Teachings About The Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
These are sad and depressing times when we have “Christians” teaching about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and some possess decades of experience, yet they own no personal involvement with the Holy Ghost.
They have never encountered Him!
Yet, Christian authors from Wikipedia could get this right and not them?
The Great Lord God declares that Israel perishes because it possesses no knowledge of Him.
But today Christians are perishing because they have teachers who are causing them to err from the truth of God’s Word!
Maybe religion is the culprit and not the teachers, for it is the impetus for their teachings and not the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Don’t Allow Religion to Determine the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Lord God reminds us never to add or subtract from His Word, which is the Holy Bible.
Below, observe examples of how the Devil is deceiving the world through religion.
Charismatic Christians, relative to born of the Spirit, say, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit”.
But some Protestants, relative to the same topic, are likely to say, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost”.
Nevertheless, everyone else in between these two either denies Him or only gives lip service to the word, “Holy Spirit”.
But, the Holy Bible teaches, relative to being born of the Spirit, it always says, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost” it never says he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
What do you say? Which do you follow?
This is more than semantics. I shall expound on this aspect later.
Thus, there is no “baptism of the Holy Spirit” or “baptism in the Holy Spirit” in the Bible.
The only biblical and correct wording, in this regard, is “baptize ….with the Holy Ghost”.
He baptizes us and He fills us up!
Don’t they know the reason for the difference in usage of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures?
The word “Holy Ghost” appears eighty-nine times in the Bible but only in the New Testament. Why?
Baptism of the Holy Spirit Scriptures
- John’s testimony of Jesus by Matthew 3:11
- John’s testimony of Jesus according to Mark, (Mark 1:8)
- Dr. Luke’s account of John’s testimony of Jesus (Luke 3:16)
- “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel” (Acts 4:8).
- “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).
In all of the preceding quotations from the Bible, all the Bible Authors use “filled with the Holy Ghost” and not “filled with the Holy Spirit.
Why?
Yet, many or most of our contemporary Bible teachers and preachers use the phrase Holy Spirit, instead of saying Holy Ghost.
Are they afraid to say, “Holy Ghost”?
Are they, New Testament (NT) preachers and teachers or what?
Is Being Filled With the Holy Spirit (Ghost) the Same as Baptized With the Holy Spirit (Ghost)?
What, are there many Holy Spirits? Is there one for “filling” and another for baptism?
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the identical experience to being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
I’m not careful how I say this for I must, if you have never received the Holy Spirit, you will never know that a Christian who is filled with the Spirit is also baptized with Him.
You must experience Him to know.
As a matter of fact, we must be baptized with the Holy Ghost to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The only two exceptions to this rule are John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
There is no Believer who is filled and is not baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Note that even when the Bible speaks of “filled” it uses the preposition “with” and NOT “of”.
For example, John the Baptist and Jesus Christ are the only two people in the Bible who were filled with the Holy Ghost while they were yet unborn.
Only Luke Uses This Phrase
The Scripture speaking of John says:
“For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”
Luke 1:15
Similarly, the Beloved Physician, Luke, continues to explain that Jesus was “filled with the Holy Ghost”.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”
Luke 4:1
Consequently, we should recognize and realize that “filled with the Holy Ghost” was a phrase that only Luke used.
He makes full use of it in his two writings Luke and Acts.
This was his writing style. His personal expression of being baptized with the Holy Ghost and being filled with the Holy Spirit.
What Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
These men have not the knowledge of God. And they reveal this in their none usage and fear to utilize the correct term, baptize with the Holy Ghost.
They couldn’t have the knowledge of God because they have not received His Holy Ghost!
They admit this themselves! And we know this too by how they break the Holy Bread, the Word of God.
Baptism With The Holy Spirit and The Promise of The Father
Finally, the baptism with the Holy Ghost has many biblical names. One of which is “The Promise of The Father”.
However, the baptism with the Holy Ghost (and not the baptism in or of the Holy Spirit) is Christ (or the power of Christ) returning to his disciples and Church (Acts 1:8).
Thus, it is the awesome and almighty power of God.
It is Christ coming to live in us.
Without Him, we can do nothing.
When Does The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Take Place?
Again, because there are so many people who are not Christians, yet they write and teach about Christianity; consequently, there are many erroneous doctrines in circulation concerning this.
The caption question immediately above is a case in point.
Below, again observe examples of how the Devil is deceiving the world through religion.
Before you continue, it’s imperative that you familiarize yourself with what the Bible means by conviction.
It will assist your understanding of the subsequent text.
The Evangelical Christians, relative to New Birth, say, “the Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion”.
But, I think they mean conviction because conversion infers time. It occurs after repentance, water baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and much more time.
Do Christians Still Wait For the Promise of The Father?
But some Protestants, relative to the same topic, may ask, “when have you received the Holy Ghost”?
On the one hand, everyone else in between, blatantly denies that Christ ever returned to earth after his ascension into heaven.
