DTTO
SHOWING YOU THE WORLD IN SCRIPTURE
This page was last updated: August 27, 2009
Recommended reading:
-
John Stott, “Baptism and Fullness” Ch.1-2
John Stott, “Baptism and Fullness” Ch.1-2-Wayne Grudem, “Systematic Theology”, Ch.39
Wayne Grudem, “Systematic Theology”, Ch.391)Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Baptism of the Holy Spirita.What does it mean to be “baptised in the Holy Spirit”?
What does it mean to be “baptised in the Holy Spirit”?i.John the Baptist testified concerning Jesus that He would “take away the sins of the world…this is He who baptises with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:29,33) which shows the two dimensions to Christ’s work. He was redeeming a people from their sin, who would become the Temple for His indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
John the Baptist testified concerning Jesus that He would “take away the sins of the world…this is He who baptises with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:29,33) which shows the two dimensions to Christ’s work. He was redeeming a people from their sin, who would become the Temple for His indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)ii.This was building upon the Old Testament promises concerning the coming of the Spirit: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
This was building upon the Old Testament promises concerning the coming of the Spirit: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)iii.When we are saved we are baptised in the Spirit, but we are also sealed there as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance with Him (Ephesians 1:13-14).
When we are saved we are baptised in the Spirit, but we are also sealed there as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance with Him (Ephesians 1:13-14).b.Who is “baptised in the Holy Spirit”?
Who is “baptised in the Holy Spirit”?i.A Christian is someone who has been born again of the Spirit (John 3:5). Paul warns ““You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9)
A Christian is someone who has been born again of the Spirit (John 3:5). Paul warns ““You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9)ii.Paul goes on to say: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27) All people who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of their sins have received this baptism of the Holy Spirit and so we are all united together. There are no second-class Christians who do not have the Spirit within them, if they have indeed been saved!
Paul goes on to say: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27) All people who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of their sins have received this baptism of the Holy Spirit and so we are all united together. There are no second-class Christians who do not have the Spirit within them, if they have indeed been saved!iii.Indeed to counteract the divisions in Corinth Paul had to write reminding them: “For by one Spirit we were baptised into one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:13) this is an important statement of our unity as Christians. It is dangerous and Biblically incorrect to suggest that some Christians have been baptised in the Spirit and others have not. This naturally leads us on to consider when this baptism occurs, as that is where the problems arise and people get confused!
Indeed to counteract the divisions in Corinth Paul had to write reminding them: “For by one Spirit we were baptised into one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:13) this is an important statement of our unity as Christians. It is dangerous and Biblically incorrect to suggest that some Christians have been baptised in the Spirit and others have not. This naturally leads us on to consider when this baptism occurs, as that is where the problems arise and people get confused!c.When does this baptism occur?
When does this baptism occur?i.We can conclude that baptism in the Holy Spirit is the initial experience for all Christians. However, it is argued in many Pentecostal and Charismatic circles that the baptism in the Spirit is subsequent to a person’s initial conversion. They would concede that the person is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so is truly a child of God, but is missing out by not having received this “Second Blessing”. This idea is based on a faulty interpretation of the events in Acts which we need to quickly walk through!
We can conclude that baptism in the Holy Spirit is the initial experience for all Christians. However, it is argued in many Pentecostal and Charismatic circles that the baptism in the Spirit is subsequent to a person’s initial conversion. They would concede that the person is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so is truly a child of God, but is missing out by not having received this “Second Blessing”. This idea is based on a faulty interpretation of the events in Acts which we need to quickly walk through!ii.We must bear in mind that Acts is primarily a historical descriptive narrative of a key turning point in God’s plan with the laying of the foundations of the Church and coming of the promised Holy Spirit, rather than a normative account of what we should expect to see throughout the rest of the Church Age.
We must bear in mind that Acts is primarily a historical descriptive narrative of a key turning point in God’s plan with the laying of the foundations of the Church and coming of the promised Holy Spirit, rather than a normative account of what we should expect to see throughout the rest of the Church Age.iii.Jesus counsels the disciples prior to the Crucifixion that is better for Him to leave them, so that He can send to them the Paraclete – the helping Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:7). Prior to Ascension He again tells them to wait to be “clothed with power from on high” and “baptised with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5). We see fulfilment 10 days later in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. For the disciples salvation and baptism in Spirit had to happen separately as they were awaiting Christ to send Him into the world in the first place.
