Part 2-1: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Bibile Reading:

Matthew 3:11 — "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Act 1:5,8 — "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now....But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit 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 8:14-17 — "Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."

Acts 9:3, 4, 17 — "As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'... And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'”

Acts 19:1-7 — "And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said to them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John’s baptism.' Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all."

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 — "Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,"

Zeal for Your House Consumes Me

When the Lord Jesus was twelve years old, He said, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). Though simple, this statement reveals the heart of heaven—that we, as children of God, should care deeply about the Church of the living God. If the Church is not revived, if the spiritual lives of brothers and sisters are stagnant, if God's work is not advancing, and yet you and I can go on eating, drinking, and living peacefully as if nothing is wrong, then our spiritual condition is seriously flawed! If our spiritual condition were normal, then upon seeing the Church in decline, our hearts would be troubled, filled with remorse, self-reproach, and a deep sense of guilt toward both people and the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, if we have received mercy, we will have the heart of Jesus Christ. When the Lord was on earth, He saw the temple in desolation—people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and exchanging money inside. He drove out all those who were buying and selling, overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Matthew 21:13). This fulfilled what was written in Psalm 69:9: “Because zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” Truly, the Lord Jesus was passionately devoted to God’s house throughout His life. Likewise, if our hearts do not burn with anguish when the Church is in ruin, we have already fallen!

Let me ask: Can we remain unmoved by the great grace of the Lord Jesus, who saved us from sin and death, and by His immense love in shedding His blood and giving His life for us? When we are personally cold, our families lose their testimony, and the Church is desolate—can we still live as if nothing is wrong? Can we sit, drink, and play, ignoring the matters of the Church? No, no! We must rise up! Our hearts should be like the Lord Jesus—“zeal for Your house has eaten Me up”—until we see the Church revived, family testimonies restored, and individuals greatly blessed. Only then will we find true rest in the Lord, boldness before the Father, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Brings the Fire of Revival

Since we ought to care about the revival of the Church, can we rely solely on fervent zeal, coupled with an indomitable and fearless spirit? Should we strive and labor for the work of revival, even to the point of sacrifice? No—revival is absolutely not something that human effort can accomplish. There is no one who can single-handedly revive the Church, and there is no method that can restore it. Only the mighty work of God, the outstretched arm of the Lord, and the limitless power of the Holy Spirit can bring true revival to the Church. Church history clearly shows us that every genuine revival has always been the result of the Holy Spirit’s work.

Given this, does it mean we bear no responsibility? Certainly not. The fire of revival from heaven is meant to be given to us (to come upon us). God desires to use us so that, through us, the Church may be revived. That’s why, during this gathering on Mount Baguio, we’ve been speaking about the seven instances of fire in the Bible and how each brought revival to God’s people. Especially the final one—the fire of Pentecost—is the most concrete and evident. In the upcoming meetings, if the Lord wills, we will continue to speak on the fire of Pentecost.

Acts chapter 1 records that when the disciples asked Jesus about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, He pointed them to a more important matter—the revival of His witness. He replied: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit 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). From this verse, we clearly see: the source of revival is from heaven, and the means of revival is the Holy Spirit. Apart from the Holy Spirit, there is no other way for the Church to be revived. In other words, the descent of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of revival in the Church. Therefore, the key to revival lies in the Holy Spirit coming upon us. When the Holy Spirit is poured out and we are baptized in the Spirit, we are immediately revived by the Lord. So as we speak again of the fire of revival, we must first speak of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

However, this topic has stirred much controversy and debate over the years—even leading to mutual attacks. Therefore, before we delve into the main subject, a word of caution is necessary.

Let Go of Prejudices and Subjectivity; Set Aside Traditional Teachings and Old Mindsets

Whenever the topic of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is touched upon, it often stirs up much controversy. The main reason is a lack of personal experience, coupled with having received too many inaccurate teachings and doctrines in the past. As a result, people hold deep-rooted prejudices and subjective views toward the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Living under the influence of outdated traditions and concepts becomes a major hindrance to receiving the baptism of the Spirit.

