You Shall Be Baptized With The Holy Spirit

NOVEMBER 7, 2021 STUDY NOTES ACTS 1:5 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES YOU SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT INTRODUCTION Today many sincere Christians will ask you, “Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit?” Today there are many different opinions concerning the Spirit’s Baptism Because of so many different opinions, many are confused and disturbed about this subject Some live a troubled and defeated life because they are not sure about the Spirit’s Baptism They are waiting for some spiritual experience to take place in their life They are seeking a second work of God’s grace which they call the Baptism with the Spirit Some say there are certain requirements you must fulfill in-order to receive the Spirit’s Baptism: Such as self-denial and a total commitment to Christ You must fast and pray, tarry and pray through until it happens You must have faith to believe and receive what the Spirit has for you It will be your fault if you don’t receive the Baptism with the Spirit Some of those suggestions are not completely unscriptural, they can apply to “spiritual growth” The error is the teaching they have-to be fulfilled in-order to receive the Baptism with the Spirit The error is also the teaching that they are the results of the Spirit’s Baptism Some Christians claim that they experienced the Spirit’s Baptism sometime after salvation And they say because they have experienced the Baptism with the Spirit: They now speak in tongues They now live a power-filled life with the ability to perform miracles The meaning of the Baptism with the Spirit is certainly a controversial subject today Sincere Christians disagree on the timing, reception, and results of the Spirit’s baptism A fact that cannot be denied is that the Spirit’s Baptism was a promise of the Father, Act 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, 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. Jesus promised it would take place and compared John’s water baptism with the Spirit’s baptism, Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. JOHN’S WATER BAPTISM John the Baptist was sent by God as the forerunner to prepare the way for Jesus and His ministry, Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea His message was, Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The first person we find baptizing in the NT was John the Baptist, Mat 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. In the NT the word “baptized” has a literal and a figurative meaning Literally it means to submerge, to dip or immerse as in water, John literally baptized people Figuratively it refers to spiritual baptism which Jesus promised would take place The best explanation for baptism is “identification,” baptism is an identification with something The one being baptized is identifying with that which is named in the baptism To be baptized “into the name of someone” identifies with what the name stated stands for To be baptized “into anything” identifies “believing in” that which is named So, Baptism is a profession of belief and trust in someone and what they have done Page 1 of 6 Baptism is a commitment to observe and be obedient to that which is named John’s water baptism identified with repentance, confessing of sin, and the coming Messiah Those John baptized acknowledged their sin and the need for forgiveness of sin They identified with the promise of the coming Messiah which John was preaching, Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Those who were baptized by John were identifying their faith in the message of John John the Baptist baptized Jesus, Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. JESUS’ WATER BAPTISM The baptism of Jesus identified with His Person, who He was, and His work, why He came John was hesitant to baptize Jesus, Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Jesus explained why He had come to be baptized, Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness, so that we might be made righteous through faith in Jesus In-order to provide righteousness for us He must take upon Himself the sins of the world Jesus took the sins of the world to the cross and sacrificed Himself for us He also arose from the grave to “fulfill all righteousness,” Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. The cross confirmed that Jesus was “that man,” the resurrection confirmed Jesus as “that man” The baptism of Jesus also confirmed that Jesus was “that man,” Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The Baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of His earthly ministry The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus confirmed that He was “that man,” the Messiah Jesus was the man equipped by God to fulfill His ministry for man and to fulfill all righteousness His earthly ministry would fulfill God’s redemptive plan to bring salvation to sinful man, Act 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; Act 10:38 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. The Holy Spirit that descended upon Jesus at His baptism is the same Spirit promised by Jesus THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT’S BAPTISM Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. All 4 gospels state that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Luk 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: Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Page 2 of 6 Holy Ghost. According to scripture, the Spirit’s Baptism is a very important truth, we must understand it The beginning of the earthly ministry of Jesus was marked by the coming of the Spirit upon Him In Acts we find the beginning of the disciples of Jesus’ ministry as the NT church Which did not have its beginning until the promise of Jesus was fulfilled, Luk 24:49 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 promised His followers that they would receive power to witness to the world, Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. That power comes as-a result of the Baptism with the Spirit THE BAPTISM WITH FIRE The baptism with fire must be distinguished from the baptism with the Spirit They are not the same experience and do not take place at the same time Matthew speaks of the baptism with fire, Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Verse 12 explains the baptism with fire (Always keep a verse within its context) The baptism of the Holy Spirit began with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost Which unites the believer into the Body of Christ, the NT Church, during the present age The baptism with fire is the judgment of Christ upon the unbeliever in the age to come, Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. The baptism with fire will separate the unbeliever from the presence of God in the coming age Luke’s account prophesied that Jesus would baptize with fire, Luk 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: Verse 17 explains the baptism with fire (Always keep a verse within its context) The Church Age was introduced with the “baptism of the Spirit” The coming Kingdom Age will be introduced with the “baptism of fire,” Luk 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. The baptism with fire is the baptism that brings judgment, condemnation, and death Those who are judged by Christ in the last days will be cast into the lake of fire, Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT’S BAPTISM FULFILLED The coming of the Holy Spirit was often promised by Jesus, Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) The Holy Spirit would not come as promised by Jesus until after the ascension of Jesus In John 14 Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; The Spirit’s coming would be after the ascension of Jesus: Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live Page 3 of 6 also. Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. Jesus promised that the Spirit’s Baptism would be fulfilled, Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Jesus did not give them an exact time, He said “not many days hence” Scripture reveals the exact time, the Day of Pentecost was ten days after the Ascension of Jesus On the Day of Pentecost Jesus fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) In Acts 1, Jesus said the promise of the Spirit’s coming would be fulfilled (1:5,8) In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came (2:1-4) In Acts 1, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would baptize them (1:5,8) In Acts 2, the Baptism of the Spirit occurred (2:1-4) In Acts 1, Jesus promised the disciples that they would receive spiritual power to witness (1:8) In Acts 2&3, the disciples stood empowered with the Spirit to witness (2:14-42; 3:12-26) The book of Acts confirms that the Spirit’s Baptism is what took place in Acts 2 Acts chapter 11 helps us to understand what happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 In Acts 11 Peter reports to the church in Jerusalem what happened in Acts 10 The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles, Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. The same thing happened to the Gentiles in Acts 10 that happened to the Jews in Acts 2 Which Peter explains, Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. The Spirit’s Baptism did not take place before the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 The first work of the Spirit’s Baptism took place with the Jews (Acts 2) Then the Gentiles experienced the Spirit’s Baptism just as the Jews did (Acts 10:44-48) What happened on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came? THE RESULTS OF THE SPIRIT’S BAPTISM The Baptism with the Spirit is a distinct ministry of the Holy Spirit for a particular purpose The Spirit’s baptism corresponds with the sending of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church All 3 are related, the coming of the Spirit, the Spirit’s Baptism, and the birth of the Church All three must be looked at together in-order to understand the meaning of the Spirit’s baptism Paul explains the Spirit’s Baptism in, 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. “For by one Spirit,” the one and only Holy Spirit, “are we all,” all believers, all who are saved There are no exceptions, all Christians experience the Spirit’s Baptism at the time of salvation “Baptized into one body” is a once for all experience, united into the “Body of Christ,” Page 4 of 6 The Church is the Body of Christ, Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Christ is “the Head of the Body,” Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. There is but “One Body,” 1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. “Whether we be Jews or Gentiles,” which is identified in Acts 10 & 11 All believers are united together in-Christ, Jew and Gentile, by the Spirit’s Baptism The NT Church did not exist as the one body of Christ until the time of the Spirit’s Baptism The Church was not united into that Body until the Day of Pentecost Now every believer is united into the “Body of Christ” at the time of their salvation That which unites us together “In-Christ” is the Baptism of the Spirit NT truths of the believer and church could not be possible apart from the Spirit’s Baptism The Church could not carry out the Great Commission until the coming of the Holy Spirit The “Body of Christ” is unique to this age, its beginning was on the Day of Pentecost The Church Age will end at the time of the return of Christ when the church will be raptured, 1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. CONCLUSION At-the moment of our salvation, we are all baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ The Body of Christ is the NT Church, all who are saved are a member of the NT Church At the same time the Spirit baptizes the believer He comes to indwell the believer Unless the Holy Spirit abides within a person they are not saved, Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. If there is no Holy Spirit dwelling within there is no salvation, there is no spiritual life The Holy Spirit indwells all believers and not just a select few The Holy Spirit is a gift to all that are saved and not a reward for the spiritual elite The Holy Spirit indwells believers so that we might receive all that God wants to give us, 1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. The seal of the Holy Spirit occurs at the same time as the Baptism with the Spirit The seal of the Holy Spirit is the Spirit Himself, Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, The seal signifies ownership, the guarantee that we have been redeemed and belong to God The seal is the assurance of our eternal salvation, the evidence of a finished transaction Christians are never commanded to be indwelt by or sealed by the Holy Spirit Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to seek or pray for the Baptism of the Spirit At the very moment of salvation, we are baptized with, indwelt by, and sealed with the Spirit A spiritual experience which never needs to be repeated because we have an eternal salvation Christians are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is Page 5 of 6 excess; but be filled with the Spirit; The filling with the Spirit is not a once and for all experience There is one baptism and one indwelling experience, but many infillings with the Spirit The Apostles were filled on the day of Pentecost and filled again a few days later The filling with the Holy Spirit was a repeated experience throughout their ministry On the day of Pentecost all believers were filled with the Spirit, including Peter, Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. But when Peter stood to speak to the Sanhedrin he was once again filled with the Spirit, Act 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, After being arrested and released, Peter and John met to pray with the church, Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Following his salvation Paul was prepared to minister by being filled with the Spirit, Act 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Christians must be filled with the Spirit in order to walk in the Spirit, Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. To be filled with the Spirit is to live in the power of the Spirit, Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Today some Christians have a filling of the Spirit experience but call it the Baptism of the Spirit As a Christian you do not need to seek or pray for the Baptism of the Spirit As a Christian you should desire for the Holy Spirit to fill you All Christians possess the complete person or 100% of the Holy Spirit But the Holy Spirit does not always possess the complete person of the Christian To be filled with the Spirit is to allow the Holy Spirit to have 100% of your daily life Page 6 of 6