The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Introduction
I. There is a very common doctrine in the religious world that is not that common in the
Bible.
A. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Discussion
I. PROMISED.
A. By Joel (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:14-21).
B. By John.
(Mat 3:7-11 NKJV) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to
his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? {8} "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, {9} "and do not think to say to
yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up
children to Abraham from these stones. {10} "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the
trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire. {11} "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me
is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit and fire.
1. Mixed audience.
2. Some would be baptized with fire (Hell).
3. Some would be baptized with Holy Spirit.
C. By Jesus.
(Acts 1:5 NKJV) "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the
Holy Spirit not many days from now."
II. ADMINISTRATOR (CHRIST).
(Mat 3:11 NKJV) "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after
me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit and fire.
(John 1:33 NKJV) "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me,
'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with
the Holy Spirit.'
(John 15:26 NKJV) "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the
Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
(Acts 2:33 NKJV) "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from
the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
III. RECIPIENTS.
A. Apostles.
(Luke 24:44-49 NKJV) Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you
while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of
Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." {45} And He opened their
understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. {46} Then He said to them,
"Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the
dead the third day, {47} "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in
His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} "And you are witnesses of these
things. {49} "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of
Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
(Acts 2:1-15, 16-21)
1. Visible (Ax 2:2-3).
2. Audible (Ax 2:2-3).
3. Purpose.
a. Reveal truth.
(John 16:13 KJV) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
b. Confirm truth.
(Mark 16:14-20 NKJV) Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the
table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did
not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. {15} And He said to
them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. {16} "He
who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned. {17} "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name
they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; {18} "they will take
up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them;
they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." {19} So then, after the
Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the
right hand of God. {20} And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord
working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.
Amen.
(Heb 2:1-4 NKJV) Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things
we have heard, lest we drift away. {2} For if the word spoken through angels
proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just
reward, {3} how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who
heard Him, {4} God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with
various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
4. Effect.
a. Spoke with tongues (language).
(Acts 2:4 NKJV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Acts 2:4 NRSV) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
(Rev 14:6 NKJV) Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth; to
every nation, tribe, tongue, and people;
b. Performed miracles (Acts 3:1-9).
B. Cornelius and Household (Ax 10:44-46).
(Acts 11:17 NKJV) "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
1. Purpose.
(Acts 15:6-9 NKJV) Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this
matter. {7} And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them:
"Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by
my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. {8} "So God,
who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He
did to us, {9} "and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by
faith.
IV. IMPARTATION.
A. Directly from heaven.
1. On the Apostles.
(Acts 2:2 NKJV) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven.
2. On Cornelius.
(Acts 10:44 NKJV) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell
upon all those who heard the word.
V. DURATION.
A. Holy Spirit Baptism ended by A.D. 61.
1. In A.D. 33, there were 2 baptisms at Pentecost.
a. Holy Spirit baptism (Ax 2:1-4).
(1) Promise.
b. Water baptism (Ax 2:38).
(1) Command (Mat 28:18-20).
2. In A.D. 41, there were 2 baptisms at the house of Cornelius.
a. Holy Spirit baptism (Ax 10:44).
b. Water baptism.
(Acts 10:47-48 NKJV) "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be
baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" {48} And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him
to stay a few days.
(1) Command.
3. But in A.D. 61, there was only 1 baptism (Eph 4:4-6).
a. Cannot be Holy Spirit baptism.
(1) Holy Spirit baptism was a promise.
(2) Holy Spirit baptism was to be administered by Jesus.
b. Can only be water baptism.
(1) Water baptism was to be administered by man (Mat 28:19; Ax 8:36-38).
(2) Water baptism was to last till the end of the world (Mat 28:20).
(3) Water baptism was a command for all sinners.
Conclusion
I. As we can see, Holy Spirit Baptism is not a part of God's plan for man today.
A. We have God's revealed and confirmed word.
1. James 1:25; 2 Pet 1:3; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Jude 3.
II. The baptism we need to be concerned with is water baptism (Mk 16:16; 2:38; 22:16; Rom
6:3-4; Gal 3:27; 1 Pet 3:21).
** If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.
Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - mailto:Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/