The Holy Spirit Baptism.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

INTRODUCTION

Good evening Southpointe! The purpose of this study is to equip the believer in Christ not only by teaching them concerning the truth of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience after salvation but that the baptism is distinct from salvation.

So let’s start with asking a question:

1. What was the relationship of the Old Testament believers to the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit?

a. The Spirit came upon various men in the Old Testament times that enabled them to do special feats of strength.

Judges 11:29 At that time the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites.

b. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon men.

Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then he gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.

C. Men were filled with the Spirit in a temporary fashion to perform certain God-ordained tasks.

Exodus 31:3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.

In the Old Testament times the Holy Spirit seemed to come upon and them withdraw from certain individuals as the need arose.

1 Samuel 10:6 At that time the Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person.

1 Samuel 10:10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy.

One of the signs of the Messiah would be one on whom the Holy Spirit would remain.

John 1:33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

2. How is the ministry of the Holy Spirit seen in the life of the Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church?

It is important to see how the Holy Spirit moved in the life of Christ, for Christ is a pattern of that which is to flow into the Church which is His Body.

Ephesians 1:22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.

Ephesians 1:23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Christ was:

Born of the Spirit:

Luke 1:35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

Filled with Spirit:

John 3:34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.

Baptized with the Spirit:

Matthew 3:16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.

Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Led of the Spirit:

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

Sealed by the Spirit:

John 6:27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.

Empowered by the Spirit:

Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region.

Anointed by the Spirit:

Luke 10:38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Now let compare to:

What the church is to be:

Born of the Spirit:

John 3:5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

Filled with the Spirit:

Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Baptized with the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Led of the Spirit:

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Sealed by the Spirit:

Ephesians 1:13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

Empowered by the Spirit:

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Anointed by the Spirit:

1 John 2:27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

3. Is the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” a scriptural term?

The answer is Yes.

It was used by John The Baptist.

John 1:33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

It was also used by Jesus.

John 1:5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

And it was also used by Peter.

Acts 11:16 Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

4. What is the relationship of Christ to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

a. Jesus was baptized in the Holy Spirit after His water baptism in the Jordan river.

Matthew 3:16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.

Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

And if you will look at:

John 1 chapter around the 19 verse, the Pharisees had come to John want to know you he was.

They asked him “who are You? and John said I am not the Messiah. Then they said who are you then? Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet that we are expecting?

And John said No, I am the voice shouting in the wilderness, clear the way for the Lord’s coming.

Then the Pharisees asked him “What right do you have to baptize?

John told them I baptize with but there will be one who I am not worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.

Then the next day, John see Jesus coming and said Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

This is the one I have been telling you about!

John 1:32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.

John 1:33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

John 1:34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”

And the words that are so important here:

The key verse is there in verse 32 I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. Or in KJV- The Spirit came and abode on Him.

b. Part of Jesus’ ministry is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.

John 1:33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

But Jesus make it very clear because He personally didn’t baptize anyone with water.

John 4:2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did).

c. Jesus prophesied that this would be a believer’s experience given on the basis of His exaltation and glorification.

John 7:38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ ”

John 7:39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

d. Jesus received this provision for the Church from the Father when He ascended into heaven.

Acts 2:33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

5. What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

a. It is the promise of the Father.

Act 1:4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.

Act 1:5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Act 2:33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

Act 2:39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

b. It is the enduring power to do the commands of Christ.

Act 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Luke 24:49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

c. It is a definite experience of which we can know that we have or have not received.

Act 19:2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

d. It is an operation of the Spirit distinct from and separate from the conversion experience.

Act 8:12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

Act 8:15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.

Act 8:16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

e. It is something to be experienced as part of the Christian foundation.

Act 2:38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Act 2:39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”