Baptism in the Holy Spirit scriptures     Luke24:47-49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 1Cor14:2; Luke 11:9-13

Activity: read the scriptures on baptism above, and answer the questions. All the above scriptures should be read together, with 6 volunteers taking one scripture each, and a short pause after each one.

Questions on Baptism of the Holy Spirit

1. What did Jesus tell the disciples to do prior to going out to preach the Gospel?
2. What is the main purpose of receiving the filling by the Holy Spirit?
3. How did Peter and his companions know that the Romans they were sharing with received the Holy Spirit?
4. Does the Holy Spirit language of tongues normally enable the speaker to be understood by someone of another language?
5. Is Baptism by the Holy Spirit available to everyone?
6. How are you going to put these scriptures into practice?
7. Who are you going to share them with?

2. How Paul trained new believers – Acts 19:1-7

Activity: Read Acts 19:1-7 and discuss the following questions.

1. What steps did some people take to become a Jesus follower in New Testament times?
2. What about today? Should we do the same?
3. Was anyone unable to speak in tongues?
4. How will this passage make a difference to your ministry?

3. Practical – Pray for everyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit.[1]

Note: words in italics are guidelines on what to say during ministry.

Introduction

 There are 3 common categories of people who have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit:

1)      Never been prayed for previously.

1)      Have been prayed for but, “Nothing happened!”

1)      Started speaking in tongues but thought it was, “Just me making it up.”

General guidelines

1.    Relate your experiences of how you were filled, and how praying in the Spirit has helped you. 
2.   Give testimonies of how the gifts of the Spirit have blessed others either through you or other   

  Christians.

1.   If there are others present who may have experienced the Gifts, invite them to give testimonies

  as well.

1.   Depending on how many need prayer, have others assist you, two with each person.

Personal ministry guidelines

 Imagine an empty glass and we fill it to overflowing. That’s what happens when we pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. You will be filled with God’s power but there will be an overflow. A supernatural gift of a strange language will flow out from you. We call it a heavenly language. It’s what the Bible refers to as tongues. I want to give you an example of this.

Pray just loud enough for them to hear. Don’t frighten them with a loud outburst.

What you say will not necessarily be the same language as mine.  God will give you your own special language.

If you can, give a couple of examples of different tongues.

The Bible says “…when you pray believe that you receive and you shall have…”.

After you pray I am going to lay my hands on you. At that point, just like the water being poured into the cup, I want you to believe that you receive an overflow and begin to speak in your new heavenly language.

Have them say a prayer something like this…

“Heavenly Father, I realize I need your power to help me and enable me to bless others.  I now ask You Jesus to fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit.  As hands are laid upon me, I will believe I’ve received begin to speak in tongues by faith.”

Lay hands on each one as you say; “Be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Then say;

“You now have the power to speak in tongues.  As I pray for in tongues, I want you to pray in tongues with me.”

Begin to pray in tongues in a normal tone.  Speaking too loudly can distract them. However, speaking too softly may make them feel that they are being put ‘on the spot’.

Most people will receive Baptism. However, there are some who may need further encouragement.

Extra Tips:

1.    Realize sometimes people can feel under pressure or nervous.  Be patient and allow a couple of

   minutes for them to start.

1.    If they say a couple of words or even one word encourage them by saying,    “That’s it…you’re

   getting it… keep going.”

1.    If they start very softly, after a while, encourage them to speak louder.
2.    After they are speaking fluently, realize a further encouragement is needed.  The enemy will be,  

  or is about to flood their minds with thoughts like…“you’re making this up” or “it’s only you.”

1.   Assure them that you heard what they were saying and you know it was from God.
2.   Encourage them to continue in the car, shower, bed etc. knowing that it is building them up.     (1Cor. 14:4)

FAILURE TO SPEAK IN TONGUES

Idealistically everyone should speak in tongues.  Realistically this does not always happen. By far the majority of those you pray for will be successful.  However, because of fear, traditional teaching or past activities, some may be initially hindered from speaking in tongues.  Depending on the circumstances, you can either organize to take these ones aside and go through the following possibilities or do it at some other time. This is best done one on one.

Following are possible problems and their solutions*:

1.    Inability to speak in faith.
2.    Speaking in tongues is not for everyone.
3.    They were filled with the Holy Spirit when they received Jesus.
4.    Fear of receiving false tongues.
5.    Lack of self worth.
6.    Satanic links.
7.    Nervousness.

To save time it’s easiest to simply to ask the person which (if any) of these seven could be a deterrent.

Have you any fears or concerns about speaking in tongues in any of these areas?

 *See Part 2 for more details on the above 7 problems and ministry suggestions for dealing with them.

C. Trainees’ Practice time (40 mins)

1. Pray for everyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit (continued)

Continue to pray for everyone to be filled.

2. Role-play, goal setting and prayer

Participants role-play giving the lesson and praying for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Role play going over the reasons some people are not speaking in tongues yet.

Set goals for evangelism and pray for the coming week. Everyone should have a new power to be Jesus’ witnesses now they are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

Memory verse: Acts 1:8

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.