In recent weeks we have been looking at the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, particularly looking at the five occasions when people received the Holy Spirit as recorded in the book of Acts.

So today I want to summarize what we have stated together with a few general notes about the Holy Spirit.

Let’s go back to the first part of this series when I defined “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit” as a second experience of God in a believers life (the first is salvation) when a person begins to receive the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Note the phrase “begins to receive.” In other words, it is not a “one time experience.” Rather it is something that needs to be developed and by constant use see it develop and grow. It is the beginning not the end and it is our responsibility to develop His presence and power in our lives. It is to be noted I have not sought to develop a wider study of the Holy Spirit in this series – such as, the Gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, etc.

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

We have looked at five occasions where people received the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts. From those five occasions one can come to the conclusion that:

  1. Quite often the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was separate to salvation, although the two could happen at the same time. Therefore they are not the same.
  2. One can also argue that the gift of speaking in tongues is the most normal sign of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (See previous Langstaff Letters)

Now a few general comments on the Holy Spirit.

IT IS THE “HOLY” SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is not just for our benefit in terms of ministry, it is there to give us the power to live victoriously, to become more like God – holy.

We need to realize the Spirit is “Holy”. Holiness is a primary aspect of the character of God – He is Holy. The concept of Holiness includes the concept of Purity, i.e. the complete absence of any evil in the character of God.

Theologian Louis Berkhof wrote “It does not seem proper to speak of one attribute of God as being more central and fundamental than another; but if this were permissible, the Scriptural emphasis on the holiness of God would seem to justify its selection.” (Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof)

Billy Graham said “As I read the Bible, I seem to find holiness to be His supreme attribute.” (Faithful Christian: An Anthology of Billy Graham by Billy Graham)

Bible Teacher David Jeremiah declares “Think of it this way. God is all loving, but the angels around the throne aren’t recorded as singing ‘Loving! Loving! Loving!’ He is all knowing but there is no record of the heavenly hosts singing ‘Omniscient, Omniscient, Omniscient.’ His power and might have no limit, but the songs recorded in the book of Revelation don’t say ‘Powerful! Powerful! Powerful!’ The cry of the heavenly host is ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’” (excerpt from The God You May Not Know by David Jeremiah, p.53)

IT IS THE HOLY “SPIRIT”

Spirit indicates a non-material body, but at the same time He is a person and He is the third member of the Trinity together with God the Father and God the Son. Since He is a person then it is possible to have a personal relationship with Him.

He is not just a power (Acts 1), He is a person who empowers us. In John chapter 4 Jesus tells us that God is Spirit, i.e. completely spiritual in His essence. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV).

So the Baptism of the Holy Spirit brings us to a deeper experience of the Spirit even in the realm of worship.

THE WORD & THE SPIRIT

Whilst the emphasis in this series has been on the Holy Spirit let us also remember the place of the Word of God in all this. We need both the Word and the Spirit if we are all we are meant to be.

I liken this bit of the doggerel that states:

“If you only have the Word you will dry up.
If you only have the Spirit you will blow up.
If you have both the Word & the Spirit you will grow up.”

We need to have the balance of the Word and the Spirit in our lives.

VERSES THAT SEEM TO CONTRADICT

Teachers who reject the idea of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit being the second work of grace will often quote 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 27-36, especially verse 30 – “Do all speak in tongues?” The Greek language includes a negative response “No.” But you have to look at the context which states – “And God has appointed these in the church” (vs. 28). In other words, Paul is referring to the gift of tongues being spoken in church where it required an interpreter giving an interpretation (vs. 30).

Another verse that is often quoted is 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 8 which states – “as for tongues, they will cease.” To understand this passage you need to look again at the context which is spoken in verse 10 and it declares “when the perfect comes,” that which is in part will be done away. Some would say that this refers to the formation of the “perfect” Word of God (the Bible) but in actual fact it’s more likely a reference to the second coming of Christ – who is perfect. If that was the case, and tongues were to cease, then it also mean knowledge and prophecy would also cease.

A RESPONSE TO HOLY SPIRIT SERIES

We get letters. Recently I received a letter from a Bible Teacher and Theologian in Australia who pointed out that the phrase I had used “receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit” was not found in the New Testament. The verbal form is always used, namely “baptized” in the Holy Spirit or “receive” the Holy Spirit. It does not change the article but it is a reminder to seek to be true to Scripture.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it. I trust that it has been a help to people as we have looked back at Baptism in the Holy Spirit in New Testament days. The Bible makes it clear that it is Jesus who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). Jesus is the same today. He is still baptizing His disciples in the Holy Spirit and is still imparting the gift of tongues.

Receive the Holy Spirit.