For example, when we invite a non-believer to hear the gospel, not only do they resist, but they may also claim that their religious founder was born earlier than Jesus. They might believe their scriptures are more profound and not as simple as the Bible. This is because they already possess preconceived notions rooted in old religious traditions, which prevent the light of the gospel from penetrating their hearts—becoming a major obstacle to their salvation. In the same way, many people hold onto old ideas, doctrines, teachings, and inherited traditions regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These preconceived notions cloud their minds and thoughts, preventing the Word of God from entering clearly and justly to become their personal experience.

Therefore, before we listen to this message, we must first ask God to show us mercy—to open the eyes of our hearts, to help us lay down our prejudices and subjectivity, and to set aside traditional teachings and concepts. We must return simply to the Word of God, adopting a posture of humility and grace. Whatever is found in the Bible, we must fully accept; whatever is not found in Scripture, we must resolutely reject. This is the basic attitude we ought to have. Now, let us return to the main topic: the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a Life Experience after Rebirth

Today, many Christians, having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with a measure of faith, become content and assume they are already spiritual. Some even unknowingly grow proud, thinking they’ve reached a high level. But in reality, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is merely the starting point on the path of revival—there is still a deeper journey of life ahead. On the other hand, there’s another group of Christians who hold the opposite view. They believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit has little to do with spiritual growth. Some even go so far as to say that it not only lacks relevance to life experience but may actually hinder it. This, of course, is another form of misunderstanding. In truth, if we humbly return to God’s Word and seek the Lord’s illumination, we will see that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a vital life experience that follows rebirth. Of course, there are believers like those in Cornelius’s household who experienced rebirth and the baptism of the Holy Spirit simultaneously.

1. The Testimony of John the Baptist

   When John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord, came forth, he bore three distinct testimonies about Jesus. First, he said: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This was a testimony that Jesus is our Savior, bearing our sins. Next, he testified: “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:33–34). John not only testified that Jesus is the Savior—the Lamb of God—but also that He is the Son of God. Then he gave a third testimony: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11).

   Therefore, from our own spiritual experience, we not only believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God who bore our sins on the cross; we also believe, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, that He is the Son of God. But we must likewise accept John’s third testimony: that Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was crucified as the Lamb of God to bring about our regeneration. His resurrection and ascension resulted in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so that we might receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit—this is a post-rebirth experience. Therefore, we must not only accept the first and second testimonies that John gave about the Lord; we must also accept the third. In other words, all three of John’s testimonies about Jesus are meant to be received.

2. The Lord Jesus Promised the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to Born-Again Disciples

   After the Lord Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, He spent forty days speaking to His disciples about the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. During that time, He also breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22). From this, we understand that the disciples had already been born again and saved. This is why, later in life, Peter wrote in his epistle: “...has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3).

   Although the disciples had already been born again and received the Holy Spirit before Jesus’ ascension, He still told them: “but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5). And indeed, after the Lord Jesus ascended, the disciples gathered in Jerusalem and prayed for ten days. Then the Holy Spirit was poured out and filled the 120 who were present—they were all baptized with the Holy Spirit. This clearly shows that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as promised by the Lord Jesus, is meant to be experienced by those who have already been born again.

3. The Lord’s Disciples Received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit After Being Born Again

   Not only was the Lord Jesus’ promise fulfilled, but the disciples’ experience confirmed it as well. After being born again and saved, they witnessed Jesus’ ascension and His exaltation by God as the Christ. Then they returned to Jerusalem and prayed for ten days. On the Day of Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and experienced the baptism of the Spirit.

