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For John baptised with water, but in a few days, you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:5)

Jesus promised the disciples He would send the Holy Spirit, before He left to be with the father. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the spiritual term used for being ‘fully immersed’ in the Spirit’. This equips and empowers us, so we can be more effective in advancing the kingdom, as with the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles. 

You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8) 

It allows God’s Spirit to flow through us in a more powerful and supernatural way. It helps us to hear from God with more clarity and strengthens our connection to Him. This is the gift He desires all his people to have.  Then John gave this testimony: 

“I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain on is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.’  (John 1 :32,33) 

On the day of Pentecost in the upper room, was the first experience of the Holy Spirit coming in power. Jesus had instructed the disciples to wait for this empowerment before they went out to minister. Peter’s ministry became much more effective after this. (Acts 2:38-42).  

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2 1-4) 

When we receive the baptism in the Spirit, we are filled with the Spirit. Although this is a unique experience, we still need to be continually filled. Although Peter had received this empowerment in the upper room, in the prayer meeting he attended in Acts 4, he was again filled with the Holy Spirit.  

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the world of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)

This is a separate experience from the baptism in water, which is being submerged under water for the repentance of sins. When we accept Jesus, we can only do so by the Holy Spirit, we are then ‘sealed’ by the Spirit.  

“I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11) 

When we are ‘fully immersed’ in the Spirit, it is a deeper experience! In the New Testament whenever believers received this empowerment there was evidence. Manifestations were either in power, speaking in tongues, prophesying, in dreams or visions or effectiveness. 

"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days”. (Acts 2:17-18)

The apostle Paul encountered some believers on the road to Ephesus, who had been baptised in water, but had not received the Holy Spirit in the fullness. 

Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So, Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6) 

Even with our greatest efforts we would still not be effective enough for the ministry and service without this empowerment. Jesus received this before He went into the wilderness to be tested and tried by the devil. If He, being perfect needed this empowerment, how much more do we!

'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6) 

Peter encounters a group of believers who had received the Holy Spirit but had not yet been baptised in water. 

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So, he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. 

(Acts 10: 44-48) 

The baptism in the Holy Spirit can be received through impartation, which is ‘the laying on of hands’. The apostles did this on several occasions. Paul placed his hands on the believers in Corinth.  

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6) 

While Philip was in Samaria preaching the gospel, many were baptised in water, but when Peter and John arrived, they laid hands on them, so they could receive the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any them. They had simply been baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14) 

The baptism in the Holy Spirit also opens the door to operating in the spiritual gifts. They are an effective part of ministry. The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts as he wills as they cannot be earned. Paul tells us to eagerly desire the gifts. There are nine spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12: 1 -11 & 14:1-5.  

Barriers to Receiving the Holy Spirit. 

This experience is for all born-again believers. There can be barriers to receiving the higher empowerment of Holy Spirit.

• Sin
• Pride
• Unforgiveness
• Fear
• Unbelief
• Wrong motives
• Unrepentance (not fully surrendered) 
• Occult, New age or Freemason involvement (oaths or practises to be renounced)

The Holy Spirit

Although the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost came in power, like a rushing wind with tongues of fire, after Jesus had been baptised in water, he came down from heaven and descended on Him as a ‘dove’. He is both powerful and gentle. “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. (John 1:32)  

He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16:13) 

The Holy Spirit is one of the trinity; the ‘Spirit of God’ and is personified. In John 16, Jesus referred to him as ‘He or ‘Him’ over ten times. He is also described as:

• The  counsellor
• The  comforter
• The spirit of truth and guide to the truth
• The Spirit of wisdom
• One who convicts of sin 
• A guide
• Advocate
• Helper  

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and in you 

(John 14:16,17)

These spiritual gifts are supernatural signs and manifestations of the Holy Spirit that go beyond our natural abilities and understanding. They equip us for required or certain tasks. Paul tells us to eagerly desire the gifts, as they are for all believers. The nine gifts are all listed in 1 Corinthians 12: 1 -11 & 14: 1-5.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. …..Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 

