ARTICLE 8 We believe in the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart. The Holy Spirit works in many ways in the world and in the lives of believers. In the lives of believers, there are two important types of work that stand out. They are: (1) the indwelling of the Holy Spirit through our conversion, and (2) the baptism in the Holy Spirit following our conversion. 1. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit a. The believer receives the Holy Spirit at conversion, is born again in response to the work of the Spirit, and becomes a child of God. The Holy Spirit invites people to Christ, and those who accept this invitation receive the Holy Spirit in their lives. No person can be regenerated (born again or transformed) without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As Paul says, we are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16). The Holy Spirit is God in us. Scripture references: John 3:3, 5; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16 b. The Holy Spirit cultivates Christian graces, known as fruit of the Spirit, in the lives of God s people and gives them spiritual gifts. Spiritual graces and gifts enable Christians to serve and minister to others in the church, in their homes and communities, and in the world. (1) Fruit of the Spirit (Christian Graces) The entire walk of the believer is a matter of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit initiates a specific way of living and from then on cultivates Christian graces in believers, making them more and more Christ-like in action and attitude. All believers are to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) or the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11). No believer can produce fruit of the Spirit through his or her strength. It is the Holy Spirit who produces Christlike graces in us as we daily submit ourselves to the Lord. Paul mentions a cluster of nine Christian graces: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The greatest of all of these is love. (2) Gifts of the Spirit Spiritual gifts, sometimes described as charismatic gifts, are the particular abilities or power that the Holy Spirit gives individual believers, enabling them to encourage, strengthen, and serve others (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 18-21; Romans 12:6-8). These gifts should not be confused with the fruit of the Spirit (Christian graces), which are a set of attributes basic to the life of all believers. Christian graces help define all believers personal character and how they are to treat others. Spiritual gifts, on the other hand, are divinely given power to serve God and others in particular ways. Ordinarily the gifts of the Spirit are widely distributed among believers in a local Christian community. Even so, a believer may have more than one gift and, therefore, have the ability to minister in a variety of ways. The Holy Spirit decides how to distribute His 1
gifts. He may give someone a gift to be used throughout his or her lifetime, or the Spirit may give a gift that is meant to be used during a particular period of time. Spiritual gifts are not given for only personal or private benefit. All believers are to faithfully use the gifts that God gives them in love and service to others. Scripture references: Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 18-21; Romans 12:6-8 2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit a. In addition to coming to live in the believer at conversion, the Holy Spirit also gives an additional blessing called baptism in the Holy Spirit. This experience of Spirit baptism may also be described as being filled with the Spirit. Through this experience the believer receives power to be a witness of Christ and to serve Him effectively in the church and world. Scripture references: Acts 1:8; 2:4-47 b. In Spirit baptism, the Holy Spirit surrounds, covers, and fills individuals with the presence of God. Spirit baptism is an intense spiritual experience. The verb baptize literally means to immerse or to sink. On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), the disciples of Jesus experienced a thorough immersion of their lives into the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the expression baptism in the Spirit appropriately describes this intense experience. It is a total submersion of our spirit into the Spirit of God. Like a garment that has been dipped in water, our spirit is saturated with the Holy Spirit. To be baptized in the Spirit is to have an overwhelming, unforgettable experience with the Holy Spirit. Scripture references: Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-46; 19:1-7 3. Biblical Terms for Baptism in the Holy Spirit The Bible reveals that the prophets and early Christians spoke about Spirit baptism in a number of ways. In Scripture each of the various terms for baptism in the Holy Spirit are closely connected. In a variety of ways they all demonstrate the empowering experience of God s Spirit that Christians may receive after coming to faith in Christ. a. Spirit baptism is called the promise of the Father. The outpouring of the Spirit was the fulfillment of the promise given by God through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28). Scripture references: Joel 2:28-29; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; 2:33 b. Spirit baptism is called the gift of the Spirit. 2
