There are at least five ‘baptisms’ mentioned in the New Testament.
1. John’s Baptism in the Jordan for Repentance. see Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is more powerful than I; whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
2. Baptism into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. 1Co 12:13 For all of us, likewise, by one Spirit, have been baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free; and all of us have drunk of one Spirit.
3. Baptism in water. Act 2:38 Simon said to them: Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, for the remission of sins; so that ye may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
4. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit Act 1:4 And when he had eaten bread with them, he instructed them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which (said he) ye have heard from me.
Act 1:5 For John baptized with water; but ye will be baptized with the Holy Spirit after not many days.
5. The Baptism of Suffering. Mat_20:22 But Jesus answered and said, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We are able.
Mat_20:23 And He said to them, You shall indeed drink of My cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.
Notice these expressions concerning the Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus.
1. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Womb of Mary. Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you. Therefore also that Holy One which will be born of you shall be called Son of God.
2. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at the Jordan River. Luk 3:21 And it happened in the baptizing of all the people, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, and the heaven was opened.
Luk 3:22 And the Holy Spirit came down in a bodily shape, like a dove on Him. And a voice came from Heaven, which said, You are My Son, the Beloved; I am delighted in You.
In a bodily shape - This was a real visible appearance, and was doubtless seen by the people. The dove is an emblem of purity and harmlessness, and the form of the dove was assumed on this occasion to signify, probably, that the spirit with which Jesus would be endowed would be one of purity and innocence. The “Holy Spirit,” when he assumes a visible form, assumes that which will be emblematic of the thing to be represented. Thus he assumed the form of “tongues,” to signify the miraculous powers of language with which the apostles would be endowed; the appearance of fire, to denote their power, etc., Act_2:3.Barnes
3. Jesus was filled with the Spirit and was led by the Spirit. Luk 4:1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness
4. Jesus empowered by the Spirit. Luk 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. And a report went out throughout all the neighborhood concerning Him.
Luk 4:15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
It was by the Power of the Holy Spirit that He accomplished the Mission that the Father had entrusted to Him.
Luk 4:17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And unrolling the book, He found the place where it was written,
Luk 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me; because of this He has anointed Me to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and new sight to the blind, to set at liberty those having been crushed,
Luk 4:19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
see also Act 10:37 that word which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed;
Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with Him.
Act 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not regeneration but empowerment.
See how these words describe the Baptism with the Holy Spirit in the Family of the Roman Centurion named Cornelius.
The Holy Spirit came upon Acts 10:40 and 11:15.
He was a Gift Acts 10:45 and 11:17
He was poured out Acts 10 45.
They received the Holy Spirit Acts 10:47; Acts 2:1-4
They were Baptised Acts 11:16-17
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 11:15; and Acts 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit fell on them. Acts 10: 44-48
Act 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word.
Act 10:45 And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations also.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
Act 10:47 Can anyone forbid water that these, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we, should not be baptized?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay certain days.
These metaphors above are used interchangeably throughout Scripture.
3. At Damascus: For Saul of tarsus it was a confirmation of his Call to serve the Lord.
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The Nature of the Experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit in Acts.
Barry Chant says that there are four observations concerning the experience.
Instantaneous (sudden) Both the subjects and any witnesses knew immediately that the Spirit had come….In the Early Church,being empowered by the Spirit occured at an identifiable moment in time. He did not “dribble” or “seep”... He come like a Mighty Rushing Stream.
Observable (seen) The Spirit’s Coming could be observed by others. It was not secret, silent nor gradual… There is no such thing as a secret or silent Baptism.
Powerful (supernatural) It was normally evidence by demonstrable Spiritual Power. It was not necessarily emotional but it was powerful…. Some people do respond emotionally.
Distinctive (singular) The Sign of the Spirit’s Coming was different from any other spiritual blesssing.
In the Book of Acts not only did those who were baptised in the Spirit know they had received the Spirit, but everyone else present also knew.
“ The most obvious immediate sign (of the Coming of the Holy Spirit) was speaking in tongues, commonly know and glossalalia (glossa = tongue; laleo = to speak). It was instantaneous. It was observable. it was powerful and it was distinctive. A study of the narratives of the Book of Acts indicates that glossalalia was the normal initial evidence of being Baptised in the Spirit.
normal : It is what normally happens.
initial: because it is only the first thing that happens.
Evidence: Because it is clearly observable.
The Incidents in the Book of Acts.
These show us the way they were empowered by the Spirit in the Early Church. The significant factor is usually glossalalia: (Speaking in Tongues.)
1. At Pentecost Acts 2:1-4.
The clear reason for their being Filled was for Empowerment. Act 1:8 But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
power : (Greek : dunamis) Thayer Definition: 1) strength power, ability
1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth 1b) power for performing miracles 1c) moral power and excellence of soul.
The word “power” here refers to the help or aid which the Holy Spirit would grant; the power of speaking with new tongues; of preaching the gospel with great effect; of enduring great trials, etc. See Mar_16:17-18. The apostles had impatiently asked him if he was then about to restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus by this answer rebuked their impatience, taught them to repress their ill-timed ardor; and assured them again of the coming of the Holy Spirit.Barnes
2. At Samaria It was a confirmation of the Genuineness of their Conversion.Act 8:14 When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted God's Message, they sent Peter and John to visit them.
