The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit We believe all believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and

earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to the command of Jesus Christ. With this comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of gifts and they are used in the work of the ministry. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 2:38-39; 10:44-46; 11:14-16;15:7-9; 19:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:1-31.) The full consummation of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service. (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:2,6; 1:8.) I) The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus A) Jesus Christ was born of the Holy Spirit and thus had the Holy Spirits indwelling at birth. Matthew 1:20-23. V20 But while he (Joseph) thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. V21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. V22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, V23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Luke 1:34-35. V34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? V35 And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. B) Jesus Was Baptized of the Holy Spirit Matt. 3:13-17. V13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

V14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? V15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. V16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighted upon him; V17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Immediately following Jesus Spirit Baptism, He was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matt. 4:1. Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. This was the beginning of Jesus public ministry. He was just as much the Son of God at birth as He was at 12 years of age as He was at 20 years of age as He was at 30 years of age. Yet, there is no biblical record that indicate that Jesus performed any works of power such as healing the sick, casting out devils, or raising the dead before His Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit came upon Him. As a matter of fact, Jesus didnt even preach the gospel of the kingdom until the Spirit came upon Him. Jesus Himself attributed His anointing for public ministry, to do the works of the Father to His Spirit Baptism. Luke 4: 16-21 V16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. V17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, V18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he has sent has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, V19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. V20 And he closed the book, and gave it to the minister, and sat down. And the

eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened upon him. V21 And he began to say unto them, this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. II) The Promise and the Command Matt. 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. This is John the Baptist foretelling of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It should be noted at this point that Jesus is the one that will baptize with the Holy Spirit. 1. Doctrine of Baptisms Hebrews 6:2 speaks of the fundamental teachings of Christ. There, the writer mentions the doctrine of baptisms (plural). For the new testament believer there are three relevant baptisms. There is the baptism into the body of Christ. (baptism meaning to immerse into). This is mentioned in Ephesians 4:5. V5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,. We maintain that this is not water baptism, but baptism into the body of Christ. The person doing the baptizing is the Holy Spirit, the one being baptized is the new born believer and the medium that the new believer is baptized into is the body of Christ. This is the born-again experience. The second baptism relevant to the new testament believer is water baptism. This is to follow or be in conjunction with the new birth. Any believer may baptize another believer into the medium of water In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit the roles are reversed as to the baptizer and the medium as compared to the new birth. As stated previously, in the new birth, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer. In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the baptizer. In the new birth, the new believer is baptized into the body of Christ at which time he receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the believer is immersed into the Holy Spirit. The bible term upon is used when referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit numerously, both in Jesus life and the lives of believers. 1. Pentecost- Not the New Birth, but the Endowment of Power Luke 24:49. And behold, I send the promise of the Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.

It is clear here, as stated by Jesus, what the purpose of Pentecost was. To be endued with power from on high. Jesus reiterated this in Acts 1:8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in all Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. These proclamations were made by Jesus post resurrection. Jesus told Mary in John 20:17 touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:. Later, in Luke 24:39 and also in John 20:27, when addressing Thomas, Jesus told his disciples to handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. and So between John 20:17 and Luke 24:39 Jesus ascended to His Father, to the heavenly Holy of Holies and as the Great High Priest and Sacrifice, He presented His blood on the altar in heaven and consummated forever eternal salvation. Then in John 20:22, Jesus appears to His disciples after returning from ascending to his Father, after the consummation of our salvation with His blood and He breathes on them and says Receive ye the Holy Ghost. The tense used is the aorist active imperative which indicates action that happens at a specific point in time, and in this case a command issued by Jesus to receive right now. In other words Jesus is saying, You see me, youve handled me, Ive consummated your salvation, now the Holy Spirit is not only with you, but He is now in you. This is a parallel passage to Gen. 2:7 where God breathed the breath of life into Adam and he became a living soul. What Adam lost in the fall, Jesus breathes back into the disciples, that is, the person and life of the Holy Spirit. The disciples are now bornagain, new creatures in Christ Jesus at this point. The language used by the Holy Spirit in making the distinction between the new birth and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinctly clear. In the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the term used is the Spirit upon you as with Jesus in Matt. 3:16 and in every other experience of believers in the book of Acts. (Acts 1:8; 2:4; 8:16; 10:4446; and 19:6). In the new birth, the term used is shall be in you as in John 14:17. So there is the indwelling Holy Spirit at the new birth, the Spirit within and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, an experience distinct from and subsequent to the new birth, the Spirit upon. In Acts chapter 8 and in Act chapter 19 this is clearly seen. 1. In Samaria Acts 8:5-6,12

