WHICH PART OF THE BODY ARE YOU?, PART 1 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

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1 WHICH PART OF THE BODY ARE YOU?, PART 1 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 I. The Expectation Of Christ s Body: Diversity In Unity (12) A. As The Human Body Is Diverse, Yet United 12a For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, B. So Is The Church As The Body Of Christ 12b so it is with Christ. Interdependence Interrelationship II. The Entrance Into Christ s Body: The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit (13) A. The Introduction Into Christ s Body 13a For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body 1. The People: believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit ( all ) 2. The Period: The baptism occurs at the moment of ( baptized ) 3. The Placement: The singular Body of Christ is where every believer is (into one body) B. The Inclusiveness Of Christ s Body (cf. Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:8-21) 13b Jews or Greeks, slaves or free C. The Imbibing Of Christ s Body 13c and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1. The Debate Concerning The Timing Of The Baptism Of The Spirit 2. The Differences Between Water Baptism And The Baptism Of The Spirit 3. The Delineation Of The Timing Of The Baptism Of The Spirit Pre-Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Prophesied (Mt 3:11; Jn 1:33; Acts 1:5) At Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Introduced (Acts 2:1-4) Post-Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Confirmed (Acts 11:15-16) 4. The Distinctives Of Being Placed In The Body Of Christ Through The Baptism Of The Spirit a. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is A Event (Eph 4:4-5) b. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is A Event A New Position (Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:12) A New Identity (Gal 3:27-28) c. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is An Event The Holy Spirit Will Indwell Believers To Empower Them (Ezek 36:27) The Holy Spirit Will Evidence God s Divine Presence In Believers (Ezek 37:14)

2 WHICH PART OF THE BODY ARE YOU?, PART 1 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 I. The Expectation Of Christ s Body: Diversity In Unity (12) A. As The Human Body Is Diverse, Yet United 12a For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, B. So Is The Church As The Body Of Christ 12b so it is with Christ. Interdependence Interrelationship II. The Entrance Into Christ s Body: The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit (13) A. The Introduction Into Christ s Body 13a For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body 1. The People: All believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit ( all ) 2. The Period: The baptism occurs at the moment of salvation ( baptized ) 3. The Placement: The singular Body of Christ is where every believer is placed (into one body) B. The Inclusiveness Of Christ s Body (cf. Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:8-21) 13b Jews or Greeks, slaves or free C. The Imbibing Of Christ s Body 13c and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1. The Debate Concerning The Timing Of The Baptism Of The Spirit 2. The Differences Between Water Baptism And The Baptism Of The Spirit 3. The Delineation Of The Timing Of The Baptism Of The Spirit Pre-Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Prophesied (Mt 3:11; Jn 1:33; Acts 1:5) At Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Introduced (Acts 2:1-4) Post-Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Confirmed (Acts 11:15-16) 4. The Distinctives Of Being Placed In The Body Of Christ Through The Baptism Of The Spirit a. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is A Unique Event (Eph 4:4-5) b. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is A Uniting Event A New Position (Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:12) A New Identity (Gal 3:27-28) c. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is An Unleashing Event The Holy Spirit Will Indwell Believers To Empower Them (Ezek 36:27) The Holy Spirit Will Evidence God s Divine Presence In Believers (Ezek 37:14)

3 WHICH PART OF THE BODY ARE YOU?, PART 1 1 Corinthians 12: Corinthians 12: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and all were made to drink of one Spirit. I. The Expectation Of Christ s Body: Diversity In Unity (12) A. As The Human Body Is Diverse, Yet United 12a For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, body (Gr. soma) was used by ancient Greek writers (Plato, Epictetus, Cicero etc.) to describe a political body the emphasis was unity in diversity The Average percentage of weight for each body part is as follows: o Trunk (Chest, back and abdomen) 50.80% o Thigh 9.88% o Head 7.30% o Lower leg 4.65% o Upper arm 2.7% o Forearm 1.60% o Foot 1.45% o Hand 0.66% (Classical Mechanics and Human Movement by Aydin Tozeren) Average weight of human organs: o Skin 24 lbs o Liver 3.4 lbs o Brain 2.8 lbs o Lungs (both together) 2.4 lbs o Heart 11 oz o Kidneys (both) 10 oz o Spleen 6 oz o Pancreas 3.5 oz o Thyroid 1.2 oz o Prostate 0.7 oz Interdependence o The human body is a living organism o From cells, to brains to nerves life is amazing o The different systems working together diverse but unified

