The Holy Spirit: terms and definitions (Part 2)

Review

Turn to Matthew 3:11.

Last week, we did an overview of the objectives and the roadmap of this series and then we began studying this term, the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I asked what you thought it meant or if you knew of different things it was taught to mean. We identified the two common teachings on what it means:

Baptism of the Spirit = indwelling of the Spirit

Baptism of the Spirit = a “second blessing” that only some Christians receive

I brought up some questions and concerns that I had with each of these concepts.

There was a third idea that was raised in our feedback, which is that baptism of the Spirit is a reference specifically to what occurs in Acts 2.

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Principle of interpretation: when you are studying a topic of Scripture, it is usually best to study the easy to understand passages first, and then the more difficult passages last. The first will help to interpret the second.

Message

This evening, I want to show you the evidence that the prophecies about the baptism with the Spirit were fulfilled in Acts chapter two. If that is true, it will help us define this term. Let’s look at the prophecies about the coming of the Spirit.

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Turn to and read Matthew 3:11.

Take a look at the context. Who is speaking in verse eleven? John

So John is acknowledging that he baptized the Jews with water unto repentance. The Jews that chose to get baptized by John were publically showing that they agreed with John’s message. They became his followers. In Acts 19, Paul comes to Ephesus and there he finds some people who identified themselves as disciples of John. They had been baptized in identification with his message.

Here, in Matthew 3:11, John says that someone is coming after him who is even greater that he was. Who is John referring to? Jesus Christ

And what did he say that Jesus was going to do? baptize with the Holy Ghost

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Turn to and read Mark 1:7-8.

Again, who is preaching? John

What does John say that Jesus would baptize with? The Holy Ghost

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Luke 3:16 KJV 1900

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:

One more reference in the Gospels:

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Turn to and read John 1:32-33.

Here, John is explaining that God had given him a message. God said to John, “Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”

Question: Upon whom did John see the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove? Who did the the Spirit descend upon? Jesus

So John would baptize with water. What does this reference say that Jesus would baptize with? The Holy Ghost

All of the Gospel references point to Jesus doing this. Jesus is the agent, the one who would baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit. We’ve seen John’s prophecies about this, but now, let’s look at what Jesus said about this.

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Turn to and read John 7:37-39.

According to verse 39, what had to happen for the Holy Ghost to be given? Jesus had to be glorified.

For Jesus to be glorified, He had to do the will of His Father, which was, ultimately, dying for our sins, being buried, rising from the dead, and ascending to His Father.

According to John 7:39, The Holy Spirit was not going to come during Jesus’ earthly ministry. After Christ finished His earthly ministry and ascended to His Father, Peter says in Acts 3:13.

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Acts 3:13 (KJV 1900)

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus…

Notice, he’s speaking past tense. He saying that Jesus was glorified by that point in time. Do you see how the time frame of the baptism with the Spirit is narrowing?

John said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost.

Jesus taught that this would indeed happen, but John 7:39 clarifies that the Holy Spirit would be given after Jesus was glorified.

By Acts 3:13, Peter says that Jesus was glorified. Therefore, we know the Holy Spirit had come by that time.

Let’s narrow the timeframe a little bit more.

Back in John 14:26, Jesus said,

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John 14:26 KJV 1900

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

This verse indicates that the Holy Ghost would be sent by the Father in Jesus’ name, but it hadn’t happened yet. Let’s fast forward to the end of the Gospel of Luke.

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Luke 24:49 KJV 1900

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Jesus is saying, “It hasn’t happened yet, but get ready, it’s about to happen. You will soon receive the promise of the Father and power from on high to go be my witnesses.”

Now let’s turn to Acts chapter one.

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Turn to and read Acts 1:4-5.

Do you see how the timeframe is all coming together? From Matthew 3:11 to Acts 1:4-5, everything indicates that the baptism with the Holy Spirit would happen at Pentecost, Acts chapter two. John predicted it. In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus said that it would happen in just a few days. We know that after 10 days, it happened on the day of Pentecost.

Lastly, there’s Acts 11:15-16.

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Turn to and read Acts 11:15-16.

Peter looks back and basically says, “yep, I remember when that happened to us at Pentecost.”

From Matthew 3:11, to Acts 11:15-16, all of these verses indicate that the baptism with the Holy Spirit happened at the day of Pentecost. Several unusual signs occured to indicate that this event was the work of God.

A sound of wind

A sight of tongues like fire

They were filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit

They began to speak in different languages - there is no clear demonstration of this ever happening in the Old Testament.

From our study so far, we can conclude that the baptism with the Spirit was a supernatural work of God that occurred primarily at the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts chapter two. This work was in fulfillment of John’s prophecies and of Jesus’ promises.

Next week, we will consider some other situations during the book of Acts where some similar circumstances take place.

From the study above, I have concluded that the baptism with the Spirit was a work of God during the book of Acts for saved individuals. It was the fulfillment of John’s prophecies and of Jesus’ promises.