By: Jennifer Jenkins
(The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. The notes herein do not discuss the “Personhood” of the Holy Spirit – which is as important as the issues surrounding the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said just before He left, “I will ask the Father and He will send you another Comforter, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of Truth.” (John 14:16, 17) The word “another” in the Greek denotes “another of the same type” meaning the Holy Spirit is a Person like Jesus. And like Jesus, He is God. And He is Holy.)
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift much like salvation. Like salvation, there is nothing that one can do to earn it. Like salvation, it is received by faith. Like salvation, it is offered to everyone. It is possible to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when one is born again, but in most cases it is an event that is subsequent to salvation. (Acts 8:14-16) If one doesnt know whether he is baptized in the Holy Spirit or not, it is most likely that he is not.
Just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus told his disciples not to go anywhere or do anything until they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). It says “He commanded them.” Jesus chose to accomplish His works on the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38) and not through His own Deity. Therefore, it was only in sending the Holy Spirit to us that He was able to tell His disciples before His death, “The works that I do – you shall do also.” (Acts 1:8, John 14:12) Jesus offers the believer the same source of power that operated in His life. This means that the believer does not have a choice when it comes to being filled with the Holy Spirit if he wants to walk in all that God has for him. It is important to compare Acts 10:38 which describes the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life with Acts 1:8 – which describes the role the Holy Spirit is intended to play in your life.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit opens the door to the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in I Corinthians 12. Again, gifts are not earned, though believers generally don’t operate in the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit until they become mature. The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23), which is the character of God, can grow in the life of any born again believer. Fruit takes time to develop. There are many believers whose lives demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit that have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit can definitely accelerate one’s spiritual growth, and also help in the development of the fruit of the Spirit.
Since the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift that anyone can receive by faith, it is often received by immature believers. Receiving the Holy Spirit does not make one more spiritual or a better Christian than anyone else. A person who has been filled by the Spirit, but does not pursue God through prayer and reading the Word of God will not grow spiritually any more than someone who has been born again and neglects prayer and the Word. Because of this, many “Spirit filled” believers lack the fruit of the Spirit, lead carnal lives, and cause others to look down on charismatic Christians. But we are warned of this possibility in I Corinthians. Paul starts by writing, “ye come behind in no gift” (I Cor 1:7). Two chapters later he writes to the same believers, “I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ . . .For ye are yet carnal” (I Cor 3:1,3). In fact, much of the book of I Corinthians is instruction concerning spiritual gifts to a church that misunderstood and misused them. It is just as wrong to judge the baptism of the Holy Spirit by carnal charismatics as it is to decide to reject Jesus because one knows some Christians that live worldly and unethical lives.
There is a “gift” of tongues which is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. (I Cor 12) The gifts of the Spirit operate “as the Spirit wills.” (I Cor 12:11). Most people dont understand that there is a “prayer language” tongues that accompanies the baptism of the Holy Spirit that is different from the gift of tongues. The prayer language operates as the believer wills (I Cor 14:15). One must contrast the tongues of I Cor 12 with I Cor 14. It is more likely for the hearer to understand the “gift” of tongues (as at Pentecost), whereas the prayer language “no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.” (I Cor 14:2) The prayer language tongues is also a primary way one can “pray in the spirit” (I Cor 14:15), and “worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23) Praying in the Spirit is a way to pray when one “does not know how to pray as he ought.” (Romans 8:26) and “according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27). Praying in tongues opens up revelation and understanding concerning the things of God to the believer. There are many, many benefits to praying in tongues as outlined in the Scriptures that follow. Conversely, it is the spiritual gift of tongues, not the prayer language, that receives the answer “no” to the question “do all speak with tongues?” (I Cor 12:30) This tongues is one of the nine spiritual gifts listed in I Cor 12 that operates “as the Spirit wills.”
The prayer language of tongues is available to every person that has received the Holy Spirit. (I Cor 14, Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6, I Cor 14:5) . The believer can use his prayer language at will (I Cor 14:15). Sometimes, however, someone that has been filled by the Holy Spirit does not know that the prayer language is available or how to use it. This person expects the Holy Spirit to force or push the words out. Actually, the believer gives the voice in faith, the Holy Spirit gives the words. Words do not come to the believer’s mind before he speaks them. In fact, the mind is completely bypassed because the words originate in one’s spirit.
It is not necessary to beg God to give one the baptism of the Holy Spirit or to pray and wait to receive it. The Holy Spirit was poured out on mankind, once and for all, at Pentecost 2,000 years ago – just as salvation was when Christ died for us and rose again. Like salvation, it is available to every believer today (Acts 2:38,39). It is interesting to note that after Pentecost, God doesn’t pour out the Holy Spirit again. In every instance, believers always “receive” that which had already been poured out on that day. (eg: “Have you received the Holy Spirit since ye believed,” [Acts 19:2] and not “has God baptized you with His Holy Spirit since you believed.”) In every case it was offered to everyone present. The Holy Spirit has already been offered to all of God’s children. We only need to “receive” Him.
