Understanding the Holy Spirit Baptism

[live2blive]

Amen. That was Peter.

Yes, of cause it was Peter. Sorry for the mistake and thank you for correcting it.

Here is the pattern when Peter was sent to the first Gentile.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:44-48

They had believed and were saved. Vs. 37

Then the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them as it was on the day of Pentecost. They spoke n tongues as the evidence.

Then they were water baptized.

Yes, this is what happened. But do you see the inconsistency with the words of Peter (the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter): "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 2:38)?

How did the gentiles receive the gift of the Holy Ghost BEFORE they were baptized?

 

[JLB]

How did the gentiles receive the gift of the Holy Ghost BEFORE they were baptized?

The baptism with the Spirit is separate from being saved as well as water baptism.

 

[Hopeful 2]

The pattern of the scriptures is different. First, Israelites had to repent (admit that they are spiritually dead in sins), than John the Baptist baptised them, and the resurrection (being born again) followed after the Savior's resurrection (Romans 6:4,5).

Similarly, Paul said, "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 2:38).

The pattern shows Death, Burial, Resurrection, with the baptism before being born again, not after.

Where did you get "(admit that they are spiritually dead in sins)," as a definition for "repent" ?
Repent means...turn from, or, change.
Men are commanded to turn from sin/repent of sin.
"And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed." (2 Cor 12:21)

 

[Hopeful 2]

Yes, of cause it was Peter. Sorry for the mistake and thank you for correcting it.



Yes, this is what happened. But do you see the inconsistency with the words of Peter (the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter): "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 2:38)?

How did the gentiles receive the gift of the Holy Ghost BEFORE they were baptized?

The Gentiles, Cornelius' household, were the only ones to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Spirit baptism) before they were water baptized.
The reason for this was to show the Jews that Gentiles were also welcomed to the new church by Christ Jesus.
Their salvation still won't be assured until the day of judgement.

 

[live2blive]

Where did you get "(admit that they are spiritually dead in sins)," as a definition for "repent" ?
Repent means...turn from, or, change.
Men are commanded to turn from sin/repent of sin.
"And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed." (2 Cor 12:21)

It was not the definition of “repent”, but explanation. To repent, the people had to first admit that they were sinners and then turn away from sin. To sin means to be spiritually dead:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).

 

[live2blive]

The Gentiles, Cornelius' household, were the only ones to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Spirit baptism) before they were water baptized.
The reason for this was to show the Jews that Gentiles were also welcomed to the new church by Christ Jesus.
Their salvation still won't be assured until the day of judgement.

Still, there seems to be a contradiction. Peter said, "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 2:38).

The sequence is simple: principle of death (repentance, see the previous message), burial (baptism) and resurrection (receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit). Like in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4, in the pattern of the tabernacle, etc.

Why do you think Cornelius received the gift of the Holy Spirit BEFORE the water baptism, in contradiction to Acts 2:38?

 

[Dougcho]

Does anyone really understand the baptism of the Spirit?

Interestingly you show this same uncertainty by saying, ' If required ! '
A far better statement than saying that All should show they have the baptism by showing some spiritual gift.

How does someone with the gift of teaching manifest this gift, if not by being a good teacher.
It is the same with the other non spectacular gifts.

Born-again believers are encouraged to seek this baptism of anointing and spiritual power!
If it is required …
I meant ... Do whatever you need to do -- to get it.

 

[Tenchi]

The “born again” experience
is being baptized into Christ’s church by the Holy Spirit …
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (the church)
… and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
In this experience, the Holy Spirit comes INSIDE the believer …
John 14:16-23, Rom. 8:11, 1 Cor. 3:16, Gal. 4:6, 2 Tim. 1:14, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:12-16.

We are more than baptized into Christ's Church, we are baptized into him, united with him through the Person of the Holy Spirit who is called the Spirit of Christ in Scripture (Romans 6:1-11; Romans 8:9-16; Philippians 1:19). At the same time, this baptism by the Spirit "clothes" the convert in Christ, by the Spirit, they "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27; Romans 13:14).

So, we see that the baptism with the Holy Spirit occurs when the Holy Spirit
comes UPON a person.