   The Apostle Paul had a similar experience. When he encountered the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, he fell to the ground and spent three days without eating or drinking, in sorrow and repentance. It was clear that he had been saved and born again. That’s why he later wrote in Galatians 1:`15-16, “But when it pleased God...to reveal His Son in me.” When did Paul receive this revelation of the Son of God? It was on the road to Damascus, when Jesus appeared to him. At that moment, he received the vision of the ascended Christ—a vision he never disobeyed for the rest of his life. But Scripture doesn’t stop there. After Paul received the revelation of the Son of God and was born again, the Lord sent Ananias to lay hands on him so that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul was not only saved and born again—he also needed to receive the baptism (filling) of the Holy Spirit. This is clearly recorded in Scripture. Even though Paul had already encountered the Lord on the road to Damascus, had been born again, received a divine vision, had a clear spiritual goal, and had received a specific commission from the Lord—laying a solid spiritual foundation—the Lord still sent Ananias to lay hands on him so that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive the baptism of the Spirit.

4. The Apostles Helped Born-Again Disciples Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

   Let us now consider the work of Peter, John, and the other apostles. They not only led people to be born again and saved, but they also guided them further to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This truth is illustrated through several examples in the book of Acts, which records the history of the Church—its birth, development, expansion, and how the testimony of the Lord spread and grew from the very beginning.

   First, we see Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost. He not only preached about Jesus but also spoke of the Holy Spirit. He said: “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” (Acts 2:32–33). He then continued: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). That day, those who received his word were saved, baptized, and received the Holy Spirit. About three thousand souls were added to the Church. His message reached its climax with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—the baptism of the Spirit.

   Later, when persecution came upon the church in Jerusalem, the disciples were scattered and preached the gospel in various places. Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ, and signs and wonders followed him. Because of the casting out of demons and healing of the sick, the whole city rejoiced greatly. The people believed the gospel and were born again; both men and women were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:1–8). When this news reached Jerusalem, the apostles sent Peter and John to Samaria to help these believers who had already been born again and baptized. The two apostles laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

   Brothers and sisters, the believers in Samaria were born again, baptized in water, and had signs and wonders following them—healings and deliverance from demons. Yet they still lacked one thing: they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. So Peter and John came and laid hands on them, and they received the Spirit. This is recorded in Scripture and clearly shows that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a post-rebirth experience.

   Let us also look at Paul. He himself was filled with the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by Ananias. Years later, while fulfilling his ministry, Paul was sent by the Lord to Ephesus, where he met some disciples. His first question to them was: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They replied: “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” (Acts 19:2). It was then discovered that they had received John’s baptism. Paul preached the gospel to them, and they believed in Jesus. He then baptized them, but the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon them. So Paul laid hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them; they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all (Acts 19:5–6). Thus, the disciples in Ephesus were not only born again and baptized, but they also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a further step. This event occurred more than twenty years after Pentecost.

   Therefore, it is clear that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a life experience that follows rebirth. A person who is born again and transformed must still go further to receive the baptism of the Spirit. This is the biblical order and the normal leading of the Holy Spirit.

5. The Israelites Were Baptized in the Cloud

   1 Corinthians chapter 10 records the story of the Israelites coming out of Egypt and crossing the Red Sea. First, they observed the Passover, then crossed the Red Sea, journeyed through the wilderness, and finally entered the land of Canaan. This sequence serves as a spiritual typology of the Christian journey. The Passover represents receiving Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and be born again. Crossing the Red Sea represents water baptism. The wilderness journey represents the experience of the cross. Entering Canaan represents attaining the fullness of Christ.

   Among these typologies, there is one point often overlooked: when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, Scripture says, “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” (1 Corinthians 10:1–2). Moses is a type of Christ. The Israelites were baptized through the sea and the cloud—into Christ. Today, most churches accept the typology of passing through the sea as representing water baptism, but they often neglect the typology of passing under the cloud, which represents the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Scripture, the cloud symbolizes the Holy Spirit, and the pillar of cloud also represents the Spirit. (The pillar of fire symbolizes the Word of God.) The Israelites left Egypt by passing through the sea—symbolizing our water baptism—and also passed under the cloud—symbolizing the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Afterward, they journeyed through the wilderness, which typifies the path of the cross.

