Understanding the Holy Spirit Baptism

[live2blive]

No.
Only those who were deceived, or ignorant, thought such a thing.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (Acts 15:5).

They were believers, this is what written in the Bible.

 

[Dougcho]

Were baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit.

How about? ...
Were baptized into the church by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13).

 

[Hopeful 2]

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (Acts 15:5).

They were believers, this is what written in the Bible.

What the Pharisees believed wasn't the same as Paul, or I, believe.
By their insistence on Law keeping, they show a less than total knowledge of Christianity.
At best, they were partial believers.
Still ignorant, in the ways of God.

 

[live2blive]

What the Pharisees believed wasn't the same as Paul, or I, believe.
By their insistence on Law keeping, they show a less than total knowledge of Christianity.
At best, they were partial believers.
Still ignorant, in the ways of God.

I agree that they were ignorant of the certain things of God, even though they believed that Yahshua was the Messiah. This is exactly my point: at that time many believers did not have full understanding of the ways of God. Including Peter who did not understand that water baptism was not important anymore. Paul had better understanding when he declared in Ephesians 4:5 that there is only ONE baptism (baptism of the Holy Spirit), and when he said, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1 Cor 1:17).

 

[Hopeful 2]

I agree that they were ignorant of the certain things of God, even though they believed that Yahshua was the Messiah. This is exactly my point: at that time many believers did not have full understanding of the ways of God.

OK.

Including Peter who did not understand that water baptism was not important /anymore.

Now you are way off base.
If Peter didn't believe water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was necessary, or that Jesus' command to baptize was to be obeyed, why did he command baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins on the day of Pentecost ?
And again at Cornelius' house ? (Acts 10)

Your church/teachers are commanding men to disobey Jesus and the apostles.

Paul had better understanding when he declared in Ephesians 4:5 that there is only ONE baptism (baptism of the Holy Spirit), and when he said, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1 Cor 1:17).

One from God.
There are still other baptisms.
Jesus sent Paul to preach the good news, but the believers of that news were to repent of sin and get baptized.
If they did, they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost/Spirit baptism.

 

[live2blive]

Now you are way off base.
If Peter didn't believe water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was necessary, or that Jesus' command to baptize was to be obeyed, why did he command baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins on the day of Pentecost ?
And again at Cornelius' house ? (Acts 10)

We go in circles. I already explained (and I understand that you don't agree with this explanation) that baptism in the name of Yahshua the Messiah is immersion in the teaching, word - not physical water: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38). So, Holy Spirit through Peter was saying the right thing on the day of Pentecost, even though Peter at that time erroneously thought that physical water is needed.

Please tell me: when was Peter and other 120 disciples who received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost baptized in water in the name of Jesus?

Your church/teachers are commanding men to disobey Jesus and the apostles

Not so. When did Jesus Christ command to baptize Gentiles in water?

One from God.
There are still other baptisms.
Jesus sent Paul to preach the good news, but the believers of that news were to repent of sin and get baptized.
If they did, they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost/Spirit baptism.

If water baptism was so important, would not Paul be happy to baptize people?

 

[Hopeful 2]

We go in circles. I already explained (and I understand that you don't agree with this explanation) that baptism in the name of Yahshua the Messiah is immersion in the teaching, word - not physical water: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38). So, Holy Spirit through Peter was saying the right thing on the day of Pentecost, even though Peter at that time erroneously thought that physical water is needed.

Please tell me: when was Peter and other 120 disciples who received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost baptized in water in the name of Jesus?

They didn't need to be baptized for the remission of sins again, as they had already been baptized unto repentance by John the Baptist.
Besides, Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins.
Like Peter's denial of Christ, when Jesus was arrested.

Not so. When did Jesus Christ command to baptize Gentiles in water?

He commanded everybody to be baptized, in Matt 28:19
And in Mark 16:16.
What else but water should they have used ?

If water baptism was so important, would not Paul be happy to baptize people?

Without a citing of what you refer to, I will assume you are referring to 1 Cor 1.
What Paul was not happy about, was people making an issue of whom they were baptized by.
(Which also shows that others were baptizing too !)
He was happy, however, to baptize many at Corinth, and Lydia's household, and the jailers' household, and the twelve at Ephesus, etc.

