Baptism in the Holy Spirit
□ Who is the Holy Spirit?
□ What is Pentecost?
□ What Actually Happens?
□ A Separate and Distinct Experience After New Birth
□ What is Speaking in Tongues?
□ Five Necessary Steps for Receiving the Holy Spirit
□ Who is the Holy Spirit?
God is a Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit—Three equal and distinct Persons, yet perfectly united as One. The Holy Spirit is not a mere power, force, or in any way less than God. He is the Third Person of the Triune God (Mat. 28:19; 1 John 5:7; 2 Cor. 13:14). The Bible clearly points this out by revealing how the Holy Spirit moves, speaks, and has His own will (Gen. 1:2, 26; John 14:16, 26; 16:13; Acts 8:9; 10:19-20; 13:2; 1 Cor 12:11; Eph. 4:20).
Throughout the Old Testament, God spoke about a future outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This could only occur after Jesus would die to pay the price for man’s redemption and then be glorified by being resurrected from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the Father (Eze 36:27; Jer 31:31-34; Joel 2:28-29; John 7:37-39; John 16:7; Acts 2:33; Eph 1:20-22).
□ What is Pentecost?
Pentecost is a Jewish feast celebrated fifty days after the feast of Passover. It was on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ’s resurrection (which occurred exactly at the Passover) – a perfect fulfillment of Scripture – that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon believers waiting in Jerusalem. Jesus had told them of this experience, referring to it as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8). John the Baptist also spoke of this saying that Jesus “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Mat 3:11; Luke 3:16).
It is important to state that prior to the day of Pentecost, no one had ever experienced the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Prior to Pentecost, there were some people who had individual experiences of being filled. There was Bazalel (Exo 31:3; Exo 35:31), Samson (Judges 13:25; Judges 14:6), and even John the Baptist (Luke 1:15). However, it was always for a specific purpose and only for certain individuals at a time. Even the disciples knew the Holy Spirit’s working and even performed healings and works of power (Luke 10:9,17), but Jesus explained that something different was about to happen:
John 14:16-17
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and WILL BE IN YOU.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus talks about “rivers of living water” –
John 7:37-39 (NASB)
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “ If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will 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.
Notice how John immediately explains exactly what experience Jesus was speaking about. He clarifies that Jesus was specifically referring to an experience of receiving the Holy Spirit that could only happen after Jesus was glorified at His ascension to the right hand of God the Father.
And so it was that on the very day of Pentecost, 120 believers (including the 11 disciples) were together in one place waiting for this experience. The Holy Spirit was poured out upon this whole group. They were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Scripture explains that they were “filled” with the Spirit and began to “speak with other tongues [i.e., languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). This, indeed, was something never before experienced!
On Pentecost, Peter understood that they had received the Holy Spirit just as the prophets had foretold (Acts 2:12-21,33). He then told the curious onlookers that Jesus, now glorified at God’s right hand, had poured out the “Promise of the Father”—the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:22-36). Peter went on to explain that the Promise of the Father – His “gift” of the Holy Spirit – is for all those who would repent of their sins, trust Christ for salvation, and obey the Lord in Water Baptism (Acts 2:38-39).
□ What Actually Happens?
Jesus is the One who baptizes the believer. The word “baptism” means to submerge completely under water or some other liquid. It is a Greek word that also meant to dye a piece of cloth. At that very moment of this experience, the believer is fully submerged, filled, and saturated within and without – by the Holy Spirit. The believer becomes a temple and dwelling place for the Triune God (John 14:16-20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 6:19-20).
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the New Covenant which Jesus has mediated through His Blood (Heb 9:20; Heb 12:24; Heb 13:20). Ezekiel prophesied about this New Covenant experience:
Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Verse 26 refers to the new birth experience where the repentant sinner comes believing and receives Christ. He receives a new heart and a new spirit (correctly written in lowercase).
Verse 27 refers to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit where God puts His Spirit (written in uppercase as it refers to the Holy Spirit) within this new believer. Now that the Holy Spirit is inhabiting the believer, God works in the believer “both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13) so that he can walk in God’s statutes.
This, then, is the very purpose and mission of the Holy Spirit’s coming on the day of Pentecost – to birth the Church, and to prepare a people to be the Bride of Christ, zealous for good works, and prepared for Jesus’ soon coming (Eph 5:25-27; Titus 2:13-14; Rev 19:7-8).
