Have You Been Baptized in the Holy Spirit

Have You Been Baptized in the Holy Spirit?
1 Corinthians 12:13
Jim Davis
I would like to ask you a question: Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit? Many in the church might be afraid of this question, but it is a valid question. We may afraid of where this type of question will lead. We are afraid that it will lead us into an area where what we do is better felt than told. However the Spirit’s presence in our lives is more real than something better felt than told.
We know the Corinthians were all baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. NIV
These verses indicated that all are baptized by one Spirit into the body of Christ. For many of us we have flashbacks of Pentecost when we seek to admit this. So we start thinking that we are going to have the miraculous manifestations of the Spirit as the apostles did on Pentecost.
Baptized In Water and Spirit
John’s message led the recipients to be baptized in water. However, John foretold that Jesus would baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 3:15-18
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. NIV
John required his followers to repent and be baptized in water. However, John says that Jesus’ followers would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Christ baptism went a step further than John’s in that his followers would be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:11-12
1 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." NIV
There were many in John’s day practicing water baptism. The Essenes had forms of water of immersion for their followers. Some pagan cults contemporary with John also employed water immersion for their followers. But the distinguishing mark of Jesus baptism was to be the presence of the Holy Spirit.
John made a distinct effort to distinguish between his baptism and Christ’s baptism.
John 1:29-34
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." NIV
John sees the Spirit of God descend upon the Son of God. John was told, "’The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
John 3:5-8
5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." NIV
Christ baptism not only involves water but it involves the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures says that Christ followers were to be baptized by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:1-5
1:1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." NIV
There is nothing here that indicates Holy Spirit baptism was for a limited number of people. It wasn’t just a promise for the apostles, or those on Pentecost, or just for Cornelius and his household. The emphases is not upon who will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but rather on the difference in Christ’s baptism and John’s baptism. John’s baptism is of water only; Jesus’ baptism includes the water and the Spirit. This is evident in the following verses.
Acts 19:1-7
19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.
4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. NIV
Jesus imparted the Spirit to his disciples after his resurrection and before Pentecost. This measure of the Spirit was not manifested with great power, but it had the authority of God.
John 20:21-23
21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." NIV
They received the special power of the Spirit on Pentecost.
Acts 1:7-8
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." NIV
This special power of the Spirit was present each time the gospel spread to a new area.
It was present on Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4
2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. NIV
It was present when the gospel was taken to the Samaritans.
Acts 8:14-17
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. NIV
It was present when the gospel was taken to the Gentiles.
Acts 11:15-17
15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" NIV
It was present when the gospel was taken into the uttermost part of the world as Paul obeyed the Macedonian call.
Acts 19:1-7
19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.
4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. NIV
These powerful manifestations of the Spirit’s presence were for the benefit of the apostles who were having a difficult time understanding how the gospel was to be taken to a lost world. It was given as proof to the hearers that these men were from God. The Holy Spirit was imparted to apostles on Pentecost to get the attention of the Jews. God was endeavoring to overcome their obstinate mindset that the gospel was only for the Jews.
These special manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit have been confusing to many. The powerful manifestations were for the purpose of giving God’s stamp of approval as the gospel cross cultural barriers.
However, the apostles initially received the Holy Spirit from Christ without any manifestation of the Spirit’s power.
John 20:21-23
21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." NIV
We are promised the same gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism. It is evident that this promise is to all.
Acts 2:38-39
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." NIV
This is why Paul says that we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). However, there is no indication that the 3,000 who were baptized on Pentecost received the same miraculous manifestations of the Spirit as the apostles did in the upper room. But we can rest assured that they received the Holy Spirit.
Many claim to have been baptized by the Holy Spirit. They infer that after you are baptized in water you then must seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These individual are usually seeking the power of the Spirit that was manifested through the apostles on Pentecost. They overlook the fact that the Holy Spirit is promised to all, and also the fact that there is no indication that the 3000 on Pentecost received the power the apostles received after their baptism. They simply received the Spirit as they obeyed the Spirit's words spoken by the apostles to be born again.
When they were baptized into Christ the Holy Spirit moved into their hearts and minds giving them spiritual life through his regenerating power. The Spirit’s regenerating power is not an overwhelming power. It is true that the apostles were overwhelmed on Pentecost as the Spirit moved into their minds and took control of their speech leading them to speak in different languages, but that power was different than the regenerating presence we receive when we are baptized into Christ.
We must never forget that the regenerating power of God to transform us comes from the Spirit of God. There is a washing of water and a renewal of the Spirit as we obey Christ in baptism.
Titus 3:3-7
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV
Let Us Face Our Fears
First, let me seek to erase our fears of admitting that we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit.
If the Spirit dwells in our inner being to strengthen us, we need never to be afraid of where he will lead us for he will never lead us to do anything contrary to the inspired word he has given us.
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. NIV
If we are afraid of where this admission will lead we can always test the spirits that seek to lead us.