 

[live2blive]

They didn't need to be baptized for the remission of sins again, as they had already been baptized unto repentance by John the Baptist.
Besides, Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins.
Like Peter's denial of Christ, when Jesus was arrested.

I agree that they were not water baptized the second time. Was the baptism for the remission of sins by John the Batist the same as the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ?

He commanded everybody to be baptized, in Matt 28:19
And in Mark 16:16.
What else but water should they have used ?

Let’s analyze this phrase:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

1. Please recall that during the lifetime of the Messiah, His disciples did not understand Him (because the Holy Spirit, the spirit of understanding, had not yet been given). They did not understand the Spiritual, and saw only the physical. Thus, when the Messiah spoke to the Samaritan woman about living water (Teaching), she thought He was talking about physical water (John 4:10,11). When Messiah told His disciples to eat His flesh, they took Him literally, not realizing that His Words were His true body (John 6:52-63). And now millions of people without Spiritual understanding see only physical water when they see the word "baptism".

2. When many people read “baptism” in the Bible, they automatically think about water. It is not so. For example, here the Messiah does not talk about water:
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (Luke 12:50).

Matthew 28:19 does not speak of baptism with WATER! Let's remember that “baptism” in Greek means “immersion.” There is the baptism in water, but there is also the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). Immersion in the Name is part of Spiritual baptism.

3. Let’s analyze the grammar of the sentence “Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. “Baptizing” is a participle that explains the verb ”teach.” That is, the disciples are to teach the nations - how? By baptizing or immersing them in something. What can you teach people about God by the act of immersion in water? Nothing. But much can be taught about God by immersing people in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (notice the name is in the singular showing the unity of the Spirit). By understanding the Spiritual meaning of the name “Yahweh” we can learn about the relationship between the Father and the Son as well as His purpose, as expressed in the name “Yahshua”: Yahweh-salvation.

Let me give an example about teaching by baptizing (immersing). At the college graduation, a history professor gives a speech and tells the students, “Go and teach your students about ancient Rome, immersing them in the names of Augustus, Tiberius, Nero…”.

Without a citing of what you refer to, I will assume you are referring to 1 Cor 1.
What Paul was not happy about, was people making an issue of whom they were baptized by.
(Which also shows that others were baptizing too !)
He was happy, however, to baptize many at Corinth, and Lydia's household, and the jailers' household, and the twelve at Ephesus, etc.

I thank God that I baptized none of you (1 Cor 1:14). If water baptism was so important, would Paul be thanking God for not baptizing some people even though they had problems? He would be happy to baptize everyone. Did he ever thank God for not preaching the Gospel to these people? No, he preached to everyone For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1 Cor 1:17) although the same people were making an issue of whom they were taught (1 Cor 3:3,4).

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

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.

What happened on Easter night when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after his resurrection long before Pentecost?
Joh 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

 

[Hopeful 2]

I agree that they were not water baptized the second time. Was the baptism for the remission of sins by John the Batist the same as the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ?

Yes, with the exception that after Jesus was resurrected, we do it in the name of Jesus Christ.

Let’s analyze this phrase:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

1. Please recall that during the lifetime of the Messiah, His disciples did not understand Him (because the Holy Spirit, the spirit of understanding, had not yet been given).

That was remedied on the road to Emmaus.

They did not understand the Spiritual, and saw only the physical. Thus, when the Messiah spoke to the Samaritan woman about living water (Teaching), she thought He was talking about physical water (John 4:10,11). When Messiah told His disciples to eat His flesh, they took Him literally, not realizing that His Words were His true body (John 6:52-63). And now millions of people without Spiritual understanding see only physical water when they see the word "baptism".

I am glad they do, for without it, there would be no reception of the Holy Ghost.

2. When many people read “baptism” in the Bible, they automatically think about water. It is not so. For example, here the Messiah does not talk about water:
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (Luke 12:50).

Agreed.

Matthew 28:19 does not speak of baptism with WATER!

I disagree, as the baptism of the Holy Spirit had yet to be given.
That gift was still unknown to the apostles, so Jesus was not telling them to do what only God can do.

