HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT BY FAITH.
As was noted previously, all God's promises to the believer are appropriated by faith.
Our faith cannot embrace that Which God does not promise to do in His Word. Thus we must ground our faith in the Word of God, for faith comes by hearing and believing the Word.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is clearly promised the believer in the Word of God, but one cannot receive this empowering and blessing until he has gotten over any doubts or doctrinal questions about the possibility of being filled. To remove doubts we recommend a study of the Word of God. If a humble, sincere study of the teachings of Scripture does not quicken one's faith for this experience, then all other arguments and examples would be futile.

We are addressing this study primarily to those who have already gotten beyond the question of the validity of the baptism, and desire it, but for various reasons have not yet received the experience with the accompanying sign of speaking in a new language as the evidence.

A study of the relevant passages will also indicate that certain terms and phrases are used synonymously with reference to the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The New Testament equates the following with each other; "The baptism in the Holy Spirit," "filled with the Spirit," "the gift of the Spirit," "pouring out of the Spirit," ”receiving the Spirit," etc. Compare, for example, Acts 1: 4-5 with 2:4, 10:45; 11:15-17, where the terms ”baptized," "filled,” and "gift” are used synonymously.

1. THE PROMISE.
Old Testament Prophecy. Joel predicted that in the latter days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28). This was first experienced on the day of Pentecost, when the 120 disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with new languages or tongues (Acts 2:1ff). But that it was not intended to be limited to this initial outpouring is seen from Peter's words of explanation of their experience in Acts 2:38-39 where the same gift of the Holy Spirit is promised to all those who receive Christ "for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." The promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is without question for all believers who will exercise faith to appropriate it.

New Testament Promise. The classic passage where Jesus promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit is Luke 11:9-13. Verse 13 reads: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" The willingness of our heavenly Father to give us the baptism of the Holy Spirit is clearly indicated here, since, as a child of God, we already have the Spirit in regeneration (Romans 8:9, 15-16). Christ also promises the baptism in Acts 1:4-5, 8.

2. THE EVIDENCE: THE SIGN OF THE BAPTISM.
Is there a scriptural sign that one has been filled with the Holy Spirit? We believe there is. However, some, who for various reasons we cannot discuss here, have not wanted to speak in tongues, but who say they believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a valid experience for this day, claim to have received the baptism without speaking in new tongues. They speak of an "inward experience," of an "anointing," of "being beside oneself with joy," of “feeling great strength or love," etc. All of these so-called evidences are based upon "feeling" or "emotion" of which the bible says nothing in regard to the baptism. We must evaluate our experience in the light of Scripture; when we do this, we find that speaking in a new language or tongue supernaturally is the Scriptural sign of having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES WAS PREDICTED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
1) Joel 2:28-29. Peter quotes this to authenticate the divine source of their ability to speak the new languages at Pentecost. Joel had predicted the outpouring or baptism; Peter said the new tongues were the evidence or sign. Note carefully it was the phenomenon of speaking in new tongues that excited the Jews causing them to inquire: "What meaneth this?"

2) Isaiah 28:11-12. Paul cites the prophecy to indicate that speaking in tongues in the Church had been predicted by Isaiah. See I Corinthians 14:21-22.
This Sign Was Incontestable Proof to the Jewish Church That the Holy Spirit Had Been Given to the Gentile Christians.
Acts 10:44-45. It was when they heard them speak with tongues that Peter declares that they "have received the Holy Spirit as well as we." In Acts 11:16 he calls it the "baptism in the Holy Spirit."

This Sign Was doubtless missing from the Samaritans' experience, Thus It Was Evident They Had not received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:4-8, 12-19. Moreover, verse 18 says that Simon "saw" something which caused him to offer money for the power to give the Holy Spirit to others. Neither Philip's healings, exorcisms, nor miracles caused him to offer money for these. Evidently he had heard them speak with new tongues when they received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The 120 Disciples "All spoke with new tongues and they accepted this alone as evidence that Christ had now fulfilled His promise to baptize them in the Holy Spirit.
Compare Acts 1:4-5, 8 with Acts 2:4, 2:33. This is their own interpretation of their experience; namely, that the baptism in the Holy Spirit results in speaking in new tongues. Acts 19:1-6.
Speaking in tongues was a commonly accepted phenomenon in the churches and considered a work of the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 12:14; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20.

