Why Every Christian Should Receive The Holy Ghost #1

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Why Every Christian Should Receive The Holy Ghost #1

Acts 1:4-5 (NIV) 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Christ’s great gift to His followers was the baptism with the Holy Ghost. As He stood with His band followers on the Mount of Olives just before His departure to Heaven, He said, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised...For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.". The fact is that in 10 days the Holy Ghost was poured out on at least 120 believers gathered in the Upper Room. Acts 2:1-4 (NLT) 1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. This wonderful gift that they received revolutionized their lives, and set them afire for God. The supernatural happening on the Day of Pentecost was an event that demands our study and seeking.

Why Every Christian Should Receive The Holy Ghost:

FIRST: If Christ and the Apostles needed the Holy Ghost, then WE NEED HIM TOO.

Christ the Son of God, came down from heaven. Because He emptied Himself of His glory and became a man. In this human role as the Son of man, He needed the Holy Ghost baptism. Consider Matthew 3:16 (MSG) The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him.

The Twelve Apostles received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in the Upper Room. The women who followed Jesus received the Holy Ghost. Mary, the mother of Jesus, received the Holy Spirit. Christ’s brothers also received the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:14 (MSG) They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus' mother, Mary, and his brothers. Every one of the 120 in the Upper Room received the Holy Ghost infilling. Every person of the 3000 who heard Peter preach his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, was given the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-39 (NLT) 37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

Second: The Holy Ghost Gives Power to Witness:

The first thing one thinks of in attaining a victorious Christian life, is the need of POWER. We constantly meet the forces of evil, and face continually, strong temptations that the human will cannot stand up against successfully. The Believer not only needs power to defend himself against evil, but to take the offensive. Moreover, we need power to be able to witness effectively to others and to carry out chief function as Christians. Acts 1:8 (NLT) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The purpose of the Holy Spirit Baptism is to give the believer power.

The most amazing proof of the truth of Christianity is the fact that a band of lowly fishermen, who according to the standards of religious leaders of that day, were “ignorant and unlearned men” were able to go forth against severest opposition, and under God, bring into existence the most powerful religious movement in all history.

Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.