Holy Spirit Study - Week 2

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The water of the Holy Spirit takes the clearest form in Scripture as what is commonly called the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This baptism of the Holy Spirit is what brings about an initial encounter with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at the words of Jesus right before Pentecost as He prophesies about the coming of the Holy Spirit.

John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. (Acts 1:5, ESV)

What follows in Acts chapter 2 is one of the most amazing encounters with the power of the Holy Spirit recorded in Scripture. Since Jesus prophesies about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, there is much we can learn from what happens at Pentecost as to what it means to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost:

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 

(Acts 2:1-4, NLT)
 
The Holy Spirit brings power at Pentecost in an unexpected and miraculous way. We will talk more about what happened here, as the disciples spoke in tongues, next week (so come back). The Holy Spirit not only showed up like a mighty wind, but the Holy Spirit “filled” (v. 4) all those gathered in this place. The baptism of the Holy Spirit ,as prophesied by Jesus just a couple of verses previously, involves a filling up of those present with the power of the Holy Spirit. This power brings about something that had not previously been experienced.

As Christians, we are taught by Jesus’ example to be baptized. This baptism is a water baptism and can take many forms. Baptism is a symbol on the outside of what God is doing on the inside of the person. It is not the water that removes sin, but it is God who breaks the power of cancelled sin. This reality of being able to forgive sin is brought about by Jesus’ sacrifice.

In the Great Commission at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs His disciples on how they should teach and baptize others. Jesus says,

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, ESV)

The truth is that when each of us are saved, which is what we celebrate at a baptism, not only do we receive the forgiveness of God and love of Jesus, but we also receive the Holy Spirit. We receive each member of God, each part of the Trinity, at baptism. Just as Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize in the “name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” so too do we receive the presence, love, and power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at salvation.

If it is true that we each receive the Holy Spirt at salvation, then why are so many followers of Jesus Christ either a) confused by the Holy Spirit, or b) not living in the power of the Holy Spirit?