Speaking the Truth in Love
Baptism of The Holy Spirit
Many today say that they must be baptized directly in the Holy Spirit. What they usually mean is that they miraculously will be given the power to speak in tongues, prophesy, or perform miraculous healings. In addition, they claim that then the Holy Spirit takes possession of their life and they cannot fall away from God. Let us see what the Bible has to say about the baptism(s) of the Holy Spirit.
I. HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM IN THE FIRST CENTURY
A. Direct baptism of the Holy Spirit
1. This type of baptism was a promise, not a command (Matthew 3:11, Acts 11:16)
2. Christ would send the promise of the Father upon them (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5)
3. This baptism would fulfill the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:15-21)
4. This baptism was from heaven and can't be given by man (Luke 24:49, Acts 2:1-4)
5. Examples (Only two cases recorded in the Bible!)
a. Jews (Apostles and possibly others) on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13, 16-18, 33)
b. Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48. 11:15-17, 15:7-11) - notice called the "gift" as in Acts 2:38
B. Holy Spirit baptism through the laying on of the Apostle’s Hands
1. Only the Apostles could do this (Acts 8:14-18); no one else could pass this on to others. The one exception to this is Ananias when he gave the Holy Spirit to Saul/Paul (Acts 9:17-18).
2. In this way the disciples could have the miraculous blessings of tongues, knowledge, healing etc. (Acts 8:4-8, 1 Corinthians 14:1-14).
3. Examples
a. Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17)
b. The 12 Ephesians (Acts 19:6-7)
C. The Purpose of the Miraculous Baptism of the Holy Spirit
1. Guide the Apostles and those they laid hands on into all truth (John 14:26, 16:13)
2. Give the Apostles and others the miraculous powers (Acts 1:4-5, 8, 2:4)
3. Confirm the message (Mark 16:17-20, Hebrews 2:1-4)
4. Convince the Jews that repentance had been granted to the Gentiles (Acts 11:15-18)
5. Provide prophecies, tongues, and knowledge to disciples until that which was perfect had come (1 Corinthians 13:8-11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
II. HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM TODAY
A. There is only one baptism today (Ephesians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:18-21)
B. This baptism is commanded for the remission of our sins (John 3:5-8, Acts 2:38, 22:16)
C. This baptism is an immersion in water for a spiritual cleansing of the soul from sin (Acts 8:38,Galatians 3:26-29, 1 Peter 3:21)
D. This baptism is in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20)
*Here, at baptism, we begin our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
E. The Christian’s relationship with the Holy Spirit
1. We now are born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
[*Note - This is similar to when we begin our relationship with Jesus (Galatians 3:26-27) and He then dwells in us (Galatians 2:20, John 6:56, 14:23, Ephesians 3:14-21)]
2. We begin walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18, 25)
3. At baptism we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39, 5:32)
4. We are to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-21, 1 Corinthians 6:19)
III. CONCLUSION
If Miraculous Holy Spirit baptism, like occurred in Acts 2 and Acts 10, was required for salvation, that would make God a respecter of persons. We know from the scriptures that God is not a respecter of persons and wants everyone of us to be saved eternally (John 11:49-53, 2 Peter 3:9). “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and had determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).
So, how about you tonight? Do you want to begin your life with the Holy Spirit tonight? Would you like to become a follower of Jesus Christ? Why not repent and be baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit tonight? Then you can begin your walk with God and let Him lead you to everlasting life. We hope to see you next time on “Speaking the Truth in Love”.