In the New Testament, there are various phrases that refer to the one-time experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
• Baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire (Mat 3:11; Luke 3:16)
• Drinking of Jesus and then having Rivers of Living Water flow from their innermost being (John 7:37-39).
• Sending the Promise of the Father upon you (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5)
• Endued [or clothed] with power from on high
• The Holy Spirit comes upon you … you shall receive power (Acts 1:8)
• They were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)
• The Holy Spirit was poured out (Acts 2:33; Acts 10:45; Rom 5:5)
• Receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit not “a gift from the Holy Spirit,” but rather, receiving the Holy Spirit Himself as a gift from the Father (Acts 2:38-39)
• The Holy Spirit fell upon them… they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17)
• The Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 19:6)
• Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (Eph 1:13)
Those phrases must not be confused with similar phrases that refer to additional movements and empowerments of the Holy Spirit upon and in a person for a certain situation. For example, we see a group of Spirit-baptized believers that pray together and are “filled with the Holy Spirit” and empowered to preach the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31). Peter was filled with the Spirit to speak the Word (Acts 4:8). Paul was filled with the Spirit and miraculously put a stop to a sorcerer’s actions to hinder a man from being saved. On another occasion, the disciples were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” after being cast out of a city by angry Jews (Acts 13:52). The Ephesians (who already received the Holy Spirit) were encouraged to be “filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…” (Eph 5:18-19). All of these instances are anointings and infillings of the Spirit for a specific moment and purpose; but the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the distinct experience where the believer is baptized, saturated, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit “forever” as Jesus explained to His disciples:
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.
□ A Separate and Distinct Experience After the New Birth
Sadly, some people teach that everything takes place at the moment of conversion. They mislead people into believing that the born-again believer never needs to ask God to baptize them in the Holy Spirit because they already “got it all” when they received Christ and were born again. In fact, they often even tell the believer that asking God for the Holy Spirit is a sign of disbelief and the sin of doubt.
Such teaching is so wrong! Of course, God wants us to ask! Look what Jesus said:
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
Jesus told people to come to Him and “drink.” “Drinking” is something done by making a choice and on purpose.
John 7:37-39 "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive...
Such teaching has deprived many people of receiving this blessed experience which is for every child of God just as Peter announced on the Day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:38-39 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.”
It only takes a simple look into the Bible to see that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate and distinct experience from being born again. Look at these passages:
1. Jesus’ Disciples
Jesus’ own disciples were already converted and born again as they followed Jesus for three and a half years. Jesus told them that their names were “written in Heaven” (Luke 10:20). During His intimate last night conversation with His disciples, Jesus spoke much about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth” who is the “Comforter” and “Helper.” He told them this:
John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells WITH you and will be IN you.
Unlike the world and unbelievers, the disciples knew the Holy Spirit because He was WITH them. That is the experience of every newborn child of God: the Holy Spirit is WITH them. In fact, with the Holy Spirit’s anointing, they were casting out demons and healing the sick. They KNEW the Holy Spirit. BUT Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would soon be IN them. That is referring to a separate and distinct experience that for them occurred on the Day of Pentecost. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and told them even more about the coming of the Holy Spirit and He specifically told them:
Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. Acts 1:4-5 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
2. Revival in Samaria
A few chapters later in Acts, we see Philip the evangelist going down to preach at Samaria. The people gladly heard, believed, and received the Word of God. Now as newly born-again believers, they obeyed in water baptism:
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
It is interesting to note that there was a man named Simon who practiced sorcery and was known in that city as the great power of God. However, he also believed and was baptized. However, Simon had a particular interest in the miracles and healings that were being done at that time.
Now here is the question. Did all the newly born again and water-baptized believers receive the Holy Spirit the moment they believed?
Look what the Scriptures are very clear to point out:
Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
These new believers received the Holy Spirit as a very separate and distinct experience from the new birth.
One more important thought. Notice how Simon was interested in also being able to lay hands upon believers so that they could receive the Holy Spirit also (Acts 8:18-24). How did Simon know that people were actually receiving the Holy Spirit when they had hands laid on them? There had to be some kind of physical evidence for someone like Simon to desire that same “ability.” Although this passage does not tell us what evidence Simon saw, it would efinitely be a very sound Scriptural assumption that what convinced him was seeing them start to speak in tongues – the same thing that happened in three other places in the book of Acts (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:15-17; Acts 15:8; Acts 19:1-6).
