The adage is true about training bankers to identify counterfeit currency. It would be impossible to give them enough examples of money that is fake. The best training for identifying counterfeit money is regularly handling authentic bills. They learn to note the fake.
Beginning this week, I will be writing a series of four blogs addressing some of the most challenging, difficult questions that arise when talking about the Holy Spirit. It has been intentional on my part to hold these questions until the end of this study. It is more important that we have a solid understanding of the identity and ministry of the Spirit before diving into questions about the baptism of the spirit, speaking in tongues, miracles and healings, prophecy, and so forth.
The key challenge I intend to repeat often over these weeks is to Let the Bible Speak. It is not important to discuss these issues from the perspective of denomination, history, or experience. It IS absolutely imperative that we address the questions from the clear word of God.
Today I repeat a common refrain, “have you received the baptism of the Spirit.” This question is often posed by those speaking of an emotional, dramatic experience.
The implication of some who ask such a question is that if you have NOT experienced the Spirit as the purport to you have done your spiritual experience is second rate. On the extreme, some would say if you did not have a “baptism in the Spirit” experience you may not be completely saved.
In essence, the question is simple. Is the coming of the Spirit a single experience, concurrent with one’s salvation or is it a second experience occurring later? Does the Spirit come upon us when we are saved or later?
We should be warned that in many circles if we challenge those folks who insist on a second experience we may be accused of quenching, grieving or even blaspheming the Spirit. Please do not make an overgeneralization on this point. Not all people who would call themselves charismatics would hold this extreme position.
Christians are basically divided into two camps. Some think that baptism of the Spirit is either received at conversion or by Christians receiving a special empowerment after conversion. Others teach that the baptism of the Spirit is a special act of the Spirit subsequent to regeneration.
To effectively address this issue, it is imperative that we have solid Biblical definitions.
Baptism of the Spirit. RA Torrey offers a succinct definition, “The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God coming upon the believer, taking possession of his faculties, imparting to him gifts not naturally his own, but which qualify him for the service to which God has called him.” Through this experience the believer is taken into a deeper relationship with Christ.
Those who insist on the baptism of the spirit being a second experience point out that this is a special act of the Spirit. The baptism leads us into a deeper relationship with Christ. Most will say that this experience is accompanied by speaking in tongues. The result will be new spiritual motivation and power.
Slain in the Spirit. This word defines a common experience imparting the baptism of the Spirit. It is often the result of someone speaking, blowing, or touching the recipient. The result of the action is that the individual falls back, twitches, shakes, or jerks. Some people even feint on the receipt of the Spirit.
The challenge is clear. Where does the Bible speak of this practice of being slain in the Spirit? Many Charismatics may be surprised to learn that Scripture is utterly silent about such a gift. Let me bring you back to the challenge, “let the Bible speak!”
Scripture offers three truths about
- First, the Baptism of the Spirit is Promised by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16-17)
Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1]
Luke 3:16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
- Second, the Baptism of the Spirit is Guaranteed by Jesus. (Acts 1:5)
Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus Christ did not baptize anyone in the Holy Spirit during His earthly ministry. In fact, He did not mention the baptism in the Holy Spirit in His teaching before the crucifixion. As He approached His death He began to talk about the Spirit and after His resurrection Jesus promised them that the baptism of the Spirit would come.
That promise combined with the passages we previously studied in John give us a clear picture that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit’s presence to all believers. All are baptized in the Spirit.
- Third, the Baptism of the Spirit is Defined by Paul. Two Clarifying Passages:
Romans 6:3-4 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
First Corinthians 12:12-14 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
When we accept Christ, we identify with Christ. We accept and identify with His death and resurrection. We take it as our own. Through His work on us we have new life.
Through that same identification we are baptized into the Spirit. Read the Corinthian passage again and note who is baptized into the Spirit. ALL believers are baptized, not those who are of a certain faith or have a particular experience.
If there are one hundred people in a church and ninety-five of them have had the “baptism in the Spirit” or “slain in the Spirit” experience Paul’s promise in this passage would not apply to them. The fact that some Christians do not have this experience makes Paul’s promise unfulfilled.
What does the baptism of the Spirit mean for us? It means that believers have the Spirit fully at the moment of salvation. At that point in time, we identify with His death, burial, resurrection AND the promise of the Spirit.
In that moment we are placed in the body of Christ. In that moment we are clothed with Christ. We are unified with Christ. All human distinctions are eliminated. We are marked as believers.
Through the Spirit, we are empowered for service. (Remember Acts 1:8) We engage in spiritual warfare assured of victory. We have been given the ability to serve God through the Spiritual gifts. Through the Spirit Jesus overflows from us and blesses others.
For the final time in this blog let me implore you to let the Bible speak. Do not form your thoughts about the Spirit based on your experience. Let the word of God inform and define your experience. Let us keep our spiritual eyes focused on the Spirit and His work and NOT on the activities people demand.
Finally, distinguish the filling of the Spirit and the baptism of the Spirit. You are baptized in the Spirit when you receive Christ. Filling occurs repeatedly. It is commanded by God as the normal Christian experience. We need the Spirit to fill us so full that He “leaks” out then let Him fill us again.
Finish this blog by being reminded of some of the evidence that you are full.
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- Jesus Christ glorified and revealed as never before (Jn. 14:21–23; 15:26; 16:13–15).
- A deeper passion for souls.
- A greater power to witness (Acts 1:8; 2:41; 4:31–33; Jn. 15:26, 27; 1 Cor. 2:4, 5).
- A new power in, and spirit of, prayer (Acts 3:1, 4:23–31; 6:4; 10:9; Rom. 8:26; Jude 20; Eph. 6:18; 1 Cor. 14:14–17).
- A deeper love for, and richer insight into, the Word of God (Jn. 16:3).
- The manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4–11).
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[1] All passages are from the New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Mt 3:11.
