Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The following are extracted from THE SAFARI CLUB by Ed Corbin & used with permission.

HOW TO HELP A CHILD RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

Our children are living in a very complex and hostile world. They need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. We must teach our children about the Holy Spirit and create an atmosphere where they can receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Our children must have spiritual power if they are to live a victorious life.

A Child Can Be Filled with the Holy Spirit:

Scripture seems to be clear on the following points:

God is no respecter of persons.
the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all people.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a free gift to anyone who will receive by faith.
We are to do nothing to hinder a child from coming to Christ.

There seems to be only one prerequisite for receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit--you must be born-again. After a child is born-again, he becomes a candidate for the thrilling of the Holy Spirit. Ideally, this should occur during childhood. Our response to this issue will determine how many children receive. It has been said, "You get what you preach." If you preach the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you will regularly see children receiving this gift.

What Children Should Understand about the Holy Spirit:

Probably the number one obstacle to anyone receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit is lack of knowledge. The Bible says in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." We must provide teaching to combat ignorance. Our teaching should remove the children's doubts and fears and answer their questions. We must create an atmosphere of faith and expectancy.

Children should understand who the Holy Spirit is. The Holy Spirit is God, the third member of the Trinity. He was sent to be our special Helper and Guide after Christ returned to the Father.

Children should understand what the Holy Spirit does.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. He lets us know on the inside that we have disobeyed God.

The Holy Spirit comforts us in times of sorrow.

The Holy Spirit guides us through life and helps us to make wise choices.

The Holy Spirit teaches us things about God's Word that would otherwise remain a mystery.

The Holy Spirit empowers us, giving us the courage to he His witnesses around the world.

The Holy Spirit enables us to speak in other tongues so that we may have true communion with God, spirit to Spirit.

Children should understand how to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We cannot earn the in-filling of the Holy Spirit. Emphasize that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God for all of His children. Therefore, the children should be seeking more of God. When they do, the gift naturally follows. They should never seek the gift, but always seek the Giver. Children should keep in mind these things: ask, believe, and speak. They should ask God to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues. Next they must believe that God will fill them. This is a key to praying the prayer of faith. Finally they should begin to thank God.

Now comes the hard part, the area that children and adults have difficulty exercising. Many people refuse to stop praying in their own language and step out in faith and begin speaking the words that the Holy Spirit is giving. Explain to the children that speaking in tongues is the first outward sign or initial physical evidence that the Holy Spirit is dwelling within them. Children need to know that they will not understand what they are saying because the words are from the Holy Spirit. This is a heavenly language, one that cannot be learned like our earthly ones. They should not be afraid of this experience because the Holy Spirit will not embarrass them. They can trust Him. He moves on each person differently; some laugh, some cry, and others shout. However, the person is in control at all times. They can choose to not allow the Holy Spirit to move. They can choose to not speak.

How to Lead a Child to Experience the Baptism:

Initially, we must create an atmosphere of worship. Children will find it helpful to close their eyes and shut themselves in with God. The raising of hands toward heaven is an outward sign of surrender to the purpose of God. The child must enter into audible praise. The child will know when God gives the utterance (the words in the Holy Spirit). The child may begin to cry and will become seriously involved in worship. Speaking with other tongues is the physical proof that someone has been filled with the Spirit.

When we work with children at an altar of prayer, we should never be negative. We must always inspire faith and victory. It is advisable to lay on hands as Paul did in Acts 19. Altar workers should not scream in a child's ear or try to shake the Holy Spirit into him. We should never give up on a child. As long as the child wants to pray, we should pray with him. At no time should we ever tell a child to repeat words after us. It is not our job to fill the child with the Holy Spirit. God will take care of that.

This method of teaching is based on one simple thought: Tell the child everything he needs to know about how to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Your explanation will remove his doubts, fears, and confusion and fill him with a sense of faith and expectancy. Children need to receive the power of the Holy Spirit into their lives. You can become an instrument of God to bring blessing and anointing to many children.

(See this lesson: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit.)