Small Group Toolbox: Practicing Holy Spirit Baptism
Summary: Being together in one place, being united in prayer, and being baptized in the Holy Spirit can all be experienced in a small group.
In the “Toolbox” series of blogs we’ll answer some of the most common questions about leading small groups. If you have questions you’d like answered, just drop us a message!
What does the baptism of the Holy Spirit look like in my small group?
If there is one practice we are used to experiencing in a large group gathering, it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The swell of music, the waves of group surrender, the dynamic of focus and unity – these moments are inspiring and passionate.
But the Holy Spirit is the same Person of God whether ministering to multitudes or to an intimate group of three. His baptism is the same. His power that enables us to be witnesses to the gospel is the same. This is very encouraging!
When the first followers of Jesus were baptized in the Holy Spirit, they were all meeting together in one place, constantly united in prayer (Acts 1:14, 2:1). Being together in one place, being united in prayer, and being baptized in the Holy Spirit can all be experienced in a small group.
So, how do we do this?
Full participation cultivates unity. Each person must prayerfully seek to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Although people can pray alone, in their own homes, the early church did not do this. They were together.
For some in the early church, the baptism of the Holy Spirit happened after people “laid hands” on them and prayed. If one person in your small group has been baptized in the Holy Spirit already, they can put a hand on a person’s shoulder and ask God to fill them with the Holy Spirit too.
If no one in a small group has been baptized by the Holy Spirit, they could invite someone from another group to come and lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. Here is an example from the early church:
“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:14-17
It should be noted that there were also instances in the early church where people were baptized in the Holy Spirit without anyone laying hands on them (Acts 2:4, 10:44). This means there is not a formula for this experience.
If you meet in a cafe or other public place, perhaps moving into a home would be helpful for a time. A home would be private and free from distraction. But no matter where we meet, being together in one place, being united in prayer, and being baptized in the Holy Spirit can all be experienced in a small group.