Let's remember that “baptism” in Greek means “immersion.” There is the baptism in water, but there is also the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). Immersion in the Name is part of Spiritual baptism.

Water baptism is when the name of Jesus Christ is used.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a gift from God that men have no control over.

3. Let’s analyze the grammar of the sentence “Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. “Baptizing” is a participle that explains the verb ”teach.”

I will cut you off here, before you say something you cannot undo.

That is, the disciples are to teach the nations - how? By baptizing or immersing them in something. What can you teach people about God by the act of immersion in water? Nothing. But much can be taught about God by immersing people in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (notice the name is in the singular showing the unity of the Spirit). By understanding the Spiritual meaning of the name “Yahweh” we can learn about the relationship between the Father and the Son as well as His purpose, as expressed in the name “Yahshua”: Yahweh-salvation.

Let me give an example about teaching by baptizing (immersing). At the college graduation, a history professor gives a speech and tells the students, “Go and teach your students about ancient Rome, immersing them in the names of Augustus, Tiberius, Nero…”.

I thank God that I baptized none of you (1 Cor 1:14). If water baptism was so important, would Paul be thanking God for not baptizing some people even though they had problems? He would be happy to baptize everyone. Did he ever thank God for not preaching the Gospel to these people? No, he preached to everyone For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1 Cor 1:17) although the same people were making an issue of whom they were taught (1 Cor 3:3,4).

 

[electedbyHim]

Concise....


BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT

After the repeated announcements of John the Baptist concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33), Christ solemnly stressed the promise of the Spirit’s coming (Acts 1:4–5). The two historical fulfillments mentioned in the NT occurred at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4) and in the house of Cornelius (Acts 11:15–16). These two groups of believers were added to the church at the very moment they received the baptism of the Spirit. Paul confirms this by giving in I Cor 12:13 the clearest definition in the NT.

Effected by the divine Spirit, this baptism has as its result the placing of every believer “in Christ,” making him a member of Christ’s Body, and at the same time uniting him to all the other children of God. The tense of the verb “we were all baptized...” (RSV) indicates that here it is a matter of the initial experience coinciding with the new birth. The man already regenerated need not therefore look again for the baptism of the Spirit, nor for a “new baptism” (that which does not exist), but rather for the fullness of the Spirit constantly renewed.

Baptism shows death and resurrection, the burial of the crucified sinner with Christ, and the birth of the regenerated man, born from above by the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:3). It marks the break with the past and the entrance by faith into the new sphere of life in Christ: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God... [you] hath he quickened together with him” (Col 2:12–13). We “were baptized into his death ... buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead ... even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:3–4). “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27). These texts speak first of all of the baptism of the Spirit, which alone is capable of producing such a work in us: death and resurrection with Christ, new birth and the receiving of a superior nature which is the basis of a transformed life.

Water baptism shows by an external and visible means that which the baptism of the Spirit has produced in the spiritual realm. Since the believer dies and is resurrected with Christ, it is understandable that the church often practiced water baptism by the immersion of the convert (see Baptism). The old man, crucified with Christ, disappears under the water, and it is a new man which comes out of it, dead to sin and regenerated unto a new life (Rom 6:3–4; Col 2:12). Water baptism is, therefore, the affirmation and sign of that which the baptism of the Spirit has effected in the depth of the heart. The two are so bound together that Paul could state in reality that there is only one baptism (Eph 4:5). It is the baptism of the Spirit (death and resurrection with Christ) that saves a believer, and in water baptism he gives the answer of a good conscience toward God (I Pet 3:21).

Participation in this gracious operation of God is assured to all who become members of the Body of Christ by faith (Col 2:12; I Cor 12:13). See Holy Spirit, Filling of; Unction.

Pfeiffer, C. F., Vos, H. F., & Rea, J. (1975; 2005). The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia. Moody Press.

 

[electedbyHim]

In depth...

