• Baptism at the time of Christ
  • Ceremonial cleansing, conversion, usually done at temple
  • baptizō meant: to dip, plunge, submerge, or overwhelm
• Matthew 3:11 (NLT) — 11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
• Prophetic buildup:
  • Joel 2:28 (NLT) — 28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.
  • Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NLT) — 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.
  • Isaiah 44:3 (NLT) — 3 For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.
• The Longing – centuries without prophetic voice; spiritual dryness
• The Prophets – Joel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Malachi; all promising a Spirit outpouring, inner renewal, and divine fire
• The Forerunner – John the Baptist declares: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”
• The Waiting – Jesus says “Don’t leave Jerusalem until…”
• The Breakthrough – Acts 2: the wind, the fire, the tongues, the birth of the Church

PASSAGE: Acts 2:1–4 (NLT)

• Acts 2:1–4 (NLT) — 1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Symbolism of Pentecost

• Sinai Symbolism - a new nation was born; a new nation was born
• Tabernacle Symbolism

Body: 

1. Fire that DWELLS
   1. The Unstoppable Church had the all powerful living among and in them! 
   2. The tabernacle in the wilderness which was covered in fire gave the powerful image that God is among His people. 
   3. God’s heart is to live with His people corporately
      1. His presence among us is what makes us special
      2. He wanted to live with Adam
      3. He wanted to live with the Israelites
      4. He wanted to live with the Church
   4. God’s heart is to live within each person individually
      1. God envisions each of us as a tabernacle where He dwells and is enthroned in the inner sanctuary of our being
      2. He wants to STAY not VISIT
      3. He wants to RULE FROM THE INSIDE
      4. He desires to sit on the throne from the inner sanctuary of your being
      5. There is a flame with your name
      6. The flame is personal
   5. How do we get the Holy Spirit to dwell within us? We must hunger, wait, pray, and receive
2. Fire that DIRECTS
   1. The fire above the tabernacle in the wilderness would periodically move, and the tabernacle would move with it. 
   2. The unstoppable church was unstoppable because it consistently moved with the Spirit. 
      1. Acts 6 he gave new leadership
      2. Acts 8 he sent Philip to do evangelism
      3. Acts 10 he sent Peter with the three men
      4. Acts 13 he sent Paul and Barnabas on a mission
      5. Acts 15 he gave wisdom to the elders
      6. Acts 16 he directed Paul away from Asia
      7. Acts 20 he directed Paul to Jerusalem
   3. He want to direct out STEPS - times where I feel led to go somewhere and other times when I feel led to stay 
   4. He wants to direct our WORDS - times where I feel led to speak something and times when I need to be silent 
   5. He wants to direct our DECISIONS - minor and major life decisions. 
   6. Story of Seal Team Mako 30 in operation Anaconda 
   7. Key points
      1. The fire doesn’t follow us, we follow the fire
      2. There is safety in His direction
      3. There is provision in His direction 
      4. There is fruitfulness in His direction 
3. Fire that DISPLAYS
   1. He is not only an invisible God, He is also a manifesting God. 
      1. To make visible what was hidden; to reveal something inward in an outward, undeniable way.
      2. Christ is the manifestation of God
      3. The Spirit-filled believer is now the manifestation of God! 
   2. The fire over their heads, and over the tabernacle, was God manifesting Himself.
   3. The unstoppable Church is one of the manifestations of God’s reality, presence, and power.
   4. Manifestations of: 
      1. Courage - Peter’s Boldness
      2. Miracles - Apostles Miracles
      3. Gifts - Philipps Daughters Prophesying
      4. Fruit - Saul to Paul
   5. The Baptism in Fire will continually demonstrate to the world the God that lives within you.

Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit and Fire?

• Have you been baptized: to dip, plunge, submerge, or overwhelm
• Long for it
• Ask for it
• Have hands laid on you