THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. After His birth, He subjected Himself to the same limitations and rate of growth, learning, and development as any other human being. His growing-up years and early adulthood were apparently so typical of any other person that those from His hometown were later to be astonished and amazed, saying, "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? (Matthew 13:55,56)

In the meantime, Jesus' cousin, John, was baptizing people with a baptism of repentance. Though without sin, Jesus submitted Himself to this baptism as an example for us. While praying as He was receiving water baptism, scripture tells us that "heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove." (Luke 3:21,22)

Though John the Baptist had prophesied that Jesus would baptise people with the Holy Spirit, (John 1:33) before Jesus did this for anyone, He, the baptizer in the Holy Spirit, was Himself baptized in the Holy Spirit!

Then, scripture tells us that Jesus, "full of the Holy Spirit" was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness. (Luke 4:1) Curious, that it was not until after Jesus received Holy Spirit baptism that the devil began to tempt, harass, intimidate, and confront Him.

After the 40-day wilderness experience, scripture then tells us that "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit." (Luke 4:14)

Not until after He got the power did Jesus' ministry begin. And that ministry began with Him entering the synagogue in Nazareth, quoting Isaiah 61:1 that reads, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me...", and telling the people that, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:16-21)

A good example for us to learn and emulate today!

Jesus fulfilled His ministry perfectly in obedience to His Father. He was crucified, buried, and arose from the dead. Before His crucifixion, He told His followers all that was going to happen to Him. But, not to worry, because He promised them that He would send the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26 & 16:7-15) The same Holy Spirit that John the Baptist prophesied Jesus would baptize them with. (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16)

After His death but before He ascended into heaven, Jesus surely was very careful to make sure He reminded the disciples of everything that was most important. If you or I knew we were dying, we'd make sure that our last words were exactly what we wanted people to remember and/or we'd make a point of saying something we knew would be a help to them in the coming days.

In the same say, we can be pretty sure that Jesus chose His words very carefully. So what did He say? "Wait until you are clothed with power from on high." "Wait until you receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit." (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5,8)

Then, as we all know, 50 days later, the Holy Spirit fell on about 120 people, baptized them with the Holy Spirit, and the world has not been the same since.

So, since before Jesus' death, and throughout the pages of scripture, believers have been told to receive or allow Jesus to baptise them in the Holy Spirit. Not only is this command repeated numerous times, there is no place in scripture that even hints that there might come a time in history when this command is not to be obeyed.

BORN AGAIN

To become "born again" a person must recognize Jesus for who He is - the Son of god who became sin for us, was crucified for our personal sins, died, was buried, and arose again. We recognize that, since God cannot look upon sin, He cannot allow sin to enter His heaven. However, we are powerless to make proper atonement for our own sin. Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to become a sacrifice for us, that we, believing in Him, might receive forgiveness and the right to become children of God and enter into His righteousness.

When we therefore, receive Jesus, we are "born again." At that point in time, the Holy Spirit, Who had been wooing us to Jesus all along, came into our hearts and took up residence.

Before we go any further, let's define some words here. Recognizing the meaning of words helps us recognize that Jesus did not contradict Himself when He told us to be "born again" and to also receive Holy Spirit baptism.

RECEIVE

The word receive used in Acts 1:8, 2:38, 8:15,19 with reference to the Holy Spirit comes from the Greek word lambano. This word is used only as an alternate in certain tenses. It means to take, to get hold of.

Thus we find believers told to take the gift of the Holy Spirit.

BAPTISM

The word baptized comes from the Greek word Baptizo which means to make whelmed, i.e. fully wet, wash, cover wholly, dip.

Every word translated baptism in our English texts means to cover wholly, wash, dip, immerse.

Translated, one who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit has been washed by, wholly covered with, immersed, or completely surrounded by the Holy Spirit.

Thus, we find believers told to "take" the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

Peter and John went to Samaria to pray for Christians that they might "take" or "get hold of" the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:15)

Simon the Sorcerer wanted to buy the authority to cause others "to take" the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:19

FILLED

Peter was "filled" with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8)

Believers were "filled" with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4; 4:31)

Saul was told to be "filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 9:17) We are later told that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:9)

In each case, our English word filled is derived from the Greek word phetho which means imbue, influence, supply, accomplish, furnish. In every case, Christians were supplied with and under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

The house was "filled." (Acts 2:2)

Disciples were "continually filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52)

Christians are told to be "filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)

In these three cases, the word translated filled is derived from the Greek word pleroo which means to make replete, to cram, level up, to furnish or imbue, diffuse, influence, satisfy.

