Topical - Holy Spirit - Baptism
Introduction:
BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
In the church today there exist two major views concerning the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There are many who teach salvation and the baptism with the Holy spirit are one in the same experience. And there are many on the other hand who tech these are two separate experiences in the Christian’s life. For this writer, the evidence favors the latter view. In order to provide this point one needs to go directly to the Scriptures and discover the truth contained in them. This handout will look at this doctrine in five areas:
A. There is a baptism with the Holy Spirit
B. Jesus is the Baptizer
C. The purpose of this baptism
D. The propositions and command used in conjunction with the believer and the Holy Spirit
E. The distinction between salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit
A. There is a baptism with the Holy Spirit
1. Read Matt. 3:11
Who is speaking here?
What does he say about himself?
What does he say about Christ?
This same statement occurs in Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33-34
2. According to Acts 1:4-8
What were the disciples to wait for in Jerusalem specifically mentioned in verse 5?
3. Read Acts 10:44-48
What happened here?
In Acts 11:14-18, Peter is telling the story of what happened in Acts 10 and,
What does he call it in 11:16?
B. Jesus is the Baptizer
1. In order to provide this baptism is a distinct experience from salvation, it must be shown that Jesus is the one who baptizes people with the Holy Spirit. Each person of the trinity has their role in the work of salvation and it is imperative one sees these differences. The Father sent the Son, the Son died on the cross and the Holy Spirit applies the work to the person.
Who does John 1:33-34; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16 and Matthew 3:11 say will be the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit? ____________________________.
2. In Acts 2 the disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit. In verses 32 and 33,
Who is pouring out the Holy Spirit?
3. According to Luke 24:49,
Who will send forth the promise of the Holy Spirit?
C. The purpose of this baptism
1. It is imperative to see the purpose which the Scriptures apply to the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Many try to teach it is for the purpose of receiving gifts (especially tongues), but this clearly not a biblical teaching. The clearest and most concise verse in the Bible concerning the purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is found in Acts 1:8,
What is the purpose of the baptism with the Holy spirit?
The scriptures clearly teach the purpose is to receive power to be a witness for Christ. This may or may not be the point of which any of the gifts or spiritual manifestations takes place. Our responsibility is to remain open to the Lord and allow Him to bless us in any way He chooses.
2. Read Luke 24:44-49
What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit coming mentioned specially in verse 49?
And, what is it associated with in verse 48? (Just as in Acts 1:8)
3. What does Peter say in Acts 2:16-21,
Would be the result of those having the Spirit poured out upon them?
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not an experience which brings a person to completion, but is the point of entry into the supernatural realm. When the Scriptures (Acts1:8) speak of receiving power to be witness it refers to being the type of witness illustrated in the entire book of Acts. Along with the power of God being manifested in a person’s life there would also be greater evidence of divine love (since this is the more excellent way).
D. The prepositions and command used in conjunction with the believer and the Holy Spirit
1. There are three different prepositions used to illustrate the separate works the Holy Spirit accomplishes in the life of the believer. These are with, in and upon. The fourth word to study here is command found in Eph 5:18, “to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Paul’s intent in this verse is for the believer to be continually filled with the Spirit, it is not a one time experience he has in mind here.
Lets look at how the word within relates to the believer and the Holy Spirit today. Read John 16”7-11.
What is the Holy Spirit trying to show people who have not accepted Christ?
Read John 14:16-17. According to verse 16 the Holy Spirit will be _______________ you forever and in verse 17 the Spirit will be __________ you. Before one is saved the Holy Spirit is with the person convicting them of their need for Christ, and at the moment of faith He comes into the person.
2. The next relationship centers around the preposition in. According to Romans 8:9
Where does the Spirit dwell?
3. The next relationship relates to the word upon which is the same as the baptism with the holy Spirit.
Where does the Holy Spirit come in Acts 1:8 in relation to the person?
4. The next relationship is the filling of the Holy Spirit which is an experience the believer needs on a daily basis.
What does Eph. 5:18 exhort us to be?
This literally means keep being filled with the Holy Spirit. What happened to the apostles in Acts 4:8 and 4:31?
E. The distinction between salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit
1. Many teach that the baptism with the Holy Spirit and salvation are one and the same experience based on a couple of verses. But when these verses are examined in light of a few facts, this does not appear to be the case. The first verse many point to is Eph. 4:5 which states there is only one baptism. On the basis of this verse some teach that salvation is synonymous with the baptism with the Holy Spirit. But,
What type of baptism is mentioned in Matthew 28:18-20?
And, what type of baptism is mentioned in Matthew 3:11?
Don’t these verse mention at least two different types of baptism found in the Scriptures? ____________. If you read Eph. 4:1-5 in context, one can see Paul is emphasizing the unity of the body of Christ. Paul is discussing that there is only one baptism into the body of Christ. His main point is that there is only one salvation and not many ways to be saved.
2. The main verse individuals use to try to prove the terms are synonymous is I Cor. 12:13. This verse is speaking of the salvation experience and not the empowering of Acts 1:8. The problem is people se the two words baptism and the spirit and try to say this is the baptism with the Holy Spirit. But,
Who does Matthew 3:11 say will baptize with the Holy Spirit?
Who does I Cor. 12:13 say is doing the baptizing?
These verses show there is a distinction between the work the Holy Spirit does and the work Christ accomplishes in a believer. The holy spirit places a person into the body (salvation) and Christ empowers them through the Holy Spirit.
3. Now let’s look at how this worked out in the apostles lives and during the early Church.
What did Jesus say about the Holy Spirit and the apostles in John 14:16-17?