On the other hand, however, Jesus teaches his disciples (and us) to “wait” for the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
“And, [Jesus] being assembled together with [his disciples], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.”
Acts 1:4
If they and we had to “wait” for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, how is it possible that they received the said Holy Ghost at conversion?
Because they waited we also must wait for His coming!
These had already been converted!
What Does the Bible Mean by Conversion?
Many ministers of the Word of God, think that Christians receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ghost) at conversion.
But laying our opinions aside, let’s explore what the Holy Bible teaches.
To ensure that we are all on the same page let’s define conversion.
What Is Conversion?
Conversion is when a person hears the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and understands, and believes it, then he or she decides to abandon and turn from his or her former lifestyle and follow Christ respectively.
“Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”
Psalm 51:13
This change from sinner to saint is not automatic. We cannot just decide that we desire this new way of living and we instantly embrace it.
No!
How Does Conversion Occur?
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
Psalm 19:7
The Word of God initiates and executes conversion. But our part is to receive, understand, and believe it.
For this reason, the Prophet Isaiah prophesies the opposite for the unbelieving nation of Israel.
He says,
“Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”
Isaiah 6:10
In other words, he prophesies that God gives the Jews unbelieving hearts so they will not understand and believe the Word of God.
Consequently, an unconverted heart towards Jesus Christ is an unbelieving and stubborn one.
This was the case with Simon Peter before his conversion. He was stubborn!
Did These Receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost at Conversion?
- The one hundred twenty on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:10-2:40).
- Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:1-48).
- The twelve in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-8).
- Me, my parents, or my family
- Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-31).
- The Citizens of Samaria (Acts 8:5-25).
These all received the Spirit of God after they were converted.
Additionally, the Lord God only gives His Holy Spirit to those who obey him through Jesus Christ and His Church.
“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32).
So, how could you have the Holy Ghost when you don’t obey God’s Word for he speaks via Apostle Peter:
Saying, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
Even this promise of the Holy Ghost implies a “wait” for the Bible says and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This is future tense; it implies a wait time. He didn’t come immediately
How Is This Possible?
If the baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at conversion, then the following question would make no sense: “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2).
These men were not unbelievers. They had repented, believed, and been baptized.
Apostle Paul found about twelve disciples of Jesus Christ in Ephesus (Acts 19:1).
They were baptized according to John’s teaching but they had not received the Holy Ghost.
Listen, as Paul interacts with them.
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples” (Acts 19:1).
What Is The Motive For Water Baptism?
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2).
“… He said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism” (Acts 19:3).
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (Acts 19:4).
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).
“And all the men were about twelve” (Acts 19:7).
Wait For The Promise
If Believers receive the Holy Ghost at conversion, why were these twelve men (baptized disciples of Jesus) without Him?
The Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) does not come at conversion. Conversion precedes even water baptism.
There is a “wait” period for many Believers after conversion, baptism, and growing in our faith of Jesus Christ.
That waiting period varies with each person. Because receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost chiefly depends on the quantum of our faith in Jesus Christ at a certain point in time.
For many, the wait is a few minutes but for others, myself included, it was a few years.
Is There Any Difference Between the Gift of The Holy Ghost and The Baptism of the Holy Ghost?
Are there multiple Holy Ghosts?
Now, the gift of the Holy Ghost is identical to the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
If you never experienced the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you will never realize this truth!
Christian conversion always precedes the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It does not occur at the time of receiving Him or after.
Because we must be converted for the remission of sins. We will never receive the Holy Spirit with sin in our lives.
If we cannot remember a particular date and time that we receive the Holy Ghost we don’t have Him.
It’s an experience that you will NEVER forget! Because it’s indelibly etched into your spirit.
Experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is comparable to no other experience.
It’s a nonsuch experience!
What Does it Mean to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit?
I have searched the Bible and am unable to locate the term, “baptized in the Holy Spirit”.
However, there are ample examples of Believers who are baptized with the Holy Ghost.
You may think this is a matter of usage of words and it has no fundamental consequences.
But I beg to disagree!
All the Christians and non-believers who use the term “baptized in the Holy Spirit” do not fully comprehend the nature and significance of the advent of the Comforter.
They correctly understand that the Holy Ghost is a gift, but they fail to perceive that only those who believe in the teaching of Jesus Christ, those he sends, and his twelve leaders experience baptism with the Holy Ghost.
It’s a free gift but everyone must qualify to receive it.
We all must repent, baptize with water, and baptize with the Spirit to enjoy eternal life with Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches this!
This is the born-again experience!
Holy Spirit Baptism
Additionally, that means that they don’t have the Spirit of Christ living in them.
Thus, they are unable to explain when they had the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
They cannot supply date and a time of His advent into their spirits.
When a Believer in Jesus Christ is baptized with the Holy Ghost that person has received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
This means that the Spirit of Christ came and naturally take up residence in that Believer.
