The Holy Spirit: What's The Baptism of the Spirit? | Acts 1:4-5 скачать в хорошем качестве

The Holy Spirit: What's The Baptism of the Spirit? | Acts 1:4-5

Today, let's tackle the topic of Holy Spirit baptisms—yeah, you heard that right, "baptisms" with an "s." I believe the New Testament illustrates two distinct types of Holy Spirit baptism. Don't mix this up with water baptism; that's a different matter. We're looking more closely at two unique references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But first, let's make sure we understand the word "baptism" because this might seem like a strange word to some. Baptism means to plunge or immerse. So when we baptize someone or something, we immerse them. Therefore, baptism of the Holy Spirit is to be immersed into His person and His power. And this is a good thing because, as we have discussed the last couple of days, we need both Jesus's saving power and the Holy Spirit's sustaining power. So, I am going to read two references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit today, one by the apostle Paul and the other by Jesus. First, let's look at the one from Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:13. He states: For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. — Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:13 So here are a few observations about this text: Spirit baptism here is used corporately/generally to emphasize the "we/oneness" of a worldwide community of believers. Spirit baptism here is used as a new seal of our oneness in a new belief system distinct from the culture (i.e., "Jews and Greeks"). Spirit baptism here describes how we are initiated and commune (i.e., "drink") as a believing community. So, this is a distinct reference to the general baptism and sealing by the Holy Spirit. Now, let's turn to Jesus, just moments before his ascension. Jesus said this about the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:4-5: And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” — Jesus in Acts 1:4-5 So here are a few observations from this text: Jesus is speaking about Spirit baptism to men who are already believers. Jesus is speaking about Spirit baptism to men who have already been baptized with water, as John taught. Jesus declares Spirit baptism is still to come, and they must wait for it. Jesus declares Spirit baptism will immerse or come upon them by the person and power of the Spirit. In comparison to Paul, Jesus is speaking about a specific Spirit baptism. Not that it unites and seals us, but a baptism that will give them extraordinary power for a particular ministry. It comes with immediate capacity to do things in given moments for believers. If you read ahead, you will discover this baptism comes upon them in various ways and waves. Thus, we see two different references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. One that describes our unity and seal. And another that describes the effect of the Spirit at baptizing moments on a believer's life. And if you read through Acts and Paul's letters, you see this power is manifest in many different ways and waves. So here is why this is important to discuss. There is often a lot of division in the believing community about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the signs of this event. Some denominations dismiss certain signs, effects, and behaviors after the time of the early Apostles. They are called Cessationists. They believe specific effects of the Spirit, like miracles, have ceased to exist. To be polite, this belief is an attempt to be doctrinally precise without the recognition that the Spirit can do whatever he wants at any time. He is still the Spirit of God with the power of God. Remember that the Pharisees questioned the Spirit in Jesus on multiple occasions, and they were trying to be doctrinally precise but dead wrong. On the other hand, some denominations are Continuationists. They believe the Spirit continues to work as he did in the early church. And just so you know, I believe the Bible teaches this, but with a tiny nuance. Here is why. Some Continuationists in certain denominations suggest that if a specific sign is absent (i.e., speaking in tongues), the Spirit baptism has not occurred in a believer. And I cannot assent to this because I believe the Bible teaches there are many manifestations of Spirit baptism, not just one. They come in different ways and waves on a believer. But regardless of these details and opinions, there are some things we can conclude from what Jesus and Paul said today. We are connected as a community by Spirit baptism. We should display definitive evidence of Spirit baptism regardless of the type of effect. There are definitive and vital moments when we need a Spirit baptism. We should conclude that we can invite the Spirit to come on us and impart power to do things we know we cannot do.