The Baptism in the Spirit: The Day the Church Was Born

Jesus had promised: “I will send you the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high” (see Luke 24:49). And the disciples obeyed. They gathered together, shut in a room, praying and waiting. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was with them.

Then came the day of Pentecost. That’s when something incredible happened—something that would change history forever. The Holy Spirit came down with power and baptized the disciples. It was like a mighty wind; tongues of fire rested on each of them, and they began to speak in languages they had never learned. It was a sign that God’s Spirit had truly come to live within them: "There appeared to them tongues like fire, which 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." (Acts 2:3-4 NIV).

That day, the Church was born—and born in the fire of the Spirit. No longer a small, frightened group, but a new people, the “new Israel,” ready to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Peter preached boldly; the crowd listened, their hearts were moved, and they asked, “What must we do?” Peter answered clearly: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NIV)

That very day, three thousand people were baptized in water, and the Holy Spirit began to transform their lives.

This baptism in the Spirit wasn’t just for back then, it’s for every believer today. Jesus promised it, and He is still ready to fulfill that promise… even with you!