Jesus counsels the disciples prior to the Crucifixion that is better for Him to leave them, so that He can send to them the Paraclete – the helping Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:7). Prior to Ascension He again tells them to wait to be “clothed with power from on high” and “baptised with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5). We see fulfilment 10 days later in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. For the disciples salvation and baptism in Spirit had to happen separately as they were awaiting Christ to send Him into the world in the first place.iv.Examine texts where it appears to be a subsequent event to initial salvation:
Examine texts where it appears to be a subsequent event to initial salvation:1.Pentecost (Acts 2) – at the start of the chapter we see the 120 in the upper room baptised in the Holy Spirit and then the baptism of the 3000. The 3000 were converted at Pentecost and baptised that same day! We should not identify ourselves with the 120 but rather the 3000!
Pentecost (Acts 2) – at the start of the chapter we see the 120 in the upper room baptised in the Holy Spirit and then the baptism of the 3000. The 3000 were converted at Pentecost and baptised that same day! We should not identify ourselves with the 120 but rather the 3000!2.Samaria (Acts 8) – the age old schism between Judaism and Samaritans was overcome by the Apostles accepted them as believers and them receiving the Holy Spirit. This subsequent reception of the Holy Spirit at the Apostles’ hands was to have unity in the church, rather than as a proof text for Second Blessing theology
Samaria (Acts 8) – the age old schism between Judaism and Samaritans was overcome by the Apostles accepted them as believers and them receiving the Holy Spirit. This subsequent reception of the Holy Spirit at the Apostles’ hands was to have unity in the church, rather than as a proof text for Second Blessing theology3.Ephesus (Acts 19) – the people here were disciples of John having received water baptism of repentance but had not heard of Jesus (the one who John proclaimed was to come after him) nor even of the Holy Spirit, thus Paul’s question of who and into what they had been baptised! This is not an occasion of subsequent Holy Spirit baptism of believers, but rather their simultaneous conversion and Spirit baptism.
Ephesus (Acts 19) – the people here were disciples of John having received water baptism of repentance but had not heard of Jesus (the one who John proclaimed was to come after him) nor even of the Holy Spirit, thus Paul’s question of who and into what they had been baptised! This is not an occasion of subsequent Holy Spirit baptism of believers, but rather their simultaneous conversion and Spirit baptism.v.Therefore we see that rather than being normative, these Acts texts show the spread and unity of the church. On the contrary “Second Blessing” theology creates a two-tiered Christianity which would anger Paul! Rather in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul emphasises the baptism of all believers initially into the body of Christ before going on to talk about the diversity of spiritual gifts sovereignly distributed by the same Holy Spirit.
Therefore we see that rather than being normative, these Acts texts show the spread and unity of the church. On the contrary “Second Blessing” theology creates a two-tiered Christianity which would anger Paul! Rather in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul emphasises the baptism of all believers initially into the body of Christ before going on to talk about the diversity of spiritual gifts sovereignly distributed by the same Holy Spirit.d.Are there signs of having received it?
Are there signs of having received it?1.Pentecost (Acts 2) – 120 experienced rushing wind, tongues of fire and speaking in tongues; no indication either way of this same occurrence with the 3000
Pentecost (Acts 2) – 120 experienced rushing wind, tongues of fire and speaking in tongues; no indication either way of this same occurrence with the 30002.Caesarea (Acts 10) – the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant that all the nations would be blessed through the Messiah, and Jesus’ promise that He had other sheep not of the flock of Israel who He was going to incorporate into the church. The Holy Spirit’s manifestation in tongues demonstrated that what happened among the Jews in Jerusalem also extended to the Gentiles, breaking down the greatest barrier in Jewish thought. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:8 recognises that the Gentiles are equal in the church because the Holy Spirit worked the same signs in them that were done at Pentecost. Again this was God setting up the foundations of the Church, rather than a normative experience for all believers!
Caesarea (Acts 10) – the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant that all the nations would be blessed through the Messiah, and Jesus’ promise that He had other sheep not of the flock of Israel who He was going to incorporate into the church. The Holy Spirit’s manifestation in tongues demonstrated that what happened among the Jews in Jerusalem also extended to the Gentiles, breaking down the greatest barrier in Jewish thought. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:8 recognises that the Gentiles are equal in the church because the Holy Spirit worked the same signs in them that were done at Pentecost. Again this was God setting up the foundations of the Church, rather than a normative experience for all believers!3.Ephesus (Acts 19) – Here the disciples of John were saved, baptised in the Spirit and is the only instance where we’re told all of this coincided with speaking in tongues!
Ephesus (Acts 19) – Here the disciples of John were saved, baptised in the Spirit and is the only instance where we’re told all of this coincided with speaking in tongues!ii.Given these isolated narrative accounts during the foundational period of the Church it cannot safely be said whatsoever that it is a normative experience of believers that conversion and baptism is attested to by speaking in tongues! In fact, Paul even strongly implies that tongues are not possible for everyone “All do not speak in tongues do they?” (1 Corinthians 12v30), therefore it follows it cannot be a universal sign of salvation and corresponding baptism!
