(Editor's note: Pastor Dave Ogren Sr., our half-time Interim Senior Pastor while Pastor Jim is on his sabbatical, has blessed BCF with very rich ministry in the Word during his time among us. We thank God for all that he has imparted to us, and we are pleased to share the following article, which is the meat of his October 11 message A Fresh Pentecost.)

In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist prophesies that the One who was to follow him would baptize them "with the Holy Spirit and fire." I doubt that he fully comprehended what that really meant, but Jesus certainly did!

• John 14:26 - "The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and remind you what I told you."
• John 15:26 - "He will testify of Me"
• John 16:7 - "It is best for you that I got away, for I will send the Holy Spirit to you"

• Luke 1 - Gabriel told Mary: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you."
• John 4 - At the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove.
• Luke 4 - Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and returned in the power of the Spirit.
• Mark 12 - Jesus cast out demons by the Spirit.
• Acts 1 - Jesus taught by the Spirit.
• Acts 10 - Jesus ministered with power and healed many that were oppressed because God had anointed Him by the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to our salvation. You and I would have never come to God unless the Holy Spirit had convinced us of sin (John 16:8), testified to us of Jesus (John 15:26), and revealed to us the truth of the gospel (John 14:26).

So when you and I respond to the grace of God's revelation concerning Jesus, all delivered to us by the Holy Spirit, a miracle occurs. It is supernatural and in many ways unexplainable; in John 3, Jesus calls it being "born again by the Spirit of God."

Paul explains in Romans 8, Galatians 4, and 1 Corinthians 6 that at salvation the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at salvation, and every born-again believer is the "temple of the Holy Spirit."

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He began to tell the disciples that they were to wait in Jerusalem until they received the "promise of the Father." They would be baptized by the Holy Spirit and would be endued or clothed with power. The power of the Holy Spirit would come upon them, in many ways, like the Holy Spirit came UPON Mary at the Incarnation and upon Jesus at His baptism (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Luke 3 and 4). It is interesting that it was this important for Jesus to share.

Acts 2 tells how the Holy Spirit came just like Jesus had promised. It was Pentecost, the Old Testament feast that celebrated the beginning of harvest (and certainly it was!) and also the giving of the Law. God chose to pour out the Holy Spirit on the same day the Jews celebrated the giving of the Law of Moses! Peter declared that what happened that day was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Joel 2:28-29, which stated that God would pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh.

The Holy Spirit came upon those who were hungry and waiting (so it is today) at an unexpected time and without any preparation for manifestations. Jesus did not even bring up the wind, the fire, or the supernatural languages. He only emphasized the fruit: power and witness. According to Peter, Jesus orchestrated everything that occurred on the Day of Pentecost: "He has poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:33). It was profoundly powerful and emotional, and Jesus never did apologize for it!

However, Acts 2 is not the final word on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We see Spirit baptism in Acts 8 (eight years after Pentecost) when Philip goes to Samaria. A revival broke out in that city, and many were saved, delivered, healed, and baptized in water. When Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to see what was happening, they observed that these fine people, who had been saved and water baptized (therefore the Holy Spirit already indwelt them) had not as yet had the Holy Spirit "come upon them" (8:16). What did they do? They intentionally laid hands on them that they might receive the UPON of the Spirit. He was already in them, but they also needed Him to be UPON them!

Simon of Samaria saw that the Holy Spirit had been given, and he wanted to buy this power so he could also lay hands on people and see them receive the Holy Spirit. He was so hungry for what he saw. May that be so for us!! I like the way Acts 8:17 says that when Peter and John laid hands on the people, they "received" the Holy Spirit. That word actually means "to seize something with all your strength." May we have a desire to seize the Holy Spirit in like manner!

The baptism of the Spirit, the UPON of the Spirit, happens in Acts 8; in Acts 9:15-17, where Ananias laid hands on Saul of Tarsus; and in Acts 10:44-48, where a hungry group of Gentiles were saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit all at the same time. In Acts 19:1-7, a group of believers at Ephesus had never even heard of the Holy Spirit. When Paul laid hands on them, the "Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied" (19:6). Twice we see that the Holy Spirit came upon people sovereignly, with no human intervention (Acts 2 and 10), but three times we see people receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the UPON of the Spirit with intentional prayer and the laying on of hands (Acts 8, 9, 19).

It is interesting to me that all the primary manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit were seen before Pentecost, except for spiritual language. This seems to be a unique manifestation of the Holy Spirit, given at Pentecost. Although we see spiritual language connected to Spirit baptism, it is not mentioned every time. I believe that spiritual language happens often when people experience the UPON of the Spirit, sometimes immediately and sometimes later.

Spiritual language is important, but I do not see it primarily as an evidence of Spirit baptism. Rather, I see it as a fruit of Spirit baptism, something that may happen immediately or later. So many have unfortunately lived under the dark cloud of not receiving IT, when, in fact, the precious Holy Spirit has already come UPON them. Jesus made it clear that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to all believers who ask (Luke 11:9-13). So ask and keep asking. Seek and keep seeking. For what? That the Holy Spirit will come UPON you, clothing you with power and supernatural ability to witness of Jesus.

When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, I believe that you will know it! When He does, please be open to spiritual language, not primarily as an evidence but as a powerful tool. I need spiritual language, not as some lapel pin, but as a powerful, spiritual tool in prayer and worship. It will allow you to pray in a new dimension, beyond your knowledge and understanding. It will allow you to pour out your heart through the Spirit in prayer, praying and singing according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-28; 1 Corinthians 14:2-4, 15-19).

Don't close the door! Spirit baptism, the UPON of the Spirit, will do you nothing but good. Spiritual language is a wonderful fruit of that experience and something to be desired, for it will lead you into deeper dimensions of personal and powerful prayer. May the Holy Spirit come upon us all in a fresh way ... even today!

--Pastor Dave Ogren