Holy Spirit Baptism

(Part 2 of Last Weeks Article)

By: Brian A. Yeager

    As was mentioned in last weeks article, this weeks article will deal with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Patterson, in his article that we reviewed in last weeks bulletin, taught that there were two baptisms that were still valid today. He wrote:

"We will see in the Scriptures that they are two separate experiences that every believer can and should experience both water and Holy Spirit baptism." In my response I showed that the Bible teaches there is only one baptism, just as there is one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, and one God who is our Father (Ephesians 4:4-6). In this article we will deal with what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was, what purpose it served, and why the baptism of water is the baptism of today.

What Was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

    The baptism of the Holy Spirit is what the Apostles were promised (Acts 1:5) and received (Acts 2:1-4). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is what occurred with the first Gentile converts (Acts 10:44-48; 11:15). These two accounts are the only two accounts in which the word of God reveals occurred in the New Testament. By the time we come to Paul’s writing to the Ephesians (60-61 AD) we find that there is now only one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). We can know which baptism Ephesians 4:5 teaches ended by comparing the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the Baptism of Water.

The Purpose of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

    The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was used twice for two separate purposes. The first case was that of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4). The purpose of this baptism was to fulfill the promise Christ gave to the Apostles that he would send the comforter (John 14:16-17 and John 15:26-27). The Holy Spirit was to guide the Apostles in all truth (John 16:13). The Bible is very clear that the Holy Spirit is responsible for giving us the word of God through the pens of these inspired men (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:3, and II Peter 1:20-21). The Apostle Paul stated: (I Corinthians 2:13) "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." We can see that the word of God was once delivered and unchangeable (Jude 3, Matthew 24:35, and Galatians 1:8-12). Therefore the Holy Spirit would not be needed today in the way of revealing God’s word.

    With the Apostles being the messengers of God and going and preaching with no Bible in hand, they needed proof that what they were saying was truly the word of God. For this reason they had Spiritual Gifts (Mark 16:15-20). These gifts were used to confirm the word. Today we can take someone to a book, chapter, and verse. Then the Apostles were in essence the book, chapter, and verse. The Spiritual Gifts that existed [past tense], are listed in I Corinthians chapter 12 and verses 1-11.

    The second case of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was that of the Gentiles in Acts 10. Why, did they receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? The reason is that the Gentiles were not accepted among the Jews, and God sent this sign to show unto them that salvation was for all men. See Peter’s explanation for proof: (Acts 11:15-18) "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Surely, we know now that salvation is for all men (Titus 2:11) and do not need the baptism of the Holy Spirit to convince us.

Water Baptism is the Baptism of Today!

    We can know that water baptism is the baptism of today because of what water baptism does that Holy Spirit baptism does not do.
 

1. Baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:28).

2. Baptism washes away sin (Acts 22:16).

3. Baptism is a death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-6 and Colossians 2:12).

4. Baptism puts you into Christ (Galatians 3:27).

5. In Baptism you put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).

6. Baptism is a re-birth (John 3:1-5).

7. Baptism saves (I Peter 3:21 and Mark 16:15-16).

8. Baptism makes you a "new creature" (II Corinthians 5:17).

9. Baptism puts you into the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-13. The body is the church Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18, and Colossians 1:24]

    The only remaining question would come from John 3:5. The Lord said we MUST be born of the water and the spirit. One could understand John 3:5 clearly by understanding that what the Spirit does in this way, the word does too. We need to recall that the major role of the Spirit was to guide in all truths, thus giving the word, which has been passed down to us today. Notice just a few comparisons of the Spirit and the word. The word of God is interchangeable with the Spirit (both in many cases do the same thing).
 

1. The word begets (gives birth) I Peter 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." So does the Spirit John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

2. The word of God sanctifies John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." So does the Spirit I Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

3. The word of God is for reproof II Timothy 3:16. So is the Spirit John 16:8 "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."

4. Christ brings this home John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (Emphasis mine B.A.Y.)

Conclusion

    The Baptism of the Holy Spirit does not offer salvation. It offered proof and Spiritual Gifts. Peter summarized it best: (Acts 10:47-48) "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." If Holy Spirit baptism outlasted water baptism, Peter erred in his implication that no man could forbid water. The Bible is very clear on this truth. It is up to us to see and obey. (John 8:32) "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

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Antoine Holloway visited with us from Richmond, VA 3 weeks ago and is a good friend of mine. Following is one of his articles of which I commend to you. – B.A.Y.

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Today Is A Good Day

By

Antoine N. Holloway

In Psalms 118:24, the Bible reads, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Today is a great day for the Christian. Why? It is simply because God made the day. Therefore, we shall rejoice and be glad in it. The Christian can rejoice for numerous reasons:
 
 

1.  "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). We have a Savior that has not, cannot, and will not change. In John 1:17, the Bible teaches, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Jesus is the same today. So, His grace is the same today. Jesus is the same today. So, His truth is the same today. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus is the same today. So, the way to Heaven is still the same. Jesus is the same today. So, life is still abundant today (John 10:10).

2.  "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5). The Christian has comfort knowing that when they close their eyes at night, when the sunrises either they awake to see another day or they awake to rest in Paradise. In Philippians 1:21, the Bible reads, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." The Christian recognizes that being in Christ is a win-win situation. The Bible further teaches, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him" (2 Corinthians 5:8-9).

3.  "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Sin is what separates us from God (Romans 3:23). However, today is a day to rejoice and be glad, for we do not have to remain in that state. God has provided a remedy for this damnable ailment. It is called forgiveness. In James 5:15-16, the Bible reads, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Come forward by way of repentance and the church will prayer for you and God will forgive you.

Not only can the Christian rejoice in the day, but so can the non-Christian, the individual who is not a member of the churches of Christ. How can this be preacher? Well, I am glad you asked.
 

1.  “While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation” (Hebrews 3:15). Today, you have had the glorious privilege and opportunity to hear the word of the Lord. God woke you up this morning with the sole objective of bringing you here to hear His word. So, you may know His will for your life, which is to obtain life, not just any life, but the abundant life and life eternal.
2.  “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Today is the day of salvation. You don’t have to wait until next week, next month, or next year to receive the salvation that God is giving today. God wants to save you right now.

You have heard how Christ came from Heaven to earth just to die on the cross for your sins and mine (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:4, and 1 John 2:2). You have heard how Christ came from Heaven to earth to build the only church a man can be saved in today (Matthew 16:18 and Acts 2). Since you have heard this, then all God ask is that you believe it (John 3:16 and Hebrews 11:6). If you believe it, then repent of your sins, for except you repent, you will perish (Luke 13:3 and 5). Confess the sweetest name on mortal tongue, making it known publicly that you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Acts 8:37). Jesus made this confess almost 2000 years ago and it brought death to Him, but it will bring salvation to your soul (Mark 14:61-62 and Romans 10:10). Once you have done this, then complete your act of obedience by being baptized today, for baptism saves (Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21). Once you have done this, then God promises to do two things for you. He will forgive you of all your sins (Acts 2:38) and He will add you to His church (Acts 2:47), which is the church of Christ (Romans 16:16). Finally, all you have to do is remain faithful unto death and God will give you a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Why today? Because this could be the day that 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 is fulfilled. The Bible reads, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." Do not delay any further, come and give your life to the Lord!