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE BIBLICAL MATERIAL:

The expression “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is based on a number of predictions found in our four Gospels and in connection with these the record of their fulfillment in the Book of Acts. The passages in the Gospels are as follows: Matthew 3:11: “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.” The last clause is [αὐτὸς ὑμα̂ς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίω̦ καὶ πυρί, autos humas baptisei en pneumati hagio kai puri]. In Mark 1:8 and Luke 3:16 we have the declaration in a slightly modified form; and in John 1:33 John the Baptist declares that the descent of the Spirit upon Jesus at the baptism of the latter marked out Jesus as “he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.” Again in John 7:37, 38 we read: “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.” Then the evangelist adds in John 7:39: “But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.” These are the specific references in the four Gospels to the baptisms of the Holy Spirit. In Acts we find direct reference by Luke to the promised baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:5 Jesus, just before the ascension, contrasts John’s baptism in water with the baptism in the Holy Spirit which the disciples are to receive “not many days hence,” and in Acts 1:8 power in witnessing for Jesus is predicted as the result of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. On the evening of the resurrection day Jesus appeared to the disciples and “he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). This was probably not a wholly symbolic act but an actual communication to the disciples, in some measure, of the gift of the Spirit, preliminary to the later complete bestowal.

We observe next the fulfillment of these predictions as recorded in Acts. The gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and the miraculous manifestations which followed are clearly the chief historical fulfillment of the prediction of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Among the manifestations of the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost were first those which were physical, such as “a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2), and the appearance of “tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them” (Acts 2:3). Secondly, there were spiritual results: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). In Acts 2:16 ff Peter declares that this bestowment of the Holy Spirit is in fulfillment of the prediction made by the prophet Joel and he cites the words in Acts 2:28 ff of Joel’s prophecy.

There is one other important passage in Acts in which reference is made to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While Peter was speaking to Cornelius (Acts 10:44) the Holy Spirit fell on all that heard the word and they of the circumcision who were with Peter “were amazed” “because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.” When giving the brethren at Jerusalem an account of his visit to Cornelius, Peter dec]ares that this event which he had witnessed was a baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:16): “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.”

SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

We consider next the significance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit from various points of view.

1. FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING AS TO THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT.

The prophecy of Joel quoted by Peter indicates something extraordinary in the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost. The Spirit now comes in new forms of manifestation and with new power. The various classes mentioned as receiving the Spirit indicate the wide diffusion of the new power. In the Old Testament usually the Spirit was bestowed upon individuals; here the gift is to the group of disciples, the church. Here the gift is permanently bestowed, while in the Old Testament it was usually transient and for a special purpose. Here again the Spirit comes in fullness as contrasted with the partial bestowment in Old Testament times.

2. FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE ASCENDED CHRIST.

In Luke 24:49 Jesus commands the disciples to tarry in the city “until ye be clothed with power from on high,” and in John 15:26 He speaks of the Comforter “whom I will send unto you from the Father,” “he shall bear witness of me”; and in John 16:13 Jesus declares that the Spirit when He comes shall guide the disciples into all truth, and He shall show them things to come. In this verse the Spirit is called the Spirit of truth. It was fitting that the Spirit who was to interpret truth and guide into all truth should come in fullness after, rather than before, the completion of the life-task of the Messiah. The historical manifestation of Divine truth as thus completed made necessary the gift of the Spirit in fullness. Christ Himself was the giver of the Spirit. The Spirit now takes the place of the ascended Christ, or rather takes the things of Christ and shows them to the disciples. The baptism of the Spirit at Pentecost thus becomes the great historic event signalizing the beginning of a new era in the kingdom of God in which the whole movement is lifted to the spiritual plane, and the task of evangelizing the world is formally begun.

3. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE DISCIPLES.

It can scarcely be said with truth that Pentecost was the birthday of the church. Jesus had spoken of His church during His earthly ministry. The spiritual relation to Christ which constitutes the basis of the church existed prior to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But that baptism established the church in several ways. First in unity. The external bond of unity now gives place to an inner spiritual bond of profound significance. Secondly, the church now becomes conscious of a spiritual mission, and theocratic ideals of the kingdom disappear. Thirdly, the church is now endued with power for its work. Among the gifts bestowed were the gift of prophecy in the large sense of speaking for God, and the gift of tongues which enabled disciples to speak in foreign tongues. The account in the second chapter of Acts admits of no other construction. There was also bestowed power in witnessing for Christ. This was indeed one of the most prominent blessings named in connection with the promise of the baptism of the Spirit. The power of working miracles was also bestowed (Acts 3:4 ff; 5:12 ff). Later in the epistles of Paul much emphasis is given to the Spirit as the sanctifying agency in the hearts of believers. In Acts the word of the Spirit is chiefly Messianic, that is, the Spirit’s activity is all seen in relation to the extension of the Messianic kingdom. The occasion for the outpouring of the Spirit is Pentecost when men from all nations are assembled in Jerusalem. The symbolic representation of tongues of fire is suggestive of preaching, and the glossolalia, or speaking with tongues which followed, so that men of various nations heard the gospel in their own languages, indicates that the baptism of the Spirit had a very special relation to the task of world-wide evangelization for the bringing in of the kingdom of God.



