A study that collects the biblical, historical and functional foundation of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
(Pastors Gonzalo and Andrea Sanabria)
“John certainly baptized in water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”, Ac. 11:16.
A. THE WORD BAPTISM:
1. Baptized: leave overwhelmed (completely wet); from the primary verb Bápto: overwhelm, flood, cover completely with a fluid; wet, dye, bathe…
two. It implies the complete saturation of the inner being by the Person of the Holy Spirit.
3. Still the tongue it functions according to the control of the Spirit. Acts 2.4.
4. The one hundred and twenty (120) in the upper room were deeply moved, for they said of them: “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2.13.
5. Scripture makes clear the fact that the portion a believer receives is only the earnest of what we will enjoy. Ephesians 1.13, 14.
6. The basic truth is that: “It is not how much of the Spirit one has, but how much of the Spirit one has.” It is evident that to be filled with the Spirit, there is no room for the ego.
b. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
1. The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was declared to be the specific fulfillment of Joel 2:18-19, a prophecy that promised the experience to all people of different classes.
two. John the Baptist included the prediction of the baptism of the Spirit, as an aspect of the ministry of the Messiah that was to come. Luke 3.16; John 1.33.
3. The original Pentecost validated the work of Christ, and constituted a dispensational event as the Holy Spirit came to earth to indwell His Church.
Four. The Feast of Pentecost in the Old Testament took place fifty (50) days after Easter. It represented the beginning of the harvest. Symbolically, the initial outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Gospel harvest.
5. An experience similar to the case of Acts 2 continued to be normal in the New Testament Church. There are a total of five instances in the book of Acts that describe a Pentecostal outpouring similar in kind and manifestation to the original Pentecost event.
The last recorded event in the Bible is in Acts 19, and this took place some twenty-one years after the original outpouring.
The last recorded event in the Bible is in Acts 19, and this took place some twenty-one years after the original outpouring.
6. Testimonies of Pentecostal experiences in the Early Church, date from the date of the first writings of the fathers during the second and third centuries:
a) Irenaeus (130-202) wrote: “We call ‘perfect’ persons those who have received the Spirit of God, and who through the Spirit of God speak with tongues.”
b) Saint Augustine (354-430) wrote: “We still do what the Apostles did when they laid their hands on the Samaritans and asked for the Spirit to descend on them. We expect the converts to speak in new tongues.”
c) As the Roman Church developed, the phenomenal aspect of the baptism in the Holy Spirit gradually became ritualized. (By the end of the 5th century, the general practice was that a small room was set up behind the altar, and used as the place to receive the Holy Spirit.
After being baptized in water, the candidate went to the prayer room, where the bishop laid hands on him and he was anointed with oil. The bishop asked God to send the Holy Spirit, but also gradually over time, no manifestation was expected. Consequently, today, the confirmation ceremony is the result.)
After being baptized in water, the candidate went to the prayer room, where the bishop laid hands on him and he was anointed with oil. The bishop asked God to send the Holy Spirit, but also gradually over time, no manifestation was expected. Consequently, today, the confirmation ceremony is the result.)
7. Souer In his History of the Christian Church (Vol. 3, page 406) says: “Doctor Martin Luther was a prophet, evangelist, tonguespeaker and interpreter in one person, invested with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
8. Carlos G. Finney and DL Moody gave testimony of their personal Pentecostal experiences and in their meetings.
9. At the beginning of this century, on New Year’s Day 1901, the Holy Spirit descended in Pentecostal form upon a group of students in a small Bible Institute in the city of Kansas in the United States.
This outpouring was preceded by careful study of the scriptures, and the students had concluded that the evidence of baptism in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was speaking with new tongues. From there it spread to Texas and California, where in 1906 a great outpouring (Azuza) took place that has continued to all parts of the world.
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
This outpouring was preceded by careful study of the scriptures, and the students had concluded that the evidence of baptism in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was speaking with new tongues. From there it spread to Texas and California, where in 1906 a great outpouring (Azuza) took place that has continued to all parts of the world.
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
C. THE PURPOSE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
1. The moment of baptism in the Holy Spirit it constitutes the initial experience of the believer in surrendering unconditionally to the Spirit of God.
two. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a target in itself, but an entrance.
3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit opens the door to the gifts of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12.7-11.
Four. The spiritual life begins at the foot of the Cross; the service spiritual begins with Pentecost; Hch. 1:8 tells us of the power of the Holy Spirit that comes to boldly witness the gospel; it is the anointing that equips you for ministry.
5. At all times, the Spirit-baptized believer is challenged to maintain his surrender so that the Spirit may maintain his control.
6. Almost all believers in the world agree on two things:
a. That believers should receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
D. THE PROCESS (POSSIBLE SEQUENCES) OF RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
1. It is important to consider the ways and levels in which the Holy Spirit operates in the believer:
a) With: in his role as Comforter.
b) In: dwelling in the believer, as his temple.
c) On: imparting his power or anointing for ministry.
two. Faith in God’s promise to receive it, this implies surrender.
3. Desire and perseverance.
Four. On some occasions there was laying of hands, on others not.
E. THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
1. The initial evidence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is the ability to speak in other tongues.
two. Of the five illustrations in the book of Acts, three specifically include speaking in other tongues:
a) The day of Pentecost. Acts 2.
b) Cornelio’s house, 8 years later. Acts 10.
c) The believers in Ephesus, 25 years later. Acts 19.
3. When Paul the Apostle received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, tongues are not mentioned but later he himself declared: “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” 1st Corinthians 14.18. (Signal 14.22).
Four. This experience is promised for all believers in all generations, Acts. 2:39.
F. THE RESULTS OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
1. Empowerment to bear witness to Christ.
two. Power for Christian life and service, bestowal of gifts and their exercise in ministry.
3. The believer enters a time of spiritual renewal and a new longing for God and his will.
Four. The Pentecostal revival of the 20th century brought with it a spiritual awakening, a passion for missionary work and evangelism, as well as a ministry of power and vigor.
G. CONVERSION AND BAPTISM:
Conversion is the occasion of baptism by the Spirit, when the convert is taken by the Spirit and placed into the body of Christ. Pentecostal baptism is a post-conversion experience when the believer is “filled” with the Holy Spirit. Ex: Hch. 9:17.
h. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SANCTIFICATION:
1. 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2.
two. One of the fruits of the baptism of the Spirit is to foster growth in holiness.
3. This experience leads the believer into a more personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Four. This experience leads us to a better reception of the things of God.
5. The sanctification of the Holy Spirit in the believer is progressive, rather than instantaneous, and is determined by the submission of the believer.
YO. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DAY TO DAY OF THE BELIEVER:
1. It is a necessity to be filled daily with the Spirit, Eph. 5:18; Hch. 1:52 p.m.
two. “Just as it is the greatest sin pFor the unconverted to reject the life of Christ. In the believer, the greatest of sins is the refusal of abundant life through the Spirit.
3. This requires a daily surrender to a new and fresh flow of the Spirit.
We invite you to read the following articles:
Baptism in the Holy Spirit.