4 Interrelationship o As the nervous system, the circulatory system and the skeletal system are diverse but work together, so is the body of Christ o In politics, the Republicans and Democrats have to work together, though their agenda might seem far apart o So must Liberals and Conservatives o Our agenda in the Body of Christ is much more unified than a political body B. So Is The Church As The Body Of Christ 12b so it is with Christ. Interdependence o This body is not an agglomeration of autonomous body parts but a symbiotic whole. 1 o Are you putting yourself out there to help other people in the church and our community? o Are you allowing yourself to be ministered to by other people in the church? o Interrelationship o Do we relate with the Church Body or isolate from the body of Christ? o Do we reach out beyond our comfort zone? Age: Quest for Truth will be hosting a luncheon on the Saturday after Valentine s day for our Seniors and others who are single (through widowhood or divorce) to enjoy the Love of God together. Race: Because there is a cultural comfort zone in a church doesn t mean that we should stay within that zone. One great joy I have is to FBC become more diverse. Status: Upper management and Minimum wage earners are one in Christ. Do you only relate with those with your business acumen? 1 Garland, D. E. (2003). 1 Corinthians (p. 588). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

5 School: High School fellowship bond in Christ is more important than what school they go to o These false dichotomies characterized the Corinthian Church. May they not divide FBC. II. The Entrance Into Christ s Body: The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit (13) A. The Introduction Into Christ s Body 13a For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free and have all been made to drink into one Spirit HS places us in the Body of Christ ie/ Dr. Lim transplants livers into a body to become a functioning part of that body o the HS is the surgeon that takes us as an outside body part and places us into the body of Christ o the difference of this illustration is that Dr. Lim puts a good organ in a bad body to help the body get well o but the HS s job is tougher He puts a bad organ in a good body to help the organ get well 1. The People: All believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit ( all ) all baptized every believer, not select believers who pray for it baptism is not based on one s spiritual practice or spiritual status the segregation by race, status and gender in the Body of Christ has been eradicated We are one! 2. The Period: The baptism occurs at the moment of salvation ( baptized ) if all believers are baptized into the Body of Christ, it could not happen subsequent to salvation or all believers would not be included in this Body because all believers are included in this privilege, it had to happen at the time of salvation If it did not occur at salvation then there would exist believers who were truly saved but who, because they had not been baptized with the Spirit, did not belong to the body of Christ. Baptism is what joins a believer to the body, so if one could be saved and not baptized, he could be an out-of-the-body believer. (Ryrie, pp ) 3. The Placement: The singular Body of Christ is where every believer is placed ( into one body )

6 The thought is not so much that we are brought into the Spirit as that we are by the Spirit brought into the body of Christ. (Chafer, Major Bible Themes, rev. by Walvoord, p. 110) B. The Inclusiveness Of Christ s Body 13b Jews or Greeks, slaves or free Here is the diversity of the Body of Christ Jews & Greeks (Gentiles) didn t get along all that well culturally But when the Holy Spirit unites us in the Body of Christ, our culture doesn t matter any more Our culture is a past source of identity Our salvation is our present and future source of identity This doesn t mean we appreciate our cultural distinctives We will have a Chinese New Year dinner We watched The Butler on MLK weekend But we are not to be defined by our culture of the past. We are defined by our salvation in Christ. slaves or free this is not an endorsement for slavery the reality at that time with the Roman empire was that 2/3rds of the population were slaves the point Paul is making is that a slave and free person are equal in the eyes of Christ this point will be important in the abolition of slavery because all are equal in Christ Joel 2: And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls. Acts 2: But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. 21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

7 Interpretation: All flesh = Jew & Gentile - This interpretation best interprets all flesh in contrast to just Jews. The phrase all people is used 32x outside of Joel as being inclusive of all races and genders - This prophecy is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant which promises a blessing to all nations - Joel s prophecy is interpreted by Peter to be internationally significant in Acts 2:39 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. - Pentecost was the fulfillment of this Old Testament expectation that God would expand the outpouring of His Spirit from some to all of His people. (Tony Evans, The Promise, p. 52) Ie/ Family is diverse o Trying to find something to do together on Memorial weekend o 3 in our family love staying at home o 3 in our family love going out o How do we find something common to do? o Each needs to go out of their comfort zone to do something together for the sake of the family. o So we watched movies at home, went out for lunch and went bike riding o A little of both. o Each person gave up bits of their preference for the good of the whole family What does it take to thrive in a diverse family? o Give up your preferences o Put the interests of others ahead of our own (Phil 2) C. The Imbibing Of Christ s Body 13c and all were made to drink of one Spirit. The Baptism Of The Spirit Prophetical Historical Doctrinal Matthew 3:11 Mark 1:8 Luke 3:16 John 1:33 Acts 1:5 Acts 2:1-4 Acts 11: Corinthians 12:12-13 Romans 6:1-4 Robert P. Lightner, Handbook of Evangelical Theology, p The Debate Concerning The Timing Of The Baptism Of The Spirit The principal cause of disagreement is found in the common failure to apprehend the distinctive nature of the church. Many theologians regard the church as a universal group of saints of all ages, some extending even these boundaries to include in the conception all who outwardly belong to it, even if not saved. If this