To "come upon" is to "come into."

”Behold, I send the Promise of My Father UPON you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem
until you are endued with (spiritual) power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

”… you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. But you shall
receive (spiritual) power when the Holy Spirit has come UPON you” (Acts 1:4-8)

And what happened when the Spirit "came upon" the first Christians?

Acts 2:4
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit...

That would be filled on the inside. (One can't be filled on the outside, obviously.)

Acts 8:15-17
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

There is nothing in this account in Acts 8 to indicate that the Spirit did not come upon the Samaritan people as he had in Acts 2. And there is also no indication in the account that their receiving the Holy Spirit was a second such instance, different from being baptized into Christ.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell UPON all those who heard
the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came
with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out ON the Gentiles also.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)

Acts 10:46-47
46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,
47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"

In this bit you left out of your quotation from Acts 10, Peter confirmed that those in Caesarea who had received the Spirit did so just as he had (in Acts 2) where he was permanently filled with the Spirit. The Spirit "coming upon" the believing Gentiles in Caesarea, then, entailed him entering them and regenerating them spiritually, making them members of the Body of Christ. There is nothing in this account to suggest that the Caesarean Gentiles had already been baptized into Christ (i.e. saved/born-again/spiritually-regenerated) and were receiving a second impartation of the Holy Spirit.

“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell UPON them, as upon us at the beginning.
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water,
but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same
gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ …” (Acts 11:15-17)

Here, too, the Holy Spirit coming upon Cornelius and his household was a spiritually-regenerating thing, an inward "baptism" of Cornelius et al. into Christ, not a second impartation of the Spirit for some other purpose. Peter confirms this by comparing what had happened to Cornelius and his household to his own Acts 2 experience ("as upon us at the beginning") where he was spiritually-regenerated for the first time, permanently filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized into Jesus Christ.

“And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came UPON them,
and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)

Acts 19:1-7
1 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples.
2 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
7 There were in all about twelve men.

In this account, it seems very plain to me that, when the Spirit came upon the Ephesian believers, he did so in a spiritually-regenerating way, baptizing them all into Christ. What is described here is not a second "baptism" of the Spirit, entirely distinct from the first.

So, we see that the baptism with the Holy Spirit occurs when the Holy Spirit
comes UPON a person. These 7 passages reveal that it is called “the Promise”
of the Father, and “the gift” of the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by such things as:
spiritual power, laying on of hands, filled with the Holy Spirit, tongues, and prophecy.

So, isn’t it obvious that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a different experience
than being born again? It is called “the second blessing”

Born-again believers are encouraged to seek this baptism of anointing and spiritual power!
If it is required …
remember the Persistent Widow of Luke 18:1-5, and the Ask-Seek-Knock of Matthew 7:7-8.

I expect that your idea of two spiritual baptisms by the Holy Spirit arises from the fact that Jesus "breathed" the Spirit upon his disciples in John 20:20-22 and then they were filled with the Spirit in Acts 2.

John 20:20-22
20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

What isn't present in this account?

- Jesus did NOT say that his disciples should breathe the Spirit upon others.
- Jesus did NOT breathe the Holy Spirit upon any others.
- Jesus did NOT say that there were two Spirit "impartations" that every saved person should expect to have.
- The disciples did NOT go on to teach the Early Church that there were two distinct, separate Spirit "impartations" every believer should expect to have.

Also:

- How is it that the Spirit came upon and filled those in whom he already dwelled?
- Why were the disciples waiting for this baptism of the Spirit when he was already within them? Why weren't they already in the street preaching the Gospel as they did in Acts 2? How is it possible to have the Spirit within and yet not have him within in such a way as to be empowered by him spiritually?

It isn't at all obvious, then, that the baptism of the Spirit is of two kinds. I think it's quite obvious, actually, that you've placed far too much emphasis on the two prepositions "in" and "upon."

