PART 1
Introduction: For the next several week’s I am going to spend considerable amount of time on the subject of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and that which is closely related in some aspects – the subject of tongues. I will be breaking it down in very simple and concise terms so that we may all understand what God desires for us in its fullest. My desire is as God’s desire – I want you to receive all that God has for you so that you may become pure and blameless in these days, striving to become more and more like Christ in every aspect of your lives. For this is the desire of every true Christian who knows Christ in his/her heart and mind. We need God’s help to do this because without it we will attain nothing but rubbish!
In preface I want you to set this in your mind and heart.
#1. For us to be saved we must come into relationship with Jesus Christ (confess our sins, repent, and follow Him)
#2. For us to be all that God wants us to be we must be filled/baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Today we will cover these questions.
1. What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
2. When does the Baptism of the Holy Spirit happen?
3. How is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit different from receiving the Holy Spirit at conversion or being born-again?
4. How can we know that we are baptized in the Holy Spirit?
5. How do we know whether we really have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or whether it is just us?
Let’s begin.
1. What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Scripture: Acts 1:8
Acts 1:8 (NASB95) 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Answer: The scripture defines the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as “an enduement (to endow [provide] with a quality or ability) of power for service.” Clearly, we see the power of the Holy Spirit is given so that we can be the witnesses that God wants us to be.
2. When does the Baptism of the Holy Spirit happen?
- There are three baptisms mentioned in scripture: (Refer to Table #1)
(1) John’s Baptism (baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins – water baptism)
Mark 1:4 (NASB95) 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 13:24 (NASB95) 24 after John had proclaimed before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts 18:25 (NASB95) 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;
(2) Baptism into the name of the Lord Jesus (baptism for the forgiveness of your sins – water baptism)
Acts 2:38-39 (NASB95) 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” Acts 8:16 (NASB95) 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 10:47-48 (NASB95) 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Acts 19:5 (NASB95) 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Romans 6:3 (NASB95) 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
(3) Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:5 (NASB95) 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 2:38 (NASB95) 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16-17 (NASB95) 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44-48 (NASB95) 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Acts 11:16 (NASB95) 16 “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Note: From the whole of scripture we see a similarity between “John’s baptism” and “baptism into the name of the Lord Jesus”. Both require repentance and are mentioned to be “for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38).
Concerning the Baptism of/in the Holy Spirit we see individuals being baptized in the Holy Spirit before being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:44-48) and after (Acts 8:16-17). Scripture is quite clear on the fact that we can be baptized in the Holy Spirit before or after water baptism (whether it be John’s or in the name of the Lord Jesus).
In can happen at conversion or after conversion (Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:5-7)
Table #1
PASSAGE EVENT BAPTIZING AGENT
Matthew 3:11 - baptize Water Baptism Man
Matthew 3:11 - baptize Baptism with the Holy Spirit Jesus
Matthew 3:11 - baptize Baptism with Fire Jesus
Mark 1:8 - baptize Water Baptism Man
Mark 1:8 - baptize Baptism with the Holy Spirit Jesus
Luke 3:16 - baptize Water Baptism Man
Luke 3:16 - baptize Baptism with the Holy Spirit Jesus
Luke 3:16 - baptize Baptism with Fire Jesus
John 1:25-26 - baptize Water Baptism Man
John 1:33 - baptize Water Baptism Man
John 1:33 - baptize Baptism with the Holy Spirit Jesus
1 Corinthians 1:14, 17 - baptize Water Baptism Man
Matthew 21:25 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Mark 1:4 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Mark 10:38-39 (Ref. Lk 22:42) - baptism Baptism of Suffering/Death God the Father
Mark 11:30 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Luke 3:3 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Luke 12:50 (Ref. Lk 22:42) - baptism Baptism of Suffering/Death God the Father
Luke 20:4 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Acts 1:22 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Acts 10:37 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Acts 13:24 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Acts 18:25 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Acts 19:3-4 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Romans 6:4 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Ephesians 4:4-5 - baptism Water Baptism ? Man
Colossians 2:12 - baptism Water Baptism Man
PASSAGE EVENT BAPTIZING AGENT
1 Peter 3:21 - baptism Water Baptism Man
Matthew 3:6 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Matthew 3:13, 14, 16 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Mark 1:5, 9 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Mark 10:38-39 (Ref. Lk 22:42) - baptized Baptism of Suffering/Death God the Father
Mark 16:16 - baptized Water Baptism ? Man
Luke 3:7 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Luke 3:12 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Luke 3:21 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Luke 7:29-30 - baptized Water Baptism Man
John 3:22-23 - baptized Water Baptism Man
John 4:2 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 1:5 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 1:5 - baptized Baptism with the Holy Spirit Jesus
Acts 2:38, 41 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 8:12, 13, 16 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 8:36, 38 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 9:18 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 10:47-48 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 11:16 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 11:16 - baptized Baptism with the Holy Spirit Jesus
Acts 16:15 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 16:33 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 18:8 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 19:5 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Acts 22:16 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Romans 6:3 - baptized Water Baptism Man