Orr, J., M.A., D.D. (1999). The International standard Bible encyclopedia : 1915 edition (J. Orr, Ed.). Albany,

 

[electedbyHim]

Continued......


FINALITY OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

The question is often raised whether or not the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred once for all or is repeated in subsequent baptisms. The evidence seems to point to the former view to the extent at least of being limited to outpourings which took place in connection with events recorded in the early chapters of the Book of Acts. The following considerations favor this view:

1. In the first chapter of Acts Jesus predicts, according to Luke’s account, that the baptism of the Holy Spirit would take place, “not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). This would seem to point to a definite and specific event rather than to a continuous process.

2. Again, Peter’s citation in Acts 2:17-21 of Joel’s prophecy shows that in Peter’s mind the event which his hearers were then witnessing was the definite fulfillment of the words of Joel.

3. Notice in the third place that only one other event in the New Testament is described as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and for special reasons this may be regarded as the completion of the Pentecostal baptism. The passage is that contained in Acts 10:1 through 11:18 in which the record is given of the following events:

a. miraculous vision given to Peter on the housetop (Acts 10:11-16) indicating that the things about to occur are of unique importance;

b. the speaking with tongues (Acts 10:45, 46);

c. Peter declares to the brethren at Jerusalem that the Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles in this instance of Cornelius and his household “as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15);

d. Peter also declares that this was a fulfillment of the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:16, 17);

e. the Jewish Christians who heard Peter’s account of the matter acknowledged this as proof that God had also extended the privileges of the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 11:18).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Cornelius and his household is thus directly linked with the first outpouring at Pentecost, and as the event which signalized the opening of the door of the gospel formally to Gentiles it is in complete harmony with the missionary significance of the first great Pentecostal outpouring. It was a turning point or crisis in the Messianic kingdom and seems designed to complete the Pentecostal gift by showing that Gentiles as well as Jews are to be embraced in all the privileges of the new dispensation.

4. We observe again that nowhere in the epistles do we find a repetition of the baptism of the Spirit. This would be remarkable if it had been understood by the writers of the epistles that the baptism of the Spirit was frequently to be repeated. There is no evidence outside the Book of Acts that the baptism of the Spirit ever occurred in the later New Testament times. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 Paul says, “For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, .... and were all made to drink of one Spirit.” But here the reference is not to the baptism of the Spirit, but rather to a baptism into the church which is the body of Christ. We conclude, therefore, that the Pentecostal baptism taken in conjunction with the baptism of the Spirit in the case of Cornelius completes the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to the New Testament teaching. The baptism of the Spirit as thus bestowed was, however, the definite gift of the Spirit in His fullness for every form of spiritual blessing necessary in the progress of the kingdom and as the permanent and abiding gift of God to His people. In all subsequent New Testament writings there is the assumption of this presence of the Spirit and of His availability for all believers. The various commands and exhortations of the epistles are based on the assumption that the baptism of the Spirit has already taken place, and that, according to the prediction of Jesus to the disciples, the Spirit was to abide with them forever (John 14:16). We should not therefore confound other forms of expression found in the New Testament with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Christians are enjoined to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) and “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), or when the Spirit is described as an anointing ([χρίσμα, chrisma]) as in 1 John 2:20-27, and as the “earnest of our inheritance” ([ἀρραβών, arrabon]). as in Ephesians 1:14, and when various other similar expressions are employed in the epistles of the New Testament, we are not to understand the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These expressions indicate aspects of the Spirit’s work in believers or of the believer’s appropriation of the gifts and blessings of the Spirit rather than the historical baptism of the Spirit.

