THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS WORK Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. (NASB) We believe in the In-Dwelling of the Holy Spirit for all Christians; one baptism but many fillings. David Hocking 1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (NASB) The Holy Spirit indwells the believer, working to bring about a more righteous life. Dr. R.C. Sproul I believe baptism (of the Spirit) is a one time event that takes place at the moment of conversion 1 Cor 12:13 By contrast, the filling of the Spirit is not a one time event. Ron Rhodes
Every Christian is indwelt and baptized by the Spirit at the time of salvation. Dr. John MacArthur -Terms Greek usage: Baptism Baptisma Consisting of the process of immersion, submersion, and emergence. Power Dunamis Dynamics, Power Filled with the Spirit Pneuma Primarily denotes the wind to breath, blow. Who Receives the Holy Spirit? I believe that if we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have received the Spirit. It s up to us to yield ourselves fully to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Every born-again child of God has the Holy Spirit in his life. God desires that our cup overflows, that beautiful overflowing of the Holy Spirit. Chuck Smith Those who believe in Christ receive the Baptism of The Holy Spirit John 7:37-39.
We are all baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Gal 3:26-29; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Eph 1:13-14 1 Cor 12:12-13 does not refer to water baptism. Paul is actually using the word baptized in a metaphorical sense, as we might in saying someone is immersed in his work, or underwent his baptism of fire when experiencing trouble. All Christians have, by placing saving faith in Him, been spiritually immersed into the person Christ, that is, united and identified with Him. John MacArthur MacArthur study Bible pp 1702. Conclusion: All believers receive the Baptism of The Holy Spirit at conversion. What is the difference between baptism and infilling of the Spirit? Below are examples where the same Greek word for filled (pletho) is not just used of the Holy Spirit and you will see that each instance of the fillings are temporary ones. Filled (pletho) with the Spirit
Luke 1:15 John he Baptist was filled with the Spirit. Luke 1:67 Zacharias was filled with the Spirit and prophesied. Acts 4:8 Peter was filled with the Spirit, and spoke boldly Acts 4:31 people were filled with the Spirit and spoke boldly Acts 9:17 Paul was filled with the Spirit and received his site back. Acts 13:9 Paul was filled with the Spirit and spoke boldly. Filled (pletho) with something other than the Spirit Matt 27:48; John 19:29 The sponge filled with sour wine. Luke 4:28 All in the Synagogue were filled with wrath. Luke 5:7 Both boats were filled with fish Luke 5:26 The Pharisees were filled with fear Luke 6:11 The Pharisees were filled with madness. Acts 3:10 Those at the Beautiful gate were filled with wonder and amazement.
Acts 13:45 The Jews were filled with envy. Acts 19:29 The whole city was filled with confusion. Note also that in Acts 1:8 power is received when the Holy Spirit comes upon believers and in Luke 1:35 the Holy Spirits power came upon Mary and she conceived Jesus. In both the Luke and Acts accounts, the phrase come upon and power are the same. This is a temporary coming upon. Since we are all given the Holy Spirit at conversion, what was the purpose of the Holy Spirits works in the book of Acts, and do we need to posses any of the manifestations that were noted in Acts in order to be saved? All filled with the Spirit indicates that all the other ministries of the Holy Spirit to the believers in this age had already been performed. As they occur in this order: 1). Regenerating 1 John 3:5 2). Indwelling Romans 8:9
3). Sealing Ephesians 4:30 4). Baptizing Acts 1:5; 1 Cor 12:12-13 The experience of Pentecost came from the filling of the Spirit not the baptizing of the Spirit. The Baptizing ministry placed them in the Church, the new body that came into existence here for the first time. Dr. J. Vernon McGee - There are 2 types of baptisms: Acts 19:1-5 says It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said to him, no, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. And he said, Into what then were you baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (NASB)
