“But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, and of justice and might to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel her sin” (Micah 3:8).
“But you shall receive power when the HolySpirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The key word in our first text is the word “full”. The prophet Micah said, “he is full of the power by the Spirit of God…” That is to say that, the Holy Spirit of God imparts power to men. He gives power for service, power to do the work of God, and power for everyday living. The Spirit of God equipped Micah to address the transgressions of Israel. Observe that he knew that he was full of power by the Spirit of God. And the same Spirit of the LORD upon him is also the same Spirit of justice and might.
PROCLAIMING CHRIST TO A PLEASURE LOVING GENERATION
When you are full of power by the Holy Spirit, he will empower you to preach the word that will convict men of their transgression. Without the Spirit of God you will lack boldness, power, courage and wisdom to address those who live in sin; you will lack the power to confront the forces of darkness. We live in a world that is full of evil and darkness. We can only reach out to them effectively by the power of God. When you read 2 Timothy 3:1-4, you will come to a conclusion that the last days will be full of pleasure seeking people, people prone to evil, wickedness and darkness. You need the Holy Spirit’s power to declare to this generation God’s love and mercy. Isaiah 60:1,2, says the world will be filled with gross darkness, but commands us to arise and shine as light in the midst of the darkness around us.
FILLED BUT NOT BAPTIZED
You can be filled with power, but not baptised by the Holy Spirit. Mary was filled with the Spirit, but not baptised until the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:13-15 and 2:1-4). The disciples had the Spirit of God, but were not baptised until Pentecost Day (Matthew 10:1-8 and Acts 2:1-4,33). What happened on Pentecost day was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals believe that you receive more power when you are baptised in the Holy Spirit. That was evident in the life of Peter, Paul and other disciples. After the experience on Pentecost day, their ministry gained wider acceptance.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, but when he was baptised in the Spirit, his ministry took a different turn. When he preached, men were convicted and healed. Philip was filled with the Holy Spirit, but not baptised until the day of Pentecost. After that he went to Samaria and conducted a great revival. From there, the Spirit led him to go and witness to the Ethiopian eunuch.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE HARVEST
The Holy Spirit Baptism is our key to our drive for the harvest. To be able to do exploits and experience breakthrough in this harvest season, we must depend totally on the Holy Spirit.
HOW DO WE GET BAPTISED WITH HIS HOLY SPIRIT?
First, confess Jesus as Lord.
Second, repent of your sins.
Third, ask for the Holy Spirit baptism.
Four, recognise that the Holy Spirit is a free gift and believe that you have received it.
Five, pray and ask God to baptise you with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues
Six, thank the Lord for giving you the Spirit of God.
Seven, trust God to give you the gift of tongues. Praying in tongues has several advantages.
As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, I urge everyone of us to rededicate our lives to the Holy Spirit and ask him to baptise us afresh with his anointing and power for greater service to him. Ephesians 5:18 reads, “And do not be drunk with wine in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” The word, “be filled” in Greek does not imply a single experience, but a continuous experience, that is, “continually being filled.” Pentecost Sunday is our opportunity to top up with the Spirit.
