Baptism of the Holy Spirit

[Hawkanomics]

Please tell me what you all think on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Do you beleive that it all comes at once when you are saved, or do you beleive that the holy spirit comes upon you more fully after you become more obedient? I'm really confused about this, please help me out.

 

[Darrell dunn]

I was born again when I was 12 , Didn't walk very close to the Lord, Then when I was 37 I went to the alter again, this time I told the Lord that it was forever.
I heard a preacher on the radio say the Lords eyes run to and fro through the earth looking for someone to show himself to strongly.
I told the Lord here I am and Prayed that he would show himself to me.

I prayed I want to know what you look like, I want to know what you smell like, I want to know what you taste like, I want to know what you feel like.

There were a lot of things that happened shortly thereafter ,

At the time it took about 1 hr. to drive to work, and I would pray in the dark on my way to work.

One morning I started to work as usual, I drove out onto the highway.

Then I was in my yard with satan it was daylight and he was challenging me with my possessions, Now I had a box of wooden matches and would strick them and set what ever satan put before me. Sometime having to strick the match 2 or 3 times before it would lite.
Now I burned my house, my wife, my car, and all of my valuables.
Then I pulled into my parking space at work. Now I did not drive that morning.

I latter asked God what that was and he told me that he was filling me with His spirit, and the devil demanded to check me out first.

The point is I was not seeking to be filled with the Spirit, I was diligently seeking to know God, and it was 25 yrs after I was born again.

____________________

THERE IS ONLY ONE ABSOLUTE TRUTH and all else is a lie!!!!!

 

[kwag_myers]

Short answer, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16), so the Spirit is always there in full portion (John 14:17). As we walk out our salvation, the Holy Spirit teaches us about Jesus (John 15:26) and God's Word (John 16:13).

What happens is that the Spirit begins to show us the strongholds of sin in our lives (like anger, lust of the flesh, etc.). As we repent and give these strongholds over to God, the Spirit fills the void of the stronghold in our life (anger becomes God's peace, lust of the flesh becomes a desire to worship Him, etc.).

However, the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) come with the Baptism of the Spirit. But you have to learn how to use them for God's purposes and not your own. Again, it's a growing process.

Does this help, or have I added to your confusion?

Personally, I don't see how a Christian can hope to do the things God has called us to do without the Baptism of the Spirit. Sadly, many choose to do without. I'm glad to see that you are not one of those.

 

[GundamZero]

In short, what is Baptism? It is the act of dying to sin and being raised to walk a new with Christ. When we are saved, we are Baptised by the Holy Spirit, and we are then infant Christians. As we grow in the LORD, we begin to learn more about how He does things, and as we decrease, Christ and His power increases, and the Holy Spirit continues to baptise us with fire, constantly refining us and purging us of sin. Spiritual gifts follow once God teaches us how to use them according to his will. So, while we are baptised once with water, our spiritual baptism begins before such, and continues until Christ makes us perfect, the way we were supposed to be with Him.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

I received the gift of the Holyghost WITH speaking in other tongues and was water baptized in the name of Jesus when I was 11 years old. Sadly I did not stay with with God and backslid. I came back to God when I was 24 and have been living for him ever since.
I wish I would of stayed with God . My life would of been so different and much better. But all I can do now is keep going forward.

God bless
Rose

 

[Dave...]

In short, what is Baptism? It is the act of dying to sin and being raised to walk a new with Christ.

I agree with this. Baptism with the Holy Spirit by Jesus is a one time act that places a believer into the Body of Christ (the Church). We use the term "born again" to describe this act.

Being "filled" with the Holy Spirit carries the idea of being under the "control" of the Holy Spirit. Kwag Myers described this well...

What happens is that the Spirit begins to show us the strongholds of sin in our lives (like anger, lust of the flesh, etc.). As we repent and give these strongholds over to God, the Spirit fills the void of the stronghold in our life (anger becomes God's peace, lust of the flesh becomes a desire to worship Him, etc.).

I answered yes to your question, but I assumed the proper interpretation of baptism with the Holy Spirit. Some people teach that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a second work of grace, if this is the definition that you intended for "baptism of the Holy Spirit" in your question, then I would change my answer to no.