Many times believers fail to be baptized in the Holy Spirit because they have the mindset, “I’m willing to accept all that God has for me. If He wants me to be baptized in the Holy Spirit then I’m willing, too.” But, in the same manner, if a person thinks, “I’m willing to accept all that God has for me. If He wants me to be saved then I’m willing, too,” is that person saved? Or does one have to receive Jesus as one’s personal Lord and Savior? We all know that Jesus does not want any to perish. It is up to each individual to receive the gift of salvation that has been offered to every man. In the same manner, one must make a conscious decision to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, a believer who has not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit is by no means totally without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is sometimes symbolized by the word “water.” The Holy Spirit in salvation is like a “well” springing up unto “everlasting life.” (John 4:13,14) The subsequent event, the infilling of the Holy Spirit , is symbolized in the verse “from your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38,39) The Bible also appears to refer to the Holy Spirit in two different ways by using the terms “oil” and “wine.” “Be not drunk with wine, but be filled by the Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) Here the Holy Spirit is a type of potent, “spiritual” wine.
Review:
Scripture clearly states that Jesus commanded His disciples to be “baptized in the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5) He said that they would receive power and give them the ability to take the gospel to the world. It is the same power that He operated in. (Acts 10:38)
Acts 2:39 says, “the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself.” It is for everybody. It is for every generation.
Throughout Acts, the Apostles asked time and again whether people had received the Holy Spirit. They asked knowing these people were already saved (Acts 8:16), or presuming they were (Acts 19:2). Why did they go around asking the question if one is baptized in the Holy Spirit at salvation?
In three out of four cases the believers spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6). In the fourth case Simon “saw” that the disciples had been filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:18) What did he see? We also know that Paul spoke in tongues (I Cor 14:18) Mark 16:17 says that those who believe “shall speak with new tongues.” I Cor 14:39 says, “do not forbid to speak in tongues.”
Scriptural References:
Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than, I whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (NIV)
Mark 1:7-8
And this was his (John’s) message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)
Luke 3:16
John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (NIV)
John 1:26-27, John 1:32-33
“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” . . . Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'” (NIV)
John 4:13-14
Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life .” (NASB ) The “well of water” is the Holy Spirit’s work in salvation.
John 7:37-39
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (NASB ) “Rivers of living water” is the Holy Spirit in the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 23:5
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Oil – salvation, wine – infilling of the Holy Spirit)
Luke 10:33-34
But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them;
Mark 16:15-18, Mark 16:20
And He said unto them, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’
. . . And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. (KJV)
Luke 11:11-13
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (NIV) This verse is a promise that if you sincerely ask the Father for the Holy Spirit you will not receive a counterfeit gift.
Acts 1:4-5, Acts 1:8
And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
“. . . but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (NASB)
Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. (KJV ) It is the Holy Spirit that gave Jesus the power to accomplish his work on earth.
John 14:10-12, John 16:7
. . . but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. . . He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my father. . .It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (NASB)
Acts 2:32-33, Acts 37-39
This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. . . Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself.” (NASB)
Acts 8:4,5,12,14-18
Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. . . But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. . . Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ( see Mark 16:15,16) Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. (According to Mark 16:15,16 these people were already saved. Also note the number of miracles in the other parts of this chapter. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are more prevalent among those baptized in the Holy Spirit.)
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also . For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, Surely, no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he? And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 19:1-6
And it came about that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found some disciples, and 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.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” And 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.” And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
I Corinthians 12:1,7-11
Now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren, I do not want you to be unaware… But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues , and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
I Corinthians 12:29-31
All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. This verse refers to the tongues that is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit listed above which operates as the Spirit wills.
I Corinthians 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…
I Corinthians 14
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. v. 2
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. v. 4
Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues v. 5
…and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. v.5
Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. v. 13
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? (or, what will I do, then?) I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with my mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. V. 14,15 (Contrast with “As the Spirit wills” in 1 Cor 12:11)
Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you are giving thanks well enough. v.16,17
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all. v.18 (And the mysteries [v.2] revealed to Paul through speaking in tongues helped him write two-thirds of the New Testament.)
In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to me,” says the Lord. v.21 (referring to Isaiah 28:11)
Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. v.39
I Thessalonians 5:19-20
Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances.
Ephesians 5:18-19
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit , and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (in intelligible speech). And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
I John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith , praying in the Holy Ghost…
John 4:23-24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Joel 2:28-29
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
John 16:7, 13-15
“But I tell you the truth; It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you… But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”
(NIV) (Amplified reads: Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby)
John 14:26
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall – will remind you of, bring to your remembrance – everything I have told you.” (Amp)
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