8 concept of the nature of the church is held, the baptism of the Holy Spirit has no relation to it. As this ministry is not found in the Old Testament and is not included in any prophecies regarding the millennium, it is peculiarly the work of the Holy Spirit for the present age, beginning with Pentecost and ending at the resurrection of the righteous when the living church is translated. If, however, the church be defined as the saints of this age only, the work of the Holy Spirit in baptizing all true believers into the body of Christ takes on a new meaning It is, therefore, essential to a proper doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that it be recognized as the distinguishing characteristic of the church the body of Christ. (Walvoord, The Holy Spirit, p. 138) a. The Pentecostal Position: The Baptism Of The HS Is Subsequent To Salvation Argument 1) The book of Acts is a normative ideal for the Church today. Believers, like those in Jerusalem, should wait and pray for the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4-8) 2) The disciples waited 10 days for Pentecost when they had the Holy Spirit come upon them and manifested this baptism of the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues. (Acts 2:4) 3) The pattern is further established as the Samaritans were saved (Acts 8:12) and subsequently were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). The Gentiles in Acts 10 and 19 were saved and subsequently baptized by the Holy Spirit. 4) Believers, today, should Ask Jesus for the baptism of the Spirit as a second and separate blessing. 5) All those who are recipients of the 2 nd blessing of the Holy Spirit baptism will speak in tongues. 6) Spirit baptism is repeatable and refillable. Pentecostals do not believe that being baptized in the Holy Spirit is a once-for-all experience of empowerment In fact, historically, they have emphasized the necessity of being refilled, a traditional expression to indicate that the empowering work of the Spirit, with dierse manifestations, is something that happens repeatedly in the life of a believer. (Douglas Oss, A Pentecostal/Charismatic View, Are Miraculous Gifts For Today, ed. by Wayne Grudem, p. 243) 7) 1 Corinthians 12:13 is not the same baptism with the Spirit as we see in Acts. The Pentecostal argument is that it was Jesus baptized people with the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16), but in 1 Cor 12:13 it is the Holy Spirit who does the baptizing. They contend that 1 Cor 12:13 is a different baptism in the Holy Spirit.

9 Newer Pentecostalism sees two baptisms. One is that of [1 Cor 12:13] which all believers experience and is accomplished by the Spirit and places people in the body of Christ. The other is the baptism seen in the Book of Acts and is accomplished by Christ to place people in the Spirit for experiences of power. The first happens at conversion and results in a position; the second occurs later and can be repeated and is for power. The first does not require speaking in tongues; the second ideally does. (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 364) Rebuttal 1) The book of Acts is a transitional historical book and does not provide the normative ideal for the Church today. The Epistles do not teach about waiting for a second endowment of the Holy Spirit. 2) Pentecost brought a special coming of the Holy Spirit to the believers in distinct stages (Jews, Samaritans, then Gentiles) in the presence of each other to prove to each group that they are one in Christ, removing distinctions of nationalities, socio-economic status and gender. (See Session 4 on the HS s introduction to the Church) 3) The baptism of the Holy Spirit is clearly at the time of salvation. As far as the apostle Paul was concerned, baptism in the Holy Spirit occurred at conversion (1 Cor. 12:13) Baptism in the Holy Spirit, therefore, must refer to the activity of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the Christian life when he gives us new spiritual life (in regeneration) and cleanses us and gives a clear break with the power and love of sin (the initial stage of sanctification). In this way, baptism in the Holy Spirit refers to all that the Holy Spirit does at the beginning of our Christian lives. But this means that it cannot refer to an experience after conversion, as the Pentecostal interpretation would have it. (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 768) 4) Believers are never exhorted to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 5) A two-tier level of Christianity of the Holy Spirit baptized and non-baptized counters the biblical purpose of Holy Spirit baptism, which is the eradication of distinctions in the body of Christ. Pride arises among the haves towards the have nots. 6) The word en could be translated in, with, or by. In 1 Cor 12:13, this is he same event as in Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16. The New Testament uses the phrase to baptize with, in, or by the Spirit only seven times.actually these seven occurrences can be

