The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood, neglected and even rejected of the Trinity \u2013 \u2018the displaced person of the Godhead\u2019. Yet Jesus loved to speak of him. While he had \u2018an infinite variety of subjects from which to choose \u2026 the one upon which He dwelt most largely was the endowment of the Holy Spirit\u2019. (1 SM 156-7)<\/p>\n
Unfortunately many are cautious of Holy Spirit baptism. Is there reason for this concern? Could the baptism of the Spirit draw us into charismatic extremes and excesses?\u00a0One charismatic author suggested that some evangelicals (including Adventists) neglect the Holy Spirit \u2013 because of their fear of the signs and wonders of the Spirit. On the other hand, he also expressed concern that many charismatics neglect him \u2013 because of their total preoccupation with signs and wonders!<\/p>\n
Perhaps our greatest fear of the Spirit has nothing to do with signs and wonders. Maybe our fear is change \u2013 changed lives, changed churches! We are afraid of what he may challenge us to be and do.<\/p>\n
Although it has not received a lot of attention in recent decades, in her book Acts of the Apostles<\/em>, Ellen White wrote, \u2018For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer \u2026 petition to God.\u2019 (AA 50-1) She didn\u2019t seem afraid of the baptism of the Spirit \u2013 urging all to receive his fresh baptism each day.<\/p>\n Spirit baptism is a theme that must occupy our attention.\u00a0<\/strong>How can we experience his refreshing presence?<\/p>\n This is an exclusively<\/em> New Testament expression. (Stott 1975:22) Occurring seven times, in three clusters: promises <\/strong>\u2013 those that are prophetic, historic <\/strong>records \u2013 stories of fulfilment, <\/strong>and those that are doctrinal <\/strong>or teaching statements.<\/p>\n 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The PROMISES of Spirit baptism<\/strong><\/p>\n Five of the references to Spirit baptism are prophetic statements \u2013 foretelling a coming, future experience. Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel had promised \u2018a liberal\u2019 outpouring of the Spirit \u2018which would be new and distinctive\u2019. (Stott 1975:22) In the well known words of Joel\u2019 prophecy, God said, \u2018It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh\u2019. (Joel 2:28 KJV)<\/p>\n John the Baptist, \u2018the last prophet of the old order, summarized this expectation in his familiar saying\u2019 (Stott 1975:23) recorded by the three synoptic writers, \u2018I baptize you with water \u2026 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit\u2019 \u2013 with Matthew and Luke adding, \u2018and with fire\u2019. (Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8: Luke 3:16)<\/p>\n The fourth Gospel writer, John, gives added insight. He uses two present participles to describe the distinctively timeless ministry of Jesus \u2013<\/p>\n John 1:29-33<\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 ministry is characteristically twofold. He takes away sin and he baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John was called \u2018the Baptist\u2019 or \u2018the baptizer\u2019 for he baptized in water of repentance. (Mark 1:4; 6:14, 24) Jesus was called \u2018the Baptist\u2019 or \u2018the baptizer\u2019 for he continues to take away sin and baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (Stott 1975:24)<\/p>\n God had promised, through Ezekiel, \u2018I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean \u2026 I will put my Spirit in you \u2026\u2019 (Ezekiel 36:25, 27 NLT) And, through Jeremiah, \u2018I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts \u2026 I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.\u2019 (Jeremiah 31:32-35 NLT)\u00a0These are the two great gifts of Jesus \u2013 the two promises of God, the two major blessings of the new covenant predicted by Old Testament prophets. He takes away sin \u2013 and, he baptizes with his Spirit.<\/p>\n So these first four prophetic statements about Holy Spirit baptism are records from the commencement of Jesus\u2019 ministry. Then during his ministry Jesus had spoken of the coming Holy Spirit \u2013<\/p>\n John 7:37?39<\/strong> (14:16,17; 16:7)<\/p>\n The last promise of baptism with the Spirit was made by Jesus, at the end of his ministry, just before his ascension. It is found in \u2013<\/p>\n Acts 1:4,5<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018in a few days you will be <\/strong>baptised with the Holy Spirit\u2019<\/p>\n The promise of Holy Spirit baptism is an exclusively New Testament<\/strong> expression. He was active in Old Testament times, but there was no baptism of the Spirit prior to Calvary and our Lord’s resurrection and ascension. He could not do his greatest work for us until after Calvary and Jesus\u2019 glorification. So, having completed all necessary for our salvation, Jesus \u2018breathed\u2019 on his followers and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22) These promises were realized after Jesus returned to the Father.