(1 Corinthians 9-11)

· Word of Wisdom 

· Word of Knowledge  

· Gift of Tongues (Different Kinds)

· Gift of Interpretation 

· Gift of Prophecy 

· Gift of Healings

· Gift of Miracles

· Gift of Faith

· Gift of Discernment (of Spirits)

By using the gifts of the Spirit, Christians can minister to each other and reach out to others. They equip us to be a greater influence in expanding the Kingdom of God. They also expose and destroy the works of the enemy, they are weapons and necessary for spiritual warfare.

· Build up and encourage other believers

· Gives Insight & understanding into God’s will

· Equip & empower

· Strengthen

· Comfort

· Confirmation

· Advance the Gospel

· Glorify God

· Bring down and expose strongholds

· Convict and expose sin

The Holy Spirit can manifest any one of these gifts through a  believer at any time, this can sometimes be a one-off.  The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as he wills,  they cannot be earned. When one of the gifts regularly manifests itself through the same person, we can then say a person has that gift. 

Revelation Gifts   

Word of Knowledge 

Word of Wisdom 

Discernment  

Vocal Gifts

Tongues  

Interpretation 

Prophecy 

Power Gifts

Faith

Miracles

Healing

Word of Wisdom 

This is being led by the Holy Spirit to give a word directly from God, to take a certain direction, or how to act in certain situations, or insight and knowledge into solving a specific problem. 

Word of Knowledge 

This is supernatural revelation given by the Holy Spirit, certain facts are revealed for insight and understanding that could not have been known naturally.

Word of Knowledge and word of Wisdom can work closely together and can be related in a practical way. A word of knowledge gives us facts about a situation,  a word of wisdom would advise us how God wants us to deal with it.

Gift of Tongues 

This is supernatural speech in a language not known to the speaker. It may be in a heavenly language or a language that already exist in the world. This is different from the tongues received when we are baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Gift of Interpretation

This is supernatural power to interpret the speech in tongues (not an actual translation). The Interpreter does not know the language they are interpreting, this is divinely received. The gift of tongues and gift of interpretation work closely together.

Gift of Prophecy 

This is to receive and communicate a message direct from God. It is divinely inspired and anointed speech and  a declaration of things to come in a known language. The Gift of Tongues, when used with the Gift of Interpretation can also be a Prophecy.

Gifts of Healings

This is supernatural and divine healing to set people free and bring them healing physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Gift of Miracles  

This is supernatural power to intervene in a situation with God’s miraculous power, it also counteracts evil forces. This also operates closely with the gifts of faith and healings to bring authority over sin, sickness and impossible situations.

Gift of Faith 

This is a surge of supernatural confidence and a portion of God’s faith for a required task, it is the supernatural ability to believe God in adverse circumstances. It goes beyond normal faith, which we grow in as a believer. This gift can be at work when the gift of miracles and healing are in operation.

Gift of Discernment (Discerning of spirits)

This is supernatural power to detect which spirits are in operation and their activities. It is also spiritual insight and revelation into plans and purposes of the enemy and his spirits. This is also knowing the movement and being aware of what the Holy Spirit is doing in a certain situation.

When operating in the gifts, we have a responsibility to use them in a way that doesn’t grieve the Holy Spirit, and we need to be sensitive to His leading. When we receive a gift, we have the choice to use it, misuse it or not use it at all. Signs and wonders accompany the preaching of the gospel and confirm the truth of God’s word. Jesus performed many miracles and we are encouraged to also, by using the gifts of the Spirit. 

However, signs and wonders themselves do not confirm truth, as not all supernatural signs are from God. Spiritual gifts can be used to deceive, impress, manipulate and dominate. A person’s spiritual gifting is not a reflection of their character. The Bible says you will know them by their fruits, not their gifts!

