"THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD" The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit by Mark Copeland

 

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"THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD"

The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous lesson, we considered the promise of the Holy Spirit...
1. By prophets in the Old Testament, beginning with Joel
2. By John and Jesus as they spoke of the Holy Spirit
3. By Peter in his sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2
1. Declaring that the outpouring of the Spirit was a fulfillment of the promise - Ac 2:16
2. Offering the promise of the Spirit to those who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39
2. As noted in the conclusion, this naturally raises a few questions...
1. Does this mean the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for us today?
2. What exactly is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
3. It may be of interest to note...
1. The Scriptures never speak of the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit
1. In fact, the unity of the Spirit involves only "one baptism" - Ep 4:3-6
2. The "one baptism" can only be that commanded by Christ:
1. Of everyone in all the world - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16
2. For the remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
3. A baptism in water - e.g., Ac 8:35-38; 10:47-48
4. A washing of regeneration and renewing by the Spirit, in which we are born again of water and the Spirit - Tit 3:5; Jn 3:5
2. When it comes to any "baptism" involving the Spirit, we find only these phrases:
1. "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" - Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16
2. "He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit" - Jn 1:33
3. "You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit" - Ac 1:5; 11:16
-- This is the entirety of what the Bible says about "baptizing" involving the Spirit, with the possible exception of 1Co 12:13 (see below)
4. Is this a distinction without a difference? Perhaps, but it may avoid confusion to remember...
1. The phrase, "baptism of the Holy Spirit," does not occur in the Bible!
2. On the other hand, phrases connected to the promise of Jesus baptizing with the Spirit include:
1. "I send the Promise of My Father upon you..." - Lk 24:49
2. "I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh..." - Ac 2:17
3. "I will pour out My Spirit" - Ac 2:18
4. "He poured out this..." - Ac 2:33
5. "the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out..." - Ac 10:45
6. "...the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly" - Tit 3:5,6
-- Whatever the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit, it is intertwined with the "pouring out" (or sending) of the Spirit that occurred on the day of Pentecost

[The difficulty in defining the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit can be illustrated by briefly surveying...]

1. COMMON VIEWS OF THE "BAPTISM"
1. AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED BUT A FEW TIMES...
1. On the day of Pentecost (Ac 2)
1. And only upon the apostles
2. For the purpose of equipping them for their work
2. At the conversion of Cornelius and his household, the first Gentiles (Ac 10,11)
1. Not for the purpose of saving them
2. But to show Peter and the Jews that Gentiles could now be saved
3. Some would add a third occurrence
1. Involving Saul at some point (Ac 9)
2. To equip him for his work as an apostle
4. Others might include what happened in Samaria and Ephesus
1. When the Samaritans received the Spirit by the laying on of hands (Ac 8)
2. When the Ephesians received the Spirit by the laying on of hands (Ac 19)
5. This view equates the "baptism" of the Spirit with the miraculous manifestations recorded in the passages cited, indicating an overwhelming measure of the Spirit
-- Variations of this view are held by most people in churches of Christ today
2. AN EVENT THAT OCCURS AT EVERY CONVERSION...
1. When a person is saved, they are that moment "baptized" with the Holy Spirit
1. Some put this at the point of faith
1. Appealing to the case of Cornelius and his family in Ac 10
2. Yet Peter's explanation reveals that the Spirit came upon them before they heard the words by which they could be saved - Ac 11:14-15
3. The purpose was to show Peter and the Jews that Gentiles could now be saved just as they were - cf. Ac 10:46-48; 11:16-17; 15:7-9
2. Others place it at the point of water baptism
1. Suggesting we are baptized in both water and Spirit - cf. Jn 3:5
2. Referring also to the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Spirit - Tit 3:5
2. The key passage used to support this idea is 1Co 12:13
1. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" (NKJV)
1. The KJV and NASB also read "by one Spirit"
2. The ASV (and NRSV) reads "in one Spirit were we all baptized"
2. The issue is whether Paul refers to water baptism or "Spirit baptism"
1. The KJV and NASB suggests water baptism of the Great commission
2. The ASV and NRSV suggests some form of baptism involving the Spirit
3. It may refer to one baptism involving two elements: water and Spirit - cf. Jn 3:5
3. This view holds that no miraculous manifestation need be present when baptized in the Spirit
-- Variations of this view are held by many evangelicals (e.g., George Beasley-Murray), and some in churches of Christ (e.g., Robert Milligan, Moses Lard)
3. AN EVENT THAT OCCURS AFTER CONVERSION...
1. A "second work of grace" that must be sought diligently
1. E.g., on Pentecost, believing the Spirit came upon the entire 120 (Ac 1,2)
2. E.g., the Samaritans, upon whom Peter and John laid hands (Ac 8)
3. E.g., the Ephesians, upon whom Paul laid hands (Ac 19)
-- Of course, the case of Cornelius runs counter to this idea (Ac 10,11)
2. Many understand that speaking in tongues is a sign of this "baptism" of the Spirit
3. Some even say that it is necessary to be truly saved
4. This view also equates the baptism of the Spirit with the miraculous signs that occurred
-- Variations of this view are held by Wesleyans, Methodists, and Pentecostals

[As we seek to understand what is the "baptism" of the Spirit, it is helpful to view it in the context of...]