The idea emphasizes that God in His sovereignty gives Spirit baptism freely like He does salvation. Scripture references: Acts 2:38; 10:45; see also 8:20 c. Spirit baptism is spoken of as being filled with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus promised to baptize His disciples in the Spirit, they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). To be baptized in the Spirit and to be filled with the Holy Spirit are two ways of speaking of the same experience. Scripture references: Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9, 52 d. The descent of the Spirit is described as an outpouring, emphasizing the abundance with which God bestows the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, streaming down upon the believer, floods his or her entire being with the presence and power of God. Scripture references: Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18, 33; 10:45 e. The use of the term endued or clothed to describe Spirit baptism indicates that the believer is totally surrounded with the presence of God. Spirit baptized believers are enveloped in the profound, powerful reality of the Holy Spirit. Scripture references: Luke 24:49 f. The use of the verb fall to refer to the arrival of the Spirit emphasizes the sudden forcefulness of baptism in the Spirit. The picture we are given in the Bible is the coming of the Holy Spirit from heaven to earth, an act totally initiated by God. In a sovereign manner God Himself sends down the Spirit suddenly and forcefully, therefore having a decisive impact on believers. Scripture references: Acts 10:44; 11:15 4. Baptism in the Holy Spirit Subsequent to (Following) Conversion God offers the blessing of Spirit baptism to all followers of Christ. In keeping with His timing, God may give this special blessing immediately following conversion (Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-18) or sometime after one s conversion experience. a. The Book of Acts indicates that the followers of Christ received the gift of salvation first and later the blessing of Spirit baptism. 3
Before the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit had already been living in the disciples of Jesus. Therefore, the experience the disciples had on the Day of Pentecost was different than their earlier conversion experience in which the Holy Spirit came into their lives. This new experience on the Day of Pentecost was an additional blessing. During this encounter, the Holy Spirit gave the disciples special power for doing God s work. Scripture references: Acts 1:8; 2:1-4 b. After the Samaritans converted to Christianity, Peter and John came to Samaria to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. The Samaritans were converted under the ministry of Philip, and later they received the baptism in the Spirit when Peter and John laid hands on them (Acts 8:17). Scripture says they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God (v.12), for they had received the word of God (v.14). The conversion of the Samaritans through the preaching of Philip and later their being filled with the Spirit through the ministry of Peter and John clearly indicate that Spirit baptism is an experience after conversion. Scripture references: Acts 8:12-17 c. Paul s own conversion preceded His being filled with the Spirit. The apostle Paul s baptism in the Spirit occurred three days after his initial encounter with the risen Christ (Acts 9:9). Immediately, Paul called Jesus Lord, which clearly indicates that through that encounter he was converted (v.5). First, Paul was converted, then he was baptized in the Spirit and empowered for ministry (v.17). Scripture references: Acts 9:5-17 Discussion Indwelling of the Holy Spirit 1) What biblical evidence do we have that each Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit? 2) Explain the difference between fruit of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit 3) What benefits does the believer receive upon becoming baptized in the Holy Spirit? Biblical Terms for Baptism in the Holy Spirit 4) Name some biblical terms for Spirit baptism and the significance of each term. Baptism in the Holy Spirit Subsequent to (Following) Conversion 5) When might one receive the blessing of Spirit baptism? 4
6) Give some examples from Scripture of people who were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Prayer Heavenly Father, You promised through Your holy prophet Joel, "I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh." We thank You for fulfilling that promise. We rejoice that after Your Son Jesus Christ died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven, He poured out the Holy Spirit upon His followers; and we give thanks that these followers became such powerful witnesses to Your saving grace. We humbly ask today for Your spiritual blessings in our lives. We know that we, too, need the fullness of the Spirit's power to live the Christian life and to serve You. Give us, Lord, a deep hunger and thirst for Your Spirit. Grant that our hearts may be pure and devoid of self-indulgence so that we may be filled with the Spirit and our lives be empowered daily. Our desire is not to walk on our own but to walk in the personal boldness and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Resources for Additional Study Arrington, French L. Christian Doctrine: A Pentecostal Perspective, Vol. 3. Cleveland, Tenn.: Pathway, 1992; pp. 51-95. Arrington, French L. Encountering the Holy Spirit: Paths of Christian Growth and Service. Cleveland, Tenn.: Pathway, Horton, Stanley. What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit. Springfield, Mo., Gospel Publishing House, 1976. Hunter, Harold D. Spirit-Baptism: A Pentecostal Alternative. Lanham, Md.; University Press of America, 1983. Palma, Anthony D. The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective. Springfield, Mo.: Logion Press, 2001. Stronstad, Roger. The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke. Peabody Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1984. 5