 

[MisterE]

Greek scholar AT Robertson says:

My view is decidedly against the idea that Peter, Paul, or any one in the New Testament taught baptism as essential to the remission of sins or the means of securing such remission. So I understand Peter to be urging baptism on each of them who had already turned (repented) and for it to be done in the name of Jesus Christ on the basis of the forgiveness of sins which they had already received. The gift of the Holy Ghost (την δωρεαν του αγιου πνευματος). The gift consists (Ac8:17 ) in the Holy Spirit (genitive of identification).

 

[Hopeful 2]

It was not the definition of “repent”, but explanation. To repent, the people had to first admit that they were sinners and then turn away from sin. To sin means to be spiritually dead:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).

People have been born with a conscience that has already made them aware that their wickedness is sinful.
Repentance (from sin) is a gift from God that allows them to quit sinning.
It is written..." For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Cor 7:10)
If one is really sorry for ones sins, one won't do them again.
That is repentance from sin.

 

[Hopeful 2]

Still, there seems to be a contradiction. Peter said, "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 2:38).

The sequence is simple: principle of death (repentance, see the previous message), burial (baptism) and resurrection (receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit). Like in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4, in the pattern of the tabernacle, etc.

Why do you think Cornelius received the gift of the Holy Spirit BEFORE the water baptism, in contradiction to Acts 2:38?

God gave the Gentiles at Cornelius' house the gift of the Holy Ghost before baptism, to show Peter and the Jews that came with him, that in no uncertain terms, He had also accepted Gentiles into His body.
The OT walls of separation had come down ! (Eph 2)

 

[Dougcho]

That the baptism with (or in) the Holy Spirit ...
is a second blessing (quite separate from being born again)
is proven by the accompanying "signs",
which are never present when one is born again:
spiritual power, laying on of hands, filled with the Holy Spirit, tongues, and prophecy.
What could be more obvious?
Most people on Christian forums would rather be burned at the stake ...
than have to give up their cherished doctrines taught to them from the cradle.

 

[live2blive]

God gave the Gentiles at Cornelius' house the gift of the Holy Ghost before baptism, to show Peter and the Jews that came with him, that in no uncertain terms, He had also accepted Gentiles into His body.
The OT walls of separation had come down ! (Eph 2)

Sorry for insisting on this point, but it is important. Why God had to break His pattern (death, burial, resurrection) He gave via Peter in Acts 2:38 and showed throughout the Bible? Why God could not tell Peter to come to the Gentiles at Cornelius' house, ask them to repent, baptized them in water, and after that gave them the Holy Spirit?

 

[Hopeful 2]

Sorry for insisting on this point, but it is important. Why God had to break His pattern (death, burial, resurrection) He gave via Peter in Acts 2:38 and showed throughout the Bible? Why God could not tell Peter to come to the Gentiles at Cornelius' house, ask them to repent, baptized them in water, and after that gave them the Holy Spirit?

God was making the point that He had accepted the repentant of every nation...with flair !
Peter wouldn't even have entered Cornelius' house, if Peter had not had the earlier vision from God first.
The Jews couldn't imagine God accepting anyone but Israelites, before Cornelius' event.
A sentiment that seems clear, back at Jerusalem in Acts 11.

 

[Dougcho]

I think it's quite obvious, actually, that you've placed far too much emphasis on the two prepositions "in" and "upon."

Just quoting Scripture! ... Do you have a translation that supports your bias?
I think it's quite obvious, actually, that you have been brainwashed against
the second blessing, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Millions all over the world have received this anointing (mostly) for ministry.

 

[live2blive]

God was making the point that He had accepted the repentant of every nation...with flair !
Peter wouldn't even have entered Cornelius' house, if Peter had not had the earlier vision from God first.
The Jews couldn't imagine God accepting anyone but Israelites, before Cornelius' event.
A sentiment that seems clear, back at Jerusalem in Acts 11.

Yes, but did God break the pattern He established in the Scriptures: death, burial, resurrection or repentance (death to sin), baptism, gift of the Holy Spirit? This pattern permeates not only the Bible but the creation. For example, take a seed. It is in a death-like state. We bury it in the ground and water (“baptize” it), and it comes up (“resurrects”) as a beautiful flower. Why this pattern is so important? Because it is the witness of the Gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Why would suddenly God break it with Cornelius and his house???

