Baptism of The Spirit

When Jesus was young, He already knew who He was. He already knew what His mission was and why He was on earth. At just eight years old

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” - Luke 2:49

We don't hear about Jesus again until He is in His 30's and about to begin His ministry. This was from John the Baptist:

"Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. 33I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” - John 1:32-34

Here's another account from Matthew:

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." - Matthew 3:16

My question for the day is this. Jesus, being born of God through the Holy Spirit, did He always have the power BEFORE His baptism that He had AFTER His baptism? Or did He receive His power the moment the Holy Spirit descended on Him AFTER His baptism?

We have heard it said that Jesus was "fully God and fully man." Always? Then why did Jesus have to be baptized? Let's let Jesus answer that question. When Jesus was about to be baptized (by water) John the Baptist resisted, insisting that he himself should be baprizing him.

"Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” -John 3:15

"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee (changing water into wine) was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him." - John 2:11

Here is another example of God's Holy Spirit descending on someone and how it changed them:

"While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

4Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues b and prophesied." - Acts 19:1-6

The key to all of these verses is when the Holy Spirit comes upon someone. Have we received the Holy Spirit? How do we know? Well, surrendering your heart to God and offering ourselves to become "slaves of Christ" is step number one. That's when the Holy Spirit will enter us.

But how do we KNOW? Well, do you exhibit the Fruits of The Spirit? They are indicators that's God's Spirit is in you.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." - Galatians 5:22-26

Is God's Holy Spirit living in you?