INTRODUCTION.
A. Commanded to walk in the Spirit.
B. The fact that there is a command means that there is a choice.
C. Three types of minds:
1. The natural mind -- I Corinthians 2:14 -- "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
2. Carnal mind -- Romans 8:7 -- "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
3. Spiritual mind -- Colossians 1:9 -- "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"
D. The natural mind is the result of being born the first time.
E. The carnal mind is the result of knowing God but acting in the flesh.
F. The Spiritual mind is the result of walking in the Spirit.
I. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN THE SPIRIT.
A. In = Be To be completely covered with or surrounded (like water).
B. I John 1:7 – "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
C. To be in the Spirit is the same as being in light. You are submerged and surrounded.
D. Baptism is a transliteration of the Greek "baptizo," meaning "to immerse."
E. Immersion in the Spirit = Baptism in the Spirit.
II. REASONS FOR THE REJECTION OF THE BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT.
A. Because of the misunderstanding that it is always accompanied with the believer speaking in tongues. (Sometimes it is.)
1. This is based on Acts 2:2-4 – "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
2. This is called transcendental interpretation. It is taking one incident and saying that "this is the way it is!" In other words, this one
event transcends time, and this is always the way it happens.
3. Is it really? For the sake of argument, let’s say that this interpretation is correct.
a. Where’s the sound of wind from Heaven?
b. Where is the visible manifestation of "cloven tongues?"
c. If a believer always has to speak in tongues to be filled with the Spirit, then it will always be accompanied also by wind and lightning.
4. This interpretation is inconsistent.
B. Because of the misunderstanding based loosely on Acts 2:2 that the Baptism in the Spirit is the same as receiving the Spirit.
1. Just as you become a child of God at salvation, you also receive the Spirit into your heart at salvation – Galatians 4:6 – "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
2. If the Spirit is not dwelling within you, you are not a Christian – 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."
C. Because of the outright dangerous teaching that you are not saved unless you speak in tongues.
1. I Corinthians 12:30 – "Do all speak with tongues?"
2. Romans 10:9 – "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (It does not say, "confess in tongues!")
D. Because of confusion between "baptism of" and "baptism in" the Spirit.
III. LET’S CLEAR UP SOME CONFUSION.
A. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – When a Christian gets saved, the Holy Spirit enters His heart and indwells him. This is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit spoken of in I Corinthians 12:13. The Spirit indwells the heart, then immerses the Christian in the body of Christ.
B. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit – John the Baptist promised that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16).
1. The fire is not a reference to the Day of Pentecost, but to eternaldamnation – Matthew 3:12 – "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
a. Wheat is always a reference to believers!
b. Chaff is always bad; therefore, it represents unbelievers.
2. The Spirit baptizes into Christ, and Christ baptizes with the Spirit.
IV. WHAT IS THE BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT?
A. The Baptism in the Spirit is NOT a one time occurrence, but a continual filling!
B. The filling of and subsequent Baptism in the Spirit is not about subjective feelings! The filling of the Spirit is about obeying the Truth!
C. John The Baptist said that Christ would baptize with the Holy Ghost!
D. As a Christian submits to the teachings of the Word and follows Jesus, he is filled with the Spirit, and just like a cup that "runneth over" with water as the cup is immersed from the inside as it overflows, we are also immersed from the inside with the Holy Spirit.
E. This is being "poor in spirit!" You reduce your own wants and desires and submit to Christ’s.
F. This is from where the power of Acts 1:8 comes! The Holy Ghost comes upon those who are filled with Him, they are baptized from the inside out and have power to witness and live holy lives! And since the Holy Spirit is on as well as in them, they walk in (surrounded and covered) the Spirit!
G. When we purpose in our hearts on a moment-to-moment basis to do God’s will, He empowers us to do that will.
CONCLUSION.
A. We are commanded to be filled. It is a constant thing.
B. The importance of walking in the Spirit.
1. Galatians 5:17 – "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other:"
2. Romans 8:8 – "They that are in the flesh cannot please God."
C. To act in our own power is to act in the flesh. When we choose our own way ("being filled with our own devices"), God ceases to poor the Spirit into us.
D. But to walk in the Spirit, being filled to overflowing, we can produce the fruit of the Spirit.
E. The manifestations of the filling and subsequent baptism in the Holy Ghost – Galatians 5:22-23 – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
1. These are not produced by your own will.
2. They are produced by submitting to God’s will, then He empowers you.
F. HOW?
1. Study the Bible daily to learn the commandments of Christ.
2. Submit yourself daily to God’s commandments.
3. Pray for the power of the Spirit.
4. Exercise your spiritual authority over Satan.
5. Pray for God’s direction.
6. Listen to God’s voice.
Dr. D.R. Carpenter, Th.D.
Adjunct Professor, Freedom Bible College & Seminary
The theologies expressed in this teaching are not necessarily the views of Freedom Bible College & Seminary or Concepts of Freedom Ministries.