He lives in such a one permanently.
Pentecost Changes Many Things
Before the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit of the Lord would not enter into a person’s body.
Instead, He would “come upon” a man. This means that the Spirit of God would rest on a man’s head and empower him.
Whenever this happens that man would possess supernatural powers until the Spirit departs.
Then, he would revert to his normal strength.
Pentecost changed this, instead of the Spirit of the Lord resting on the heads of Believers, He rested on their heads then He entered into them to fulfill the Scriptures.
On that day, the prophecies of Joel and Jesus Christ came true respectively.
This is the gift of the Spirit that Jesus promised to send to his disciples and the Church after he ascended into heaven.
Could We Be Christians and Not Converted?
Now that I have defined and explained how conversion occurs, let’s now scrutinize when it takes place.
If Jesus Christ, our Lord, at conversion gives us the Holy Ghost, then someone in the Bible must have gotten Him at that time.
All of Jesus’ initial disciples and leaders received the Holy Ghost (Spirit) together, and at the same time, and long after they started to follow Jesus Christ, (Acts 1:8).
So, let’s exclude them.
What about after the ascension of Jesus?
After examination of the Scriptures, I realize that we cannot determine when the conversion happens because it’s a function of the heart and we cannot see the hearts of people.
However, after a heart has been converted, we could tell. We know by behaviors of the Believer.
The chief characteristics are bearing fruits worthy of repentance and possessing a meek and humble spirit.
Now, both of these qualities are prerequisites to receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Spirit).
For we must repent to believe the Gospel and we must repent to experience conversion.
Therefore, let’s not focus on conversion because we cannot measure or know it.
But we could always be aware of a repentant Believer.
Because the Lord baptizes us with His Holy Ghost only after we have repented and converted.
The Bible teaches this!
Is Not Conversion For Sinners?
Finally, could we be Christians and unconverted? Yes, if we have not repented.
Simon Peter belonged to Jesus’ inner circle yet he remained unrepentant and unconverted until after he denied Jesus three times.
Jesus informs us of this when he says:
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 20:31).
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 20:32).
Despite walking with Jesus he was unconverted.
After Peter denied knowing Jesus three times and realized what he had done, he repented and experienced conversion.
But, still, he didn’t receive the Holy Spirit yet because Christ was yet with them.
And because of that later, he was a recipient of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Repentance is at the heart of our salvation. It determines everything.
It determines belief, understanding, conversion, and receiving of the Holy Ghost.
Conversion is just a rung on the ladder of salvation.
Baptism With The Holy Ghost Vs. Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?
Earlier, I told you that saying baptism of the Holy Spirit Vs. saying baptism with the Holy Ghost is more than semantics.
On the one hand, people who utilize the former phrase imply a meaning that is contrary to the Word. When baptism is of the Spirit, it’s related to it. It’s connected to the Spirit.
Similarly, when we accept baptism “in” the Spirit it also implies that the Spirit is separate from us.
On the other hand, the Christians who embrace the phrase baptism “with” the Spirit acknowledge that we cannot have it without the Spirit.
Baptism “With” the Spirit Implies This!
Neither does it connote the separation and independent nature of the baptismal candidate from the Spirit. There is a oneness associated with the use of this phrase.
It’s important that we know that the Spirit resides in us while we experience baptism with the Holy Ghost.
The phrases “baptism of the Holy Spirit” and “baptism in the Holy Spirit” don’t exist in the Holy Bible.
By constructing these terms Christians are adding to the Word of God. This is dangerous and should never happen.
The Bible teaches us not to participate in such practices.
However, “baptism with the Holy Ghost” is biblical.
This is the term we should use to describe a Believer being born of the Spirit.
They Reject Certain Aspects of This Package
These Christians have rejected the Word of God. They desire eternal life with Christ but they reject his instructions concerning salvation, (John 3:1-8).
Also, they desire salvation but they accept some parts of the process and reject other areas because Satan has deceived them through religion.
If they desire salvation they must accept the entire package as per Jesus Christ and the Bible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Believer could be walking with Jesus and is unconverted.
We observed that with Simon Peter and with the twelve Christians at Ephesus.
However, another reason Believers could be unconverted exists.
This condition persists whenever Believers in Jesus Christ don’t receive the correct and true teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This was the case of the twelve at Ephesus.
Could One Christian Convert Another?
For that reason, James declares:
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him” (James 5:19).
“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
Finally, the solution is to correct the error. We accomplish this by teaching the true Word of God according to Jesus and his twelve leaders.
Then, when people hear it they will receive, understand, repent, believe, and convert to Jesus Christ that their sins may be blotted out, and then, they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Have you received the baptism with the Holy Ghost?
No?
Find a local assembly near you that believes, teaches, and promotes the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
Then, if all other spiritual doctrines are biblical, start seeking the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It’s the single most important event you will ever participate in besides your decision to follow Christ.