6. The Order of the New Testament

   Looking at the arrangement of the New Testament, it begins with the four Gospels, followed by the Acts of the Apostles, then the Epistles, and finally the Book of Revelation. This sequence also serves as a spiritual typology of the believer’s journey. The four Gospels reveal Jesus Christ to us, leading us to experience regeneration and salvation. The Book of Acts reveals the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing forth the testimony of Christ, the birth and development of the Church, and leading us into the fullness of the Spirit—beginning with the baptism of the Spirit, followed by obedience to the Spirit, and continuing with various experiences of the Spirit. Next come the Epistles, which guide us into experiencing Christ as life, and through the cross, allow Christ to be formed within us. Finally, the Book of Revelation represents the attainment of full spiritual maturity — the complete manifestation of Christ’s fullness and testimony. Thus, the order of the New Testament clearly shows us that the baptism and work of the Holy Spirit are life experiences that follow rebirth.

Different Terms for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

In the Word of God, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is referred to by several different terms, all describing the same spiritual reality. From an experiential perspective, when we first encounter the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and are filled with Him, Scripture refers to it as “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5), or “baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11), or “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), or “the Promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4), or “the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8), or “pouring out of the Spirit” (Acts 2:17, 33), or “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). These are all different expressions describing the same event.

However, after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, when similar experiences continue to occur, Scripture no longer uses the term “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Just as we are baptized in water only once—not daily—the baptism of the Spirit is also a one-time event. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a person again, Scripture often refers to it as being “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8, 31). Throughout the book of Acts, we see multiple references to both the baptism and the filling of the Holy Spirit, underscoring His vital role in the life and ministry of the Church.

The Blessings Brought by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We already understand that God not only desires His people to be born again, but also to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that they may partake of greater spiritual blessings. Therefore, we would like to briefly mention a few of the blessings that the baptism of the Holy Spirit brings to the saints.

1. Receiving Power to Witness for the Lord

   When a person receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they are empowered, revived, and become a witness for the Lord. Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit 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.” This is revival. If a Christian never reads the Bible, doesn’t pray, dislikes fellowship, and is spiritually weak and lifeless, how can they be a witness for the Lord? But when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they receive power, become a witness, and are revived. How wonderful!

   Once, I spoke with a brother about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He said that today’s Christians often become chaotic when they receive the Spirit—they can’t remain quiet or orderly—so he wasn’t very supportive of it. I replied: When Christians are baptized in the Spirit, they experience joy and release in their spirit, and their voices naturally become louder. Yes, it may seem chaotic at first, but it’s only a temporary expression. Soon it settles down, and there’s nothing to worry about.

   Even if we take a step back and admit there’s a bit of disorder, it’s still better than being spiritually dead. Ask yourself: is it better to be cold, lifeless, and dull—or to be lively, fervent, and perhaps a little messy? And the so-called disorder is only temporary. With a little patience, it passes. Is it better to have lifeless meetings all year long, where no friends come to gospel meetings, believers are backsliding, self-centered, and indifferent to souls, and even the ministry feels burdensome, joyless, and reluctant? Or is it better to be filled with the Holy Spirit, burning with passion, joyfully and willingly serving, leaping forward to serve with gladness—even if the order isn’t perfect, the spirit is vibrant and far better than dull routine! Moreover, when we walk in the law of the Spirit, there will be order and the rich presence of the Lord. Isn’t that the best of both worlds? The brother agreed with me after hearing this.

