What is Baptism in the Spirit?
Grace for a new springtime, 1997
United States Council of Catholic Bishops
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa
Introduction | Baptism in the spirit
General New Testament View on the Holy Spirit:
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
What does the Church have to say?
Pope Benedict XVI - "Today I would like to extend this invitation to everyone: Let us rediscover, dear brothers and sisters, the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit; let us be aware again of our baptism and of our confirmation, sources of grace that are always present. Let us ask the Virgin Mary to obtain a renewed Pentecost for the Church again today, a Pentecost that will spread in everyone the joy of living and witnessing to the Gospel.” – Pentecost 2008
St. Pope John Paul II – “I want to cry out: ‘Be open and docile to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit!’ Accept with gratitude and obedience the charisms which the Spirit never ceases to bestow. Come, Holy Spirit and make the charisms you have bestowed ever more fruitful.” – Pentecost 1998
What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
What are the benefits of receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
How do you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
- Live by the Spirit (Rom 8:5)
- Be led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14)
- Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thess 5:19)
- Walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, Rom 8:4)
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
What does the Church have to say?
Pope Benedict XVI - "Today I would like to extend this invitation to everyone: Let us rediscover, dear brothers and sisters, the beauty of being baptized in the Holy Spirit; let us be aware again of our baptism and of our confirmation, sources of grace that are always present. Let us ask the Virgin Mary to obtain a renewed Pentecost for the Church again today, a Pentecost that will spread in everyone the joy of living and witnessing to the Gospel.” – Pentecost 2008
St. Pope John Paul II – “I want to cry out: ‘Be open and docile to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit!’ Accept with gratitude and obedience the charisms which the Spirit never ceases to bestow. Come, Holy Spirit and make the charisms you have bestowed ever more fruitful.” – Pentecost 1998
What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
- “Being ‘baptized’ in the one Spirit (1 Cor 12:13) means being set on fire with the love of God.” – Pope Benedict XVI, World Youth Day, 20 July 2008
- It is not a Sacrament, but it is a release of the power of the Holy Spirit already within us that we received by faith at our Baptism and Confirmation.
- It is a conscious experience in which the ember of the Holy Spirit in an individual’s heart is activated to set their spiritual life aflame.
What are the benefits of receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
- Greater awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your daily life
- A source of empowerment to live out your call to discipleship
- A deeper sense of having a personal relationship with God in prayer
- Scripture, Sacraments, and other things of the Lord seem to ‘come to life’
- Easier to hear God’s voice and discern God’s will
- A blossoming in your spiritual life, producing fruits of peace, love, and joy (Gal 5:23-25)
- Prepares an individual for receiving and operating in other Gifts of the Holy Spirit
How do you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
- Most commonly by being led thru a prayer where you ask for it thru the “laying on of hands.”
- Can be received at any time thru the Lord’s providence (during Mass, personal prayer, etc.)
- An individual must be open to the Holy Spirit in his or her life to receive this Gift