The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

WE BELIEVE that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the bestowing of the believer with power to be an effective witness for Christ. This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the New Birth; is received by faith, and is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, as the initial evidence - Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5,8; Acts 2:1-4; 8:15-19; 11:14-17; 19:1-7.

Introduction

What we intend doing through this study, is to clarify what we believe the Bible teaches about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and inspire every believer to seek after every good gift that God has to offer us.

I - BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT REGENERATION

1. Jesus' ministry had two distinct goals.

To take away sin = regeneration, being born again. Jn 1:29, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”.

To baptise in the Holy Spirit. Jn 1:33 “…this is He who baptises with the Holy Spirit”.

2. The Disciples received two distinct and separate workings of the Holy Spirit.

After Christ's Resurrection. John 20:22, “He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”. This is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that every believer receives at salvation.

At Pentecost. (An experience subsequent to regeneration.)
Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance”. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
Jesus made reference in Acts 1:5 that what they received in John 20:22 wasn't the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. That would occur a few days later. What is clear however is that they were already saved.

They belonged to God, Jn 17:9-10.

Their names were written in heaven, Luke 10:20.

They had eternal life, Jn 10:27-29.

3. The Samaritans also had two distinct experiences.

They were saved and baptised in water under Philip's ministry, Acts 8:5-13.

They were baptised in the Holy Spirit under Peter and John's ministry some time later.
(Acts 8:14-17).

II DEFINITION

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience that can only happen to a Christian. It is the Holy Spirit coming upon believers and filling them in order to energise and empower them for service.

This experience is also referred to in the New Testament as:

Falling of the Holy Spirit - Acts 8:16, 10:44, 11:15.

Filling of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:4, 4:8,31; 6:3,5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9.

Coming upon, Acts 1:8; 19:6.

Poured out upon, Acts 10:45.

Receiving the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38; 8:15,17; 8:19; 10:48; 19:2.

Gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38, 8:20, 10:15.

Baptised in the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:5; 11:16; Matt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16.

The promise of the Father, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 2:33, 2:29.

Giving of the Holy Spirit, Luke 11:13, Acts 5:32, 8:18, 15:8.

III THE PURPOSE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. An Empowering to Minister God's Message.

This is the chief purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8, Jesus said, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."

Power = Gk Dunamis - miracle working power, abundance of strength.

Power to witness, Acts 1:8.

Power to do the works that Jesus did and even greater works, Jn 14:12.

Power to speak God's Word boldly.

4:31, "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness."

2. An Empowering to Minister Life.

Jesus said in John 7:38-39, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, "out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

God wants to give us an inner power that flows out of us and impacts those around. This power is described as a river of living water.

Those that we witness to don't need religious rituals. They need a river of life.

The falling upon us of the Holy Spirit, fills us. By being filled, a river of life is able to flow out of us and bless others.

3. An Empowering to Minister in the Miraculous.

Luke 24:49 says, "But tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued (clothed) with power from on high."

Power from on high is God-given ability from heaven. Ability to carry out God's commands, ability to heal the sick and cast out devils, ability to cause the unsaved to stop and take notice of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mark 16:17-18, “These signs shall follow those who believe: in My name they will cast our demons, they will speak with new tongues … they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.”

IV THE NEW TESTAMENT PRECENDENT

Jesus said that He came to baptise with the Holy Spirit.

1. Luke 24:49, "Behold I send the Promise of My Father upon you.". Jn 1:38, John said of Jesus, "This is the One who baptises in the Holy Spirit".

2. Up until Acts 1:5 no one had yet been baptised in the Holy Spirit. "You shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now".

3. The first people to receive the Holy Spirit were the disciples in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost, 10 days after the Ascension. Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance".
(Note: they were all filled, not just the apostles or a select few.)

4. The Samaritans received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit through the ministry of Peter and John, Acts 8:17, "Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit".

5. The Household of Cornelius were the first Gentiles to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:44, "W

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