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:15-16)

When we operate in the supernatural realm, we become vulnerable to deceiving spirits and Satan is very experienced in this area. Paul warns of a false ‘charismatic style’ movement that deceives many in the last days. 

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displaying all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders. (2 Thessalonians: 2: 9-11)

In Matthew 7, Jesus mentions those who operate in their spiritual gifting, but have no relationship with him. 

Many will say to me on that day Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers! (Matthew 7: 21)

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions". (Acts 2:15-17)

On various occasions, God spoke through dreams and visions to his servants, prophets and others. In the Bible, whenever someone had a dream or vision, the meaning was always clear, whether directly to them or through another person. When God speaks through a dream, vision or a prophecy, He always ensures His message is clearly understood. Dreams from God reveal something to us for a purpose. There were times when God spoke clearly, and no interpretation was needed. Some dreams came as warnings. The Bible gives us many examples of dreams Joseph, Pharaoh, Daniel, Jacob, King Nebuchadnezzar and Paul had. Daniel always gave glory to God for giving him the interpretation of a dream, he never took the credit for himself. God is the only one who can provide us with the interpretation of dreams and visions, as we do not have this ability on our own.

Prophetic Dreams

Some dreams were prophetic, more so with Daniel. In a prophetic dream you can see a future event, like Daniel and Joseph. But it is difficult to determine if it is prophetic, as it is only confirmed after it has actually occurred. Joseph’s dreams all came to pass,  Daniel’s dreams and visions covered an extensive period of time and are still being fulfilled today. Daniels visions concerning the end-times are confirmed in Revelation by John’s visions.

Due to our brain’s continual activity, our mind is still active during our sleep. Some dreams we may remember, others may not make any sense. Dreams are often the brain’s way of processing events, fears and concerns, especially if we have an overactive mind. A dream can come from three different realms: 

· From God

· Our subconscious 

· The demonic realm

Abimelech and Abraham’s wife (Genesis 20:3-7)

God spoke clearly in a dream to Abimelech in Genesis 20, warning him not to touch Abraham’s wife, Sarah. 

Jacob’s dream of the ladder (Genesis 28)

While he was dreaming, Jacob saw the vision of a ladder between heaven and earth. Angels were ascending and descending, Jacob saw God standing above the ladder.

Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19)

While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: 

"Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.

Joseph, the son of Jacob, was his father’s favourite son who was born from Rachel, which aroused the jealousy of his other 11 brothers. Joseph had two dreams.

Joseph’s Dreams of Wheat Sheaves (Genesis 37:5–11)

Joseph’s first dream was that he and his  brothers were binding sheaves of wheat in the field. When Joseph’s sheaf stood upright, his brothers then bowed down to it. In another dream the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowed down to Joseph. He told his father and his brothers of the dream, which aroused even more jealousy. His brothers called him ‘the dreamer’. Many years later, we read how Joseph dreams was fulfilled. 

The Cup-bearer & The Baker (Genesis 40)

Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker both had dreams while in prison the same time as Joseph. The cupbearer had a dream he found three branches from a grapevine and squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup. The baker had a dream that three baskets on his head were filled with cakes, but the birds were eating from the top of the basket. Joseph interpreted both dreams. In three days, the cupbearer would be restored to his position, but the baker would be executed, which came to pass.

Pharaoh’s dream of feast and famine (Genesis 41:1–36)

Two years after Joseph had interpreted the cupbearer’s dream, he was remembered and requested to interpret a dream that Pharaoh had. Pharaoh dreamt of seven ugly, thin cows eating seven plump, healthy cows. He then dreamed of seven thin ears of grain eating seven full ears. Joseph told Pharaoh both his dreams were the same message from God: The land of Egypt would have seven prosperous years, followed by seven years of severe famine. Joseph also advised Pharaoh to stockpile during the years of plenty, for the seven years of future famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of  all this. God had chose dream interpretation as a way of leading Joseph into a position of authority, he became second in command to Pharaoh. Joseph’s brothers and father came under his authority when they came all the way from Canaan to purchase grain during the 7-years of severe famine.