V5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. V6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. V12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women. We must ask at this point- were these people born-again? According to Jesus they were. Matt. 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;. Philip obviously believed they were saved because he baptized them in water. Yet, Peter and John were sent for after hearing that Samaria had received the word of God to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. Receive the Holy Ghost is another term used in Acts for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, distinguishing it from the new birth. Acts 8:14-17. V14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: V15 who when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) V17 then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 1. At Ephesus: Acts 19:1-6 Pauls first question when he had found disciples at Ephesus was: V2 He said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? Note the same words used as in Acts 8:15. Interestingly, Paul asks the disciples V3 and he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto Johns baptism. V4 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. We maintain that these disciples were born-again. V6 And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came upon them; and they spoke with other tongues and prophesied. Remember, Johns baptism, John told the Sadducees and Pharisees in the presence of others that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

Matt.3:11. This is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost Paul is speaking of here, the endowment of power from on high, the promise of the Father. This is the provision set in motion at Pentecost and now commanded by Jesus for every born-again believer to receive to do the works of Jesus. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say to you, 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. In order to do the works of Christ and greater works, then believers need the same spiritual equipment or enablement to get the job done. If Jesus needed to be baptized of the Holy Spirit, and He is our example, then we need to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Matt 10:24-25 V24 The disciple is not above his master, not the servant above his lord. V25 It is enough for the disciple to be as his master, and the servant as his lord. III) The Evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit 1. The Initial Physical Sign of Speaking with Other Tongues It is invariably proved through the Holy scriptures that speaking with other tongues always accompanies the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They are inseparable. Acts2:1-4 V1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. V2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. V3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. V4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. The terms other tongues, or known tongues, or divers kinds of tongues all refer to utterance given by the Holy Spirit in a language either earthly or heavenly (1 Cor. 13:1) that are not learned or known by the speaker. Speaking with other tongues is a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.(1 Cor. 14:22) When exercised as a spiritual gift in the church it is accompanied with the gift of the interpretation of tongues which is equivalent to prophecy, a supernatural

utterance in a known tongue or language by the speaker, yet inspired by the Holy Spirit. Both, while exercised in the church are for the exhortation, edification and comfort of the body of Christ. Acts 10: 44-46 V44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. V45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles, also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. V46 For they heard them speak with other tongues and magnify God. Acts 19:6 At Ephesus, Paul met disciples there and inquired if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. It has already been pointed out that the term receive the Holy Ghost refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit V6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 8:14-15,18,20-21. V14 When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: V15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: V18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. The question now arises, what did Simon see? There appears to be no mention of speaking with other tongues as the other previous three scriptures mentioned. However, under closer examination, the scriptures emphatically declare that they spoke with other tongues. V20 But Peter said unto him, thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. V21 Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. The word matter in verse 21 is the word logos in the Greek which is translated in Acts2:4 as utterance. So, in fact, the scripture clearly says in verse 21 Thou has neither part not lot in this matter or logos or utterance or matter of utterance.

Thus, it is clear from these four scriptures, that when people received the Holy Spirit or were Baptized of the Holy Spirit, there was the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues. IV) Power for Service- To do the Works of Jesus Christ Acts 1:4-5,8 V4 And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. V5 For John truly baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. V8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto all the uttermost part of the earth. The word power in the Greek is the word dunamis, which means ability or dynamic power or dynamic ability. The new birth gives the believer dominion or authority. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost gives the believer power or ability to do the works of Jesus and operate as the Son of God when He walked this earth. John 14:12-14 Before Pentecost and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit the disciples did what they were instructed by Jesus to do. After Pentecost, after Jesus resurrection and ascension in to heaven, after the Baptism of the Holy Spirit the disciples did what needed to be done. (Acts 3:1-8;5:12-16;6:8-10;8:5-8;9:3243;13:4-12;14:8-10,19-20;16:16-18,25-33;19:11-12;20:7-12:28:7-10.