Fruitful Living
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:5
INTRODUCTION
The baptism Of the HOLY SPIRIT may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the body of Christ at the moment of salvation.
The baptism In the HOLY SPIRIT is a gift God wants us to have. Jesus said that this gift is a promise from God the Father to all who truly purpose to follow Christ and fulfil their part in the mission to spread His message.
BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT THE BAPTISM
God’s Word teaches the following about the Baptism In The Holy Spirit:
1. The baptism in the Spirit is for all who have accepted Christ’s forgiveness and given control of their lives to Him. Such people have been “born again” spiritually. God’s Spirit has come to live within them to transform their lives, redevelop their character and guide them into God’s purposes. Receiving the Holy Spirit in this way (at the point of spiritual salvation), however, is not the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
2. One of the goals of Christ’s earthly mission was to baptise His followers in the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples that one of the main reasons He had to leave them shortly after His resurrection was so that the Holy Spirit would come and be with them from then in; “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you.” – John 16:5-7.
The Spirit’s constant presence is that important. Before He left the earth to return to heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples not to begin their mission of spreading His message throughout the world until they were baptised in the Holy Spirit and “clothed with power from on high”. “And now I wills send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” – Luke 24:49. Jesus Christ Himself did not begin His public ministry until He had been “anointed… with the Holy Spirit and power”.
To be anointed means to be set apart, commissioned and empowered for service. To be baptised suggests being “immersed”. Like Jesus, we must be immersed (completely soaked or saturated) and empowered by God’s Spirit so we can continue His mission of spreading the good news about forgiveness and new life through faith in Him.
3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a work of the Spirit that is distinct and separate from spiritual birth (salvation). On the day of Christ’s resurrection, He breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22), giving them new life spiritually. Then later He told them they must also be “clothed with power” by the Holy Spirit. For the disciples, this experience clearly followed their spiritual “birth” which came by faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible describes a similar sequence of events following the spiritual salvation of the group mentioned in Acts 8:14-17: “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 19:1-7, the disciples in Ephesus, who had accepted the message of Christ and were baptised in water, then received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and prophesying. Yet, the fact is that a person can be “born again” or “saved” spiritually – which means that the Holy Spirit lives within them – but still not be baptised in the Holy Spirit.
4. To be baptised in the Spirit means to be “filled with the Holy Spirit”. The word “baptise” actually means to immerse or to dip into; but since the Spirit works within a person, baptism in the Spirit implies an overflow of the Spirit.
For example, a person who receives spiritual salvation is like a container that was once empty being filled with fresh clean water. Like the container, the person is no longer empty, but has the Holy Spirit living inside. Then the baptism in the Holy Spirit is like pouring more clean water into the container until it overflows from within. A person who is baptised in the Spirit becomes saturated and immersed with God’s presence to the point that it spills out of his or her life and is so evident that it influences others. The specific experience of being baptised with the Holy Spirit occurred only at and after Pentecost.
For those who were described as filled with the Spirit before Pentecost, Luke does not use the term “baptised” in the Holy Spirit. “for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied” – Luke 1:15, 67. This would occur only after Christ left the earth and returned to heaven.
5. In the book of Acts, the initial outward sign or physical evidence that a believer had been baptised in the Spirit was that they spoke in other tongues as the Spirit prompted them, or gave them the ability and the words to speak. Speaking in tongues involves a language that the speaker has never learned, although it may be a language spoken somewhere on earth. However, it may also be a heavenly language – unknown to anyone on earth. Whether the language is understandable to the hearers or is like no other language on earth, it is a means of communicating with and expressing praise to God. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is linked so closely with the outward expression of speaking in tongues that this should be considered a normal sign when receiving this baptism.
Some think that this powerful experience, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, was only as a sign to help get the early church started. But the purpose was not just to get people’s attention or prove God’s power as the church began. Jesus said the Spirit would provide His followers with ongoing power and guidance. This purpose is just as relevant today, for we still need that power and guidance to carry on Christ’s mission in the world.
6. The primary purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to bring the personal boldness and power of God’s Spirit into a Christian’s life so that he or she can accomplish Christ’s purposes with His authority.
The highest aim for this spiritual power is to cause Christians to be effective in spreading His message throughout the world. This power is not some impersonal force, but is an expression of the Holy Spirit which makes Jesus’ presence, power and purposes a reality for His people.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just a matter of speaking in tongues or having a “deeper” spiritual experience. Christ’s followers are to use the Spirit’s power to share Jesus with those who do not know Him. On the day of Pentecost, the outward sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues, but the outward result was that many who did not know God were introduced to Him that day.
7. Other results of a genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit are:
- Prophetic messages (statements that foretell, warn, challenge, encourage or inspire) and declarations of praise.
- Greater sensitivity to things that offend God and grieve His Holy Spirit, a deeper awareness of God’s judgement against sin and a greater desire and ability to do what is right.
- A life that brings honour to Jesus Christ.
- New visions and comprehension of God’s purposes.
- Active use of the various gifts of the Spirit.
- A greater desire to pray.
- A deeper love and understanding of God’s Word.
- An increasing awareness of God as one’s loving Father.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the baptism of the Holy Spirit does two things:
1) It joins us to the Body of Christ.
