“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh , but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-5.

When our faith is in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for our strength and power, our faith is in the “method” of our dominion over sin and not in the “means”, which is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.  Before all of you Pentecostals, which I am one, break out your sack cloth and begin throwing dirt, hear me out.  I am a strong advocate of Baptism in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues.  I don’t wish to argue this point with anyone, if you don’t believe in Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues, don’t worry…you won’t get it.  As for me, it is too late to tell me any different, I already have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and I am thankful to the Lord.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8.  When our faith is in the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome sin, we frustrate the work of the Holy Spirit because our faith is in Him (the Holy Spirit) and not in Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit will always point our faith to Jesus and never to Himself.  The law of the Spirit requires our faith in Jesus and Him crucified to make us free from the law of sin and death.  In other words, faith in our works (no matter how holy and righteous), in our self will or even faith in the Holy Spirit will hinder the work of the Holy Spirit.

Many Christian’s believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will give us power to overcome sin, which He will but only when our faith is on Jesus and not the Baptism or Him (Holy Spirit).   Instead of yielding their will to God to overcome their sin nature, they would prefer their sin nature to yield to them through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Again, I stress, I am a big believer in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues, it is the power to witness.  Upon our Salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in our heart.  He does a work in our heart and we are born again. ” Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.   Once we are born again, we are able, through the power of the Holy Spirit but with faith in Jesus and His finished work, to live unto God.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a completely separate experience.  “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matthew 3:11

The mighty power of the Holy Spirit through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is something which is a precious gift to us who believe.  However, the Holy Spirit is grieved when we place our faith in His power and not in the Blood of Jesus…if it wasn’t for the Blood of Jesus, we wouldn’t have the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.  Once, in a Sunday School class, we were told to pray in tongues at least 15 minutes a day.  Being obedient, my husband and I prayed everyday for those 15 minutes or more.  The problem was our faith was placed on our prayer, on what “we” did.  The more we prayed, the more “revelation” we expected.  It was all about what “we” did.  There is nothing in the world wrong with praying in tongues 15 minutes a day BUT when you are doing it to gain something, for spiritual growth, etc. it is works.  My faith was place on my actions which was wrong, wrong, wrong.

“For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.  I encourage everyone who isn’t Baptized with the Holy Spirit to seek the Baptism, read the Book of Acts and get ready.  I also encourage everyone who is Baptized with the Holy Spirit to be sure and not hinder the power of God by placing your faith in the power of the Holy Spirit instead of the Cross of Jesus.  The power of the Holy Spirit WILL set us free from sin and death but we must have our faith in JESUS, who He is and what He has done.  – Donna Clark Warren