THE FOURTH FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE of Christ is baptism in the Holy Spirit. Both baptisms, water and Spirit, are essential for spiritual growth. Both are included in “the teaching of baptisms” (Heb. 6:2). (The word baptisms in Hebrews 6:2 is the word baptismos in Greek, and baptisms is the correct translation.)
John the Baptist taught two baptisms. He said that he baptized in water, but Jesus would baptize in the Holy Spirit.
I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but He that comes after me is stronger than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matt. 3:11)
People baptize other people in water, plunging them in water to symbolize death to sin. Jesus baptizes people in the Holy Spirit, immersing them in the Holy Spirit so they can live the Christian life in the power of God.
Every Born Again Believer has the Holy Spirit Inside
When someone is born again, the Holy Spirit comes inside him. His dead spirit is made alive and joined to the Holy Spirit. “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Cor. 6:17).
At the moment of salvation we are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21-22, Eph. 1:13-14, Eph. 4:30). Our bodies become “temples” of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). The indwelling Spirit is the “downpayment” of our inheritance from God (2 Cor. 5:5), and it is proof that we belong to Christ (Rom. 8:9).
Every born again believer has the Holy Spirit inside. But not every born again believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit. Every believer has the Holy Spirit in measure, but not every believer is filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is different from being indwelt by the Holy Spirit when we are born again. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit means being filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit for the first time.
Jesus was Filled with the Holy Spirit
The life of Jesus gives us a pattern. Jesus was perfectly holy from his mother’s womb. Obviously, Jesus was saved, for he was never lost. He had the Holy Spirit inside him. Yet, for thirty years he was not doing public ministry.
When he was about thirty years old, Jesus was baptized in water. After this, the Holy Spirit descended on him and he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1). Then, Jesus began working miracles and publicly teaching.
If Jesus needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit before beginning his ministry, how much more do we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
The Early Disciples were Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Before the Day of Pentecost, the 120 disciples believed in Jesus. They were born again and baptized in water. And like all born again believers, they had the Holy Spirit inside. Jesus “breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22).
Even though the disciples were saved and had the Holy Spirit inside, they still needed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told them:
Wait for the promise of the Father…for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…you shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you and you shall be witnesses. (Acts 1:4-8)
Jesus defines the baptism of the Holy Spirit as receiving spiritual power to do effective ministry. If the disciples had rushed out of the Upper Room and tried to do ministry in their own strength, it wouldn’t have worked. Jesus told them to “stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
Ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost at about 9:00 in the morning, the power came. The 120 disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it 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. (Acts 2:1-4)
The 120 were “all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). They already had the Holy Spirit inside them, but now they were filled to overflowing with the Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit marks the first time a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit.
This power from God transformed them. They were no longer timid and afraid. They burst out of the Upper Room and preached the gospel boldly in Jerusalem, and three thousand people were saved.
The Results of Being Baptized in the Spirit
When we are born again, we begin to experience the wonderful blessings of the Holy Spirit. We understand the Bible, appreciate Christian fellowship, experience God’s presence and leading, and bear spiritual fruit. After being baptized in the Holy Spirit, the work of the Holy Spirit within us multiplies. We bear more spiritual fruit, understand the Bible better, receive clearer leading from God, and can participate more effectively in church. We are empowered to be God’s witnesses. The baptism of the Holy Spirit expands the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
A Promise for All Believers
When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, he said that God was fulfilling an ancient prophecy from Joel.
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. (Joel 2:28-30)
Peter said the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for every believer.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 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.” (Acts 2:38-39)
The commands repent and be baptized are in the aorist tense in Greek, which means that this action is to be completed and made part of our past experience. After doing this – repenting and being baptized in water – you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise about the Holy Spirit is in the future tense – it’s something that will happen after the first two things are done.
Peter was basically saying that if you repent and are baptized in water, you too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit” does not refer to the portion of the Holy Spirit that we receive when we are born again, for that is necessarily received prior to water baptism. Instead, it refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which happens after being born again. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is subsequent to salvation, as we see with the experience of the 120 and of other disciples in the book of Acts.
Samaritans were Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Philip the evangelist went to Samaria and preached the gospel.
“When they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12b).
The Samaritans believed the gospel and were born again. Then they were baptized in water.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)
Later, the apostles came and laid hands on these born again believers. The Holy Spirit fell on them, and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Paul was Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Saul saw the risen Christ on the Damascus road. Shocked by the power of Jesus, Saul called Jesus “Lord.” A little while later, God told Ananias to pray for Saul so he could be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. (Acts (9:17-18)
Saul had already been born again before he met Ananias. That’s why Ananias called Saul his “brother.” Ananias would not have called Saul his spiritual brother if he had not been born again. Ananias was not sent to Saul to tell him the gospel, but to lay hands on him so he could be healed and be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
When Ananias laid hands on Saul, he was baptized in the Holy Spirit (which means he was filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time). Scales fell from his eyes, and he saw clearly. Similarly, when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, spiritual scales will fall from our eyes. We will see and understand spiritual things like never before, and the spiritual realm will become more real.