RELATION OF BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT TO OTHER BAPTISMS:

Three final points require brief attention, namely, the relation of the baptism of the Spirit to the baptism in water, and to the baptism in fire, and to the laying on of hands.

1. We note that the baptism in fire is coupled with the baptism in the Spirit in Matthew 3:11 and in Luke 3:16. These passages give the word of John the Baptist. John speaks of the coming One who “shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire” (Luke 3:16). This baptism in fire is often taken as being parallel and synonymous with the baptism in the Spirit. The context however in both Matthew and Luke seems to favor another meaning. Jesus’ Messianic work will be both cleansing and destructive. The “you” addressed by John included the people generally and might naturally embrace both classes, those whose attitude to Jesus would be believing and those who would refuse to believe. His action as Messiah would affect all men. Some He would regenerate and purify through the Holy Ghost. Others He would destroy through the fire of punishment. This view is favored by the context in both gospels. In both the destructive energy of Christ is coupled with His saving power in other terms which admit of no doubt. The wheat He gathers into the garner and the chaff He burns with unquenchable fire.

2. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not meant to supersede water baptism. This is clear from the whole of the history in the Book of Acts, where water baptism is uniformly administered to converts after the Pentecostal baptism of the Spirit, as well as from the numerous references to water baptisms in the epistles. The evidence here is so abundant that it is unnecessary to develop it in detail. See Romans 6:3; 1Corinthians 1:14-17; 10:2; 12:13; 15:29; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21.



3. In Acts 8:17 and 19:6 the Holy Spirit is bestowed in connection with the laying on of the hands of apostles, but these are not to be regarded as instances of the baptism of the Spirit in the strict sense, but rather as instances of the reception by believers of the Spirit which had already been bestowed in fullness at Pentecost.

LITERATURE.​

Arts. on Holy Spirit in Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (five volumes) and Hastings, Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels; article on “Spiritual Gifts” in Encyclopedia Biblica; Moule, Veni Creator; Smeaton, The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit; Kuyper, The Work of the Holy Spirit.

Orr, J., M.A., D.D. (1999). The International standard Bible encyclopedia : 1915 edition (J. Orr, Ed.).

 

[Tenchi]

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.

This is hardly a sufficient response to what I pointed out in post #28. All you've offered in the quotation above is deflection ("just quoting Scripture," I think it's quite obvious"), a fallacious argument from the majority ("Millions all over the world..."), and an ad hominem attack ("you have been brainwashed"). It should concern you that this is all you've been able to muster in defense of your erroneous ideas about two baptisms of the Spirit. It should concern you, also, that you've used such glaringly fallacious reasoning without realizing you have. Yikes.

 

[live2blive]

Yes, with the exception that after Jesus was resurrected, we do it in the name of Jesus Christ.

You agree that the disciples were not water baptized the second time, and that the baptism for the remission of sins by John the Batist was for them the same as the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. How can you explain that similar disciples who were baptized for the remission of sins had to be baptized the second time in the name of Jesus Christ?

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:1-5).

I disagree, as the baptism of the Holy Spirit had yet to be given.
That gift was still unknown to the apostles, so Jesus was not telling them to do what only God can do.

Water baptism is when the name of Jesus Christ is used.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a gift from God that men have no control over.

There is also baptism (immersion) in the word or teaching.

 

[Hopeful 2]

You agree that the disciples were not water baptized the second time, and that the baptism for the remission of sins by John the Batist was for them the same as the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

Same in appearance only.
Water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ also facilitates our "immersion" into Christ, into His death and burial, and into His resurrection from the grave., so we could walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:3-5)
That was not available until after Jesus was raised from the dead.

How can you explain that similar disciples who were baptized for the remission of sins had to be baptized the second time in the name of Jesus Christ?
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:1-5).

Reception of the Holy Ghost is dependent on two things.
A true turn from sin (repentance from sin), and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin.
Those disciples seemed unaware of that, having not even heard of the Holy Ghost.
Water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins could provide for the twelve what Jesus Himself provided for the apostles.
The way to receive the Holy Ghost, the way to crucify and bury the old man, and the way to be raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.

There is also baptism (immersion) in the word or teaching.