The question must be asked, “When did the apostles receive the Holy Spirit?” or by using the preposition, when did the apostles have the Holy Spirit come in them and when did the Spirit come upon them? Turn to John 20:21-23.
What did Jesus give them when He breathed on them?
But, what did He tell them to do in Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:4?
What did Jesus call this event in Acts 1:5?
4. Now let’s look at how this worked out in the early Church’s ministry. Read Acts 8:5-17.
What were the two responses of the people according to Acts 8:6,12?
So were these believers or unbelievers?
But what did the apostles pray for these people according to Acts 8:14-17?
Notice that verse 16 did not say these people had not yet had the Holy Spirit in them but He had not yet fallen upon them. The Church only baptizes (or should) believers and these believers needed the Holy Spirit to come upon them, or in other words to experience the baptism with the Holy Spirit for power.
5. Another place this same sequence is in Acts 19:1-7
What did Paul do to these people in verse 5?
So where they believers or unbelievers?
Then what did he do in verse 6?
Notice the preposition in verse 6 of where the Holy Spirit came – which is _______________________.
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is clearly an experience after salvation. It is for the purpose of having the Holy Spirit come upon the believer to receive power to be witness. But in some cases (as in Acts 10:44-48) it can occur at the same time as salvation. But regardless of the timing of this experience the result should be receiving the power to be a witness for Christ. And then on a daily basis, according to Eph 5:18, the believer needs to be continually filled with the Spirit. There isn’t any one time experience which sets the believer for life in relation to the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is one of depending upon the power of God moment by moment, situation by situation, trial by trial. Remember the words of Jesus in john 15:5, “Without me you can do nothing.” Read Zech 4:6 to see this same principle in the Old Testament. What insights does this verse give you on living the Christian life?
THE HOLY SPIRIT (Week 3)
I. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
A. The Terms Used
1. Spirituals 1Cor 12:1- (pneumatika): Def: That which is produced or related to the Spirit.
The emphasis is on the fact the Holy Spirit is the source. It is in contrast to earthly things (ta sarkika)
2. Gifts 1 Cor 12:4- (charismata): Def: Literally “grace things,” or “freely and graciously given.”
The emphasis is on the fact these have their source in grace.
3. Ministries 1 Cor 12:5 (diakonia): Def: A personal service rendered to another.
The emphasis is on the fact a concrete act or type of ministry position.
4. Activities 1 Cor 12:6 (energeo): Def: An outworking, the result of an activity.
The emphasis is on the fact it is the divine energy at work and the impact a specific act has upon another person. It is also used in:
a. Rom 7:5 of the passions which worked in our members
b. 2 Cor 4;12 death is working in us
c. 2 Th 2;13 God’s Word which works in us
d. Eph 3:20 The power which works in us
5. Manifestation 1 Cor 12:7 (phanerosis): Def: A manifestation or an imparting.
The emphasis is on either the fact the Holy Spirit is manifested through the acts or the acts manifest the Holy Spirit or give evidence He is present. The root means to make someone known as what he really is (Arndt and Gingrich, p. 852).
6. For the Profit of All 1 Cor 12:7 (sumpheron): Def: expedient, profitable, advantage, help, confer a benefit. To be advantageous, profitable or useful.
The emphasis is on the fact the gifts are not for the edification of the person, but for the body which has been gathered together for the purpose of edification.
7. Distributing 1 Cor 12:11: The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts are He pleases and according to His will.
B. Other Key Passages
1. Romans 12:3
a. The measure of faith here is probably a reference to the types of abilities and gifts the Lord has given to each member of the body of Christ.
2. Rom 12:4-8
a. Here we have another list of gifts which are graciously given to believers.
2. I Peter 5:10
a. The words charisma and diakonia are found in this verse.
II. The Gift of Tongues
There are two main issues which arise when studying the gift of tongues: 1) Will all people speak in tongues? 2) What is the purpose of tongues? Some of the most common ideas is that it is for evangelism or prophesying. But notice that verse eight says the people heard them declaring the wonderful works of God. The wonderful works of God are another way of saying they heard the people praising God or declaring how awesome the works of God are. The gift of tongues is not for the purpose for "bringing forth" a message from God. You will not find this phrase anywhere in the Bible nor anything close to such a phrase. The purpose of tongues is for the worship, prayer and praise to the Lord. The list of Scriptures on the next page makes this crystal clear:
A. The Purpose of Tongues as Revealed in Scripture
1. To praise the Lord or declare His wonderful works (Acts 2:10).
2. To magnify God (Acts 10:46) or simply praise as seen in Acts 2.
3. Tongues is distinct from prophecy as seen in Acts 19:1-6.
4. To have the body of Christ profit, as all the other gifts are used for the same purpose (1 Cor 12:7).
5. To speak to God or to pray as seen in 1 Cor 14:2.
6. To edify (build up) the Church when it is interpreted (1 Cor 14:5).
7. To pray (1 Cor 14:14).
8. To worship the Lord or to bless His name in word or song (1 Cor 14:15).
9. To bless the Lord (1 Cor 14:16).
10. To give thanks (1 Cor 14:17).
11. To use in private times with the Lord (1 Cor 14:18-19).
12. To speak to God (I Cor 14:28).
When a person puts all these Scriptures together it becomes clear that tongues is not for the purpose of evangelism or prophecy, but for the personal worship and prayer life of the believer. And when it is exercised in the Church it should accompany an interpretation if it is to have any value.
B. Will All Speak in Tongues?
Let’s examine the following Scriptures on this point:
1. 1 Cor 12:28-31
2. 1 Cor 12:11
3. 1 Cor 14:1
4. 1 Cor 14:5
5. 1 Cor 14:18
6. 1 Cor 14:39
C. Guidelines for Tongues