The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Written By: Don Fizell

Published: January 8, 2018

What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

One of the big doctrines that divide many Christians into the “haves” and the “have nots” is the misapplication of the doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. And while this article will provide some insight in this matter, nothing can replace the illumination of Scripture by the Spirit of the Living God (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). What it takes to understand Scripture is devotion to the Word of God and prayer. Ask God (Theos) for wisdom to know and understand His Word, knowing that His Word is true and never returns void.

To begin with, there are a few statements to be made at the outset that should be considered for further evaluation. They include:

• When it gets down to it, what do you believe, and why do you believe it? Is what you believe based on every Word of God, or is what you believe based on what you have been told? That is essential to know and understand, as it gets down to the very core and basis of your faith. Resolve today that every Word of God is true! Know that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).” In that, lay aside any preconceived notions and opinions and traditions of men, and hold on to and embrace every Word of God.
• The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is what occurs at the point of conversion when a sinner becomes a saint as a result of being born again by the Spirit of the Living God. This is a vital principle to know and understand, as there is no other baptism of the Holy Spirit, no second filling or second work of grace, as it is often referred to. When a person is born again, they are considered to be sanctified through the Spirit (Baptism of the Holy Spirit) and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ (Justified by faith). What is imperative to know and understand is that the Godhead is involved in every aspect of salvation. Salvation is of the Lord, from start to finish.

1 Peter 1:2

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

• There is “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” With this verse alone, the debate should be over. Why is that? There is no other way; no other source of truth. Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There are many that would erroneously pervert and mishandle the Word of God for various reasons, yet God’s Word remains true. When a person is born again by the Spirit of God, they are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 14) and are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). Don’t seek after another spirit, as many have fallen into the ditch for doing so. This seeker sensitive generation is on the road of destruction unless they repent of their sins and place their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:4-6

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

• What in fact occurred in the upper room, as demonstrated in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2? And why did it occur? Read Acts 1 – 4 and witness the promise of the Father (Comforter to Come, John 14:26, Acts 1:4), the arrival of the Comforter for the first time (Acts 2), the birth of the Church (Romans 8:9), and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38).

Simply put, what occurred in the upper room in Acts 2 is the fulfillment of Scripture. That was not an event that occurred in isolation, as many would suppose, as each and every time a person comes to the Lord Jesus Christ for the first time and are born again, they are a new creation in Christ. What Acts 2 demonstrated is that the Word of God is true. Jesus told His disciples to wait for the promise of the Father. And they waited. And on the day of Pentecost the Spirit of God was poured out on Saints and the Church came into being.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

So in this, resolve to know and understand that this was a transition time between law and grace, between the time of the Old Covenant and the time of the New Covenant sealed with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that the Church was birthed and empowered to live for the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometimes there are those that will throw out Acts 19:3 and suggest that those people were saved and yet needed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. But nothing supports that erroneous assertion, as there is a difference between being a disciple of John the Baptist and Children of God. John’s mission was to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he baptized people with water, while the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual baptism that comes from God Himself.

In this it is important to make that distinction between the flesh and Spirit. Romans 8 clearly shows that there is a difference between the flesh and Spirit.

So while this short article has provided some insight into this subject matter, know and understand that nothing replaces the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit that is at work in the lives of the Children of God. But also know, that the Word of God is not mocked or contradicted. The Word of God is true! God is not going to reveal His Word to His people in such a way as to tell one person one thing, while telling another person something entirely different. Everything must line up with every Word of God. If it doesn’t, then humbly take it to the Word of God and prayer and ask God for wisdom.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.