1 John 4:1-3
4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. NIV
Just ask yourself, "Is what I am about to do supported in the written Scriptures that the Holy Spirit has given me?" If what you want to do is supported in Scripture; it is the Spirit leading you.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. NIV
Another important question we must ask in regards to our desire to obey the Scriptures is: Is it the flesh or the Spirit motivating our obedience? Sometimes it is a little more difficult to understand what is motivating us than it is to understand what the scriptures plainly teach. Getting a handle on what is motivating us is much more difficult than getting a handle on the Scriptures. We must seriously consider whether the Spirit is motivating us to do what is written, or is it the flesh motivating us? Obedience can be solely a fleshly response to God’s word out of deceitful lust, pride, selfish ambition, conceit, etc.
Another important question we must ask is, does it lead to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? If not, you can rest assured that it is not the Holy Spirit leading us. If it leads to division the flesh is probably leading instead of the Spirit.
We are afraid that the Spirit’s presence will make us irrational. The big debate a few decades ago within the church was how the Holy Spirit operated. I was in college in those days, and it seemed that our greatest fear was that those who believed the Spirit dwelt in them would become totally irrational. However, the Spirit’s presence doesn’t encourage irrationalism. When we become irrational we can rest assured that we are not being led by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:13-17
13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. NIV
The argument Paul is making in these verses is that if the Spirit of God were really leading the Corinthians they would not be acting irrationally as they were. The whole argument in first Corinthians is that they have been baptized into one body by one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13), therefore they should be acting rationally as the Spirit guides their minds through rational thought.
We are afraid that admitting the Spirit’s presence will encourage subjectivity—a response better felt than told. The primary splits of the restoration movement have been over subjectivity. By subjectivity in Bible study I mean subjecting the Scriptures to our own private interpretation. The person who is led by the Spirit can understand what is plainly written without relying upon his/her own private interpretation.
We should remember that if what we are teaching brings disunity it must be contrary to the Scriptures, for the Spirit leads us to seek the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There are those who berate simple Bible study by saying that you must have a measure of the Spirit before you can understand what it says. This is usually said to persuade us that we can’t understand the Bible for ourselves; we must have someone who has the Spirit of God to interpret it for us. This is nothing but a type of persuasion that endeavors to get us to place all our faith in the one that is seeking to teach us without questioning while ignoring the plain teaching of the Bible.
There is a sure way to tell when we have gone beyond what is written. When we go beyond what is written pride takes over.
1 Corinthian 4:6-7
6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? NIV
There is a kind of pride that takes over as it seeks persuade us that the Spirit has made a special revelation to us that it hasn’t to others. We may begin to think we are super spiritual.
We are afraid that the Spirit’s presence will overwhelm us in such a powerful way that we will no longer have control of our lives.
God's Spirit led Israel, but no where in the wilderness were they forced to follow God. The Spirit leads, but does not drag people. The Holy Spirit is subject to the control of the one in whom he dwells.
1 Corinthians 14:29-33
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. NIV
These verses make it very clear although God’s Spirit dwells in us it is still subject to the choices we make. It is not going to make us do something we don’t want to do
God has subjected his Spirit to my willingness to follow. This leaves me responsible for what I do, and I can rest assured that the Spirit is not present to make me do something against my will.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. NIV
We have the freedom to put out the Spirit’s fire. Therefore, we need not fear losing control of our lives because the freedom to quench the Spirit is ample proof that we are not going to lose our free will. In fact, we should test the direction for our lives with the Scripture, and we must remember that the Holy Spirit will never lead us to do something contrary to God’s word.
Hopefully putting the fears aside will help make an objective study of the Holy Spirit’s part in our salvation.
God’s Power at Work through His Spirit
Fear has quenched the work of the Spirit. We may be afraid of anyone who doesn’t confine the work of the Spirit solely to a fleshly response to the word of God. Making a fleshly response may lead us to do what the word of God says, but it never develops the eye of faith to the point where we see or understand God’s active ongoing work on our behalf as we obey. The Bible encourages us to see God strengthening us in our response to his word.
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. NIV
The strengthening Paul wants us to experience is the strengthening that comes through the power of the Holy Spirit within our own heart.
Our strength as Christians is dependent upon recognizing the Holy Spirit’s part in our salvation. If we can rightfully recognize the Spirit’s part in our salvation it will prevent us from turning the Scriptures into a fleshly code that only brings spiritual death regardless of our fleshly efforts.
John 3:5-8
5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." NIV
There are two elements present in baptism, the water and the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. NIV
1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. NIV
When we submit ourselves to God in baptism it not only symbolizes our death to sin but it also is our invitation for the Holy Spirit to bring his regenerating power into our conscience to guide us into transformation.
It is the Holy Spirit’s power that brings the renewing or the transformation.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV
David pleaded for the Spirit’s presence to create in him a pure heart.
Psalms 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. NIV