Therefore, to receive the filling of the Holy Spirit is to get hold of, be furnished with, under the influence, crammed up with the Spirit of God!

WITH, IN, BY

John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would "baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16)

Translations vary here because the conjunction used in the Greek here can be translated in, with, or by. So there is no need to get bogged down with semantics.

THE PURPOSE

Why did Jesus tell the disciples to wait until they'd received the power of the Holy Spirit? Wait for what?

The answer must surely be related to other instructions given at the same time. And what were those instructions?

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel (good news)" A command that Jesus not only trained His disciples very carefully and meticulously by example and instruction, but He repeated in many different ways. Furthermore, this command is very clearly and repeatedly set forth. (Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:4-8)

The purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit must, therefore, be related to the ability to witness.

WHY?

Jesus said, "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49) That power was evidenced by the boldness with which the disciples spoke of the mighty deeds of God. (Acts 2:4-11)

Notice that Jesus gave them the indwelling Holy Spirit in John 20:22 but they did not receive the power to witness boldly until they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, gave credit to Jesus when asked by what power he had healed the lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate. (Acts 4:7,8)

Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness in Acts 4:31.

Stephen was full of the Spirit, grace, and power. He performed great wonders and miracles among the people and was able to speak boldly before the council. (Acts 6:5,8, chapter 7)

Simon wanted to buy the authority or power to give others the Holy Spirit as he was so amazed at the signs and miracles taking place. He wanted to buy the Holy Spirit rather than be purged from the gall of bitterness and the bondage of iniquity. (Acts 8:13-23)

(The Holy Spirit, purging, and power are inseparable. If one is present, so are the other two. The power of the Holy Spirit is released when the believer is purged of uncleanness. There is no easy road to power as Simon discovered very quickly.

Moving further in the scriptures, when Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, he immediately began to proclaim Jesus. (Acts 9:17,20) We are later told that he preached the gospel in power and in the Holy Spirit. (I Thessalonians 1:5)

When the Ephesian believers received the Holy Spirit, they spoke in tongues and prophesied which is a Holy Spirit-given gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose of God. (Acts 19:6-8; I Corinthians 14:1)

Ephesians 3:16-20 tells us we are strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man so Christ can dwell in our hearts, and fill us up to all the fullness of God according to the power that works within us.

These scriptural examples show very clearly that when one is truly baptized by the Holy Spirit, one will always receive within him or herself, the boldness to witness and proclaim Jesus. When he/she speaks, the power is released, people listen, and are convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgement. (John 16:8)

It is very interesting that Jesus noted that when you receive the power from the Holy Spirit, "you shall be My witnesses." This is not a command. He is acknowledging that we could not keep from witnessing. The power is too great to keep inside.

BAPTISM OF FIRE IN CONNECTION WITH HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM

John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16) The whole purpose for Jesus' life, death, burial, and resurrection was to get sin out of the way so man could be acceptable to God. Jesus said that He and the Father would come to and abide with the believer. (John 14:23) Verse 26 adds the Holy Spirit.

If one is indwelt and baptized in the triune Godhead, the obvious result would be a purging or baptism of fire to make room for them to be there!

To consume the dross and purify the gold. Jesus said, "Everyone will be salted with fire." (Mark 9:49) He further said that He had come to cast fire upon the earth; that He would and we would be baptized with the baptism with which He was baptized. (Luke 12:49,50; Mark 10:38)

Jesus was purged with fire through suffering! (Hebrews 5:8)

The apostle Paul said that each man's work would be revealed with fire. (I Corinthians 3:12-15)

Our faith is tested by fire resulting in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:7)

So then, sin is shown to be what it is so that God can be who He is in the individual.

Acts 2:4 and Acts 4:31 are examples of the same believers receiving the Holy Spirit on different occasions. If purging or fire results, many fillings or experiences in the Holy Spirit are necessary because of our human limitations.

The children of Israel were given the promised land in totality - all at once. (Exodus 3:8) However, practically speaking, they had to accept the gift little by little because of their human limits. (Deuteronomy 7:22)

Just so it is with receiving the practical gift of the Holy Spirit. Positionally, the gift of the Holy Spirit is ours. The practical exercise of that gift is a day by day yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Our ultimate goal is to be able to walk in the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

We are to eventually go beyond having many fillings, baptisms, or experiences in the Holy Spirit and just be full; to have a continual experience, filling, immersion, or baptism in the Holy Spirit. The children of Israel went from enemy to enemy until their victory line was continuous and complete. They then possessed the land because #1 it had been given to them, and #2 because they had received it on the practical level.