 

[deepfaithpraise]

The “born again” experience
is being baptized into Christ’s church by the Holy Spirit …
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (the church)
… and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
In this experience, the Holy Spirit comes INSIDE the believer …
John 14:16-23, Rom. 8:11, 1 Cor. 3:16, Gal. 4:6, 2 Tim. 1:14, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:12-16.

The “baptism with the Holy Spirit” experience
is being given an anointing by Jesus Christ (as prophesied by John the Baptist) …
Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33.
In this experience, the Holy Spirit comes UPON the believer …
Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 8:14-19, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:6.

Everyone knows when a person is born again, the Holy Spirit comes INSIDE the believer.
Now, let’s look at the 7 passages where the Holy Spirit comes UPON the believer:

”Behold, I send the Promise of My Father UPON you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem
until you are endued with (spiritual) power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

”… you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. But you shall
receive (spiritual) power when the Holy Spirit has come UPON you” (Acts 1:4-8)

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled
the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues,
as of fire, and one sat UPON each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)

“Peter and John … prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
For as yet He had fallen UPON none of them. They had only been baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received
the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands
the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this (spiritual) power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-19)

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell UPON all those who heard
the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came
with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out ON the Gentiles also.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)

“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell UPON them, as upon us at the beginning.
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water,
but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same
gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ …” (Acts 11:15-17)

“And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came UPON them,
and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)

So, we see that the baptism with the Holy Spirit occurs when the Holy Spirit
comes UPON a person. These 7 passages reveal that it is called “the Promise”
of the Father, and “the gift” of the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by such things as:
spiritual power, laying on of hands, filled with the Holy Spirit, tongues, and prophecy.

So, isn’t it obvious that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a different experience
than being born again? It is called “the second blessing”

Born-again believers are encouraged to seek this baptism of anointing and spiritual power!
If it is required …
remember the Persistent Widow of Luke 18:1-5, and the Ask-Seek-Knock of Matthew 7:7-8.

I've been pondering what you wrote about the "born again" experience and the "baptism with the Holy Spirit." I find this interpretation intriguing, though it diverges from my view in several ways.

Historically this view seems to align more closely with certain Protestant, particularly Pentecostal, interpretations of Scripture. The Catholic Church generally doesn't distinguish between being "born again" and receiving the Holy Spirit in the way this text does. In Catholic theology, these experiences are typically associated with the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

Psychologically I can see how separating these spiritual experiences might provide believers with a framework for understanding different stages or intensities in their faith journey. The idea of a "second blessing" or additional spiritual empowerment could be very meaningful for some individuals, potentially leading to increased confidence in their faith or a sense of spiritual growth.

But this interpretation is not universally accepted across Christian denominations. I'm aware that these ideas have been subjects of theological debate for centuries.

I'm curious about how individuals might internalize these concepts. Could the expectation of a distinct "baptism with the Holy Spirit" create anxiety for some believers if they don't experience it in the described manner? Conversely, for those who do have such experiences, how does it impact their faith and sense of spiritual identity?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. How does this interpretation resonate with your own spiritual experiences or understanding?

 

[MisterE]

Here is another perspective by William Lane Craig. I use to attend his class many years ago and here is the transcripts of one of his talks on the Baptism and Fullness of the Holy Spirit:

(I personally find the Pentecostal position of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit childish, I decided I would not enter this discussion.)


Today we want to look at the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit. There’s a great deal of confusion in Protestant circles concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit because certain Pentecostal and charismatic Christians claim that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second work of grace in the life of the believer which brings one into a fuller and deeper experience of the Holy Spirit. They believe that when a person becomes a Christian he is indwelt by the Spirit but he is not baptized in the Holy Spirit. In order to come into this deeper walk with God you need to have a second work of grace – a second experience of the Holy Spirit – called the baptism of the Holy Spirit often accompanied by speaking in tongues which will initiate you into this deeper walk in the Spirit.


I think this view is completely wrong. It seems to me that the Scripture is relatively clear that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a second work of grace, but it is an initiatory work of the Spirit by means of which we are placed into the body of Christ. It is through the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we are indwelt by the Spirit and made to be members of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 seems to make that clear: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” Here the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the universal experience of the church, the initiating act by means of which we are placed into the body of Christ.


