BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (that is, the initial coming and remaining of the Spirit) was unavailable to believers before Pentecost.
2. It is universal in it’s application. It is applied equally to all believers. (Eph. 4:4-6,1 Cor. 12:12-13)
3. It is a unique occurrence. It only occurs once, not multiple times. (Eph. 4:4-6, 1 Cor. 12:12-13)
4. It is unifying in His effect. It brings all believers together, uniting them into one body. (Eph. 4:4-6, 1 Cor. 12:12-13)
5. It is unrelated to our future growth. The baptism of the Spirit begins our growth as Christians. (Rom. 6:3-4)
6. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the work of God, not man. (Rom. 6:3-4)
7. It may occur before water baptism (Acts 9:18, 10:44-47) or after water baptism (Acts 19:3-7)
Scripture references
- Matt. 3:11-12, Jn. 1:33-34 John the Baptist gives prophecy concerning the coming baptism of the Spirit.
- Acts 1:4-5, 2:1-47 Pentecost. Jews from all over the Mediterranean world had gathered to honor the Feast of Weeks. (Lev. 23:15-21) It was one of three yearly feast days that all Jewish men were commanded to attend in Jerusalem. (The others were the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles.) Here was the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is called Pentecost (Greek for "fifty") because the Feast of Weeks was to be held fifty days after the third springtime feast, the Feast of Firstfruits.
A unique aspect of the Feast of Weeks is that it is the only sacrifice prescribed by the Lord that includes leavened bread. Leaven represents sin, corruption, decay and death in scripture. The symbolism represents the initial coming of the Holy Spirit, in that what was once sinful and corrupt (all mankind) is now acceptable to the Lord thanks to the act of our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary. So what was once an unacceptable sacrifice in leaven is now acceptable to the Lord. The symbolism of the two loaves is interesting in it’s representation of Israel and Gentiles would now become one unified sacrifice before the Lord. (1 Cor. 12:12-13)
- 1Sam. 10:6 The Holy Spirit is given to Saul, but only for a short time. He does not remain. This is typical of the dealing of the Spirit with men in the Old Testament. This is because a suitable permanent sacrifice (Christ Jesus) had not yet been brought forth for the spiritual cleansing and sanctification of all who would believe on Him.
- Joel 2:28 A prophecy of a future outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter quoted this verse in it’s partial fulfillment at Pentecost (Acts 2:16-18). The complete fulfillment is still future.
- John 7:37-39 Jesus Himself gives a prophecy of the coming of the Holy Spirit for all who will believe. This prophecy is pronounced on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a feast where a prominent ceremony is performed with water being poured out. Here Jesus could promise that "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water". This was quoted from Is. 44:3.
- Col.2:12 This passage is written by Paul in reference to the act of baptism. You will find it is often quoted in part when new converts are baptized. That the symbol of water and the Holy Spirit speaks specifically of regeneration (Titus 3:5) is clearly stated in scripture. This is what Jesus spoke of when addressing Nicodemus about being "born again" in John 3:5-8. We see that the administration of the washing water of the Spirit is accomplished through the word of God in Eph. 5:26. Ezek. 36:25-26 is a prophecy given about 7 centuries before Christ. It speaks of the cleansing (regeneration, i.e. giving life to what was dead) and the coming of the Holy Spirit that first began at Pentecost.