Dave

 

[Hawkanomics]

Thanks everybody for your insights. What I've gotten from this...is .....the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, to me, is what happens when you're saved....but what it is usually considered by most people is a "further unlocking" of the spirit in your life, a more intense understanding and more encapturing reality of the spirit. I guess it's being more filled with the Holy Spirit, which I truly beleive all Christians will have a point where this filling of the holy spirit comes into play. Not to say that it isnt there, because it is...but just making it more evident and controlling. Because I know my life isnt completely under the influence of the Spirit, although I've seen people who seem to do like John 3:8 says. Which I hope to one day have the Holy Spirit guide my every thought move and word spoken. Thanks alot for all of your help, and I hope that this will help me reach a better level of serving Him.

 

[GundamZero]

Very good. It is a blessing to hear people that really care about the Holy Spirit's role in their lives. I can say with conviction of the Spirit that you really love the LORD, and that is what's going help you become filled with the Holy Spirit. In time, you may even unlock some of the gifts God has given you personally, through the Holy Spirit living in you, but don't use that to gage your walk, always use Christ as the start, the finish, the perspective and the in-action-guide. Everybody walks at a different pace. The Holy Spirit keeps us all on the same path.

 

[Tobael]

Has any of this got to do with water baptism? I was water-baptised 10 years ago and I felt the Holy Spirit come into my life at that moment. I believe now that water baptism is necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit, as Jesus stated:

John 3:5 Jesus replied: 'I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God:

I can honestly say that I didn't know Jesus before this, though I felt I knew God. I think this is known as 'prevenient grace', i.e. the grace we receive before baptism so that we can choose it.

I know not all will agree with this, but I am just going with Christ's words and my experience.

God Bless,

Nick

 

[kwag_myers]

Has any of this got to do with water baptism? I was water-baptised 10 years ago and I felt the Holy Spirit come into my life at that moment. I believe now that water baptism is necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit, as Jesus stated:

John 3:5 Jesus replied: 'I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God:

Water baptism is so that we can be identified with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This deals with our body and soul (mind, will and emotions). Holy Spirit baptism is a resurrection of our spirit through the infilling of God's Spirit.

Most of us are water baptised first. However, Acts 10:44-48 tells us that the Gentiles were filled with the Holy Ghost before they were water baptised.

But to answer your question, yes, I believe that the two are related, and necessary, just as Jesus said. There is also a baptism of fire, but let's save that for another thread. I only mention it because you need the baptism of the Holy Spirit to survive the baptism of fire.

I know not all will agree with this, but I am just going with Christ's words and my experience.

I like your attitude. We'll never receive the acceptance of man if we stick to God's Word. It's the war of flesh verse spirit (Galatians 5:17).

 

[GundamZero]

But remember, Baptism by water does not save you. Anyone can be baptised and not believe, and any one can believe and not be baptised.
Now, if you are a Christian, you should always try to follow Christ's directions. But, though not common, it is possible to be filled with the Spirit and not baptised. A person is a desert is not going to be baptized immediatly, but they are still saved.

It has to mean something. Even a Christian can get baptized for all the wrong reasons. Just as Kwag_Myers wrote, water AND the Spirit. I was baptised when I was eight, years after I had truly recived my salvation, but the Spirit hadn't made me fully aware of His unique work in the life I surrendered to Christ until I was twelve.

Baptism of the Spirit is a liFe long process. Water is its symbol.

 

[Tobael]

I wonder if it is possible to have a full saving relationship with Christ and not be water baptised? All 'born again' Christians appear to have already been water baptised, so I suggest that they already had the Holy Spirit, it just became more real to them through their subjective (and necessary) faith in Jesus as Saviour.

God Bless

 

[Dave...]

Here's a couple of verses.

1 Peter 3:20 Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

Note: Saved in verse 20 is not speaking of salvation. :

1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Baptised with the Holy Spirit by Jesus, raised with Him, born again, Jesus becomes our Arc from which we are saved (salvation) from God's judgement.

 

[kwag_myers]

I wonder if it is possible to have a full saving relationship with Christ and not be water baptised? All 'born again' Christians appear to have already been water baptised, so I suggest that they already had the Holy Spirit, it just became more real to them through their subjective (and necessary) faith in Jesus as Saviour.

God Bless

Let's remember that the thief on the cross wasn't baptised. And didn't really have the opportunity to realize who the Holy Spirit is. But for those of us who must "...endure to the end..." (Mark 13:13), water baptism is a step of obedience to God's Word (Mark 1:4). So to is the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Also, let's remember that God judges the heart (1 Kings 8:39). So I'm sure that it is possible. But also, I think it is the exception and not the rule.