3. Disciples in Ephesus
When Paul came to Ephesus, he found some disciples of John the Baptist, and this is his very first question:
Acts 19:2
He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
If receiving the Holy Spirit happens the moment a person becomes a believer, then this question would literally make no sense whatsoever. However, Paul knew they were believers, therefore his next question is whether or not they have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Here is their response to Paul:
Acts 19:2
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
Now Paul was curious. He knew that anyone being baptized in Jesus’ Name would have been told about receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. So Paul asked them about their experience of Water Baptism:
Acts 19:3
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
Paul wasted no time telling them about the importance of being baptized in Jesus’ Name, and these disciples wasted no time in responding to all Paul told them – like any sincere disciple would do! And what happened?
Acts 19:5-7
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Now the men were about twelve in all.
Interestingly enough, in the previous chapter, there was a man named Apollos who was a mighty preacher of the Scriptures and was “accurately teaching the things of the Lord.” When Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos, look at what they did:
Acts 18:26
When Aquila and Priscilla heard him [Apollos], they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Now, it would not be a stretch of Scripture to assume that Aquila and Priscilla had the same conversation with Apollos as Paul did with the disciples in Ephesus:
“Hey, Apollos, that sure was a powerful message! We have one question for you.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Have you received the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
“Hmmm… I have never heard anything about that, but I would sure love to know more!”
A wise decision on Apollos’ part. Surely, Aquila and Priscilla baptized him and laid hands on him to receive the Holy Spirit just like Paul did with those twelve men in Ephesus. What would have happened if Apollos would have been too proud and stubborn to hear what this humble missionary couple had to tell him?
4. Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise after believing.
Finally, there is one additional point. Those who teach erroneously that a person receives the Holy Spirit at the very instant they are born again will often point to this verse and say that it proves their doctrine is correct:
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
First of all, there is nothing in this verse that says they were sealed with the Holy Spirit at the very instant that they believed. In fact, Paul uses the preposition “after” – a word that grammatically involves a passage of time. After these Ephesians had heard and believed the Gospel, they were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise as a separate experience.
Secondly, simply by returning to Acts 19, it is easy to show that the church in Ephesus began with people who were believers – but believers that had not known anything about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Obviously, they received the Holy Spirit as a separate and distinct experience from their new birth.
□ What is Speaking in Unknown Tongues?
The Bible teaches that the Baptism in the Spirit is accompanied by speaking in tongues. At Pentecost they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4). When Cornelius spoke in tongues while Peter was preaching, Peter recognized that he had received the “gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 10:44-48). Later, when Peter was confronted about preaching the Gospel to the gentiles In Ephesus, they spoke in tongues after Paul laid his hands on them to receive the Spirit (Acts 19:1-7).
So what is speaking in tongues? The word tongue is just another way of saying language. Even in English, people will refer to their own language as their native tongue. In Corinthians, we read several very clear explanations of speaking in tongues.
We first read about Speaking Tongues in Jesus’ final words of the Great Commission:
Mark 16:17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues.
Below are some of the characteristics of Speaking in Tongues as we see it mentioned in the Bible:
1. Speaking in Unknown Tongues is a Gift that accompanies the Experience of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Paul gives a list of Nine Spiritual Gifts which are special gifts only given by the Holy Spirit. Speaking in unknown tongues is on of these Nine Gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit...
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 the effecting of miracles, 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 just as He wills.
Sadly, some have attempted to pull these Nine Gifts down from the miraculous into the natural realm. They erroneously refer to them as talents (such as learning to preach, to be a doctor that “heals”, or to studying to speak another language). These Nine Gifts have nothing to do with abilities that can be learned. That is why they are rightly called “manifestations of the Spirit.” Furthermore, they are given “just as He [Holy Spirit] wills” which means the Holy Spirit is fully in charge of when, where, and by whom these Gifts are manifested through the believer.
Additionally, the Gift of Speaking in Tongues accompanies the initial experience of receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is specifically noted to have occurred on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), with Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48), and with the Ephesian disciples (Acts 19:1-6). Taking the Gospel to a Gentile like Cornelius was quite a bold step, but Peter, on three occasions, was convinced that Cornelius and his household had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Here is Peter’s defense:
Acts 10:44-47
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word.
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
FOR THEY HEARD THEM SPEAK WITH TONGUES AND MAGNIFY GOD.
Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
Acts 11:15-17
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, AS UPON US at the beginning.
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, "John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?
Acts 15:8-9
So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
And made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
2. Speaking in Unknown Tongues is speaking in a language that is unknown to the speaker.
1 Corinthians 14:2 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. 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
When the person speaks in a known language, the words first begin as thoughts in the mind, and then the person chooses to speak those words. He may speak them silently, slowly, rapidly, or even by singing them. However, when the believer speaks in tongues, the words are not formed from thoughts in his mind. This is why Paul says, “in his spirit he speaks mysteries” and “but my mind is unfruitful.” The words are spoken only as the Holy Spirit gives the “utterance,” or ability to speak the words of that unknown language:
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Although the believer’s mind is not engaged in forming thoughts, he has total control over when to speak those words in an unknown language, and even how to speak them — i.e., slowly, rapidly, by whispering, shouting, or even by singing those words. This is exactly what Paul says:
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
We can Scripturally assume that when the Bible speaks about “singing spiritual songs” and “praying in the Holy Spirit,” it is referring to doing so in unknown tongues.
Ephesians 6:18
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
Jude 1:20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
3. Speaking in Unknown Tongues is a Prayer Language
1 Corinthians 14:2 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.
As clear as this verse is, there have been so many contrary interpretations of what speaking in tongues is. Some have tried to say that the gift of speaking in tongues was only a special gift offered to the early church apostles so that they could preach the Gospel in different languages. They even teach that on the Day of Pentecost, speaking in tongues made it possible for the disciples to preach the Gospel to all the various nationalities of people that were in Jerusalem that day.
The verse quoted above clears up all that confusion. Speaking in tongues is NOT for speaking to man at all! Speaking in tongues is for speaking to God. What is it called when we speak to God? Therefore, it is very simple: SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS A PRAYER LANGUAGE. In the verses below we see it used for intercession, prayer, singing, blessing, worshipping, and giving thanks to God.
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 14:15-17
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well...
□ Five Necessary Steps for Receiving the Holy Spirit
♦ Understand!
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an important New Covenant experience:
because it is the Spirit who enables spiritual growth within the believer begins a lifelong process of sanctification and transformation from “glory to glory” (2 Cor 3:18). Additionally, the Spirit anointing clothed the believer with “power from on high” to enable him to be an effectual witness for Christ. For that reason, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit before they could continue doing any ministry (Luke 24:49; John 14:17-21; Acts 1:4-8).
♦ Believe!
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is called the “Promise of the Father”. As a Heavenly Father, God cannot be partial. He earnestly desires for all His children to receive the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 2:38-39).
♦ Ask!
Two things are important when asking: (1) a clear conscience (1 John 3:20-22); and (2) persistence — ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:5-13).
♦ Receive!
Those who are thirsty only need to come to Jesus and drink (John 7:37-39). After asking, the child of God must act in faith. Open the mouth wide and let God fill it (Psalm 81:10)!
♦ Speak!
Speaking in tongues bypasses the intellect — “…as the Spirit gave them utterance [words]” (Acts 2:4; 1 Cor 14:2; 1 Cor 14:14-15). As the tongue and body are yielded fully to the Lord (James 3:2-8), the Holy Spirit will give the words!
□ Daily Growing in the Spirit
Now there are three areas to grow in:
♦ Praying in the Spirit (See below: “Why is Tongues Important?)
♦ Walking in the Spirit (reqiores obedience, producing fruit – Gal 5:15-25)
♦ Being equipped and empowered by the Spirit to function as a member of the “Body of Christ” which is the Church (Luke 24:49).
Fellowship with other Christians is essential (1 Cor 12:1-31; Heb 10:25).
□ Why is “Tongues” Important?
The Bible teaches that the Baptism in the Spirit is accompanied by speaking in tongues. At Pentecost they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4). When Cornelius spoke in tongues while Peter was preaching, Peter recognized that he had received the “gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 10:44-48). In Ephesus, they spoke in tongues after Paul laid his hands on them to receive the Spirit (Acts 19:1-7).
Speaking in unknown tongues enables the believer to enter a deeper communion with God, and thus he experiences spiritual edification not otherwise possible. Praise, worship, prayer, and intercession become more effective and enriching when the believer speaks to God in this wonderful heavenly language (1 Cor 14:2; 1 Cor 14:14-15; Rom 8:26-27; Eph 6:18; Jude 1:20).
