Holy Spirit Baptism
• Baptism in (or with) the Holy Spirit is a very important, distinctive Christian experience in the life of the believer. The basis is found in the book of Acts, specifically the event of Pentecost.
• John the Baptist preached baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mk. 1:4)
• Later he declared about Jesus, “I baptize with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (1:8)
• 3 yrs later, shortly before Pentecost, Jesus talked with the apostles about a gift promised by the father and commanded, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4)
• Reception of the gift is baptism in the Holy Spirit… on Pentecost the promise was fulfilled “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:4)
• Same gift was given later to the thousands who assembled, “Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39)
• Cornelius’ relatives and friends Spirit baptism is contributing proof that it is not limited to Pentecost, but continues through the years. (10:44-46) Peter affirms that it is baptism in the Holy spirit in 11:16
• 1 Cor. 12:13 (For we were all baptized in (1722) one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink). Gives possible reference to this baptism, although this is debatable, as some translations read “by one Spirit.”
• In water baptism the Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ, but in Spirit baptism Christ baptizes us in the Holy Spirit… This signifies a total submergence within the reality of the Holy Spirit so that whoever is baptized has a vivid sense of the Spirit’s presence
• John the Baptist preached baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mk. 1:4)
• Later he declared about Jesus, “I baptize with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (1:8)
• 3 yrs later, shortly before Pentecost, Jesus talked with the apostles about a gift promised by the father and commanded, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4)
• Reception of the gift is baptism in the Holy Spirit… on Pentecost the promise was fulfilled “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:4)
• Same gift was given later to the thousands who assembled, “Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39)
• Cornelius’ relatives and friends Spirit baptism is contributing proof that it is not limited to Pentecost, but continues through the years. (10:44-46) Peter affirms that it is baptism in the Holy spirit in 11:16
• 1 Cor. 12:13 (For we were all baptized in (1722) one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink). Gives possible reference to this baptism, although this is debatable, as some translations read “by one Spirit.”
• In water baptism the Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ, but in Spirit baptism Christ baptizes us in the Holy Spirit… This signifies a total submergence within the reality of the Holy Spirit so that whoever is baptized has a vivid sense of the Spirit’s presence
Bibliography: Williams, J.R. “Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements: Revised and Expanded Edition. Ed. Stanly M. Burgess. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. p.354-363.