V. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT!
1.
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 (en) the Holy Ghost, and with (en) fire:2. Before we seek to understand the baptizing and the filling of the Holy Spirit, we must first understand literal water baptism.
A. Water Baptism.
1. Baptize: (Gk.. baptizo) whelm, cover fully; fully wet; immersed.
(a). Figurative meaning: to be identified with, place into a relationship or union with.
(b). 1Cor. 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.
2. Water baptism is commanded in the Scriptures following salvation.
3. It is a symbol of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection as well as a picture of what happened to us.
(a). We died to our old way of life (sin).
(b). We were crucified with Jesus, buried in baptism and now have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
(c).
4. Baptism is a proclamation of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and our identification with the Body of Christ, which is the church.
5. Water baptism does not save us.
6. Salvation is always through personal trust in Christ;
7. See
Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:8. We are baptized in water into (union with) the church.
9. Baptism is a public testimony of our faith and is to be done because we are saved, not to be saved.
B. Baptism In The Holy Spirit.
1. Now that we have seen what baptism is, let us look at the Scriptures concerning being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
(a). Matt. 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:
(b). This baptism is done BY Jesus, He is the Agent.
(c). It is done IN the Holy Spirit, He is the element.
2. The Jewish believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit at "Pentecost". See Acts 2:1-21.
(a). This was a badge of identification as well as the fulfilling of prophecy and a promise of the Lord.
(b). The believers at Pentecost knew they had received the promise the Lord had given them.
(c). The unbelieving Jews would wittiness this and many would become believers.
(d). It said to the unbelievers, "these people are who they say they are" and more importantly it said "Jesus is who He says He is."
3. The Gentiles were baptized in the Holy Spirit at the home of Cornelius.
(a). Acts 10:44-11:18.
(b). This was done so that there would be absolutely no doubt to the Jewish believers that salvation had been extended to the Gentiles.
4. It is also to be remembered that these people represented the Lord's church and were baptized in the Holy Spirit as such.
5. As a church we were baptized in the Holy Spirit; as individuals we are now sealed and indwelled by the Holy Spirit at the very moment of our conversion.
(a). Eph. 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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,
(b).
1Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?C.
Baptism In Fire.1. The other baptism that Jesus shall administer is the baptism in fire.
2. This is not to be confused with the baptism with the Holy Spirit that occurred on the day of Pentecost as the Charismatics do. 3. The difference is clearly seen if we read the verse following Matt. 3:11; 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."
4. The wheat represents the saved who will be gathered by the Lord while the chaff represents those that are lost and doomed to be "immersed in the fires" of hell.
5. Anyone who prays for the baptism with fire is surely ignorant of the scriptures.
6. No where in God's word are we commanded to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and we certainly are not commanded or even admonished to be baptized with fire...
7. But we are commanded to "be filled with the Spirit." See
Eph. 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;D.
Filled With The Holy Spirit:1. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not some supercharged burst of uncontrollable energy.
(a). 1Cor. 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. (b). 1Cor. 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
(c). The filling the of the Holy Spirit is power, but it is power under control.
2. The filling of the Holy Spirit has a definite purpose; it is to empower us with boldness and the ability to be witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.
(a). It is a provision for holy living by the believer. See Luke 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.
(b). It provides us with the divine power we so desperately need to live the Christian life as we strive to obey God's word.
(c). The filling of the Holy Spirit involves our yielding to Him.
(d). Unfortunately many Christians think that salvation is the beginning and the end of Christian life.
(e). Remember, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not an option that we can exercise, but a command that we have been given. See Eph. 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
3. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
(a). It pretty much means being filled with Jesus Christ. See
(b). Think about that! If I am filled with the Holy Spirit...
(c). Then He's walking around in my body; I am still there but He is in charge.
(d). He is thinking through my mind, He is loving through my heart, He is speaking with my mouth.
(e). He is seeking and witnessing to the lost through me!
(f). It is not me getting more of God, it is God getting more of me.
(g). THAT’S BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!