Charismatics will usually appeal to the stories in the book of Acts to show that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an initiatory act but is a second work of grace. But, in fact, a close examination of those stories in the book of Acts reveals that in every single case it is clearly an initial experience of the Holy Spirit that is being described and not a second experience. For example, in Acts 2 you have the story of Pentecost where the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to the church in Jerusalem and Judea. This is an initial baptism in the Holy Spirit that they were to wait for. They were not to leave Jerusalem until they received this baptism in the Holy Spirit. Then in Acts 8 you have the story of how the Holy Spirit is given to the Samaritan believers. Again, a close reading of chapter 8 indicates that they did not have the Holy Spirit until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Then in Acts 10 and 11 you have the story of Cornelius and his household in which the Holy Spirit now is given to the Gentiles. And once again this is clearly an initial act of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Cornelius and his household. Peter says that the Holy Spirit fell upon them in the same way that he did upon us at Pentecost in the beginning. Then in Acts 19 you have this very strange story of the Ephesian disciples of John the Baptist whom Paul runs into and who says we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. Paul then baptizes them into the Holy Spirit and they likewise become Christians.


So, although the baptism of the Holy Spirit in these acts is differently related to water baptism (sometimes preceding it; sometimes actually coming after water baptism), nevertheless it is clear that in every case the persons who experience a baptism of the Holy Spirit are experiencing an initial act of the Holy Spirit and not some sort of secondary act of grace which puts them into a deeper walk with Christ.


So, it is through the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we are placed into the body of Christ, regenerated, born again to new life, and indwelt with the Holy Spirit.[1] Every believer has the Holy Spirit dwelling within him. Romans 8:9-10:


But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness.

So it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that makes a difference whether a person is a Christian or not a Christian. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit that makes a person a member of the body of Christ and a Christian.


Also 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” The Holy Spirit is the permanent possession of every believer. He is what makes us regenerate – what makes us Christians. Anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit does not belong to him and is not a Christian.

 

[Dougcho]

But this interpretation is not universally accepted across Christian denominations. I'm aware that these ideas have been subjects of theological debate for centuries.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. How does this interpretation resonate with your own spiritual experiences or understanding?

It might be obvious WHY this baptism of anointing and spiritual power
has been down-played (to say the least) throughout the centuries!
Church leaders who were NOT given this baptism by Jesus:
(1) --- chose to ignore the possibility ...
it would lessen their almighty power unless they received it.
They preached 1 Corinthians 13:10 ... "But when that which is
perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away."
They insisted that the perfect was the Bible, but it means Jesus.
(2) --- were jealous of anyone who did receive it.

After "tarrying at the altar" for several years
(God told me I would receive it when I was 93.
But, guess when I received it >>>>>> 1993) ...
I finally received this baptism (with the evidence of tongues).
Just a few words in tongues (according to my pastor).
More than half of the 15 in attendance on that Sunday night ...
heard LOUDLY, in the Spirit, a huge choir and many instruments!
(All of this was NOT heard on the cassette tape of the meeting.)
The visiting evangelist at the time told me that my 2 pastors
(husband and wife) together had all 9 of the gifts of the Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

 

[Hopeful 2]

Yes, but did God break the pattern He established in the Scriptures: death, burial, resurrection or repentance (death to sin), baptism, gift of the Holy Spirit?

Repentance from sin is not "death to sin".
It is turn from sin...though a true repentance from sin would seem to be the death of sinning.
As for breaking patterns, the one break from normalcy I see is that Cornelius' water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins came after receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This pattern permeates not only the Bible but the creation. For example, take a seed. It is in a death-like state. We bury it in the ground and water (“baptize” it), and it comes up (“resurrects”) as a beautiful flower. Why this pattern is so important? Because it is the witness of the Gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Why would suddenly God break it with Cornelius and his house???

God did it that way to impress those fixated on patterns.
The six Jews who went to Cornelius' house with Peter were stunned that Gentiles could receive the same gift they had been given.
Patterns no longer exemplified the workings of God !
Eph 2 covers that break from normalcy better than I can.