Why make an unending work necessary to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost ?
How much must one learn in order to qualify for a baptism given by God ?

 

[live2blive]

Reception of the Holy Ghost is dependent on two things.
A true turn from sin (repentance from sin), and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin.

If you mean water baptism, it is not so. Here is what Paul said about how a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit:

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13).

To hear the preaching of the True Gospel and to believe in the Gospel- this is what needed to receive the Holy Spirit (see also 1 Cor 15:1-4).

Those disciples seemed unaware of that, having not even heard of the Holy Ghost.
Water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins could provide for the twelve what Jesus Himself provided for the apostles.
The way to receive the Holy Ghost, the way to crucify and bury the old man, and the way to be raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.

Sorry, but I don't understand your explanation why Yahshua's disciples had to be water baptized once and the disciples in Acts 19:1-5 twice.

Why make an unending work necessary to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost ?
How much must one learn in order to qualify for a baptism given by God ?

Preaching of the Gospel which is the same as baptism (immersion) in the truth including the name of Yahshua the Messiah - this is what requires.

 

[Hopeful 2]

If you mean water baptism, it is not so. Here is what Paul said about how a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit:
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13)

He isn't telling anyone how to do anything.
He is merely making an observation.
It was believers that obeyed the preachers they 'heard', repented of sin, and got water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their past sins.
Doing those things made them eligible, (clean, sanctified, justified, atoned for), for the gift of the Holy Ghost...just as Peter said in Acts 2:38.

To hear the preaching of the True Gospel and to believe in the Gospel- this is what needed to receive the Holy Spirit (see also 1 Cor 15:1-4).

Of course hearing the good news was necessary before anything else could happen.
But turning from sin and the cleansing of past sins were also necessary.

Sorry, but I don't understand your explanation why Yahshua's disciples had to be water baptized once and the disciples in Acts 19:1-5 twice.

Who can say that the apostles, the 120 souls, were not among the 3000 that got water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost ?
The twelve at Ephesus were not yet aware of the happenings on the day of Pentecost.
What they believed when Paul met them is anybody's guess.
They may not even known about Jesus.

Preaching of the Gospel which is the same as baptism (immersion) in the truth including the name of Yahshua the Messiah - this is what requires.

You are just making things up, and they can't refute scripture.

 

[live2blive]

He isn't telling anyone how to do anything.
He is merely making an observation.
It was believers that obeyed the preachers they 'heard', repented of sin, and got water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their past sins.
Doing those things made them eligible, (clean, sanctified, justified, atoned for), for the gift of the Holy Ghost...just as Peter said in Acts 2:38.

The twelve at Ephesus were not yet aware of the happenings on the day of Pentecost.
What they believed when Paul met them is anybody's guess.
They may not even known about Jesus.

You are just making things up, and they can't refute scripture.

As Peter said in Acts 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, 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.

It does not say "water". Yes, "water" can be understood, but should not be automatically assumed. In Acts 10, Cornelius and his household were baptized (immersed) in the teaching about Yahshua and then received the gift of the Holy Spirit (without the water). The same baptism in the Gospel - name of Yahshua (Yahweh is salvation) - happened with the disciples in Acts 19 before they received the Holy Spirit.

Of course hearing the good news was necessary before anything else could happen.
But turning from sin and the cleansing of past sins were also necessary.

Agreed. However, physical water does not cleanse from sins.

Who can say that the apostles, the 120 souls, were not among the 3000 that got water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost ?

You said it: https://christianforums.net/threads/understanding-the-holy-spirit-baptism.110183/page-5#post-1928417

 

[Hopeful 2]

As Peter said in Acts 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, 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.

It does not say "water". Yes, "water" can be understood, but should not be automatically assumed. In Acts 10, Cornelius and his household were baptized (immersed) in the teaching about Yahshua and then received the gift of the Holy Spirit (without the water). The same baptism in the Gospel - name of Yahshua (Yahweh is salvation) - happened with the disciples in Acts 19 before they received the Holy Spirit.


Agreed. However, physical water does not cleanse from sins..

You said it: https://christianforums.net/threads/understanding-the-holy-spirit-baptism.110183/page-5#post-1928417

I consider your perspective false.