First Principles

Baptism with the Holy Spirit

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Introduction: Jesus was given the Spirit in full measure, no limit (John 3:34). There are three measures of the Holy Spirit:

  1. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
    1. Received at baptism (Acts 2:38)
  2. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit
    1. Characteristics in Acts 2 and Acts 10
      1. Promise (not command), Acts 1:4-5
      2. Predicted (prophesied)
      3. Came without warning. (People were not specifically praying for it.)
      4. Languages
      5. Purpose: To usher in the Kingdom with power
    2. Accounts of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
      1. To the Jews — in Jerusalem (Acts 2)
      2. To the Gentiles — begins with Cornelius (Acts 10)
        1. Note: Cornelius and his household were water baptized in v. 48, and saved at baptism.
        2. Peter explained actions to the Jews. (Acts 11:1-18)
        3. "At the beginning" referring to Jerusalem (Acts 11:15)
        4. "The message" will save (Acts 11:14), yet the Baptism of the Holy Spirit came before Peter finished preaching. (Acts 10:44)
    3. Does the Baptism with the Holy Spirit still exist today? Ephesians 4:4-6: There is "one baptism," but which one? (Written about 60-62 A.D.) There are three baptism options:
      1. John's baptism passed when new covenant began (Acts 19:1-5).
      2. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2 and 10) is no longer present as it was a prophecy/promise that has been fulfilled. It was never a general command for all Christians.
      3. Baptism with water in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
        1. Jesus commanded this baptism (Matthew 28:18-20).
        2. This baptism is recorded all the way through the Book of Acts and the Epistles. 1 Peter 3:21 (written around 64 A.D.) makes reference to this water baptism of salvation.
        3. It had to be the "one baptism" of Ephesians 4:4-6, as it was the only one practiced by 60-62 A.D. when Ephesians was written.
  3. The Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit (next lesson)
    1. Received by the Apostles' laying on of hands
    2. No longer present today