   Not long ago, I read a report in a Christian publication about the revival in Brazil. We know that around the world, some of the Lord’s servants are being greatly used. During evangelistic meetings, many people express a desire to receive salvation. On the surface, it looks like revival. But after the meetings, those who wanted to believe are scattered among various churches, and within a year or two—where are they? Most have returned to loving the world, and they’re nowhere to be found. Today, it’s not about how many hear the gospel, but how many truly love the Lord and walk in His way. In contrast, the report from Brazil deeply moved me. Over the past thirty years, more than one million people have been saved. And these weren’t people who believed and then disappeared—they continued attending meetings, pursuing the Lord, and leading others to salvation. They didn’t invite famous evangelists. So how did so many come to Christ? It was one person leading another. I came alive, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and led you to salvation. You were filled with the Spirit and led someone else. As a result, their gatherings—according to the report—have meeting halls that hold at least 4,000 people, and some up to 20,000, requiring multiple sessions. On Sundays and Wednesdays, police are dispatched to manage traffic due to the overwhelming number of people and vehicles. These are people walking in the way of the Spirit, experiencing revival through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and full of power to be witnesses for the Lord.

2. Maintaining a Life Full of the Holy Spirit

   After receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it becomes easier to continue being filled with the Spirit and to maintain a life full of the Holy Spirit. In the Pentecostal church, thousands believed in Jesus, shared all things in common, and faced many practical responsibilities. So they appointed seven deacons to oversee the distribution of food. Scripture tells us that those chosen to serve as deacons were “men full of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:3). Not apostles, but those managing meals and handling affairs had to be full of the Spirit—this reflects a church that meets God’s standard. The Church is not a social organization; it must be entirely spiritual, governed from heaven and led by the heavenly Christ. How does Christ, the Head, govern the Church? Through the Holy Spirit. Without receiving the baptism of the Spirit and maintaining a Spirit-filled life, one cannot easily discern the Spirit’s guidance or understand the will of the Head. That’s why even those serving food had to be full of the Holy Spirit. While managing meals, Stephen was full of the Spirit, and he remained so even to the point of martyrdom.

   To become a person full of the Holy Spirit, one must first receive the baptism of the Spirit. Once the inner person is opened, it becomes possible to maintain a Spirit-filled life. It’s like digging a well—once the spring is found, water begins to flow upward. Though stones, mud, or debris may later fall in and temporarily block the flow, once those obstructions are cleared, the water springs up again. Likewise, someone baptized in the Spirit may occasionally be hindered by sin or worldly distractions. But when they return to the Lord in repentance, the blood of Jesus cleanses them, and they immediately return to a Spirit-filled life.

   Brothers and sisters, a person full of the Holy Spirit not only fulfills their ministry, but in these last days, they can confidently and fearlessly welcome the return of Christ—like the five wise virgins in Matthew 25. In terms of enjoying complete salvation, a Spirit-filled person is not only filled in spirit, but their soul and body are also possessed by the Holy Spirit. All sin, sickness, and corruption in spirit, soul, and body are removed, and the whole person becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

3. Living Out the Reality of the Body of Christ

   1 Corinthians 12:13 says: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” This clearly states that we are baptized by one Spirit into one body and have all drunk of one Spirit. When we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit immerses us into Himself and joins us into the body of Christ, enabling us to live out the reality of the body. To drink of one Spirit means the Holy Spirit dwells within us. The result of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that we become one body, and thus the reality of Christ’s body is expressed. Through the baptism of the Spirit, we are made one body—no longer divided by “you” and “me,” but loving one another and living in unity before the Lord as a testimony of the body.

   Brothers and sisters, after receiving the baptism of the Spirit, when we love one another, the bond we experience is not something human hands can produce. It is the reality of the body of Christ, where the richness of Christ is experienced within His body.

4. The Growth of Faith

   After a person receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, something remarkable happens—their faith begins to grow, and it increases significantly. The book of Acts connects great faith with being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 6:5 says, “Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” Acts 11:24 says, “Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Wherever the Holy Spirit fills, great faith follows. I am naturally a person prone to doubt and lacking in faith. When I see someone behaving a certain way, I start imagining things; when I see someone else, I begin to suspect something else. Because of this constant guessing and doubting, I often sleep poorly. If I get sick, I rush to the doctor; if my child gets sick, I hurry to find medical help. But over the past six or seven years, as I’ve frequently been filled with the Holy Spirit, faith has come to me in a mysterious way. Not only do I no longer rush to the doctor for myself, but when I see brothers and sisters fall ill, I help them pray—and even lay hands on them in the name of the Lord, praying for healing. It’s not that seeking medical help is wrong, but rather that faith in the Lord has come, and my dependence on Him has grown greatly.