2) It actualises our co-crucifixion with Christ. Being in His body means we are risen with Him to newness of life.
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Dr Joyce Aryee
Fruitful Living
Has man lost the essence of his creation? A reflective call to rediscover our divine purpose (Part 1)
Introduction: Rediscoveringour purpose
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and ask for His mercy. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
In today’s increasingly materialistic and turbulent world, a profound question echoes louder than ever: Has man lost the essence of his creation? It is a question that compels every thinking soul to pause and reflect deeply.
In the midst of scientific breakthroughs, booming technology, and economic pursuits, we must ask ourselves: are we fulfilling the sacred purpose for which we were created? Are we still living as stewards of Allah on earth, or have we strayed from our divine assignment?
This article explores the Qur’anic foundation of man’s creation, the noble position he holds, and the deviation from this divine path in modern times. It further calls for a return to spiritual consciousness and outlines practical steps to help realign mankind with his intended purpose.
Man: Allah’s Vicegerent on Earth
The Qur’an states: “And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent (Khalifah)…’” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30).
This declaration marks the beginning of man’s honorable journey on earth. Mankind was created from clay, as recorded in Surah Al-Hijr:
“And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.’ So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:26-29).
This prostration of angels was not to worship Adam, but to recognize the honor Allah had bestowed upon man. It signified a spiritual hierarchy in which man, though of earthly origin, carries a divine trust and responsibility.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this dignity. He taught that every human is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah) and bears the potential to fulfill their purpose as a servant of Allah and custodian of His creation.
The Purpose of Creation
Allah did not create man in vain. The Qur’an states clearly: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56).
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” (Surah Al-Bayyinah, 98:5).
Another profound verse underscores that life was not created aimlessly:
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.”(Surah Sad, 38:27).
These verses convey that creation is intentional, meaningful, and divinely ordained. The essence of man’s creation lies in his recognition of Allah, his conscious submission to the Divine Will, and his dedication to a life of worship, service, and ethical living.
Worship in Islam is not confined to rituals alone but extends to every aspect of human existence—how we earn, govern, lead our families, engage with society, and preserve the environment. Every righteous deed done with sincerity for Allah’s pleasure becomes an act of worship.
Imam Al-Ghazali explains in Ihya Ulum al-Din that true worship stems from knowledge of Allah and a heart that submits lovingly to His will. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah likewise stresses that man’s highest honor lies in fulfilling the purpose of servitude (`ubudiyyah) to Allah, which brings inner peace and divine elevation.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated this perfect balance of worship and engagement in worldly affairs. He was a husband, a leader, a statesman, and a worshipper who said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if they are few.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464)
Living in harmony with this divine purpose not only brings personal fulfillment but also collective peace. Conversely, neglecting it results in moral confusion, injustice, and spiritual emptiness.
Therefore, recognizing and living by our purpose is not a luxury but a necessity. It is the key to real success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Fruitful Living
Trusting God with our anxieties (final)
Jesus not only instructs us not to worry — He explains why worrying is counterproductive to our well-being:
❖ Worry is blind. It refuses to learn from nature, history, or personal experience. Birds and flowers testify to God’s faithfulness. The history of Israel is filled with God’s miraculous provision — from Egypt to the Red Sea to the Promised Land (Deut. 8:14–15).
❖ Worry refuses to learn the lesson of life. Time and again, God has helped us bear the unbearable and overcome the insurmountable. He strengthens us even when we reach the breaking point — and keeps us from breaking.
❖ Worry is irreligious. It stems not from our external circumstances, but from a heart full of fear and distrust. Yet Scripture declares:“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
The antidote to worry: El shaddai
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” One of the most comforting names of God is El Shaddai, which first appears in Genesis 17:1 and appears 218 times in the Bible.
❖ El means “Strong One.”
❖ Shaddai means “The Breasted One.”
Together, El Shaddai paints a picture of God as:
❖ Our Strong Nourisher
❖ Strength Giver
❖ Satisfier
❖ All-Bountiful Supplier
❖ Fulfiller of Needs
❖ The Life-Giver who brings dead things back to life
(e.g., Abraham and Sarah conceiving Isaac at 150 and 90 years respectively)
In knowing who God is, we find the courage to release our anxieties. If He is truly El Shaddai — strong, sufficient, and sustaining — then we are safe in His hands.
Practical steps to peace
In Philippians 4:6–7, we are given a divine prescription for peace:
1. Stop being anxious and fretful. Recognize the emotional and spiritual toll of worry.
2. Go to God in prayer about everything. Nothing is too big or small.
3. Pray for yourself. God is your Father — your relationship with Him is personal.
4. Thank Him as you pray. Gratitude builds faith and reminds us of His past faithfulness.
When we do this, God’s peace — not the world’s peace — will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
CONCLUSION
We are living in uncertain times. Pressures abound and anxieties easily multiply. But as children of God, we are called to walk a different path — one of quiet confidence, steady trust, and daily surrender.
God’s Word is clear: worry doesn’t help — but trust in God brings peace. Let us shift our focus from fear to faith, from anxiety to adoration. Let us anchor our hearts in the unchanging character of El Shaddai — our Almighty God — and rest in His perfect care.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
