What is baptism of the Holy Spirit biblically?

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wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
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#1
Seems this phrase 'baptism of the Holy Spirit' has been twisted and turned to mean all kinds of things.

Some think of it as water baptism
Others think of it not as water baptism but is associated with receiving eternal life
Others think it as not being water baptism or associated with eternal life

What does scripture tell us?

Let's get into some meat from the Word of God.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
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#2
Luke 3:16 (cf. Mt 3:11) John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

Acts 1:4-5 On one occasion, while he [Jesus] 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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who have come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Acts 11:15 "As I began to speak the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'"
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
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#3
Okay, so we have:

1) Jesus talking to the disciples when he was talking about baptising them with the Holy Spirit

2) Other groups in Acts receiving the Holy Spirit. Signs accompanying them..

Note-

This is already saved believers receiving 'baptism of the Holy Spirit'

None of these believers are on their own, but the entire group they are with is being 'baptised by the Holy Spirit'
 

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
586
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#4
Seems this phrase 'baptism of the Holy Spirit' has been twisted and turned to mean all kinds of things.

Some think of it as water baptism
Others think of it not as water baptism but is associated with receiving eternal life
Others think it as not being water baptism or associated with eternal life

What does scripture tell us?

Let's get into some meat from the Word of God.
Baptism in the Spirit

Baptism in Water

QED!
 

kohelet

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2012
349
228
43
#6
Seems this phrase 'baptism of the Holy Spirit' has been twisted and turned to mean all kinds of things.

Some think of it as water baptism
Others think of it not as water baptism but is associated with receiving eternal life
Others think it as not being water baptism or associated with eternal life

What does scripture tell us?

Let's get into some meat from the Word of God.
G'day Mick,

It's not water baptism.
Paul and Luke use the term differently. For Paul, it's what happens when we're born again (1 Corinthians 12:13) and for Luke it is an empowering for service, which Paul calls fullness of the Holy Spirit.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
2,987
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#7
G'day Mick,

It's not water baptism.
Paul and Luke use the term differently. For Paul, it's what happens when we're born again (1 Corinthians 12:13) and for Luke it is an empowering for service, which Paul calls fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Yeah, water baptism isn't related to 'baptism of the Holy Spirit'

But is being 'filled with the Spirit' ... 'baptism of the Holy Spirit'?

Again-- if when Jesus said He would baptise with the Holy Spirit was to a group gathered, not about individuals alone.. and then the same situation is happening in Acts..with groups of already saved believers being empowered..then how is it being filled with the Holy Spirit?

Unless you mean something else.

I always thought being filled with the Spirit is when you have relied on Jesus for a good period of time and He is able to use you more. The Holy Spirit can fill you more because you have been faithful for a good while.

So with the verses about them being 'filled with the Holy Spirit'... in a group.. they have allowed the Holy Spirit to lead them.. they have been submissive to Him.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an occurence in the bible that was an initial event for a group of believers..

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is ongoing and is associated with reliance on the Holy Spirit.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#8
G'day Mick,

It's not water baptism.
Paul and Luke use the term differently. For Paul, it's what happens when we're born again (1 Corinthians 12:13) and for Luke it is an empowering for service, which Paul calls fullness of the Holy Spirit.

The baptism of the Christ, the Holy Spirit done without human hands.

The baptism of water a foundation found in a old testament ceremonial law applied when one entered the priest ministry as a kingdom of priest done by human hands .

While one done without human hands can make the conscience perfect (complete) the other as a shadow cannot.
 

kohelet

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2012
349
228
43
#9
Yeah, water baptism isn't related to 'baptism of the Holy Spirit'

But is being 'filled with the Spirit' ... 'baptism of the Holy Spirit'?

Again-- if when Jesus said He would baptise with the Holy Spirit was to a group gathered, not about individuals alone.. and then the same situation is happening in Acts..with groups of already saved believers being empowered..then how is it being filled with the Holy Spirit?

Unless you mean something else.

I always thought being filled with the Spirit is when you have relied on Jesus for a good period of time and He is able to use you more. The Holy Spirit can fill you more because you have been faithful for a good while.

So with the verses about them being 'filled with the Holy Spirit'... in a group.. they have allowed the Holy Spirit to lead them.. they have been submissive to Him.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an occurence in the bible that was an initial event for a group of believers..

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is ongoing and is associated with reliance on the Holy Spirit.
I'm wondering whether what I said earlier is right. I'll do a bit of checking and get back to you, wattie. Hold that thought!

:)

 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
25,715
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#10
Okay, so we have:
1) Jesus talking to the disciples when he was talking about baptising them with the Holy Spirit
Actually, that is John the Baptist telling of the near future arrival of Jesus coming to baptise with the Holy Spirit. This is recorded in all four gospels :) Two of the gospels add "and fire."

Matt 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Mark 1:7-8 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

John 1:32-33 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’"

 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
2,987
1,014
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New Zealand
#11
Actually, that is John the Baptist telling of the near future arrival of Jesus coming to baptise with the Holy Spirit. This is recorded in all four gospels :) Two of the gospels add "and fire."

Matt 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Mark 1:7-8 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

John 1:32-33 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’"

J
Actually, ya you are right :)

Ooops

I think though the point still stands is that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happened to already saved groups of believers.

