July 2, 2025

EMPOWERMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:4–5 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

In one of Jesus’ final conversations with His disciples before ascending to heaven, He gave a crucial instruction: “Do not leave Jerusalem.” Why? Because something essential was coming— “the gift the Father promised”—the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus contrasts two baptisms here: John’s baptism with water, and a soon-coming baptism with the Holy Spirit. This was not just a symbolic moment—it was the empowering that would launch the early church.

From Scripture, I believe we see three distinct baptisms that every believer should experience on their spiritual journey:

1. Baptism into Christ (Salvation)

This is the moment of salvation—when we repent of our sins and declare Jesus as Lord and Savior. At that point, we are baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit.

“We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body.” — 1 Corinthians 12:13

This first baptism is the inward work of grace, when the Holy Spirit convicts us, draws us to God, and makes us a new creation in Christ.

2. Baptism in Water (Public Declaration)

This is what John the Baptist preached and what the early church practiced. On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 new believers were water baptized (Acts 2:38–41), publicly declaring their faith in Jesus.

Water baptism is not what saves us—but it is the first act of obedience after salvation. It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and our union with Him.

It is a physical act that represents a spiritual truth—our old life is buried, and we rise to live a new life in Christ.

3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Empowerment)

This is the baptism Jesus refers to in Acts 1:5 and what is fulfilled in Acts 2:4: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…”

This baptism is often referred to as being “filled with the Spirit” or when the Spirit “comes upon” someone. It’s not about salvation—it’s about empowerment for living the Christian life and being a witness for Christ.

Even Jesus models this order:

• Conceived by the Spirit (Luke 1:35)

• Baptized in water by John (Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21)

• Anointed/Empowered by the Spirit (Luke 3:22; 4:1, 14)

Jesus did not minister out of His divinity as the Son of God. He did His public ministry through the empowerment of the Spirit. And the same is true for us—we need the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our calling. Jesus even said we can do what He did and even more. 

“The things I do you will do also—and greater things than these.”

— Jesus (John 14:12)

Let’s Receive It All

Why settle for less than what God intends for you? Don’t just stop at salvation. Go public with your faith in water baptism. And seek the empowering baptism of the Holy Spirit.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I want You fully active in my life. I don’t want to live this Christian life in my own intellect or strength. I want Your power, Your guidance, and Your presence. Baptize me afresh. Empower me to live boldly and obediently for You. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”