So then, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by fire or purging but also of power.

Purging is necessary to contain and receive more of the power.

Holy Spirit baptism without purging is an impossibility since one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to convict. (John 16:8)

The Holy Spirit without power, is likewise an impossibility since He is the very Power who raised Jesus from the dead wherein our hope lies!

IS THERE AN IMMEDIATE EVIDENCE?

Yes!

How could there not be? After all, we're talking here about moving the Holy Spirit of God, Who is living inside the person/spirit of a mere human being, filling, cramming up, imbuing, satisfying, coming out, of the person! We're talking about an experience that Jesus described as, "From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-39 I think you'd know it immediately if water started gushing out of you!

Also, look at all the examples in scripture of what happened when people received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In every case, something visible and obvious happened to let others around them know that the Holy Spirit was doing His work.

In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, the people began to speak with other tongues and the multitude heard them speak in his own language. Many have argued that, according to verse 6, it was a miracle of hearing not of anyone speaking in an unlearned language. However, verse 4 refutes this argument because it very clearly says that "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance."

In Acts 4:31 persecuted believers prayed, and "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness."

In Acts 8:14-18, Simon saw something happen when he saw the Spirit being bestowed on people through the laying of the apostles' hands.

In Acts 9:17,18, when Ananias laid hands on Saul for him to regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit, "immediately there fell from his (Saul's) eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized." After several days of being with the disciples in Damascus, he immediately began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues. Verse 20.

In Acts 10:44-46, the Holy Spirit fell upon the household of Cornelius. Peter and those who were with him recognized that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon them or they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God."

In Acts 19:6, when Paul laid his hands upon believers in Ephesus, after they'd been baptized in water, "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying."

Many sincere Christians believe and teach that the gift of tongues are a "sign" or "evidence" that one has been filled with or baptized in the Holy Spirit, and that if you do not have a tongue (prayer language), you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

However, after reviewing the above scriptures we can see very clearly that such was not the case in every instance so it would be straining or adding to the word to teach it today.

We do not know what Simon saw in Acts 8. Whatever he saw, it was obvious and immediate, but it would be presumptuous to say what "it" was.

Acts 9 only tells us about Saul's immediate healing and boldness to proclaim the Gospel after he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We know that he later spoke in tongues (I Corinthians 14:18), but we don't know exactly when he received the gift.

The conversion records of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8 and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16) does not mention any evidence of tongues being given by God.

If a case is made for tongues as a "sign" of the Holy Spirit, an equally valid case should be made for the gift of prophecy.

I believe that God was very careful as to how each conversion experience was recorded because He did not want us to bind rules on ourselves and others, which we are so prone to do, and because the experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is individual and unique to each person. God didn't make cookie-cutter people so He doesn't treat us like cookies.

My own personal experience was much like Paul's. Like him,I already had a very good and solid Bible background. I was also quite legalistic in my beliefs like him - even to the point of door knocking. I had been taught that a "good" Christian (which is an oxymoron) witnessed by knocking on doors in an attempt to talk to people about the plan of salvation or to at least invite them to church. But I had a phobia against doors that was so strong that, while living in a college dormitory, I would often return to my own room if my best friend's door was shut. Even though I knew she would welcome me in, I couldn't bare to knock on the door. In spite of this, in my desire to follow Christ, I had literally knocked on the doors of hundreds of strangers even in strange towns while working on "campaigns for Christ." Never lead a single person to the Lord.

The night I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the immediate evidence was peace about a pressing concern, a filling of joy, and a freedom from door knocking. Also immediately, like Peter and John in Acts 4, I could not stop speaking of what I'd seen, heard, and learned of God. Within a couple years, I'd led close to 300 people to the Lord! Without knocking on a single door!

A few months later, while being prayed for in a meeting of Christians, I asked for the gift of tongues and immediately received a very fluent one.

We are specifically commanded to seek spiritual gifts, which would include the gift of tongues (I Corinthians 14:1) but we cannot make a truly biblical case for tongues as an always and an immediate sign or indication that a Christian has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

If a rule is made to determine whether a person has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it would have to be that he/she receives power from God. Power for what? To witness and exalt God, of course. But also, power for whatever that person needs at the discretion of God. Sometimes it's power to pray in tongues, other times it may be power to say no to knocking on doors, power to stay in a tough marriage, power to stop smoking, anything. Whatever, it will be immediate, obvious, and visible.