10 placed in three categories: the predictions in the Gospels, the pointing ahead and pointing back to Pentecost in the two Acts references; and the doctrinal explanation in 1 Corinthians. In the Gospels it appears more natural to understand Christ as the Baptizer and the Spirit as the sphere into which people are baptized. In Acts and Corinthians it seems to be natural to understand the Spirit as the Agent of baptism and the body of Christ as the sphere into which people are baptized.both Christ and the Spirit are Agents and spheres. Although the [Pentecostal] distinction seems to make sense from some English translations, it really cannot be supported by an examination of the Greek text, for there the expression is almost identical to the expressions we have seen in the other six verses. Paul says en heni pneumatic ebaptisthemen ( in one Spirit we were baptized ). Apart from one small difference the refers to one Spirit rather than the Holy Spirit ), all the other elements are the same: the verb is baptize, and the prepositional phrase contains the same words (en plus the dative noun pneumatic). If we translate this same Greek expression baptize in the Holy Spirit (or baptize with the Holy Spirit ) in the other six New Testament occurrences where we find it, then it seems only proper that we translate it in the same way in this seventh occurrence. And no matter how we translate, it seems hard to deny that the original readers would have seen this phrase as referring to the same thing as the other six verses, because for them the words were the same. (Grudem, p. 767) 7) Baptism & Filling Are Separate Ministries Of The Holy Spirit Baptism Filling Occurs only once in each believer s life Is a repeated experience Never happened before Day of Pentecost Occurred in the Old Testament True of all believers Not necessarily experienced by all Cannot be undone Can be lost Results in a position Results in power Occurs when we believe in Christ Occurs throughout the Christian life No prerequisite (except faith in Christ) Depends on yielding Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 379 b. The Position Of Moody And Torrey: The Baptism Of The HS Is Subsequent To Salvation After I had been a Christian for some years, and after I had been in the ministry for some years, my attention was strongly attracted to certain phrases [like] baptized with the Holy Spirit.I became convinced that they described an experience which I did not myself possess, and I went to work to secure for myself the experience thus described. I sought earnestly that I might be baptized with the Holy Spirit. and God gave me what I sought, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit. And the result was a transformed

11 Christian life and a transformed ministry. (R.A. Torrey, The Holy Spirit, pp ) The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit distinct from and additional to His regenerating work.it is one thing to be born again and something further, something additional, to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (ibid, pp. 112, 114) The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is every believer s privilege and birthright [and is] always connected with and primarily for the purpose of testimony and service. (ibid, pp ) Others, like John R. Rice and Charles Finney see the Baptism of the Spirit as power for soul winning NOTE: What Misunderstanding Of The Baptism Of The Spirit Leads To (summarized from Merrill Unger s The Baptism & Gifts of the Holy Spirit, pp. 35ff): This misunderstanding leads to divisions and lamentable confusion among God s people. This misunderstanding obscures the gospel of grace. Further, this misunderstanding perverts the truth of the believer s union with Christ. Finally, this misunderstanding hinders a holy walk in the believer. c. The Biblical Position: The Baptism Of The HS Is Simultaneous With Salvation Orthodox Positions Defined: The baptism is that divine operation of God s Spirit which places the believer in Christ, in His mystical body, the church, and which makes him one with all other believers in Christ. The baptism ;makes them one in the life of the Son of God Himself, sharing His common salvation, hope, and destiny. (Merrill Unger, The Baptism & Gifts Of The Holy Spirit, p. 21) Using the figure of the human body as representing the church, individual believers are revealed to be joined to this living church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is, then, the work of the Holy Spirit forming and adding to the living unity of the church. (John Walvoord, The Holy Spirit, p. 140) The baptism of the Spirit is that which establishes both the place and the relationship of the believer in Christ and in the body of Christ which is composed of all true believers. Baptism is, therefore, positional in that all believers have this position of being in Christ and in the body of Christ, and relational in that, being in this situation, a