Cornelius’ Household was Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Cornelius called for Peter to come and share the gospel with his household. He came and preached to Cornelius’ family and friends.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word. And they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:44-48)
While Peter was speaking to Cornelius’ household, they believed the gospel and were born again. Almost immediately, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Disciples at Ephesus are Baptized in the Holy Spirit
We see another example of believers being baptized in the Holy Spirit in Acts 19. Again, it was after they were born again.
And it came to pass, that…Paul…came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? (Acts 19:1-2)
Paul asked if these disciples had “received the Holy Spirit since they believed.” Paul wasn’t asking if they were born again and had the Holy Spirit inside them, because he assumed that they already believed and were born again. He knew the Holy Spirit indwells every true believer. Instead, Paul was asking them if they had been baptized in the Holy Spirit since they had believed.
They gave Paul a surprising answer. “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit” (Acts 19:3).
After asking another question, Paul discerned that these “disciples” weren’t even born again! They were followers of John the Baptist.
Paul quickly shared the gospel with them. They believed, were born again, and were baptized in water.
“And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).
After being born again, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Not all Born Again Believers are Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Both baptisms – water and Spirit – are subsequent to salvation. People can be born again for many years and never experience either baptism. Some Christians have never been baptized in water. Maybe their church never taught them about being baptized in water, or maybe they were baptized as babies and never saw the need to be baptized in water after being born again.
In a similar way, many Christians have never been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Maybe they have never heard about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. No one taught them about it, and they’ve never studied what the Bible says about it.
It’s important for each believer to have both baptisms, water and Spirit, if they are to fulfill their potential in God. Satan attacks the teaching of both baptisms and tries to hinder Christians from experiencing them. We must be willing to break through this opposition and experience both baptisms, for only in this way will we be able to fulfill our potential in God.
Three Ways People are Baptized in the Holy Spirit
The Scriptures reveal that people are baptized in the Holy Spirit in primarily three ways.
1. They may be baptized in the Holy Spirit when a mature Christian lays hands upon them, as happened with the Samaritans, with Saul, and with the disciples in Ephesus. This is the most common way that people are baptized in the Holy Spirit, even today.
2. They may be baptized in the Holy Spirit while they are praying, as with the first disciples in the Upper Room.
3. They may be baptized in the Holy Spirit while they hear the Word of God being preached, as with Cornelius’ household.
The order of the baptisms may be flipped. Sometimes water baptism is first (as with the Samaritans, the first disciples, and at Ephesus). Sometimes Spirit baptism is first (as with Saul and at Cornelius’ household).
But both baptisms are subsequent to being born again.
Asking for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
God is not going to force anyone to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is gentle like a dove. He doesn’t force himself on anyone. It’s the same with water baptism. No one can be forced to be baptized in water. He must desire water baptism of his own accord and ask someone to baptize him. Similarly, we must ask Jesus to baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:11-13)
Jesus said that God’s children need to ask him to give them more of the Holy Spirit. They shouldn’t think that they have all there is of the Holy Spirit, and they don’t need any more. When we ask, we will receive, because God loves to give the Holy Spirit to his children.
Needless Fear of Demons
People are sometimes afraid to ask God for the baptism of the Holy Spirit because they are afraid that they will get a demon instead of the Holy Spirit. This is an unnecessary fear.
Jesus says that parents won’t trick their children by giving them a scorpion instead of an egg, or a snake instead of a fish. In the Bible scorpions and snakes symbolize evil spirits (Luke 10:19). God won’t trick his children when they ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit by allowing them to receive a demon instead. This would be completely contrary to the nature of God.
We can ask God in confidence for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, believing that he will fulfill his promise. The devil is a liar. He especially lies about the baptism of the Holy Spirit because it is key to Christian power and spiritual success. Reject the devil’s lies and embrace the word of God. Each Christian should ask God to baptize him or her with the Holy Spirit, and then receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit in faith.
Spiritual Gifts
When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we will begin to operate spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities from God. Every Christian who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit has at least one spiritual gift.
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10).
Spiritual gifts are given in order to build up the church, which is compared to a body. Each part of the body has a different function, and each part must function for the whole to be healthy. As the spiritual gifts within the body of Christ operate, the body of Christ will grow.
The whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Eph. 4:16)
There are several different spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12.:8-10.