Act 8:15 They, when they came down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
Act 8:16 for He had not as yet fallen upon any of them. They had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 8:17 Then the Apostles placed their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
3. At Damascus: For Saul of tarsus it was a confirmation of his Call to serve the Lord.
Act 9:15 "Go," replied the Lord; "he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of Israel.
Act 9:16 For I will let him know the great sufferings which he must pass through for My sake."
Act 9:17 So Ananias went and entered the house; and, laying his two hands upon Saul, said, "Saul, brother, the Lord--even Jesus who appeared to you on your journey--has sent me, that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
4.. At the Home of Cornelius at Caesurea.
It showed that the Gentiles were also accepted with God. Act 11:15 "And," said Peter, "no sooner had I begun to speak than the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He fell upon us at the first.
Act 11:16 Then I remembered the Lord's words, how He used to say, "'John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.'
Act 11:17 "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we first believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, why, who was I to be able to thwart God?"
Act 11:18 This statement of Peter's silenced his opponents. They extolled the goodness of God, and said, "So, then, to the Gentiles also God has given the repentance which leads to Life."
5. At Corinth: It was a demonstration of the Power of God. 1Co 2:1 And I, brothers, when I came to you, did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1Co 2:3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling.
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1Co 2:5 so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6. At Ephesus Act 19:1 And it happened in the time Apollos was at Corinth, Paul was passing through the higher parts to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2 he said to them, Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? And they said to him, We did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit is.
Act 19:3 And he said to them, Then to what were you baptized? And they said, To John's baptism.
Act 19:4 And Paul said, John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe into Him coming after him, that is, into Jesus Christ.
Act 19:5 And hearing, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Receiving the Holy Spirit.
This blessing is received by Faith in the Promise of God.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The promise (hē epaggelia). The promise made by Jesus (Act_1:4) and foretold by Joel (Act_2:18).
To you (humin). You Jews. To your descendants, sons and daughters of Act_2:17.
To all that are afar off (pāsin tois eis makran. The horizon widens and includes the Gentiles. Those “afar off” from the Jews were the heathen (Isa_49:1; Isa_57:19; Eph_2:13, Eph_2:17)RWP
1. To make this promise your own you need to Earnestly Desire to receive it.
God’s gifts are free and you need to lay hold of His promise by faith. believing that what God has said is true and for you.
In years gone by people would ‘tarry’ for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. There was regular waiting meetings. Some people sought for ages before they received. They were getting their lives sorted before receiving. Act 1:4 And having met with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which you heard from Me. Genesis 32:26 We nee to pray like Jacob, “Lord, I will not let you go unless you bless me.” cp Ps 42:1-2
2. Desire to live a Life that is Pleasing to God. Joh 8:28 Then Jesus said to them, When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you shall know that I AM, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father has taught Me, I speak these things.
Joh 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things which please Him.
Barnes :Those things that please him - See Mat_3:17; “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Phi_2:8; Isa_53:10-12; 2Pe_1:17; Luk_3:22; Mat_17:5. His undertaking the work of redemption was pleasing to God, and he had the consciousness that in executing it he did those things which God approved. It is a small matter to have men opposed to us, if we have a conscience void of offence, and evidence that we please God. Compare Heb_11:5; “Enoch - before his translation had this testimony that he pleased God.” See also 1Co_4:3.
3. Turn from all known sin.
To receive God’s promise then we must be ready. Repentance and cleansing are the best things to do on our part to remove every hindrance to the blessing of God. It is not a matter of earning the right to be baptised but the vessel must be holy that God fills with His HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptised (in water) and you will receive the Gift…..
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
4. Trust in the Grace and Kindness of God to receive His Gift.
Repentance and cleansing are important but we must focus on the Goodness and Unmerited Favour of our God to receive the Gift. It is not a question of making oneself holy enough. God is wanting to give you His Gift..
Joh 14:13 And whatever you may ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Joh 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
5. Fix your eyes on His promise.
When God makes a promise He is bound to keep it. His nature is Faithfulness,i.e. One who can be trusted. His promise is the very basis of our faith. Know these promises off by heart and meditate upon them
Joe 2:28 And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.
Joe 2:29 And also I will pour out My Spirit on the slaves and on the slave women in those days.
Mat 3:11 John the Baptist said, “ I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. But He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;”
Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.
6. Step out and just simply receive the Blessing
Speaking in tongues is simply speaking in a language that only God understands—even you won’t understand it. This happens as the Holy Spirit prays through you about things you may not know about or may not know how to pray about (Romans 8:26). K.C.
Remember, Luke 11:13 says, “…how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” So if you want to receive your baptism in the Holy Spirit, ask Him now.
Pray now, “Heavenly Father, I am a believer. I am Your child and You are my Father. Jesus is my Lord. I believe with all my heart that Your Word is true. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. K.C.
Now Thank the Lord for His promise and Allow the Lord to Fill you to overflowing.
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