12 new relationship is established both to Christ and to all others who are in Christ. (John Walvoord, The Holy Spirit At Work Today, p. 22) The Holy Spirit, who takes all things out of Christ gives them unto us. Objectively, the whole Church is in Him [Christ], and is born out of Him as the Head. It is not a mechanism, in which the parts precede the whole, but an organism, in which the whole is prior to the parts. The parts come forth out of Christ through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and then continue in living relationship with Him. (Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, p. 449) The time when true believers become identified with Jesus Christ and placed into His body.the distinguishing feature of baptism is that we are placed into another realm, a new family: the body of Christ, the family of God. (Tony Evans, The Promise, p. 37) The Holy Spirit places us or introduces us as believers into the Body of which Christ is the Living Head. (Theodore Epp, The Other Comforter, p. 69) 2. The Differences Between Water Baptism And The Baptism Of The Spirit a. The Definition Of Baptism Baptizo = to dip, submerge, immerse It means to introduce or place a person or a thing into a new environment, or into union with something else so as to alter its condition or its relationship to its previous environment or condition. (Kenneth Wuest) Type Of Baptism Scripture Identification Israel s baptism into 1 Corinthians 10:2 Identified with Moses Moses John The Baptist s Matthew 3:6,11 Identified with repentance of sin baptism Jesus baptism Matthew 3:13-16 Identified as the Messiah Holy Spirit s baptism 1 Corinthians Identifies with the Body of Christ (Church) 12:13 Believer s baptism Romans 6:3-8 Identifies with death, burial and resurrection of Christ b. The Distinctions In Baptism Careful exegesis must be done so that we distinguish the differences between water baptism and Spirit baptism. Some extreme Baptist theologians have interpreted Spirit baptism as baptism into the local assembly or that the Spirit is received at water baptism. These errors stem from failing to distinguish between water and Spirit baptism.

13 Understanding The Difference Between Spirit Baptism & Water Baptism Spiritual Baptism Water Baptism Holy Spirit s Work Man s Work At Salvation After Salvation Internal Identification In Christ Visible Identification With Christ Necessary For Salvation Testimonial To Salvation Spiritual Renovation External Emblem 3. The Delineation Of The Timing Of The Baptism Of The Spirit The Progressive Revelation Of The Baptism Of The Spirit a. Pre-Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Prophesied Matthew 3:11b He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (cf. Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16) John 1:33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now b. At Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Introduced Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. c. Post-Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Baptism Is Confirmed Acts 11:15-16 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. 4. The Distinctives Of Being Placed In The Body Of Christ Through The Baptism Of The Spirit a. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is A Unique Event

14 Ephesians 4:4-5 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism You don t get a piece of Spirit baptism when you get saved and then a second helping of baptism later. God does not have baptism halfway houses, nor does He baptize on the installment plan.all of the Holy Spirit you are ever going to get as a believer, you received when Jesus baptized you by means of the Spirit into His body at your salvation People say, Oh, if I could just get more of the Spirit. The Spirit is saying, If I could just get more of you. People say, Holy Spirit, come down. The Holy Spirit is saying, I am already inside of you. Where do you want Me to go? (Evans, pp ) b. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is A Uniting Event To be baptized into Christ is also to be immersed or intimately identified with Christ in the effects and soteriological value of His death, burial and resurrection. This baptism with the Holy Spirit does not bring the Spirit to us, but rather puts the believer into a vital union with Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Epp, p. 70) 1) A New Position Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. By [spiritual baptism] we are united to Him in such a way that everything said of Him is also true of us. We died with Him, we were buried with Him, we rose with Him, we are seated in heavenly places in Him. We are in Christ, identified with Him, united to Him in a real spiritual union. (Bruce Dunn, What the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Really Means, Confident Living, February, 1989) Colossians 2:12 Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 2) A New Identity Accordingly, the conclusion may be drawn that because a believer is baptized into Christ and seen by God in this relationship, he is related to what Christ did on the cross, and he is therefore baptized into His death and burial, and he is raised with Christ from the dead. (Walvoord, The Holy Spirit at Work Today, p. 23)

15 Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Ie/ Sports fan will put on the colors and jerseys of their teams Raider s silver and black, Cal s blue and gold, Stanford s red, Giant s black this unites strangers as fans (or fanatics) and bonds them in support of their team. Galatians tells us that baptism unites across nationalities, socio-economic categories and genders when the put on Christ. Ie/ In marriage, the bride takes on the name of her husband. She gains a new identity and has new privileges and responsibilities with her new name. She put on a new name. enduo, en-doo'-o; from Greek 1722 (en) and Greek 1416 (duno) (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literal or figurative) :- array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on. (Strong s Concordance) In Roman society, a youth coming of age laid aside the robe of childhood and put on a new toga. This represented his move into adult citizenship with full rights and responsibilities. Paul combined this cultural understanding with the concept of baptism. By becoming Christians and being baptized, the Galatian believers were becoming spiritually grown up and ready to take on the privileges and responsibilities of the more mature. Paul was saying that they had laid aside the old clothes of the law, and were putting on Christ s new robe of righteousness (Life Application Study Bible notes, Gal 3:27) c. The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is An Unleashing Event 1) The Holy Spirit Will Indwell Believers To Empower Them Ezekiel 36:27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 2) The Holy Spirit Will Evidence God s Divine Presence In Believers Ezekiel 37:14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it, says the LORD.