Tongues is speaking in a language that the speaker doesn’t know.
Interpreting tongues is interpreting an unknown language.
Prophecy means speaking what God is saying. Prophecy can be about the past, present, or future.
Word of wisdom is supernatural counsel from God.
Word of knowledge reveals hidden or secret things.
Helps is assisting people by the power and wisdom of God.
Healing is supernatural power to heal sickness.
Miraculous power causes obvious supernatural events to take place.
Discernment is the ability to discern which spirit is from God and which spirit is not from God.
The spiritual gifts allow us to build up the church through God’s power so it can grow and fulfill its mission.
When someone is baptized with the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit fills him for the first time, and he may manifest a gift of the Spirit, whether speaking in tongues, prophecy, or another gift.
Each spiritual gift is good, and we are commanded to desire them. “Earnestly desire spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 14:1).
Speaking in Tongues
Speaking in tongues has become controversial, and different churches believe different things about it. Some churches believe that speaking in tongues is so bad that if a person speaks in tongues he is deceived or possibly demonized. Other churches believe that speaking in tongues is so important that unless someone speaks in tongues, that person cannot be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
All church teachings must be measured by the Bible.
First of all, the Bible says speaking in tongues is good. Paul wanted everyone to speak in tongues. He said, “I would that you all spoke in tongues” (1 Cor. 14:5).
Paul spoke in tongues himself, and he was glad he did. He said, “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all” (1 Cor. 14:18).
Speaking in tongues is good because it helps people grow spiritually. “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1 Cor. 14:4).
No one should be stopped from speaking in tongues. “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues” (1 Cor. 14:39).
People will often speak in tongues when they are baptized in the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6). But people don’t have to speak in tongues when they are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Paul asks, “Do all speak in tongues?” (1 Cor. 12:30). This is a rhetorical question, and the answer is “No.” Not everyone is going to speak in tongues, even if they are baptized in the Holy Spirit.
No one should feel obligated to speak in tongues. Compelling people to speak in tongues can create confusion. The gift of tongues is not received by repeating the unintelligible syllables that another person is speaking. Nor is this gift received by manufacturing gibberish with the mind. Speaking in tongues happens by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Tongues do not have to be actual human languages. Some tongues are unknown to anyone.
“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries” (1 Cor. 14:2).
Tongues that are not understood by others cannot help them. To help others, tongues must be interpreted (see 1 Cor. 14:27-28). Interpretation of tongues is a spiritual gift that enables someone to understand the meaning of tongues through the Holy Spirit and speak it to others so they can understand what is being said (see 1 Cor. 14:27-28).
Being Filled with the Spirit
After being baptized in the Holy Spirit, we need to be subsequently filled with the Spirit again and again throughout our Christian lives.
“Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18b).
Being baptized in the Holy Spirit means being filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time. After this, we need to be filled repeatedly. The book of Acts gives several examples of believers who were already baptized with the Holy Spirit being subsequently filled with the Holy Spirit again (Acts 4:8, 4:31, 7:55, 13:9, 13:52). These fillings of the Holy Spirit gave disciples special power for ministry to meet specific needs.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit, like water baptism, is essential to grow in the Lord and fulfill our divine purpose. Without Holy Spirit baptism we will be spiritually limited. All Christians should be baptized in the Holy Spirit so they can be empowered to fulfill God’s plan for their lives.
~ Prayer ~
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. I want more of your Holy Spirit in my life. Fill me. Increase my hunger for you. Help me to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh. I want to live a supernatural life. Please give me your spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Help me grow strong in your Spirit, that I may win victories for your kingdom upon this earth. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Victory Over False Teachings
- The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Equals Salvation. Some churches believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happens to every Christian at the moment of being born again. But the Bible says that baptism in the Holy Spirit happens after people are born again (Acts 2:1-4).
- Necessary Sign of Tongues. Some churches believe that if someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit, he or she must speak in tongues. But the Bible says that not all believers are going to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12:30), even though all should be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
- Cessationism. Some churches believe that the spiritual gifts have passed away. But the Bible never says this.
- All Miracles are Satanic. Some churches believe that any supernatural activity today must be Satanic and can’t be from God. But God is supernatural, and everything he does is supernatural.
- All Miracles are from God. Some churches believe that all miracles are from God. But the Bible says that Satan does miracles, even in the church.
- Spiritual Gifts are Based on Natural Abilities. Some churches believe that the natural talents of people – like helping others, administrating, or teaching, are spiritual gifts. However, people have these abilities before they are born again, showing they don’t depend on the Holy Spirit. The Bible says spiritual gifts are supernatural operations of the Holy Spirit which aren’t based on human ability.
