The baptism with the Holy Ghost is nothing new. Centuries before the Church started the Lord God promised His Spirit to “all flesh”.
He says, through Joel the prophet:
“I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (Joel 2:28-9).
Now, recall all through the Old Testament (OT) Scriptures that the Holy Spirit only “came upon” a few. Prophets, priests, and kings were the only persons to have Him come upon them.
This promise of the Lord our God, quoted above changed the status of those privileged few. Soon He will come on “all flesh” not just a few.
So, that was the promise. Nevertheless, before this promise could come true God sent His son: Jesus Christ.
Who Qualifies to Receive the Baptism With the Holy Ghost?
Jesus would qualify that promise, for he informs us who comprises “all flesh” and when they would receive it.
As a result, Jesus comforts their hearts before his departure to his Father. He promised:
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you [forever]” (John 14:16).
Then Jesus explains the identity of the Comforter.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
Baptism with the Holy Ghost Promise Fulfilled
The first time this promise of the Lord came true was on the Day of Pentecost. Apostle Peter explained this to us in Acts 2:16-18.
Therefore, Pentecost is the first fulfillment of that promise. However, every time someone receives the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, Pentecost repeats. It’s because such a one believes the word that those initial disciples preached. We believe because of their words. The identical gospel has been preached for centuries.
On the Day of Pentecost, did all the residents of Jerusalem receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost? No! Only the disciples of Jesus.
The Promise of The Comforter
To conclude, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is real. The Lord God made a promise and He kept it through His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ promise of the Comforter is the identical promise of God by Joel: The Promise of the Father.
The Lord didn’t inform us how “all flesh” could qualify for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but Jesus did.
All the wild beasts on land and all the fishes in all waters would own Him too.
There you have it, friends all flesh doesn’t mean everyone. But it means all those who believe in Jesus Christ and obey him.
I Will Pour Out Of My Spirit Upon All Flesh
The Lord tells us through Joel, “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh”, but through Luke, He declares, “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28 & Acts 2:17).
Many make a great unnecessary fuss about the insertion of “of” in Luke’s exposition. The preposition “of” doesn’t, in any way, change the promise. He still comes on all flesh. And He is still the Spirit of the Lord.
Has the Holy Ghost come on you? When? And how do you know?
You could achieve all your heart’s desires in this life, but if you have not been baptized with the Holy Ghost since you believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, then you have no hope of spending eternity with Christ Jesus our Lord. He’s the way and the life.
Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
