THE PRE-REQISITES TO RECEIVING THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST

To be effective in your Christian life and ministry, you must receive the baptism in the Holy Ghost. Today, we want to look at “THE PRE-REQISITES TO RECEIVING THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST?”

Jesus told His disciples before His ascension, “Tarry ye here in Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high…” (Lk. 24:49).

 

The prophecy in Joel 2:28-29 was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4 says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2 And SUDDENLY there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them CLOVEN TONGUES LIKE AS OF FIRE, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

 

What is Baptism in (with) the Holy Spirit? Holy Ghost Baptism is an experience whereby Jesus Himself fills the thirsty and expectantbelievers with the power of God from on High with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

 

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is received only once just like the new birth experience (Acts 19:1-6).

Thereafter, there is need for continuous and consistent re-filling with the Holy Spirit so as to remain Spirit-filled (Acts 2:4). This was the first time they received the Holy Ghost baptism. 

 

Now, what are the pre-requisites for one to be baptized in the Holy Ghost? In order to receive the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying gifts, you:

 

1. Need to realize that God the Father has already given the Holy Spirit to every believer. The Holy Ghost is a free Gift from God (Acts 2:38; Lk. 11:13). It is now up to you to receive this God’s free Gift. 

 

2. Must repent and be Born Again (Jn. 3:3-7). The Holy Ghost baptism is for Born-Again believers. You must have the Holy Spirit in your spirit-man in order to be baptized in the Holy Ghost (Rom 10:9-10). 

 

Realize that anyone who is saved (Born Again) is ready to immediately receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:37-38). 

 

Once you confess your sins, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses you from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9). Once you are saved and you are walking in the light of God’s Word, you are ready to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost now.

 

Baby Christians, carnal Christians – indeed, all believers can be filled with the Holy Spirit. This will even empower them to drop their carnality. If they will walk in the light of God’s Word and be led by the Holy Spirit, He will lead them into all truth and help them outgrow the things in their lives which have perhaps hindered their Christian walk (Jn. 16:13).

 

3. Must desire the Holy Ghost baptism. When you desire it, then you’ll receive it (Mk. 11:23-24). Desiring something involves thirsting after that thing (Matt. 5:6). Thirsting for the infilling of the Holy Spirit is thirsting after righteousness. Therefore, you shall be filled today!

 

In John 7:37-39 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 [spirit-man] 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.)”

 

God is not going to give you the Holy Ghost. As far as God is concerned, He has already given you the Holy Ghost. It is up to you to receive Him. Receiving is what you do. God gave the Holy Spirit to the church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). All that believers need to do is to receive Him. I therefore, challenge you to reach out by faith and receive this Gift of the Holy Ghost that has already been provided to every believer.

 

In Joel 2:28-29 Jesus said, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh [everybody that is willing]; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit.” God is saying here that He will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. To pour out means “to release.”

 

Who is all flesh? He that is thirsty. That is to say, he that is desirous; he that is willing; he that is expectant, because the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off (Prov. 23:18).  

 

In what measure will God pour out His Spirit? He has promised to pour out His Spirit in two measures:

 

a) In trickles – pour water on him that is thirsty (Isa 44:3); b) In floods – pour floods on dry ground (Isa 44:3).

 

So, the measure of the Holy Spirit that God will pour on you depends on how serious your thirst is. If you are just or moderately thirsty, He will pour His Spirit in trickles on you. If you are desperately thirsty, He will pour out His Spirit in floods on you (Isa. 44:3). 

 

4. Must ASK God for it. You ought to pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. For instance, in Acts 19:1-6 Paul did not tell the disciples there to pray that God would give them the Holy Ghost. The Bible says, “…the Holy Ghost came on them; and THEY SPAKE with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6). 

 

Also, in Acts 8:14-15 the Bible says, “…15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might RECEIVE the Holy Ghost.” The apostles did not pray that God would give them the Holy Ghost. Rather they prayed that these new believers might RECEIVE the Holy Ghost which had already been given on the Day of Pentecost. 

 

Therefore, you are not asking the Lord to give you the Holy Spirit. What you are asking the Lord in prayer at this point is that you want to RECEIVE right now what He has already provided (att. 21:22; Lk. 11:9-13).

 

5. Exercise your faith. How is the promise of the Holy Ghost received? Through faith! (Heb. 11:1; 2 Cor 4:18).

6. Need to realize that you have a part to play (1 Cor. 3:9). God demands co-operation.

7. Should not be afraid of receiving something false if you are Born Again (Lk. 11:11-13). 

8. Should receive the Holy Spirit and speak without any reservation the language He gives (Jn. 7:37-39). 

9. Should not be stingy with pronouncing the utterance the Holy Ghost gives to you. Be bold and voice it out loud enough.

10. Should not speak one word known to your mind (1 Cor. 14:2). 

11. Should not listen to yourself. (1 Cor. 14:2). 

12. Should keep yourself from being distracted. 

As you follow these twelve steps, you’ll immediately receive without tarrying, the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. This Gift is easy to receive. If you are Born Again, you can receive that Gift right now. You don’t have to wait. You are ready now to receive the Holy Ghost. 

 

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rm 10:17). You’ve heard the Word. Faith is acting on the Word that you’ve heard. It is you who must act on the Word. So, I challenge you to act now!

 

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

 

 

• Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor)                        @ the HQs on 31.05.2026