- Forbidding Speaking in Tongues. Some churches forbid people from speaking in tongues. But the Bible says not to forbid people from speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 14:39).
- Tongues Must be Known Languages. Some churches believe that tongues must be human languages. But the Bible says that some tongues are not understood by anyone (1 Cor. 14:2).
- Tongues Must Always be Understood or Interpreted. Some churches believe that genuine tongues will always be understood, either by the speaker or by another hearer. But the Bible says people can speak in tongues even when no one understands them, and that speaking in an unknown tongue edifies the speaker (1 Cor. 14:4).
- Copying Tongues to Get the Gift of Tongues. Some churches believe that if someone copies the unintelligible syllables of someone who is speaking in tongues, then he or she will get the gift of tongues. But the Bible says the gift of tongues only operates by the Holy Spirit, not by human ability.
- No Apostles or Prophets. Some churches believe that the ministry positions of apostles and prophets are no longer operating in the church today. But the Bible says that these ministry gifts will be needed until Christ returns (Eph. 4:11-13).
- Prophesying Means Writing Scripture. Some churches believe that prophesying is equivalent to writing Scripture and therefore must be avoided today. But the Bible says Agabus and Philip’s daughters prophesied, but they didn’t write Scripture. The New Testament commands each believer to desire to prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1), but it’s certainly not commanding us to desire to write Scripture.
Foundations Study 4: Holy Spirit Baptism
Hebrews 6:2
What are the two baptisms?
Matthew 3:11
- Who baptizes in water?
- Who baptizes in the Holy Spirit?
Luke 3:22, 4:1
- Why did the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus?
- Did Jesus have the Holy Spirit inside him before the Holy Spirit descended on him?
- Was Jesus saved before that?
Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30; 2 Corinthians 5:5
When does the Holy Spirit first indwell someone?
John 20:22
- How do we know the disciples were born again before the Day of Pentecost?
- How do we know the disciples had the Holy Spirit inside them before the Day of Pentecost?
Acts 1:4-8
- What did Jesus say would be the result of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
- What would have happened if the disciples had begun their ministry without being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
- Is it possible to do ministry without the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:1-4
- How is the Holy Spirit like wind?
- How is the Holy Spirit like fire?
- What are some results of being in one accord with other believers?
- How were the first believers baptized in the Holy Spirit?
- Were the first disciples baptized in the Holy Spirit before or after being baptized in water?
- Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is the same as being filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time. How is being filled with the Spirit different from being indwelt by the Holy Spirit at salvation?
- Why do you think people often speak in tongues as a result of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Acts 8:12-17
- How do we know the Samaritans were baptized in the Holy Spirit after they were born again?
- How were the Samaritans baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Acts 9:17-18
- Why did Jesus send Ananias to Saul?
- How do we know Saul was a Christian before he met Ananias?
- Was Ananias an apostle?
- What do the scales falling from Saul’s eyes symbolize about the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Acts 10:44-48
- How was Cornelius’ household baptized in the Holy Spirit?
- Why did Cornelius’ household speak in tongues if there were no foreigners for them to preach to?
Acts 19:1-6
- Paul called these disciples believers. What did Paul assume they believed?
- Why did Paul ask them if they received the Holy Spirit since they believed?
- How were they baptized in the Holy Spirit?
- How do we know they were baptized in the Holy Spirit after being born again?
- What are three different ways people can be baptized in the Holy Spirit according to examples in the Book of Acts?
Luke 11:11-13
- Who was Jesus talking to, believers or unbelievers?
- What are God’s children supposed to ask God for?
- If we pray to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, how do we know we won’t receive a demon instead?
Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28, Ephesians 4:11
- Do spiritual gifts depend on us or on God?
- Can God work miracles? Does he?
1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:16
- Each Christian has at least one spiritual gift. Do you know what gift you have?
- Have you ever used a spiritual gift?
1 Corinthians 14:1
Do you earnestly desire to prophesy?
1 Corinthians 14:4
What happens when someone speaks in tongues?
1 Corinthians 14:5
Why does Paul want every believer to speak in tongues?
1 Corinthians 14:18
Why do you think Paul spoke in tongues so much?
1 Corinthians 14:39
Should people be prohibited from speaking in tongues?
1 Corinthians 12:30
- Will everyone speak in tongues?
- Is it necessary to speak in tongues to show we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
1 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Corinthians 14:2
Will tongues necessarily be known languages?
1 Corinthians 14:27-28
When is it permissible to speak in tongues in church?
Acts 4:8, 4:31, 7:55, 13:9, 13:52; Ephesians 5:18
Who needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Why are Christians commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Have you ever been baptized in the Holy Spirit? If so, when?
Bethel Cornerstone 