Given these isolated narrative accounts during the foundational period of the Church it cannot safely be said whatsoever that it is a normative experience of believers that conversion and baptism is attested to by speaking in tongues! In fact, Paul even strongly implies that tongues are not possible for everyone “All do not speak in tongues do they?” (1 Corinthians 12v30), therefore it follows it cannot be a universal sign of salvation and corresponding baptism!iii.It seems wrong to teach otherwise and again disrupts unity in the Church by implying that those who have not spoken in tongues are not saved or are of another class of Christians who “lack” baptism in the Spirit! It is equally wrong to teach that other signs and wonders should demonstrate this conversion, for Jesus taught that “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7v16) not their gifts or other miraculous signs! The fruit is the only definitive sign of being indwelt (baptised) with the Holy Spirit!
It seems wrong to teach otherwise and again disrupts unity in the Church by implying that those who have not spoken in tongues are not saved or are of another class of Christians who “lack” baptism in the Spirit! It is equally wrong to teach that other signs and wonders should demonstrate this conversion, for Jesus taught that “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7v16) not their gifts or other miraculous signs! The fruit is the only definitive sign of being indwelt (baptised) with the Holy Spirit!2)Filling of the Holy Spirit
Filling of the Holy SpiritWe have now established that every person born again by trusting in Christ is baptised in the Spirit at that moment of trusting faith. But this is only the start our journey! Of far more practical importance is the filling of the Holy Spirit. We need to look at a few scriptures in Ephesians to learn more about this Filling.
Paul assures that we all have been sealed with the Holy Spirit: “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (Ephesians 1:13-14)”
In Greek when this verse says we were “sealed” it is in the aorist tense - this is the “completed once and for-always” tense, if you like. This means that we have once in the past upon salvation been given the Holy Spirit to indwell us and that it continues forever.
What has this to do with filling of the Holy Spirit? Well let’s look at another passage:
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18)
The contrast here is between the control of alcohol, which leads to excessive indulgence of the flesh, and the control of the Spirit which the rest of the chapter goes on to show leads to a more Christ like behaviour. Being filled with the Spirit thus means allowing the Spirit to control us to work in us to make us more like Christ. I would suggest that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are produced by the Spirit filling us to cultivate them.
John Stott has helped me tremendously with this passage and let me share some of his insights:
-It is in the imperative mood and plural form, which means this is a direct command to all us “be filled with the Spirit” so this is something we should be responding to as Christians
It is in the imperative mood and plural form, which means this is a direct command to all us “be filled with the Spirit” so this is something we should be responding to as Christians-“Be filled” is in the present tense verb, which means that this passage should be read “but be continually filled with the Spirit” so we should be continually seeking to be filled with the Spirit
“Be filled” is in the present tense verb, which means that this passage should be read “but be continually filled with the Spirit” so we should be continually seeking to be filled with the Spirit-It is in the passive voice, which means that we are to let ourselves be filled with the Spirit. A man cannot let himself get drunk unless he does something, so it is not entirely passive, but the filling is not our job. Rather our job is submission at all times to Christ to let Him fill us continually.
It is in the passive voice, which means that we are to let ourselves be filled with the Spirit. A man cannot let himself get drunk unless he does something, so it is not entirely passive, but the filling is not our job. Rather our job is submission at all times to Christ to let Him fill us continually.We can conclude from this verse that it is possible for a Christian to be always indwelt/sealed by the Holy Spirit but not always allowing ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, for this is a state we are continually to be seeking after. Indeed, we see throughout Acts the phrase being repeated “and they were filled with the Holy Spirit” speaking of the Apostles who at Pentecost Acts 2 says they were “filled with the Spirit” but yet in several places we see it said specifically of Peter, John and later Paul that they received subsequent filling of the Spirit as they submitted to and served Christ.
How is it that we may not always be filled with the Spirit?
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30); “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
There are two ways in which I believe we can hinder the filling work of the Spirit:
1)Sin: our continued sin can hinder the work of the Spirit if we do not confess it. If we have relationship with Christ then we are to express our love to Him by obedience to Him in our lives (John 14:15)
Sin: our continued sin can hinder the work of the Spirit if we do not confess it. If we have relationship with Christ then we are to express our love to Him by obedience to Him in our lives (John 14:15)2)Not being open to His work (quench has connotations of suppressing a flame). It is not that we need more of the Holy Spirit; rather He needs more of us! We need to submit ourselves to Christ’s will.
Not being open to His work (quench has connotations of suppressing a flame). It is not that we need more of the Holy Spirit; rather He needs more of us! We need to submit ourselves to Christ’s will. This ties into the passive voice we spoke of earlier and letting ourselves be filled by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will fill us if only we let Him by confessing all our continuing sins and by saying: “I submit every area of my life to serving you Lord”. I believe it is God’s good pleasure to fill us with the Holy Spirit and be working in our lives: “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13) and it is not something He is keeping from us, but rather we can hinder Him in doing it.