Gideon and the Midianite’s  (Judges 7:13–14)

God chose Gideon to raise and lead his army to conquer the Midianites, but God cut back the Israelites to a small army of only 300 men. To strengthen and encourage Gideon, God sent him to the edge of the enemy’s camp where he overheard two soldiers. One dreamt a loaf of barley bread rolled into their camp and flattened a tent. The other soldier then interpreted the dream to mean that the Israelites were going to defeat them. Gideon was encouraged on hearing this, he followed God’s instructions and the dream was fulfilled.

“God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands” (Judges 7:14)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a statue (Daniel 2)

King Nebuchadnezzar demanded his wise men to reveal to him his dream as well as its interpretation, they were unable to do so. After seeking God, God gave Daniel both the dream and interpretation. The king’s dream was the statue of a man which had the head of gold, chest and arms of silver, a body and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. A stone, not cut from any human hands, struck the feet of the statue, the statue crumbled, and the stone became the ‘mighty mountain’. Daniel revealed that each part of the statue represented the four earthly kingdoms that would be in power till the time of Christ’s return. The gold head represented Babylon, the chest and arms of silver was the Mede-Persian, the thighs were Greece, the legs were the Roman Empire. The feet and legs both contain iron. The final kingdom will be the Antichrist’s. The stone is Jesus, he destroys all the earthly kingdoms before his kingdom is established.

Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts (Daniel 7:1–8)

Daniel had several dreams and visions of the end-times, some he did not understand. A messenger from heaven interpreted the vision of four beasts emerging from the sea,  which represented four kings rising from the earth,  Daniel 7:17 (from Nebuchadnezzar’s statue). A lion with eagles’ wings; bear with three ribs in its teeth, leopard with four wings and four heads,  the final beast with iron teeth and ten horns.  The lion was King Nebuchadnezzar; the bear was a Mede-Persian Empire, the leopard was the Greek Empire torn in four; the last is the Roman Empire with ten horns extended from it, symbolic of ten world leaders from the final revived Roman Empire.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream of a Tree (Daniel 4)
Nebuchadnezzar had a second dream more disturbing than his first. The King saw a tree, chopped down and stripped of its leaves and fruit, only the stump was left and was bound with iron and bronze. Daniel interpreted the dream to the King. It was a warning in which God would strike Nebuchadnezzar with insanity due to his pride. For seven years, King Nebuchadnezzar lived like an animal in a field. After being humbled, the King was eventually restored to his right mind and his position, after which he acknowledged Daniel’s God.

Belshazzar, The Hand Writing on the Wall (Daniel 5:5)

Belshazzar became King after Nebuchadnezzar. During a great feast with his guests, they were drinking out of the gold and silver goblets that had been brought from the Jerusalem temple. The fingers of a man’s  hand super-naturally appeared and wrote on the wall of the king’s palace, but the message needed interpreted. On seeing the hand writing on the wall, Belshazzar’s knees knocked in fear. Belshazzar called for his wise men to read the writing and interpret it, but they were unable to. The queen told the king of the man named ‘Daniel’ “in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God” who had previously interpreted the dreams for Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall which meant that Belshazzar’s kingdom would be taken from him soon and fall to the Medes and Persians.

Nightmares & Bad Dreams

Nightmares are disturbing and can bring an emotional and physical response: distress, anxiety, fear or horror, racing heart, sweating, wakened screaming or sobbing. Eating certain food before sleep can trigger nightmares, horror movies, medication, drugs or alcohol. Bad dreams can come from unhealed emotions, trauma or stress. New-age items also carry a demonic influence which can affect dreams. The demonic realm still attempts to attack our mind during our sleep, just as much as when we are awake and alert. Praying is an effective way to bring peace to our mind and heart or reading a Psalm before going to sleep. 

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8)

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream “his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him” (Daniel 2:1).  Daniel was greatly disturbed by the vision in which he had received from God.

"I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me” (Daniel 7:15)