Biblically it looks more like empowerment of churches.. ie.. the Holy Spirit coming to dwell 'in the midst' of a church family.

I get that it could figuratively be about receiving eternal life.. since baptism of the Holy Spirit could easily picture the process of receiving eternal life... but I don't see it being that way in scripture.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#12
Luke 3:16 (cf. Mt 3:11) John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

Acts 1:4-5 On one occasion, while he [Jesus] 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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who have come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Acts 11:15 "As I began to speak the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'"
Amen! Baptism in water is not to be confused with being baptized with the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
 

kohelet

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2012
349
228
43
#13
J
Actually, ya you are right :)

Ooops

I think though the point still stands is that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happened to already saved groups of believers.

Biblically it looks more like empowerment of churches.. ie.. the Holy Spirit coming to dwell 'in the midst' of a church family.

I get that it could figuratively be about receiving eternal life.. since baptism of the Holy Spirit could easily picture the process of receiving eternal life... but I don't see it being that way in scripture.

Youre basically on the right track, Mick. It's an interesting thread you've started. It's good to tease these things out - and the implications, that we be equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit, individually.

Still, Paul does use the expression to refer to being born again.

I haven't gone back over Luke's vs. Paul's usage yet. Will though. See ya!
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
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#14
Although I have been baptized with what some call the believers baptism having my roots in a Plymouth brethren camp as my home church .I have been interested to where we can find the roots of the baptism ordinance .Not trying to change Christianity but feel a need to be sure we are doing what is required from a source other than our own selves.

I would offer water baptism has its roots in and old testament ceremonial purifying law that was required when a new Priest entered the ministry typified by a person from the tribe of Levi .They acted as a shadow of the coming high priest Christ. As a kingdom of priest Christians are eligible to become a priest that hold out the gospel of life. . Not all from the tribe of Levi became priest but the ones that did were officiated by one from that tribe.. It is why Christ from the tribe of Judah needed John from the tribe of Levi to baptize him before he himself could baptize his disciples

Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

How it has come as it is today remains a mystery and like some other doctrines they do need reform in order to have a proper understand with a foundation. Again as it is used today there is no foundation it would seem more of a fad than a specific ceremonial law..

John 4:1 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
 

kohelet

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2012
349
228
43
#15
Although I have been baptized with what some call the believers baptism having my roots in a Plymouth brethren camp as my home church .I have been interested to where we can find the roots of the baptism ordinance .Not trying to change Christianity but feel a need to be sure we are doing what is required from a source other than our own selves.

I would offer water baptism has its roots in and old testament ceremonial purifying law that was required when a new Priest entered the ministry typified by a person from the tribe of Levi .They acted as a shadow of the coming high priest Christ. As a kingdom of priest Christians are eligible to become a priest that hold out the gospel of life. . Not all from the tribe of Levi became priest but the ones that did were officiated by one from that tribe.. It is why Christ from the tribe of Judah needed John from the tribe of Levi to baptize him before he himself could baptize his disciples

Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

How it has come as it is today remains a mystery and like some other doctrines they do need reform in order to have a proper understand with a foundation. Again as it is used today there is no foundation it would seem more of a fad than a specific ceremonial law..

John 4:1 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
Hi garee,

This'd be interesting, but it would take us away from wattie's OP. You'd be hijacking it.
Perhaps you could start a new thread.

 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
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#16
Acts 2- example of the Holy Spirit baptising a whole group in the church at Jerusalem. They were empowered first, as already saved believers. Water baptism not being the topic.

Then later some are baptised in full immersion in water. The 'addition of souls' not being eternal salvation.. but members added to the church at Jerusalem.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
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#17
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a public spectacle. It is a quite personal moment when a sinner receives Christ as their personal Savior.

Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Acts 2 is a filling of the Holy Spirit with power to minister the gospel for the Lord. As they heard the word of God from the disciples and responded they were saved and baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ.

Many fillings but only one baptism.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
2,987
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#18
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a public spectacle. It is a quite personal moment when a sinner receives Christ as their personal Savior.

Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Acts 2 is a filling of the Holy Spirit with power to minister the gospel for the Lord. As they heard the word of God from the disciples and responded they were saved and baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ.

Many fillings but only one baptism.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
Is the body in question.. the local church body or the entity of every believer?

If it is the local church body.. eternal salvation isn't part of it.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
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#19
Here is the thing:

Where in scripture do you find 'the body of Christ' being a universal entity of every believer?

The church at Corinth body in question is the local and visible body at Corinth.

Acts 2.. the body in question is the church at Jerusalem.

There IS an entity of every believer.. but is that really 'the body of Christ'?
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#20
Here is the thing:

Where in scripture do you find 'the body of Christ' being a universal entity of every believer?

The church at Corinth body in question is the local and visible body at Corinth.

Acts 2.. the body in question is the church at Jerusalem.

There IS an entity of every believer.. but is that really 'the body of Christ'?
Yes.

Colossians 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 may have the preeminence.

Colossians 2:24 - I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.

Same body of believers found in 1 Corinthians 12:13 that ALL believers are baptized by one Spirit into.

Ephesians 1:13 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.