Application: How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Let us now look at some points of application on how we can be filled with the Holy Spirit.
1)Continually come to Christ to be washed: Jesus the night He was betrayed washed the disciples’ feet and when Peter resisted Jesus explained: “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for His feet, but is completely clean” (John 13:10). Our faith in Christ makes us clean from sin, but still as we walk through this life we pick up dirt on our feet which we need to come to Christ to be cleansed from! I do not think it is any mistake that revivals happen with Christians having a renewed conviction of their sins and falling down on their knees in repentance, submitting themselves once again fully to Christ. Then the Spirit fills them and incredible things happen. If we want to see revival today, we need to begin with an appreciation that we need to stop quenching the Spirit by being continually cleansed of our continued sins!
Continually come to Christ to be washed: Jesus the night He was betrayed washed the disciples’ feet and when Peter resisted Jesus explained: “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for His feet, but is completely clean” (John 13:10). Our faith in Christ makes us clean from sin, but still as we walk through this life we pick up dirt on our feet which we need to come to Christ to be cleansed from! I do not think it is any mistake that revivals happen with Christians having a renewed conviction of their sins and falling down on their knees in repentance, submitting themselves once again fully to Christ. Then the Spirit fills them and incredible things happen. If we want to see revival today, we need to begin with an appreciation that we need to stop quenching the Spirit by being continually cleansed of our continued sins! 2)Draw near to God in His Word: a closer walk with the Lord can only be a good thing. We are told: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8). We’ve already said how when we submit to God we allow the Spirit to come and fill us and the rest of that section in Ephesians 5 goes on to list how that filling manifests itself. In a parallel passage Paul says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16) and then goes on to list the virtually same manifestations that he also said showed being filled with the Spirit. Therefore, I would suggest that it is spending time in and meditating on God’s Word, and then submitting our lives to what it says that enables the Spirit to come fill us and will draw us into closer fellowship with God because we are drawing near to Him to listen to His Words in our lives.
Draw near to God in His Word: a closer walk with the Lord can only be a good thing. We are told: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8). We’ve already said how when we submit to God we allow the Spirit to come and fill us and the rest of that section in Ephesians 5 goes on to list how that filling manifests itself. In a parallel passage Paul says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16) and then goes on to list the virtually same manifestations that he also said showed being filled with the Spirit. Therefore, I would suggest that it is spending time in and meditating on God’s Word, and then submitting our lives to what it says that enables the Spirit to come fill us and will draw us into closer fellowship with God because we are drawing near to Him to listen to His Words in our lives.3)Expectantly pray in openness and submission to allow God to do what is necessary in our hearts:: We need to pray like Jesus “Not my will, but thine” in all areas of our lives. It is not that we need to ask God to give us more of the Holy Spirit, because He’s been holding Himself back from us – no. We’ve been holding back ourselves from Him and He wishes to work through us in this world for His glory. He’s offered us the promised Holy Spirit as our helper to empower and enable us for His Great Commission, and we just need to let Him do His work in us by transforming us from the inside out, and through us to reach out to our lost generation. When we pray openly expecting Him to come fill us then He will gladly come work. No there won’t be any tongues of fire, flashing lights and other fancy things going on. As Jesus said we don’t know where the wind comes from but we see its affects, and likewise we may not see the Spirit filling us at that moment but the fruits produced and the effects of Him working in us will be unmistakeable as we pray, come for a cleansing and let the Word of God dwell richly within us!
Expectantly pray in openness and submission to allow God to do what is necessary in our hearts:: We need to pray like Jesus “Not my will, but thine” in all areas of our lives. It is not that we need to ask God to give us more of the Holy Spirit, because He’s been holding Himself back from us – no. We’ve been holding back ourselves from Him and He wishes to work through us in this world for His glory. He’s offered us the promised Holy Spirit as our helper to empower and enable us for His Great Commission, and we just need to let Him do His work in us by transforming us from the inside out, and through us to reach out to our lost generation. When we pray openly expecting Him to come fill us then He will gladly come work. No there won’t be any tongues of fire, flashing lights and other fancy things going on. As Jesus said we don’t know where the wind comes from but we see its affects, and likewise we may not see the Spirit filling us at that moment but the fruits produced and the effects of Him working in us will be unmistakeable as we pray, come for a cleansing and let the Word of God dwell richly within us!It is my heart’s desire that we would be a praying people who wish to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit by continually submitting to Christ in all areas of our lives to let Him do the filling and working in us that He wishes to do. This is my prayer for us all!
I would like to conclude this evening by praying one of Paul’s prayers over us: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and the length and the height and the depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!” (Ephesians 3:14-18)