1. The baptism of repentance This is the baptism in water that we go through as a result of our salvation, not in order to obtain salvation. We are water baptized simply out of gratitude for what Christ has done for us. Luke 3:2-3; Matt 3:1-2; Acts 11:16; Acts 13:24; Acts 15: 8-12; Rom 6:3-4 2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit Again this is distinct from the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Spirit is what every believer receives upon their belief and acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior. See John 7:37-39; John 6:28-29; John 6:38-39; John 3:13; Eph 1;13-14; 2:8-9. Eph 5:15-21 Here the Greek actually says Be, being filled which is another way of saying, be continually filled (Influenced) with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is the same as walking in the Spirit. See Christ s example in Luke 4:1-4; Mark 1:12-13; Matt 4:1-11. In the Mark account the word drove (NKJV), Sent (NIV) = impelled - Also, see the NASB. The Holy Spirit was already in the disciples before Pentecost, John 14:16-17. This passages shows the
One baptism, but many fillings statement. When breaking down this passage you will notice that, in v. 16, it tells us that the Helper is to abide (live) with us forever. In v. 17: Dwells Abides (NASB), or Lives (NIV) = Meno Which means To Stay. In en Means position, in place, trust, or state. Compare John 14:17 with Acts 1:5, 8 and John 7:37-39. For the Acts 1:5-8 passage, Henry Virkler says this: The understanding of the word coming also helps us reconcile the passages which indicate that the disciples had already received the Holy Spirit (John 20:22) with the fact that they were still to wait for His coming. They were still to wait for a special manifestation of His presence that would transform them from fainthearted disciples into courageous apostles, even though He was already present in their lives. Henry A. Virkler, Hermenutics Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation. Pg 150
Conclusion: Fillings are multiple temporary events, while the baptism of The Spirit is a one time permanent event at the time of Salvation. -What is the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit? In the Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16 - John the Baptist tells us that one is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Yet, in John 16:7-15 we read that the Holy Spirit s coming is a future event. Why is this significant? It seems like the Spirit comes twice; once to seal believers forever (Baptism of the Holy Spirit), and again to empower them (Infilling of the Holy Spirit). John 16:7-15 says: But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin,
because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. (NASB) -The Power of the Spirit V. the Gifts of the Spirit: Acts 1:8; 6:8 This shows the Holy Spirit giving Power. No indication that all believers receive the power. 1 Cor. 12:1-11 This shows the Holy Spirit gives gifts. Note: verse 7 says that every believer is given a gift not power. The Gifts that are given are to build the Church, the power is to build the believer.
Luke 1:67 The Holy Spirit gives prophecy. requires a filling which is temporary. This The power given is different than the gifts given. All Christians receive the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. But not all believers receive the same gifts. Also, in the book of Acts the gifts were given after the Spirit was received. Tongues, joy, boldness, prophecy, etc, are gifts, but the power comes from the Spirit. In addition we must note that these manifestations are temporary. This is different from the Holy Spirit that is received at conversion. John 3:5-6 says we must have the Spirit in order to be saved. But, we don t need the filling of the Spirit for salvation. For example, the thief on the cross didn t exhibit any of the fillings of the Spirit, but yet Christ told him that he was saved. Luke 23:40-46; also see Acts 15:8-12 How to reconcile apparent contradictions. John 7:39 The Holy Spirit not given until Christ's glorification, and Acts 1:4 8 regarding the manifestations of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
John 14:26 Future tense that the Holy Spirit is coming. However, regarding the activity of the Holy Spirit Isa 63:10-14 The Spirit dwelt in Moses. Num 27:18 - The Spirit dwelt in Joshua Judges 3:10 - The Spirit dwelt in Othniel Psalm 51:11 The Spirit dwelt in David 1 Peter 1:10-12 The Spirit inspired the prophets Hag 2:5 The Spirit dwelt with the Israelites. For the purpose of theological analysis, the question is, is the Holy Spirit s work in the Old and New Testament primarily continuous, increasing perhaps in quantity but remaining qualitatively the same, or is His work basically discontinuous, changing after Pentecost? The Biblical evidence suggests that the Holy Spirit ministered in similar ways throughout the Old and New Testaments, convicting people of sin, leading them to faith, guiding and empowering them, inspiring them to make verbal or written prophecies, giving them spiritual gifts, and
regenerating and sanctifying them. Henry A. Virkler Hermenutics pg 151. Conclusion: There are no contradictions. By Grant Marco Calvary Chapel - Downey