2. JESUS' MINISTRY INVOLVING THE SPIRIT
1. WHICH BEGAN ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST...
1. Jesus poured out the Spirit on "all flesh" - cf. Ac 2:17,33
1. This outpouring would affect all mankind
2. Not just believers, though they would certainly benefit more
2. His ministry with the Spirit would have both temporary and age-lasting effects
1. The Spirit's work in revelation and confirmation of the Word was temporary
2. The Spirit's work in regeneration and sanctification is age-lasting
2. WHEN JESUS POURED OUT THE SPIRIT...
1. It was like water going over a fall
1. As the water hits the bottom, there is a great splash
2. Then the water proceeds downstream
2. The initial results of the Spirit's outpouring made a powerful impact
1. As with the apostles on the day of Pentecost - Ac 2:1-4
2. As with the household of Cornelius - Ac 10:44-46
3. The powerful impact produced what is commonly called the "baptism" of the Spirit
1. For they were "filled" with the Spirit
2. For the Spirit "fell" upon them
-- Thus overwhelmed or "immersed", they were "baptized" with the Spirit
3. With the "water" (Spirit) poured out, it continued to cascade like a mighty stream
1. Close to the source, there were visible evidences of the pouring out
1. As with the Samaritans, upon whom the Spirit was to "fall" - Ac 8:14-18
2. As with the Ephesians, upon whom the Holy came - Ac 19:1-6
-- In these two cases, the effects of the Spirit came through the laying on of the apostles' hands, though the effect was similar to what occurred in Ac 2,10
2. Downstream, the evidence of the outpouring may be less visible, but it is still present
1. E.g., the Spirit's role in our regeneration - Tit 3:5-6
2. E.g., the Spirit's role in our spiritual growth - Ga 5:22-23
3. EFFECTS OF THE SPIRIT BEING POURED OUT...
1. The Spirit became the Lord's "winnowing fan" - Mt 3:11-12
1. Used to separate the wheat from the chaff
2. For some, He serves only to convict of sin, judgment, and righteousness - Jn 16:7-11
3. For others, He is able to sanctify in service to God - Jn 16:13
-- In this way, the Spirit was truly poured out on "all flesh" - Ac 2:17
2. The Spirit became available to those who obey God - Ac 5:32
1. Those who repent and are baptized receive the gift of the Spirit - Ac 2:38-39
2. As they are baptized into one body, they are made to drink of the Spirit - 1Co 12:13; cf. Jn 7:37-39
3. They enjoy the indwelling of the Spirit - 1Co 6:19-20; Ro 8:9-11
3. Those who received the Spirit were empowered as the Spirit willed - 1Co 12:11-13
1. For servants of God used in the revelation and confirmation of His truth...
1. The Spirit empowered the apostles, to equip them for their work as witnesses and apostles of the Lord - Ac 1:8; 2:1-14; cf. Jn 15:25,26
2. The Spirit imparted spiritual gifts to aid them in this task - He 2:4; Mk 16:17-20
3. Spiritual gifts were also imparted by the laying on of the apostles' hands - Ac 8:14-17; 19:1-6; Ro 1:11
-- Such miraculous effects of the Spirit were temporary, ending once God's revelation was complete - cf. 1Co 13:8-13
2. For all servants of God, the Spirit works in their regeneration and sanctification...
1. Sanctifying them through the washing of regeneration - Ti 3:5-7; cf. 1Co 6:11
1. As they respond to the gospel and are baptized
2. Experiencing not just forgiveness, but renewal by the Spirit
2. Serving as God's agent by which He strengthens and blesses them - Ep 3:16,20
1. In the ongoing work of sanctification, walking in holiness - Ro 8:11-13; 15:13
2. Empowering Christians to whatever degree they require to do His will - cf. Php 2:11-12; 4:13
-- This sanctifying work of the Spirit continues today, and will until Christ returns when the work of sanctification is complete - cf. 1Th 5:23

CONCLUSION

1. The miraculous reception of the Spirit is likely what was alluded to when...
1. John said, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" - Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16
2. Jesus said, "You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit" - Ac 1:5; 11:16
-- As visibly manifested in the case of the apostles and of the household of Cornelius (perhaps including those who received the Spirit through the laying on of the apostles' hands)
2. Yet the miraculous reception of the Spirit was not normative, even in Bible times...
1. Which may be why we do not read of the "baptism of the Spirit"
2. Which may be why Paul said there was "one baptism", not two - cf. Ep 4:5
-- The "one baptism" is that commanded by Christ for everyone - cf. Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16
3. But when a person submits to the "one baptism" commanded by Christ...
1. They benefit from the effects of the pouring out of the Spirit on Pentecost - Ac 2:38-39
2. They experience the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Spirit - Tit 3:5-6
3. They are born again of water and the Spirit - Jn 3:5
4. They are baptized into one body, and made to drink into one Spirit - 1Co 12:13; Jn 7:37-39
5. They enjoy the benefits of the Spirit's indwelling - 1Co 6:19; Ro 8:9-13
-- These blessings of the Spirit's outpouring may not be as visible as the miraculous reception, but they are just as real!

If you desire to benefit from the promise of the Spirit and the outpouring of the Spirit, then make sure that you have submitted to the "one baptism" alluded to by Paul when he wrote:

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,"

"whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." - Tit 3:4-7

In other words, heed the words of the apostle Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost:

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

"For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." - Ac 2:38-39

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