How To Receive The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

Many desire to be baptized in and filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a scriptural guide to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

How To Receive The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

We are at a point in time where a spiritual awakening is taking place. Many have suddenly gotten interested in spiritual things. Many have ignorantly dabbled into new age spirituality—but thank God for those who have found the right path. 

Many now desire to be baptised in and filled with the Holy Spirit—to the glory of God Almighty. But the Holy Spirit is not given to just anyone. There are Biblical principles to be followed, if we must experience the baptism of the Spirit. 

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience that everyone should have. But unfortunately, not everyone on earth have had this experience. There are many reasons why some are unable to receive the Holy Spirit. If time permits, we will touch on some of these reasons under one of the subheadings as we progress. 

The Holy Spirit is the third person within the Godhead. He is a powerful and priceless gift from God. To each and every one of us who has Him, He is Christ in us—the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

It might interest you to know that, Jesus Christ desires and longs to get as many people as possible, baptised in and filled with the Holy Spirit—even more than many desire for the same. During the early days of His ministry on earth, most of His messages were centered around giving the Holy Spirit to those who would hear and come to Him. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught about the Holy Spirit as being rivers of living waters, which when a man drinks from its brooks, he will never thirst again (John 4:14).

The Lord repeated the message (concerning the Holy Spirit) again and again—though in different ways; further emphasizing to us on how important it is to get this gift:

John 7:37-39 KJV
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. [38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given ; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The Holy Spirit is God's stamp of ownership on everyone who believes in His only begotten Son. Having the Holy Spirit validates our sonship and citizenship in the kingdom of God. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Those who do not have the Holy Spirit do not belong to God (Romans 8:9). There are no two ways about this. 

Why Can't I Receive The Holy Spirit


There are many reasons why certain people are unable to receive the Holy Spirit. Let's take a look at some of them below:

1. They Don't Believe In The Son


I love the message of John the Baptist. I love the way He projected Jesus and pointed back to Jesus, the many people who trooped to his ministry to get baptized by him. I love the way he made it clear that only Jesus Christ has the authority to baptise with the Holy Spirit:

Matthew 3:11 KJV
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. 

Therefore, it is only those who believe in the only begotten Son who are eligible to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift is not dished out like Christmas gifts to just anyone. If a man rejects the Father's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, he cannot receive the Holy Spirit

John 3:18-19 KJV
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Unfortunately, many people are in this place—a place where they do not want to have a thing to do with the Son but they want the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17). No one can have Him without having Jesus Christ first. The very first step towards receiving the Holy Spirit is receiving Christ. 

If this describes you; if you are willing to welcome Jesus into your heart as Your Lord and Saviour, before proceeding to read the other parts of this article, go ahead and pray this salvation prayer


2. They Have Ulterior Motives For Wanting The Holy Spirit


Acts 8:15-22 KJV
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

In the book of Acts chapter 8, we are made to understand that Simon saw the Apostles preaching and he believed that they were sent from God. He saw those they ministered to receiving the Holy Spirit. And then he desired to be able to experience and do the same thing—but with ulterior motives. 


Simon wanted the Holy Spirit but he wanted the Spirit for selfish reasons. He wanted to be able to show off; to attract attention to himself, sell a product or make people pay for receiving the Holy Spirit. He even went as far as attempting to offer the Apostles money in exchange for the gift of the Holy Spirit—which further tells us that his intentions were not pure. 

God knows the heart of every individual; we cannot play on Him. He knows the people who want to use the Holy Spirit for selfish merchandise. And He never gives the Spirit to such people except they repent. 

Today there are many who have gone into ministry without a calling from God. They want the Holy Spirit. They want the power of God so they can perform signs and wonders, but it is all for their belly (Philippians 3:19). God knows this. Only through genuine repentance will God reconsider giving the Holy Spirit to such individuals. 

Why Do We Need The Holy Spirit


There are many reasons why we need the Holy Spirit. I will highlight some of them for you below. 

1. The Spirit Empowers And Equips Us For Ministry


Before His ascension, Jesus instructed the Apostles to not depart from Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). That power from God is the Holy Spirit—the promise of the Father which He promised everyone who believed in the only begotten Son. 

Acts 1:8 KJV
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

A genuine ministry is powered by the Holy Spirit. Without Him, ministry ends up being a joke. People end up performing fake miracles, deceiving others and run into hiding when people with real problems show up. 

2. The Holy Spirit Seals Us For Redemption


The Holy Spirit is God's stamp of ownership on everyone who belongs to Him. He makes us candidates of Heaven. He preserves us toward the day of redemption. 

Ephesians 4:30 KJV
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Romans 8:9 KJV
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

3. The Holy Spirit Transforms Us


The Holy Spirit is one of God's agents of transformation given to transform and conform the Believer into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

4. The Spirit Liberates Us


The deliverance of any individual is tied to the Holy Spirit. It is made possible by the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, no one gains genuine deliverance or liberty from the shackles of darkness. 

2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

5. The Holy Spirit Teaches The Truth About God


The Holy Spirit expounds on scriptures and brings revelations concerning God and His Word to the Believer. 

John 16:13 KJV
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The major reason why some believe and preach heresy is because they do not have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not lead astray, He guides those who have Him into all truth. 

How To Get Baptized By The Holy Spirit


Anyone can take the following steps towards getting baptized in the Holy Spirit. I believe they will work for just anyone who carefully follows them. 

Step 1: Repent And Get Saved


The Holy Spirit is not given to the best of humans. He is given to those who have their mind made up to follow God. He is given to those who are willing to turn away from their wicked ways and live for God. 

Acts 2:38-39 KJV
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [39] 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 first step towards receiving the Spirit is to sincerely repent (from the heart) and get saved. If you have decided to do this, kindly pray this salvation prayer

Step 2: Earnestly Desire Him


It is genuine and consistent desire that opens the door for a real encounter with God. Make sure that your desire to get baptised in and filled with the Holy Spirit is beyond your desire for every other earthly thing. 

Step 3: Ask For The Baptism of The Holy Spirit


Position yourself through prayer and fasting, constantly asking Jesus Christ to baptise you with the Holy Spirit.


Step 4: Be Patient And Persist


Do not pray once and quit. You might have to persist while God prepares and brings you into that place where you can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit

Final Words On Receiving The Holy Spirit


God wants to give us the Holy Spirit more than we desire to have and be filled with the Spirit.

While asking for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, make sure your request is your utmost desire. Make sure at that perticular point, you are not desiring any other earthly thing above the Holy Spirit. 

I do not recommend anyone goes around denominations and preachers asking to be laid hands on so they can receive the Holy Spirit. I recommend you pray and wait, if it's necessary that you receive the Holy Spirit through the hands of another person, God Himself will initiate the connection. 


If you were blessed reading this article on how to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, remember to share before leaving. 

God bless you. 

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