VII. WHAT IS THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST?
I like the story of the minister who was in his study preparing for the Sunday service. He was in prayer asking the Lord to fill him with the Holy Spirit before he left the room to begin the service. A little boy passed the study hearing the pleadings of the minister. As the boy sat in the pew, someone asked where the minister was at. The little boy said he was in the office yelling at someone in his study saying that if that person did not come out of the office with him, then he was not going to come out either. Church, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Bob Briggs from SermonCentral.com
The indwelling of the Holy Ghost is a subject so profound, and so having to do with the inner man, that no soul will be able truly and really to comprehend what I say, unless it has been taught of God. Charles Spurgeon The Personality of the Holy Ghost
A. Differing Opinions
Considerable divergence of opinion surrounds this subject, with spiritual giants ranged on either
side. It is well therefore, to approach our study in humility of mind and with the
greatest charity . . . J. Oswald Sanders pg 62
“The believer may ask and expect to a baptism of the Spirit.” Andrew Murray
“The baptism is not, like the filling, presented to us as a blessing for which the
Christian is to seek.” Bishop Moule
“It does not follow that every believer has received this baptism of the Spirit.”
A. J. Gordon
“It is not right that the Christian should profess to be waiting for the baptism of
the Spirit.” G. Campbell Morgan
“Beware of seeking less than the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Horatius Bonar
B. Two opposing views: J. Oswald Sanders pg 63
1. The baptism of (or in) the Spirit is an operation of the Spirit distinct from and additional to His regenerating work, which is to be sought and obtained by the believer.
a. A central doctrine to Pentecostal churches.
b. Also held by some non-Pentecostal members.
c. The contention is that though one may be regenerated without this Spirit- baptism, one without this experience is not fully sanctified and does not enjoy full power for service. J. O. S. pg 63
d. It is maintained that the terms “baptized,” “filled,” “received,” “endued,” are
all used to describe one and the same experience and are therefore practically synonymous.
e. The baptism, it is said, is a definite, conscious experience and one may know
whether or not he has received it.
f. It is held that the promise “Ye shall be baptized with the Spirit not many days
hence”, was given to men already regenerated.
g. Regeneration imparts life, but the baptism with power is imparted for service.
2. The baptism of the Spirit is an event synchronous (at the same time) with the reception of Christ.
a. The event is never repeated and need not be sought. There is no “tarrying”
to be endued with power.
b. Adherents of this view maintain that the baptism in the Spirit is connected only
with the events which center in and circle around Pentecost.
C. A Third View: Baptism and Filling According to J. Oswald Sanders pg 64 - 65
1. A problem is created by our Lord’s promise, “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit
not many days hence,” in that when the promise was fulfilled, no mention is made of the baptism at all. The statement is “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
While both words have reference to the same event and experience, each has its own signification.
2. Actually the words “baptism” and “filling,” far from be synonymous are opposite in meaning.
a. By the baptism we are put into the element.
b. By the filling the element is put into us.
c. By the baptism, we are in the Spirit.
d. By the filling, the Spirit is in us.
3. The Spirit-baptism, as in water baptism, is initial, and so far as clear Scripture statement is concerned, is never repeated.
4. On the other hand, the filling may be repeated, or may never be experienced.
5. The baptism is the historical event. I Cor.12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
6. The filling is the human experience.
7. On the day of Pentecost, both took place simultaneously.
Scripture nowhere exhorts believers to seek this baptism, nor is there any distinction made between those who have and those who have not been so baptized. It is presented as a fact common to all believers. Again I Cor. 12:13
The experience to be sought is not the baptism, but the filling. pg 67 J. Oswald Sanders
(Does the Bible then say they were baptized in the Holy Ghost and fire? No, it says “filled.” I would respectively ask J. Oswald Sanders then, if they were promised the baptism of the Holy Ghost, yet baptism and filled are different, and the Bible says they were filled and does not say they were baptized, “in that when the promise was fulfilled, no mention is made of the baptism at all”, and then he says they were baptized and filled simultaneously, then, how does he know they were baptized if it doesn’t say so. That is, unless baptized and filled are used synonymously. I Cor 12:13 does not have the same force as baptized in the Holy Ghost and fire. I understand what he is saying up to a point.)
8. Definitions of Baptized and Filled
a. Baptized
907 baptizo (bap-tid'-zo) from a derivative of 911; TDNT- 1:529,92; verb-AV - baptize (76), wash 2, baptist 1, baptized + 2258 1; 80
1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash
one's self, bathe
3) to overwhelm
Not to be confused with 911, bapto.
(911) ba--ptw, — bap’-to; a primary verb; to whelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the N.T. only in a
qualified or special sense, i.e. (literal) to moisten (a part of one’s person), or (by implication)
to stain (as with dye): — dip.
The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g.
Mark 16:16. 'He that believes and is baptised shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle!
Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.
b. Filled
4130 pletho {play'-tho} a prolonged form of a primary pleo {pleh'-o} (which appears only as an alternate in certain tenses and in the reduplicated form pimplemi);TDNT - 6:128, v- AV- fill 18, accomplish 4, furnish 1, full ... come 1; 24
1) to fill
2) to be fulfilled, to be filled
D. Some Scriptures:
Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
Acts 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 4:8 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,”
Acts 9:17 “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 10:44 - 46 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (v. 45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as
Many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of
the Holy Ghost. (v. 46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”
Acts 19:2 - 6 “He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”
(v. 3) “And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.” (v. 4) “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” (v. 5) When they heard this, they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus.” (v. 6) “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
E. According to R. A. Torrey
1. His testimony: The address of this afternoon, and the addresses of the days immediately to follow, are the outcome of an experience, and that experience was the outcome of a study of the Word of God. After I had been a Christian for some years, and after I had been in the ministry for some years, my attention was strongly attracted to certain phrases found in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles, and in the Epistles, such as "baptized with the Holy Spirit," "filled with the Spirit," "the Holy Spirit fell upon them," "the gift of the Holy Spirit," "endued with power from on high," and other closely allied phrases. As I studied these various phrases in their context, it became clear to me that they all stood for essentially the same experience; and it also became clear to me that God has provided for each child of His in this present dispensation that they should be thus "baptized with the Spirit," or, "filled with the Spirit."
As I studied the subject still further, I became convinced that they described an experience which I did not myself possess, and I went to work to secure for myself the experience thus described. I sought earnestly that I might "be baptized with the Holy Spirit." I went at it very ignorantly. I have often wondered if anyone ever went at it any more ignorantly than I did. But while I was ignorant, I was thoroughly sincere and in earnest, and God met me, as He always meets the sincere and earnest soul, no matter how ignorant he may be; and God gave me what I sought, I was "baptized with the Holy Spirit." And the result was a transformed Christian life and a transformed ministry. (Taken from Eddie Snipes Sermoncentral.com)
2. A number of phrases are used in the New Testament to describe one and the same experience: "baptized with the Holy Ghost," '"filled with the Holy Ghost," "the Holy Ghost fell on them," "the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out," "receive the Holy Ghost,' "the Holy Ghost came on them," "gifts of the Holy Ghost, ' "I send the promise of my Father upon you," "endued with power from on high.'
Clearly R. A. Torrey disagrees with Sanders as to distinguishing between filled
and baptized.
3. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a definite experience.
“One of the least understood principles of Scripture is the infilling and baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many miss the greater blessing of experiencing God because they believe that salvation is
the baptism and what you get is all there is. This is not what the Bible teaches The Bible does teach that we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment we surrender our hearts to Christ. God puts His Spirit within us and we are born as a child of God. However, this is not the end, but the beginning.” Eddie Snipes from Sermoncentral.com
a. Acts 8:14-17 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (v. 15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (v.16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (v. 17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”
b. Acts 9 Paul on the Road to Damascus
(1) v. 3 - 8 Paul has an experience with Christ calling Him Lord and surrendering his will.
(2) v. 17 Ananias calls him Brother Saul and says he must be filled with the
Holy Ghost.
“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting
his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
c. Acts 19
(1) v. 2a They had believed.
(2) v. 2b They didn’t even know about the Holy Ghost.
We see the same example of believers regenerated but not baptized with the Holy Ghost.
“It is because people do not understand that there is a difference between these two events that they do not seek the greater power of God that will completely transform their lives and ministries.” Eddie Snipes from Sermoncentral.com
4. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an operation distinct from, additional to, and subsequent to HIS regenerating work.
A man may be regenerated by the Holy Spirit and still not be baptized with the Holy Spirit. In regeneration there is an impartation of life, and the one who receives it is saved; in baptism with the Holy Spirit there is an impartation of power and the one who receives it is fitted for service. R. A. Torrey
Romans 8:9 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
But not every believer has the baptism with the Holy Spirit, though every believer may. Baptism with the Holy Spirit may be received immediately after the new birth, as, for example, in the household of Cornelius.
5. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience connected with and primarily for the purpose of service.
Each time we see the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, the immediate response is to go out and do. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, it is life changing and ministry empowering. It is never centered around us, but is always centered around Jesus Christ. The focus is always directed toward bringing people to Christ. An emotional experience does little to create any lasting change in a person’s life.
Eddie Snipes from SermonCentral.com
Acts 1:5 - 8 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (v. 6) When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (v. 7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (v. 8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not primarily intended to make believers happy or holy, but to make them useful. In every passage in the Bible where the results of baptism with the Holy Spirit are mentioned, they are related to testimony and service. Baptism with the Holy Spirit has no direct reference to cleansing from sin. It has to do with gifts for service rather than with graces of character. The steps by which one ordinarily receives baptism with the Holy Spirit are of such a character, and baptism with the Holy Spirit makes
God so real, that in most cases this baptism is accompanied by a great moral uplift,
or even a radical transformation. But the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not in itself
either an eradication of the carnal nature or cleansing from an impure heart. It is the
impartation of supernatural power or gifts in service. It is indeed the work of the Holy Spirit to cleanse from sin, and to lead one into a life of victory over the world, the flesh and the devil, but this is not baptism with the Holy Spirit. R. A. Torrey
