“And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” — Acts 19:6 (NKJV)
Jesus told His already-believing disciples, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). They had walked with Him, believed in Him, and received the Holy Spirit (John 20:22)—but He still told them to wait for something more. They needed to be empowered from on high.
Scripture tells us that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Jesus didn’t minister in His own strength—He was filled with the Holy Spirit and followed the Father’s instructions every step of the way. Then He sent us into the world to do the same works… and even greater works (John 14:12).
It would be unjust for Him to expect greater results from us without giving us the same equipment He operated with. That’s why He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem—they needed something more. They needed the power of the Spirit to be bold and effective witnesses.
Paul later encountered believers in Ephesus who had been baptized in water but hadn’t yet received the Holy Spirit. His question was simple: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2). Their answer revealed a gap many still experience today: “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
Paul laid hands on them, and they were filled—just like the disciples in Acts 2. They spoke with tongues and prophesied. This was evidence of an empowerment, and the result of the presence and power of the Spirit overflowed both on and from within them. This was a second experience—distinct from salvation—just as Jesus had described.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not about earning more of God—it’s about yielding to more of Him. It’s not reserved for the elite or emotional—it’s a gift for every believer. While many have misunderstood or even rejected this truth, Jesus wanted all believers to desire and experience the empowerment of the Spirit to do what the Word says we can do in Him.
Salvation gives you eternal life. The baptism of the Holy Spirit equips you for powerful living. This gift is deeply personal, undeniably biblical, and joyfully available. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in you—but He also wants to rest upon you, overflow through you, and empower you to witness, pray, minister, and walk in supernatural love.
Today, if you’ve never received this baptism, ask in faith. Yield your heart and invite the Holy Spirit to fill you completely. If you have received it, stir it up again. Pray in the Spirit. Worship deeply. Stay full. God is faithful to give good gifts to His children—especially the One Jesus said we need most.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Jesus told His already-believing disciples, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). They had walked with Him, believed in Him, and received the Holy Spirit (John 20:22)—but He still told them to wait for something more. They needed to be empowered from on high.
Scripture tells us that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Jesus didn’t minister in His own strength—He was filled with the Holy Spirit and followed the Father’s instructions every step of the way. Then He sent us into the world to do the same works… and even greater works (John 14:12).
It would be unjust for Him to expect greater results from us without giving us the same equipment He operated with. That’s why He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem—they needed something more. They needed the power of the Spirit to be bold and effective witnesses.
Paul later encountered believers in Ephesus who had been baptized in water but hadn’t yet received the Holy Spirit. His question was simple: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2). Their answer revealed a gap many still experience today: “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
Paul laid hands on them, and they were filled—just like the disciples in Acts 2. They spoke with tongues and prophesied. This was evidence of an empowerment, and the result of the presence and power of the Spirit overflowed both on and from within them. This was a second experience—distinct from salvation—just as Jesus had described.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not about earning more of God—it’s about yielding to more of Him. It’s not reserved for the elite or emotional—it’s a gift for every believer. While many have misunderstood or even rejected this truth, Jesus wanted all believers to desire and experience the empowerment of the Spirit to do what the Word says we can do in Him.
Salvation gives you eternal life. The baptism of the Holy Spirit equips you for powerful living. This gift is deeply personal, undeniably biblical, and joyfully available. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in you—but He also wants to rest upon you, overflow through you, and empower you to witness, pray, minister, and walk in supernatural love.
Today, if you’ve never received this baptism, ask in faith. Yield your heart and invite the Holy Spirit to fill you completely. If you have received it, stir it up again. Pray in the Spirit. Worship deeply. Stay full. God is faithful to give good gifts to His children—especially the One Jesus said we need most.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Posted in Filled and Led by The Holy Spirit
Pastor Kevin Casey
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2026
January
Day 1: Knowing Jesus is Eternal LifeDay 2: That I May Know HimDay 3: The Supremacy of ChristDay 4: Christ the FoundationDay 5: Forgiven CompletelyDay 6: Forgive as You’ve Been ForgivenDay 7: A New CreationDay 8: Righteous by FaithDay 9: Adopted and ChosenDay 10: Accepted in the BelovedDay 11: Seated with ChristDay 12: God’s WorkmanshipDay 13: Nothing Can Separate YouDay 14: Christ in You, the Hope of GloryDay 15: The Mind of ChristDay 16: The Image of God RestoredDay 17: Grace That TeachesDay 18: The Measure of FaithDay 19: Faith Works by LoveDay 20: The Faith of the Son of GodDay 21: The Crucified LifeDay 22: Renew Your MindDay 23: Take Every Thought CaptiveDay 24: Think on These ThingsDay 25: Be Spiritually Minded