by Alan Langstaff

Recently, I did a series on the filling of the Holy Spirit, including receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In it, I mentioned that sometimes it happens when they first get saved (that is just one experience). At other times, it is experienced as a second experience after Salvation (that is, a two-stage experience). I mentioned that Evangelicals and some Pentecostals take the first view, while most Pentecostals take the second one.

In actual fact, there is a third way to describe the filling of the Spirit. It is somewhat like a combination of the previous two, i.e., Baptism of the Holy Spirit when salvation takes place, and secondly, at a separate time. As a previous person wrote, “Many Catholic Charismatics in the early days would comment that believers already ‘possessed’ the Holy Spirit but needed help to be ‘released’ in power in their lives = thus not receiving a new ‘dose’ so to speak, so much as a divine intervening to enable the Spirit within them to operate with greater freedom & sovereignty than before.” In addition there are the times when the Lord Himself fills a person with the Holy Spirit. We see this in the birth stories of Jesus and John the Baptist.

Being as I am housebound, I see a number of Christian T.V. programs. One of my favorite Bible teachers has been doing a series on the Holy Spirit, and he expanded the view that you receive it all when you first become a Christian. Far be it from me to critique him, but I have to point out that is not a biblical posture to take. He sees it always as an experience that comes at conversion. So let me try to clarify this question of one or two experiences.

ACTS OVERVIEW

In the book of Acts, there are 5 occasions where people receive the Holy Spirit.

1) Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)

2) The Samaritan Pentecost (Acts 8)

3) Saul/Paul (Acts 9)

4) The Gentile Pentecost (Acts 10 & 11)

5) The Ephesian disciples 10 years later (Acts 19)


In three of those incidents, one can argue that this happened at conversion. Although the story of Paul at Damascus doesn’t make it clear in Acts chapter 3. In the Samaritan Pentecost, I believe you can argue for a two-stage experience (Acts 8). Philip went down to Samaria, and then he presented the Gospel. Many got saved, but there is no record of people receiving the Holy Spirit; only healings and deliverance took place, as well, accompanied by great joy. The result of receiving the Gospel was that they were baptized (verse 12). 

Now, when the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that they had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who in turn prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. They had been baptized in the name of Jesus, but it was not until Peter and John laid hands on them that they received the Holy Spirit. Now, here it is clear that conversion and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit can be two distinct experiences.

ACTS CHAPTER 19

Likewise, in Acts 19, we have the story of the disciples at Ephesus. Note the following:

1) It was 20 years after the day of Pentecost

2) They are described as disciples. They were not inquirers or seekers; they were followers of Jesus. Paul never questions their salvation.

3) Paul said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They were believers.

4) The disciples stated they did not know about the Holy Spirit and were actually baptized into John’s baptism, which included a baptism of repentance that led to them believing in Him who came after John, that is, Christ Jesus.

5) Paul laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit (and also tongues and prophecy flowed from it).

6) Not once did Paul question their salvation, but they had not received the Holy Spirit. 

All told, there were about 12 disciples.

EXPLANATION

How do we explain that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and conversion are two experiences that may or may not happen all at once?

I sometimes use an illustration to help people understand.

All of us are probably familiar with Electricity. We have electricity coming to us in our homes, and basically, it can be experienced in the way of Light and Power.

With electricity in a light globe, we have light, light to see with.

With electricity in a power point or outlet, we have power; electrical power that enables us to do many things.

You have one source – Electricity, but you have two ways in which it is used.
Light – which is a picture of Salvation.
Power – which is a picture of the power of the Holy Spirit for ministry, gifts of healing, and the gifts of the Spirit.

Unfortunately, many people only accept the light but never experience the power. It is true you can’t be a Christian without the Holy Spirit in your life – the Light – but you may not have received the Power of the Spirit at work within you.

PENTECOST TODAY

Unfortunately, many believers do not experience the Power of the Holy Spirit, only the Light – the gift of eternal life.

But it is available to all God’s children. It is not there just for the evangelist or the special minister.

The way it is expressed will differ from person to person. No one person has the fullness of all nine gifts; otherwise, we would not need anyone else. But in His sovereignty, He distributes those gifts among His people.

Now, if you have not received the fullness of the Spirit. You can ask the Lord for that, too. A friend of mine, who was once seeking the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, said to the Lord, “I want everything you have for me.” What a word, what a prayer. That night, when she prayed that prayer, she received what she was looking for.