Holy Spirit Baptism Why and How Part 2 of 5

Theme

 ^“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” – John 3:5

Christ, first fruits: Water AND Holy Spirit baptism

Historically, John, the cousin of Jesus, the one who baptized Jesus, set the stage for this Holy Spirit baptism as recorded at Mark 1:8: ““I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Additionally supported here: Luke 3:16, “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” [see also John 1:33]

Based on Jesus’ example going forward from Pentecost:

Right before Jesus ascended to heaven, HE instructed HIS disciples ““But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  [Acts 1:8]

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4

 

Can you imagine being in that room? For the Apostles and disciples that very moment was the latest in utterly life changing miraculous events that accompanied their physical association with Jesus, the Christ, their Lord. The difference here: it is now the starting point of a completely different association with Jesus, one of Spirit. True to his words: “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with^[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.”” [Acts 1:4-5] Those who gathered in Jerusalem for the occasion of Pentecost did in fact become ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’. Being filled, in this verse, means ‘to fill’ and has this understanding of how this happens ‘what wholly takes possession of the mind is said to fill it .’ Strong’s word designation G4130 ‘pimplēmi’ .

Note: There was the ‘baptism with the Holy Spirit’ which happened in that room with the tongues of fire as a visible sign when they became ‘born again’ -- and there was a filling with the Holy Spirit. From then forward to now those baptized with water are also baptized with the Holy Spirit [in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit] and are born again. Otherwise, there can be no entrance into the Kingdom of God. [see Jesus words about this: John 3:5]

This Pentecostal event was fulfillment of an ancient prophecy found here: Joel 2:28-29 -- “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. ²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,  I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” 

Immediately after their Holy Spirit anointing/baptism, the Apostles and disciples found out many of the God-fearing Jews who were also in Jerusalem heard the noise and began to ask questions. The way they heard it was in their own language. The people even asked if the folks those gathered weren’t all Galileans? Yet, they each heard their own native language. These people naturally wanted to know what it meant. Peter began to spell it out for the crowds, teaching the crowds, catching them up on what had been happening prior to that moment and introduced them to the Gospel. As a result, ““Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:38-39] The response: “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” [Acts 2:41] Thus, the beginning of a new era of ‘The Way’ later and through out all history to this very day also known as ‘Christians’. “After he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year they assembled with them in the congregation and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” [Acts 11:26]

The book of Acts has recorded some of the occasions of those who the Apostles Peter and Paul had a hand in baptizing with the Holy Spirit. Here are but a few verses. Remember the commission given to those disciples gathered with Jesus just before HIS ascension?: “¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Matt 28:19-20] The following verses are written witness to their participation in the Gospel commission.

1.      Acts 8:14-17

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. ¹⁵ When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

1.      Acts 11:15-16

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with^[a] water, but you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

2.     Acts 19:1-6

“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples ² and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. ⁴ Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”

3.     Gal 3:14

“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit”

A BIG question:

Have you been baptized by water and Holy Spirit? If so, see part 3 to find out how we are filled with the Holy Spirit. † 

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

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©Lightwritingmatters 2015