EEC Blog

Every follower of Jesus Christ wants to live the way that pleases our heavenly Father. What is this way and how can we live it? We can only please God by living in the Spirit, this is clearly seen by faith in Jesus and obeying the Bible. It is by allowing the Holy Spirit His way, creating the character of Christ in each disciple, that we will please our God. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God we come to understand that our faith, our life, our future - in fact all spiritual blessings - are ours in Christ Jesus. Without the Spirit’s work we would not know the reality of Christ in our experience.

This article, then, is about the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and the importance of the Spirit-filled life.

The words “baptism with the Holy Spirit” appear just six times in the Bible (Mt. 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk. 3:16; Jn 1:33; Ac 1:5; 1Cor 12:13).

Christian Controversy

These six verses have stirred much controversy and debate among Christians. We need to seek the help of our Teacher (the Holy Spirit) sent from above by our precious Saviour Jesus to help us in understanding this very important subject.

There are basically two sides of this issue:

Pentecostals understand that all references to the “baptism with the Holy Spirit” refer to a post conversion experience of pouring out of the Spirit on the believer. They speak of a second experience of the Spirit following conversion. The portions of scripture used for evidence are usually from the book of Acts (Ac 1:4; 8:13-17; 9:1-19; 19:1-6).

Non-Pentecostals interpret the term ”baptised with the Holy Spirit” to mean receiving the Spirit at conversion. They say that the Baptism with the Spirit is the same as the sealing of the Spirit, mentioned by the apostle Paul elsewhere.

The evidence quoted is 1Co 12:13 where it is said the Corinthian Christians became members of the body of Christ when they were “baptised by the Spirit” into the body of Christ.

It is clear from other passages in the New Testament that a person cannot be a Christian without the Holy Spirit (e.g. Jn 3:3,5,8; Ro 8: 9; Ga 3:2; 4:6. 1Co 6:19. The new birth and indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit is what makes and keeps us children of God. But is it true that there are only two ways of looking at this subject? Could it be not either/or but both that is taught in the scriptures? Not only A or B but C, a third way!

Indwelling AND Baptism

Let me explain what I mean. The term “Baptism with the Holy Spirit” is the coming of the Spirit upon the believer in power for service. This may happen at conversion as in Cornelius’ house or, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles, more commonly post-conversion. This experience is the beginning of the Spirit-filled Life. It is not the coming of the Spirit in regeneration or salvation but is subsequent to conversion. This filling of the Holy Spirit can be repeated many times in the experience of the individual or the church. From the pages of the New Testament this is what we read. By repentance and faith in Jesus Christ the believer was placed (baptised) into the body, and was baptised in water. After this, the believer prayed for the baptism, filling, outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them.

The terms “baptism with the Spirit”, “pouring out of the Spirit”, “Spirit comes on you, “clothed with power”, and “filled with the Spirit” all describe the same experience. Since every Christian receives the Spirit at conversion, all Believers are immersed into Christ. This is their common birthright. But it is just as true that there are other outpourings, fillings, baptisms in the lives of Christians through out their earthly life. Jesus called this outpouring the gift of the Father and the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

The disciples had received the Holy Spirit on Resurrection Day when Our Lord Jesus breathed on them and said ‘receive ye the Holy Spirit’. Over a month later He told them that ‘not many days later’ they would receive the out-poured Spirit and be empowered to server as witnesses to Him.

Interchangeable Terms

After reading The Acts of the Apostles it will be seen that terms like “ baptism with the Spirit” (1:5); Holy Spirit comes upon you” (1:8); “filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:4); “pour out My Spirit” (2:17); “poured out” (2:33), etc, are all interchangeable terms.  They all describe the same class of experience i.e. the immersion of the believer in the Holy Spirit.

Should we seek this experience of the Holy Spirit?  Yes we should, it is what our Lord Jesus wants for His disciples. But He does not want them to stop there!

It is clear that the early church had many times experienced the outpouring of the Spirit upon them. This was experienced in a group setting and individually.

Peter is an example for all who follow Jesus!

In the life of Simon Peter we see the work of grace through the operation of the Holy Spirit in his experience.  This certainly had a beginning but did not end until he went to be with his Lord. Just look at some Peter’s encounters with the God’s Holy Spirit recorded in the New Testament. He

• Was sent out with authority to cast out demons and heal the sick (Mk 6:7-13)
• Received the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room (Jn 20:22)
• Received Baptism with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Ac 1:5; 2:4).

Was this Peter’s first, second or third Holy Spirit experience?  Later in Acts we are told

• Peter again filled with Holy Spirit said… (Ac 4:8)
• and all in house were filled with Holy Spirit and continued to speak … (Ac 4:31).

Yes, Peter experienced the Holy Spirit come upon him many times, not just once or twice.  He came in salvation and also in baptism power and subsequent fillings and outpourings.  We should not limit the work of the Holy Spirit to just one or two experiences but be continually filled for life and service to Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

What are the signs of the Baptism with the Spirit?

When the Holy Spirit comes upon or fills the people of God there will be evidential proof.  No two situations were identical in the Acts of the Apostles.  The Day of Pentecost itself is unique and so special that it cannot be replayed.  It was the birthday of the New Testament church.  On that day the church of Christ began to be the Holy Spirit-guided body through which God would work in human history - the day the Dispensation of the Holy Spirit began.

The Holy Spirit came as promised and is now the Chief Executive of Christ in his church and the world. He came to lead the church into the full liberty and victory of Calvary.  He is the Dynamo of the church, without whom we cannot please God.

How did the Spirit express his presence when he filled his people?  Here is a summary of the events recorded in the book of Acts:

There is no one sign of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. There were many signs recorded of the Spirit’s outpouring although speaking in tongues does appear more frequently than any other sign.

Here are some other passages that refer to the results of the work of the Holy Spirit (this is not a complete list):

The Holy Spirit is sovereign and will manifest His presence in order to glorify Christ, the head of the church. There is no one way or sign in which the Holy Spirit will show Himself.  It goes without saying that He will take of Christ’s and reveal it to His people.

How to Receive the Baptism of the Spirit

The church cannot fulfil the mandate given by Jesus without the Holy Spirit. Each individual Christian needs to live a Spirit-filled life.  We need to be Baptised with the Holy Spirit but how do we receive Him in this way?  We ask our Lord in prayer.  He takes of what is Christ’s and opens and applies it to His people.  He is the one who explains, interprets and applies all of what Christ died to accomplish for all followers of Jesus.  The power to live victoriously for Jesus is given by the Spirit of God who dwells in all His children. To receive this power we must surrender to Him and be filled with the Spirit.

In conclusion let us seek a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit and pleasing to God. It can be seen that in the New Testament each new born Christian is baptised (placed) into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit at conversion.  After this, each believer was baptised in water.  Then each believer was baptised with the Holy Spirit and continued to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit for the rest of their lives.  God’s people must seek Him in prayer for His promise.

Prayer

Lord of life, Head of the church, send an outpouring of your Holy Spirit on me and your church.  Release His sweet influences in your people so that the gifts and blessings of Calvary will be known experientially by each one.  Let the victory and liberty that He brings glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, the only head of the church. Save the lost and renew Your own.  Amen.