<\/p>\n 2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The FULFILLMENT of the promises<\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus ascended. (Acts 1:9-11). The disciples returned to Jerusalem and \u2018joined together constantly in prayer\u2019. (Acts 1:14) Ten days later \u2026<\/p>\n Acts 2:1-4, 32-33, 37?41<\/strong><\/p>\n The promise of baptism \u2018with the Holy Spirit\u2019 (1:5) was fulfilled on Pentecost. The 120 and then the 3,000 \u2018were filled<\/em><\/strong> with the Holy Spirit\u2019 (2:4), \u2018the promised Holy Spirit\u2019 was \u2018received<\/em><\/strong> from the Father\u2019 and \u2018poured out<\/em><\/strong>\u2019 upon them by Jesus. (2:33)<\/p>\n 120 waited, the 3,000 received Spirit baptism immediately for the gift of forgiveness and the promise of Holy Spirit baptism was for all. The 3,000 represent us!<\/p>\n Pentecost: <\/em><\/strong>was \u2018a historical event of the greatest importance … an event comparable in magnitude to the resurrection of Jesus Christ\u2019. (Hoekema 17) Pentecost marked \u2013<\/p>\n Three Stories:<\/em><\/strong> But there is a second set of fulfilment stories. The first relate to the day of Pentecost and the birth of the Christian church. The second relate to \u2013<\/p>\n (1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First, Philip in Samaria: after Stephen was executed, persecution scattered the early believers from Jerusalem. Philip went to Samaria where crowds accepted his message.<\/p>\n Acts 8:14-17<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018they received<\/em><\/strong> the Holy Spirit\u2019 after<\/em><\/strong> belief and water baptism.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Saul the persecutor went to Damascus to interrogate believers. When he was confronted by Jesus (Acts 9:3-5) and urged to accept him (v. 17), he was \u2018filled with<\/em><\/strong> the Holy Spirit\u2019 before<\/em><\/strong> water baptism. (v. 17, 18)<\/p>\n (2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Second story: Cornelius was an Italian God-fearer who \u2018gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly\u2019. (10:2) An \u2018angel of God\u2019 appeared to him telling him to call for the apostle Peter \u2013 then at Joppa. Peter, a Jewish Christian, was called \u2013 and he came. While speaking of the Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, \u2018the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.\u2019 (10:44)<\/p>\n Acts 10:45?48<\/strong> \u2018they received<\/em><\/strong> the Holy Spirit\u2019 before<\/em><\/strong> water baptism.<\/p>\n Later, in Jerusalem, Peter defended his visit to this Gentile home \u2026 Acts 11: 15?18<\/strong><\/p>\n This is very significant. Gentiles were baptized with the Holy Spirit and Peter clearly understood the prophetic statements of Jesus concerning Holy Spirit baptism to refer not only to Pentecost but also to this conversion experience.<\/p>\n (3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The third story is in Acts 19. When Paul arrived in Ephesus he could see something was lacking in the \u2018life and witness\u2019 of the \u2018disciples\u2019 leading him to ask the penetrating question. (Froom 141) \u2013<\/p>\n Acts 19:2-6<\/strong>1<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the Spirit \u2018came on<\/em><\/strong> them\u2019 after<\/em><\/strong> water re-baptism.<\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 promise of baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:4 and 5 pointed to: (1) the once?for?all time, historical event of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and (2) the coming of the Holy Spirit into the lives of individual people at the time of conversion. Although the sequence of events differs, baptism by the Holy Spirit is an integral part of each of these conversion experiences.<\/p>\n 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The TEACHING on Spirit baptism<\/strong><\/p>\n There is one major teaching passage, but first let us reflect on teaching that comes from the stories. We know that not every detail of a story is a teaching. It may be an insight \u2013 but doesn\u2019t necessarily apply as a teaching or doctrine for all. So first \u2026<\/p>\n Observations from the stories<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n There are two major scriptures that provide \u2026<\/p>\n Teaching on Spirit baptism<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The first is 1 Cor 12:12,13 \u2013 <\/strong>\u2018For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body.\u2019<\/p>\n It does not say we shall be, or may be, or ought to be \u2013 but \u2018we were<\/strong>\u2019 <\/em>(Greek aorist). <\/em>Spirit baptism was \u2018an accomplished fact\u2019. (Scroggie 10)\u00a0And note Paul wrote, \u2018we were all<\/strong> baptized\u2019. <\/em>Who was Paul addressing? It was not to the faithful Thessalonians or Philippians, nor the spiritual Ephesians \u2013 but to the \u2018carnal\u2019 or \u2018worldly\u2019 Corinthians. (1 Cor 3:1) Some of them \u2018were guilty of gross immorality, of entering into litigation with one another before heathen tribunals, and of eating meats that had been sacrificed to idols\u2019. (Scroggie 10) But through Spirit baptism they had all become members of the body of Christ. He was appealing to their standing \u2013 not their state! <\/strong>They certainly needed the filling of the Spirit! 2<\/a><\/p>\n The baptism of the Holy Spirit is when and how <\/em>we become members of the body of Jesus Christ \u00ad\u2013 but it does not guarantee piety! It does not offer a superior Christian experience \u2013 in fact far from it!<\/p>\n The second is Acts 1:8<\/strong> \u2013 \u2018you will receive power \u2026 you will be my witnesses\u2019<\/p>\n The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not a second blessing! There may be \u2018signs and wonders\u2019 but the<\/em><\/strong> evidence of his baptism is that we start speaking boldly for Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:31) The baptism of the Spirit is for the purpose of witness.<\/p>\n Spirit baptism is our ordination or anointing for ministry as members of the church or body of Christ. It is for all who believe. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n It is the ordination of \u2018the priesthood of all believers\u2019 \u2013 the ordination of the New Testament. We are all \u2018ministers of the new covenant\u2019 (2 Cor 3:6 NIV) \u2013 sin has been taken away; and we live in \u2018the dispensation of the Spirit\u2019. (2 Cor 3:8 AB; cf. TM 511, 512)<\/p>\n Without Calvary and the resurrection there would be no salvation. Without Pentecost and the Holy Spirit there would be no awareness of salvation. The Holy Spirit is the sensitive, caring person who draws us to Jesus. When we respond and believe, he works the miracle of new birth, lives in us and baptizes us into the body of Christ \u2013 with power for witness and ministry. He provides the necessary spiritual gifts. He gives power to our witness to the story of Jesus. (1 Thess 1:4?6)<\/p>\n \u2018Daily (Jesus) received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.\u2019 (COL 139)<\/p>\n \u2018For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God.\u2019 (AA 50)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Abbreviations<\/strong><\/p>\n AB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Amplified Bible<\/p>\n NASB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New American Standard Bible<\/p>\n NLT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New Living Translation<\/p>\n NIV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 New International Version<\/p>\n Bibliography<\/strong><\/p>\n Froom, LeRoy. The Coming of the Comforter<\/em>, Review & Herald, 1956.<\/p>\n White, Ellen G. Acts of the Apostles<\/em>,<\/p>\n _____ \u00a0Christ’s Object Lessons<\/em><\/p>\n _____ \u00a0\u00a0Evangelism<\/em><\/p>\n _____ \u00a0\u00a0Selected Messages, <\/em>Bk. 1, Washington: Review & Herald, 1958.<\/p>\n _____ \u00a0 Testimonies to Ministers<\/em><\/p>\n _____ \u00a0 Testimonies<\/em>, Vol. 8<\/p>\n Williams, Garrie. How to he Filled With the Holy Spirit and Know It<\/em>, Review & Herald, 1991.<\/p>\n Stott, John R.W. Baptism and Fullness: The work of the Holy Spirit today<\/em>, Inter-Varsity, 1975.<\/p>\n Endnotes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 1 \u2018Paul was not asking concerning the special gifts of the Spirit, but of the Gift supreme ? the Holy Spirit Himself \u2026 He wanted to learn whether they had received the filling of the Holy Spirit ? the permanent, central feature of Pentecost. For there is an experience beyond the initial step by which the Holy Spirit first reveals sin, and begets a new life in the soul, and that is to be filled with the Spirit. For lack of this, one’s testimony is feeble and the spiritual life but partial\u2019. (Froom 142)<\/p>\n 2<\/a> In other scriptures – Galatians 3:26-28 and Ephesians 4:4, 5, Paul also stress that baptism secures unity in the one body of all believers regardless of national, social or sexual distinctions There is some ground to believe that Romans 6:3,4 and Colossians 2:12 are also primarily pointing to Holy Spirit baptism. \u2018The fact that the verbs \u201cbaptized\u201d and \u201cburied\u201d are both in the Passive Voice, pointing to an act of God, and not to an act of man, seem to look in this direction.\u2019 (Scroggie 12)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood, neglected and even rejected of the Trinity \u2013 \u2018the displaced person of the Godhead\u2019. Yet Jesus loved to speak of him. While he had \u2018an infinite variety of subjects from which to choose \u2026 the one upon which He dwelt most largely was the endowment of the Holy… Continue reading \n
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