1 Corinthians 1:13, 15, 16 - baptized Water Baptism Man
1 Corinthians 10:2 - baptized Immersion into a significant religious experience Probably God?
1 Corinthians 12:13 - baptized Immersion into a significant religious experience Holy Spirit? (If “en” is translated by or with) which it is not - it is translated “in”
PASSAGE EVENT BAPTIZING AGENT
1 Corinthians 15:29 - baptized Water Baptism Man
Galatians 3:27 - baptized Water Baptism Man
3. How is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit different from receiving the Holy Spirit at conversion or being born-again?
Besides seeing the differences that we have just seen concerning John’s baptism and baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, we see others that are evidence but show no reference to the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
In John 20:22 Jesus breathed on His disciples after His resurrection and said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” At this point we really enter into a whole new era because now that Jesus had given of Himself on the cross for our sins, and He was resurrected from the dead, the Holy Spirit could now dwell within the believer.
In Ephesians 1:13-14 we read:
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB95) 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
In Ephesians 1:13-14 we see that we are marked in Christ with a seal which is the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance . . .
The Spirit of God which God gives to us, and in which Jesus gave to the disciples after His resurrection accomplishes the regeneration and sanctifying work in which we all need.
The Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-26 is evidence of the Spirit of God living in us and accomplishing the regeneration and sanctifying work that needs to be done.
4. How can we know that we are baptized in the Holy Spirit?
We should look for the same evidence today as they did in the New Testament – there is no difference! How could they tell in the New Testament when someone was filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at the scriptural evidence.
Acts 2:4 (NASB95) 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Note: In Acts 2:1-4, the Day of Pentecost (Specifically verses 3 and 4) we see that tongues of fire came down and rested on each of them and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Two things are mentioned here that are verifiable to the fact that something happened. First, they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them, and secondly, they heard them begin to speak in other tongues. The first was visible and the second was audible.
Acts 8:14-18 (NASB95) 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
Note: In Acts 8:14-18 (specifically verse 18) we see that “Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands”. There was something external, visible/audible that happened that Simon knew that they had received the Holy Spirit. This verse does not tell us exactly what, but we know there was something that he saw.
Acts 10:44-48 (NASB95) 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Note: In Acts 10:44-48 (specifically verse 26) we see that the circumcised believers were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. How did they know that? Was it something that they saw or heard? Yes! Verse 46 tells us that they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Peter also says that these Gentiles received the Holy Spirit just as they had - a comparative statement concerning how they received - I believe so! How else would they know that they as individuals had received unless they had experienced something very similar that they could relate to?
Acts 11:15-17 (NASB95) 15 “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 “Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”
Note: In Acts 11:15-17 (specifically verse 15) there is a direct reference to when Peter and the others with him had received the Holy Spirit. The reference states that “the Holy Spirit came on them as he [the Holy Spirit] had come on us at the beginning.” The beginning is referring to the Day of Pentecost when Peter and the others had received the Holy Spirit. What happened then? In Acts 2:3-4 we see that they began to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The comparative word as tells us that it happened the same way to them as it did to Peter and the others with him on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 19:4-7 (NASB95) 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were in all about twelve men.
Note: In Acts 19:4-7 (specifically verse 6) we see the Holy Spirit coming on a group of twelve men in all. Again we ask how we know that the Holy Spirit came on them. The evidence is external, visible, and audible. The group of men spoke in tongues and prophesied.
5. How do we know whether we really have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or whether it is just us?
Luke 11:9-13 (NASB95) 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Note: In Luke 11:9-13 we see Jesus encouraging us to ask, seek, and knock. His statements refer to verse 13 where He gives direct reference to asking for the Holy Spirit. If we ask with right motives and pure intentions for something that God wants us to have, He will let us have it because it is His desire in the first place.
We must understand that if and when we ask for God to fill us with His Holy Spirit, He will not give us or allow us to receive something that will harm us. His desire is for us to be in relationship with Him and to grow in Him.
Our knowing has got to come by faith and trust in the one that we have entrusted our lives to! We must learn to trust His character and His heart’s desire for our lives. Remember, He does not wish that anyone should perish, but that all should come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and to be like Him in every area of our lives for His glory!
Final Note & Thought: We cannot base something as truth off of our experience. We must base truth by the Word of God. Whether or not we have experienced the Baptism of the Holy Sprit as Scripture describes does not make it true or false, but our receiving it only validates what scripture says, and our not receiving it does not make scripture false.