 

[lovely]

Hawkanomics wrote:

Please tell me what you all think on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Do you beleive that it all comes at once when you are saved, or do you beleive that the holy spirit comes upon you more fully after you become more obedient? I'm really confused about this, please help me out.

I do not fully understand what is being asked here. Are you asking if we are Spirit filled twice? Or not at all? It seems like were are talking about salvation, and then sanctification, but then I am not sure. Why would God only fill you with part of His Spirit? Or why would He need to do it a second time? Can someone please clarify what the "doctrine" of the Holy Spirit is...I mean are we saying that all not all true believers are filled with the Holy Spirit? Sorry, I am confused...never heard this before.

 

[kwag_myers]

I do not fully understand what is being asked here. Are you asking if we are Spirit filled twice? Or not at all? It seems like were are talking about salvation, and then sanctification, but then I am not sure. Why would God only fill you with part of His Spirit? Or why would He need to do it a second time? Can someone please clarify what the "doctrine" of the Holy Spirit is...I mean are we saying that all not all true believers are filled with the Holy Spirit? Sorry, I am confused...never heard this before.

You've never heard what before?

I think the question is, "When does the Holy Spirit baptize us?" Does it happen when we receive Jesus as our Savior, or does it come later?

The word baptizo, which is translated in the KJV as baptize or wash, means to dip repeatedly, to submerge, to wash or bathe, to overwhelm. My opinion is that we receive the Holy Spirit when we receive Jesus. But the repeated dipping or being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit comes (usually) when a believer is ready for it. I say usually because there are instances where the Holy Spirit has baptized believers before water baptism (Acts 10:44-48).

Does that help?

 

[Dave...]

"Being filled with the spirit must be distinguished from being baptized with the spirit. The apostle Paul carefully defines the baptism with the spirit as that act of Christ by which He places believers into His body (Rom. 6:4-6; 1Cor.12:13; Gal. 3:27). In contrast to much errant teaching today, the New Testament nowhere commands believers to seek the baptism with the Holy Spirit. It is a sovereign, single, unrepeatable act on Gods part, and is no more an experience than are its companions justification and adoption. Although some wrongly view the baptism with the Spirit as the initiation into the ranks of the spiritual elite, nothing could be further from the truth. The purpose of the baptism with the spirit is not to divide the body of Christ, but to unify it. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, through the baptism with the Spirit "we were all baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13; cf. Gal.3:26-27; Eph. 4:4-6)

Unlike the baptism with the Spirit, being filled with the Spirit is an experience and should be continuous. Although filled initially on the day of Pentecost, Peter was filled again in Acts 4:8. Many of the same people filled with the Spirit in Acts 2 were filled again in Acts 4:31. Acts 6:5 describes Stephen as a man "full of faith and the Holy Spirit," yet Acts 7:55 records his being filled again. Paul was filled with the Spirit in Acts 9:17 and again in Acts 13:9.

While there is no command in scripture to be baptized with the Spirit, believers are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18 ). The grammatical construction of that passage indicates believers are to be continuously being filled with the Spirit. Those who would be filled with the Spirit must first empty themselves. That involves confession of sin and dying to selfishness and self will. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to consciously practice the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and to have a mind saturated with the Word of God. Colossians 3:16-25 delineates the results of "letting the word of Christ richly dwell" in us. They are the same ones that result from the filling of the Spirit (Eph. 5:19-33). As believers yield the moment by moment decisions of life to His control, they "walk by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16). The baptism of the Spirit grants the power that the filling with the Spirit unleashes." (Macarthur)

 

[Dave...]

To be baptised with the Holy Spirit is to be born again. Romans 6:3-6

Jesus is the prophesied baptiser as John told us. Matthew 3:10-12

The Holy Spirit is the agent of baptism. 1 Corinthians 12:13

There is one Body, one baptism. Ephesians 4:4-6 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

When you are baptised into Christ and Born again, you are Complete in him. Colossians 2:9,12 2 Peter 1:3-4

There is no need of a second blessing. John 3:34


Water baptism doesn't save. See bold print.

1 Peter 3:20 Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

Note: Saved in verse 20 is not speaking of salvation.

1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


But spiritual baptism...

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Colossians 2:8-23 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ...


20Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.