We conclude, therefore, that speaking in tongues can be considered as Scriptural evidence confirming the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Without exception those who want to speak with tongues always do when they yield their tongues and will to the Holy Spirit. Doubtless what some experience are "anointings" of the Holy Spirit. Because of this blessed experience, and often too, because they feel there is some stigma associated with speaking in a new tongue, they have been led to equate this "anointing " with the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

God would not base the assurance of having given us His Holy Spirit on mere "feelings," or "emotional experience" no matter how precious and sacred these may be in our experience. Feelings and emotional experiences are too subjective and variable from individual to individual. This is why He chose the sign of speaking in new languages supernaturally as the evidence of the baptism. This is because it is (1) outward evidence; (2) uniform evidence; (3) universal evidence; and (4) supernatural evidence. Emotional, physical, or spiritual manifestations may also occur, and sometimes do accompany the sign of tongues, but the Bible does not tell us to look for these, they are too unreliable and variable. Look for the sign God has given: These signs shall follow them that believe;...they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17).

3) HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE SCRIPTURAL SIGN FOLLOWING.
The conditions for receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith are essentially the same for receiving anything God has promised to the believer in His Word. These are the five conditions previously outlined in the previous study "How to Receive God's Promises by Faith." They are: (1) Base your faith on the Word of God; (2) Ask; (3) Speak in agreement with God's Word (4) Act on your faith; (5) Maintain your faith in the promise without doubting. You may receive the baptism either by the laying on of hands or through your own personal prayer of faith. In either event the conditions are the same.

1. FAITH.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit, like all the promises of God to the Christian, is received by faith. Our faith cannot rise above what God promises us in His Word. Faith cometh by hearing and believing the Word. Paul tells us in Galatians 3:2 that we receive the Spirit, "by the hearing of faith," i.e., by the faith that comes through hearing the Word. In 3:15 he states that "we...receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." The first and essential step, then, is to study those texts we have given in which the baptism is promised (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:38-39; Luke 11:9-13), together with those which indicate the evidence of having received the baptism is speaking with a new language as the Spirit gives utterance. This is how faith comes to receive the Holy Spirit.

2. ASK.
Jesus assures the believer that His Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit "to them that ask him" (Luke 11:13). We may believe that God has made us a promise from reading His Word, but we do not receive it until we personally appropriate it by faith and believe it for ourselves by asking for it.

3. CONFESS.
The first three steps are to be taken together. That is, on the basis of your faith in God's Word that the Father will fill you with His Spirit if you ask, then in simple, trusting faith say: "Heavenly Father, according to your promise to give ME the baptism in the Holy Spirit, I now ask you for it in faith and thank you that I have received." This is a simple prayer of faith meeting all the Scriptural conditions for receiving. There is no need to beg, plead, fast, "seek" or "tarry" for days, nor to try to "pray through for the baptism." This indicates a lack of faith. Jesus taught us to pray directly to the point when we are asking for something God promises us and to believe that we have received when we ask. "What things soever ye desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them" (Mark 11:24). You are to say in faith that you have received when you ask; the sign or evidence will follow.

4. ACT ON YOUR FAITH.
God fills us with the Holy Spirit when we ask. We begin to speak; this is something the Holy Spirit will not do. The reason many tarry for so long seeking the baptism is that (a) they did not believe they received when they asked, and because (b) they were waiting for the Holy Spirit to speak through them by literally taking control of their vocal chords, tongue and mouth, and compelling them to speak. Acts 2:4 states, "And they (the disciples) were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and (they) began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." They began to speak as the Spirit gave them the words to utter. It is you who must begin to speak in faith, and the Spirit which you have already received will give you utterance. He always does without exception if (A) you believe that He will, (B) you will yield your tongue and cooperate with the Spirit (for it is your tongue and your voice that He must use), and (C) determine that you will not speak a word of English or any language you know, for you cannot speak two languages at the same time.

