushing wind, which filled the entire room. The people heard the wind and saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that sat upon the heads of each person. The Holy Spirit descended upon (epi) them and they all began to speak with other tongues. Those gathered with the disciples went from the with (para) and in (en) experiences, to the upon (epi) experience, at the very same instance. The second example is given in Acts 8:14. Peter and John were sent to Samaria to pray for the new converts, who had already been baptized in water so that they might receive the Holy Spirit, "for as yet He was fallen upon none of them". As they laid their hands upon them and prayed for them, they each were baptized with the Holy Spirit and received the upon (epi) experience. The third example is given in Acts 9:17. As Saul, whose name was later changed to Paul, was traveling on the road to Damascus with permission to persecute the Christians, he saw a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him. This was his moment of new birth as he received Christ as his Savior. Saul was then directed to go into the city and wait. At the same time, a man named Ananias was also given a vision directing him to go to Saul, lay hands on him to receive his sight, and to pray that Saul would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. When Ananias found Saul and prayed for him, the Holy Spirit came upon (epi) Saul, he was healed of his blindness and was then water baptized. Paul's upon (epi) experience was after his conversion and before his water baptism. In Acts 10:44, we find the fourth example as Peter being directed by the Spirit in a vision, was sent to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile believer in God. As Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his entire household the good news of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit fell upon (epi) all of them, and they began to speak with other tongues and to prophesy. Those who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been given to the Gentiles, as well as to the Jews. These believers went from having the Spirit with them and in them to the upon (epi) experience, at the same moment. They were then water baptized. The fifth and last example is in Acts 19:1-7. As Paul visited in Ephesus, he realized that something was
lacking in the lives of those who believed. They had been water baptized according to the teaching of John the Baptist, who had preached repentance from "dead works". After Paul shared the good news of Jesus Christ, they were water baptized in Jesus' name. Paul then laid his hands on them and prayed for them to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the upon (epi) experience. As he prayed for them, they all began to speak with other tongues and to prophesy. Each of these examples are unique and describe the upon (epi), or empowering, that is promised by the Father. Three out of the five examples speak of supernatural gifts of the Spirit being received by the people. Some received the gift of tongues and some received the gift of prophesy.

THE EVIDENCE
The evidence of being filled, or baptized, with the Holy Spirit is Christ's agape love in us and flowing from us. This love makes us a witness. Some time ago, I received a letter from a woman describing her own personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, and her thanksgiving for the teaching concerning this third work of the Spirit in our lives. She explained that she had asked Christ into her life a few years ago and yet had felt for some time that something was still missing. Every time an altar call was given she felt as though she should be going forward, yet she knew that she had already received Christ as her Savior. A few weeks before she heard the teaching about the Holy Spirit, she had taken steps to separate from her husband, telling him continuously that he was no fulfilling her as he should. Her husband continued to explain to her that only Jesus could give the fulfillment she was seeking. She said, "Thankfully,
the Lord closed all the doors that led to escape from my marriage as my husband begged me to stay and kept on praying for me. With bitterness in my heart, I stayed. When the Holy Spirit came upon me, I finally understood what my husband had been trying to tell me. I went home and on my knees asked my husband to forgive me, and he welcomed me back into his heart. I know feel a completeness and a peace I have never known. I have a new hunger and understanding for the world, and a new boldness for the Lord." The agape love flowing from her life gives evidence that she has been baptized with the Holy Spirit and is a witness for Him. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is the gateway to spiritual gifts. These gifts are listed for us in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and in 1 Peter 4. Perhaps the least understood of all the gifts is the gift of tongues. According to 1 Corinthians 14:4, this gift is given for the personal edification (or billing up) of the believer, for prayer and praise. In his book Living Water, Chuck Smith says, "This one gift was given to build you up, to strengthen you. Speaking in tongues strengthens you walk, your relationships, and gives you the power to commune with God on a deep spiritual level. "The word tongues simply means languages and is
supernatural gift given by the Holy Spirit so that our spirit may speak directly to God. In all five references given in the Book of Acts concerning the baptism with the Holy Spirit, three out of five speak of his particular gift being given. If you are feeling the need for this gift in your life, simply ask for it. Paul, the apostle, exhorted in Corinthian believers to follow love and desire gifts! However, the greatest evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is the love of Christ overflowing our hearts.

ASK AND RECEIVE
The lord desired and has made every provision for the believer to be filled to overflowing with the power of His Spirit. In the examples given to us in the book of Acts, there were those who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit by having others lay hands upon them and praying for them, yet others received without anyone even touching them or praying specifically for this to happen. In Luke 11:9-13, we are given the key to receiving this gift. Jesus said, "How much more will your father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. "He says that we are simply to ask and then receive by faith (Galatians 3:2). Perhaps this would be the time for you to pray and ask in faith that Jesus would baptize you with the Holy Spirit and give you His overflowing power. "Jesus, I recognize You as my Savior and Lord and the One who desires to give this power to me in order that I can be Your witness. I ask in faith that You will pour out Your Spirit upon me now and baptize me with the Spirit. I thank You and receive all that You have for me. In Jesus' name. Amen." If you have prayed this prayer in faith, you can know that you have received the baptism with the Holy Spirit, according to Luke 11:13. You may or may not have an emotional experience. You may or may not receive an outward manifestation, but you can rest in the promises of God's Word. As you begin your new walk in the Spirit you will be a Christian who is Spirit filled, Spirit led, and Spirit empowered. In Ephesians 5:18, we are encouraged to continually be filled with the Holy Spirit. As we yield to Him on a daily, moment by moment basis, we will know that we are walking in the Spirit.

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