Baptism of the holy spirit

Introduction There are different “measures” of the Spirit Baptismal measure Laying-on-of-hands measure Indwelling measure What is not under discussion in this study The divine person of the Holy Spirit “Indwelling of the H.S.,” “gift of the Spirit,” “filled with the Spirit,” “walk by the Spirit,” or “earnest of the Spirit” or “spiritual gifts”

NT Passages “I indeed baptize you in 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 in the Holy Spirit and in fire” (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16) “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33)

NT Passages “for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence” (Acts 1:5) “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit” (Acts 11:15-16)

The Bible Facts Who administered Holy Spirit baptism? Jesus (Matthew 3:11; John 1:33) Was Holy Spirit baptism promised or commanded? Promised (Matthew 3:11) To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? John made a prophetic utterance to a mixed group. His promises were not for all people in the group. We have to look elsewhere for the answer: Acts 2 and Acts 10.

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Apostles (Acts 1-2) Promised to APOSTLES (1:2-5) Only the APOSTLES were commanded to wait (1:4,8) Only the APOSTLES were commissioned to be “witnesses” (1:8,22)

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Apostles (Acts 1-2) “Numbered among us” refers to the APOSTLES (1:17) “This ministry” refers to the APOSTLES (1:17) “His office” refers to the office of the APOSTLES (1:20)

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Apostles (Acts 1-2) The qualifications are for an APOSTLE (1:21-22) “Two” to be APOSTLES (1:23-24) “Ministry and apostleship” refers to APOSTLES (1:25)

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Apostles (Acts 1-2) “The eleven apostles” refers to APOSTLES (1:26) “They” and “them” refer to the APOSTLES (2:1-13) “Galileans” refers to the APOSTLES (2:7; cf. 1:11)

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Apostles (Acts 1-2) “The eleven” refers to the APOSTLES (2:14) All that were baptized with the H.S. spoke (2:4). Only the APOSTLES spoke (2:14,37). Therefore, only the APOSTLES were baptized with the H.S. on this occasion.

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Apostles (Acts 1-2) “We all are witnesses” refers to the APOSTLES (2:32) “Peter and the rest of the apostles” refers to the APOSTLES (2:37) “Apostles’ doctrine” refers to APOSTLES (2:42)

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Apostles (Acts 1-2) “Through the apostles” refers to APOSTLES (2:43; cf. 3:1-7; 4:33; 5:12; 8:18; not until 6:8 do we find members of the church performing miracles, and that only after the Apostles laid hands on them).

The Bible Facts To whom was Holy Spirit baptism promised? The Gentiles (Acts 10-11) Matthew 3:11 tells us who will administer H.S. baptism, and Acts 2 and Acts 10-11 tell us who will receive H.S. baptism

The Bible Facts When and where did H.S. baptism take place? There are only two recorded cases of it in the New Testament. Acts 2: Apostles baptized in the H.S. Acts 10: Cornelius & his household baptized in the H.S.

The Bible Facts Note the phrase “at the beginning” and “unto us” (Ac.11:15,17; 15:8). H.S. baptism was not common to all conversions. No other case of H.S. baptism is recorded in the entire New Testament! Also note that it was obedience to Peter’s “words,” not to H.S. baptism, which brought salvation (11:14; 15:9).

The Bible Facts Why was Cornelius given H.S. baptism? To “bear them witness” (Acts 15:8) Not to… Make him acceptable to God (Acts 10:35) Provide remission of sins (Acts 10:43) Replace water baptism (Acts 10:48) Save him (Acts 11:14) Give him faith (Acts 15:7) Purify his heart (Acts 15:9)

What Is H.S. Baptism? Was H.S. Baptism Is Not 1. Promise Matt.3:11 1. Command 2. Limited Ac.2,10 2. All people 3. Few Days Acts 1:5 3. All time 4. Witness Acts 1:8; 15:8 4. Regenerate 5. Tongues Ac.2:4; 10:46 5. 2nd Blessing 6. Seen/heard Ac.2:33 6. Feelings 7. Confirmation Heb.2:3-4 7. Salvation

The Bible Facts Why was H.S. baptism given? It was given to fill three specific divine purposes: Inspiration - To guide the apostles into all the truth (Jn.14:15-16,26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15) Confirmation - To confirm the apostle’s message with miracles (Mk.16:20; Heb.2:3-4) Demonstration – To show the Jews that the Gentiles were saved in the same way; by grace through faith (Acts 11:18; 15:7-8)

No H.S. Baptism Today There is no promise of it today (no promise to all believers) There is no purpose for it today (no new inspiration, confirmation, or demonstration needed) There is no evidence of it today (no speaking in tongues) Therefore, there is no occurrence of it today

No H.S. Baptism Today H.S. baptism A.D. 33 Water baptism (Acts 2:4,38) (Acts 19:3-5; Ephesians 4:5) “One baptism” = water baptism John’s baptism and Holy Spirit baptism had passed away by A.D. 62

H.S. Baptism vs. Water Baptism 1. Baptism in H.S. 1. Baptism in water 2. Promise received 2. Command obeyed 3. Man passive 3. Man active 4. Administer: Jesus 4. Administer: man 5. Not for salvation 5. For salvation 6. For certain ones 6. For all mankind 7. No name 7. Name of F/S/H.S. 8. Ceased by A.D. 62 8. Unto the end

H.S. Baptism in the NT In the Bible no one was ever… Commanded to be baptized in the Holy Spirit Told what to do in order to be baptized in the Holy Spirit Told to pray for Holy Spirit baptism Told to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit

What Have We Learned? We don’t have H.S. baptism today, but we have the effects of it: the inspired, confirmed, and complete word of God; and, the powerful demonstration that all can be saved the same way – by grace through faith We don’t have Holy Spirit baptism today, but we do have the Holy Spirit working through the word of God today Is Holy Spirit baptism for you? No. But, Holy Spirit words are! (Revelation 2:7; 22:17)