If faith is present, you will doubtless feel joy and praise toward God welling up inside wanting to be expressed through your lips. The tendency often, without proper instruction, is to let this praise come forth in English or another language you already know. If you will refuse to speak in English or another language you already know and in simple faith speak forth those sounds, which will come forth if you will use your voice, you will find the Holy Spirit is giving utterance supernaturally in a new language. We must act on our faith.

Are there ever any exceptions? No, not from God's side. The very few instances where a person has failed to receive, it was clearly always the result of two things. In the first place it was the result of a lack of faith– an unwillingness to believe God's promise that He has given them the Holy Spirit when they asked. Often they did not believe they had received because they did not "feel" any different after asking, or they did not have some unusual supernatural experience similar to some they have heard about when they received, such as vision, trance, ecstasy, or great anointing.

The second reason a few do not speak is merely because they refuse to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. They are waiting for the Holy Spirit to speak through them, but the Spirit only gives us utterance as we speak in faith what He gives us. Some say, "but I don't know what to say." Of course not, for we speak only what the Holy Spirit gives us to utter. Do not try to think words or sounds with the mind or intellect. The new language does not come from or through the mind, but from our spirit as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. The words will come freely and supernaturally if you will in faith use your voice and speak whatever sounds come forth. One word will follow on the other. These unfamiliar sounds are the new language which is the sign of your baptism. They are unknown to you, but not unto God, or anyone else who happens to speak that particular tongue. Paul says we speak mysteries unto God (I Corinthians 14:2), and that our understanding is unfruitful (14:14), and that we edify ourselves inwardly (14:4).

Never allow yourself to say as did one brother, "the Holy Spirit will have to do it all, for I can't!" Of course, he will never receive until he is willing to use his voice in faith as Acts 2:4 states. There are some who have been "seeking" and "tarrying" for many years filled and speak fluently in a new language almost immediately when they were encouraged to cooperate with the Spirit, refuse to utter a syllable of English or or any language you know, and speak forth in faith the sounds that came forth as they used their voice. You must put your vocal cords, tongue, and lips into motion just as you do to speak any language. You do not cause the utterance which comes forth when you take this step of faith–it is the Holy Spirit giving you the utterance supernaturally. From God's side there are no exceptions! If right now you will ask in faith, believe and say you have received, and speak forth in faith, the Holy Spirit will give you the utterance in a new language.

5. MAINTAIN WHAT YOU BELIEVE
The fifth step has reference to the need for daily use of the new language which we have received. Use it daily in your prayer life. It is a great source of spiritual strength, edification, and comfort to the Christian. It can also be an effective means of intercession. Note Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27; I Corinthians 14:2,4,15,39.

Some neglect to speak again after their initial experience, because they were not encouraged to continue, thereby forfeiting a great source of strength and blessing. Not a few have come to doubt their original experience because they did not continue. Many of these enter into a joyful experience when encouraged to continue again. Others sometimes are tempted to doubt a few days after receiving whether or not they were filled with the Spirit, or whether they are just "making it all up." This is a common device of Satan in order to get you to doubt God's Word.

He that speaks in a supernatural tongue edifies himself. The devil hates a strong Christian and will do anything to confuse you at first and turn you aside. Refuse to entertain these thoughts of doubt. Maintain your faith in the promises without wavering believing you received just as the Word of God promises. and Satan will leave. Do not go by feelings or because nothing seemed to happen immediately. Continue to thank God for this experience and the ability to worship God in a new language. God will bring this to pass if you will continue in faith not doubting and refusing all suggestions from the enemy nothing happened. Edited. Shared.

Lord willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.