Jesus performed His earthly ministry by being empowered by the Holy Spirit. This experience of the Holy Spirit baptism was so critical to the early Church, that when they knew a Christian who had been saved, but not yet filled, they sent spiritual leadership to pray for that person. (Acts 8:14-17)
The reason the baptism of the Holy Spirit was so important to the early church (and should be to us today) is Jesus had just given them their mission to build the Kingdom of God. He says in Acts 1:4-5 to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift the Father promised. The instructions were to go wait, receive, and then take the message to every part of the earth!
If you have an assignment, you bring all the tools you need! Jesus is saying, you will need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the mission He has given believers on earth. Searching out this incredible gift from God is important because it equips us for our mission.
Listen to the video below for some common questions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit!