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Baptism of the Holy Spirit John 1.29-34 Introduction:
A number of baptisms are mentioned in the Bible: baptism of fire, the baptism of
John, baptism of suffering in Matthew 20.22-23, baptism of water, and baptism of
the Holy Spirit. To understand each baptism we must understand who were to be
baptized, how, when, and why? There
are some who believe people receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit today.
However the who is disputed, the when is a matter of controversy, and where one
is baptized has been debated. We want to study the baptism of the Holy Spirit in
this lesson. I)
Holy Spirit Baptism Mentioned by John A)
Recorded in Matthew 3.11-12; Mark 1.8; Luke 3.16-17; and John 1.32-33 1.
This was at the baptism of Jesus; John points his disciples toward Jesus. 2.
This was and is different than being filled with the Holy Spirit.
a. John was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke
1.15) but he had not
received this baptism.
b. Elizabeth (Luke 1.41) and Zacharias (Luke
1.67) were filled with the Spirit but had not been baptized with the Holy
Spirit. 3.
No Old Testament person ever received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
a. Yet they were inspired, 2 Peter
1.21
b. They were able to perform miracles
c. Referring to the Holy Spirit does not necessarily refer to Holy Spirit
baptism. B)
Baptism defined and understood 1.
Literally the word baptizo
means to immerse or sink to the bottom. 2.
It is some times used as a figure of speech in the
sense of being overwhelmed or immersed.
a. For instance, the word of God is compared to a lamp; Christ is the
bright and morning star. Jesus in Matthew
20.22-23 speaks of His suffering as a baptism. 3.
When one reads of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all mankind we realize it
is figurative. It is impossible to pour out a real person. 4.
Figure of speech referring to being overwhelmed by
the Holy Spirit
a. John 4.13-14; and John
7.37-39
b. We do not have the Holy Spirit shower. II)
To Whom Was the Promise Made A)
John 14-16 1.
John 14.16-18 Jesus promised to send
the Holy Spirit to the apostles. 2.
John 14.26 Holy Spirit would teach
the apostles all things that He said to them 3.
John 14.26 who I shall send to you from the Father 4.
John 16.7 -11 Helper…comes to
you… 5.
John 16.13-15 Holy Spirit will guide
you into all truth 6.
Acts 1.4-5, 8 But you shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you B)
In each case the apostles were the ones being addressed 1.
This occurred in Acts 2.1-4, 14 on
the Day of Pentecost
a. No one else received this baptism, not the 120 assembled in the upper
room, and not the crowd.
b. How do we know? Only the 12 preached the Gospel.
c. If the Holy Spirit came to reveal all truth and He came upon the
crowd; why would they need Peter to explain what was happening? 2.
The apostle Paul received this baptism, 2
Corinthians 12.12.
a. When this happened we are not told.
b. However Paul was equal to all of the other apostles in every way. 3.
The household of Cornelius, Acts 10.44;
11.15
a. Peter says this is what happened at the beginning.
b. To what was Peter referring? To the Day of Pentecost and the
beginning of the church.
c. The method of outpouring was the same, the results were different.
i. The apostles were inspired and could perform miracles and they
witnessed.
ii. Cornelius’ household was baptized as a sign that gentiles could be
saved. III)
Facts About Holy Spirit Baptism A)
Not given to every Christian. 1.
Peter was surprised when the Holy Spirit came upon the household of Cornelius.
He would not have been surprised if this was a common occurrence. 2.
This and the Day of Pentecost were the only two events recorded in the Bible. B)
Not the baptism administered at 1.
All were baptize into one body by one Spirit, 1
Corinthians 12.13 2.
Yet they needed teaching, and not all had spiritual gifts. C)
Not the baptism of Ephesians 4.5 1.
Cornelius occurred about 43 AD while the letter to 2.
Water baptism is the one baptism in Acts
2.38 and Acts 8.38. D)
Did not save, Acts 11.14 1.
They were told words by which they would be saved. 2.
It is through the preaching of the Gospel man is saved, Romans
1.16 E)
Did not give one faith, Romans 10.17 IIV)
Contrast Between Water Baptism and Holy Spirit Baptism A)
Holy Spirit Baptism 1.
Jesus was the administrator, Matthew
3.7-12 2.
It was a promise, Acts 1.4-5 3.
Limited to the Apostles and Cornelius’ household B)
Water baptism 1.
The Apostles and others were able to administer it, Matthew
28.18ff, Acts 22.16 2.
A command to be obeyed, Mark 16.16. 3.
To all mankind, Mark 16.15 C)
Holy Spirit Baptism 1.
To establish the kingdom, Mark 9.1 2.
To bear witness, confirmed the word, ability to perform miracles and impart this
gift to others. 3.
To show that gentiles could be saved, Acts
11.18 D)
Water baptism 1.
For salvation, Mark 16.16 2.
Forgiveness of sins, Acts 2.38 3.
Wash away sins, Acts 22.16 4.
Put on Christ, Galatians 3.27 5.
Now saves us, 1 Peter 3.21 6.
Adds us to the church, Acts 2.47 Conclusion:
Holy Spirit baptism was promised to the Apostles so as to enable them to preach
the Gospel of Christ. They were able to confirm that word through miracles.
Today we have that word, confirmed to us, in the Bible. Will
you listen to the words of Jesus and be baptized for the remission of
your sins? |