   Brothers and sisters, this kind of faith is hard to have before receiving the baptism of the Spirit, but it becomes much easier afterward. Being filled with the Holy Spirit results in a great increase in faith.

5. Bringing in the Authority of the Holy Spirit

   We must highlight an even more important point: after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it becomes easier to maintain spiritual authority—that is, to bring in the authority of the Holy Spirit. The most precious reality in the Church today is Christ as the Head and the Holy Spirit in authority. This is the normal condition of a revived Church. Wherever Christ loses His place as Head and the Holy Spirit loses His authority, the result is inevitable desolation. Only when Christ is truly Lord and Head—sending the Holy Spirit to govern the Church—will the Church be filled with spiritual authority. That is the Church that is revived, strong, and victorious.

   But for the authority of the Holy Spirit to be established, He must use the baptism of the Spirit to break through all the blockages in the Church. Our flesh is full of personal opinions, methods, ideas, cleverness, pride, arrogance, narrowness, and self-centeredness. We are full of hindrances—how can Christ be Lord in such a condition? On the other hand, wherever the Holy Spirit has His rightful place, that is where Christ reigns. And wherever Christ reigns, His measure is greatest—that is the most spiritual Church. So the key to whether a Church is spiritual lies in whether the Holy Spirit is in authority. If we want to be filled with the Spirit and see His authority established, we must first be broken. Our flesh, natural life, and self must fall—then the Holy Spirit can fill us and take charge. Whether in personal life, church gatherings, ministry, administration, or decision-making, the Holy Spirit must be in authority. When we receive the baptism of the Spirit, it is the breaking of self that brings forth the authority of the Spirit.

   At Pentecost, about 120 disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, and then 3,000 more were filled. They shared all things in common, signs and wonders followed, and the Church was full of the authority of the Spirit. At that time, Ananias and Sapphira tried to deceive the Holy Spirit, and Peter immediately discerned it. Because he was a man governed by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and walking in spiritual authority. A spiritual person discerns all things, so Peter rebuked Ananias, who fell down and died on the spot. When his wife Sapphira came in, Peter rebuked her as well, and she also fell at his feet and died. That was a Church full of the authority of the Holy Spirit.

   Today, we may not see such dramatic events, but in a Spirit-governed Church, any believer who enters with sin will face God’s judgment. Those who serve, if they carry hidden sin in their hearts and enter such a Church, may experience spiritual death—and even physical illness. That is a Church where the Holy Spirit reigns. But the entry point is still the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Only then can the Spirit move freely and rule within the Church. May we all receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and bring the authority of the Spirit into the Church.

6. Ushering in Spiritual Revival

   Isaiah 32:15 says, “Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest.” The wilderness, originally a barren land incapable of producing anything to meet human needs, is transformed into a fertile field through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The mention of a fruitful field easily reminds us of what the Lord Jesus said about good soil—yielding fruit thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold—representing the abundant harvest of spiritual life. As for the phrase “the fruitful field is counted as a forest,” it speaks not of a few scattered trees, but of a flourishing forest. This points to a thriving spiritual life—the fullness of Christ’s life—brought about by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

   Verse 16 continues: “Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.” Both justice and righteousness refer to Christ, describing the scene of His reigning authority. Every time the Holy Spirit is poured out, it ushers in the kingship of Christ. This is the unchanging principle of spiritual revival in the Church.

   Verse 17 adds: “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” This reveals that when Christ reigns, He brings peace and stability—unshaken, secure, and victorious. These are all depictions of spiritual revival, brought forth through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. May the ascended Christ pour out His Spirit abundantly upon God’s people, that the Church may experience an unprecedented revival.

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