The baptism of the Holy Spirit/water and salvation

Grab to eternal life!

Jesus is the way,
the truth, and the life

Chapter 2 -

When can we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Before studying how we can receive the baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we should first clarify some general views that appear in teachings regarding this issue. Especially two points often come up. If people are not clear with these, it can prevent them from receiving this gift. These are:

1. Is baptism of the Holy Spirit the same as being saved?

2. Is baptism of the Holy Spirit always received in water baptism?

1. IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THE SAME AS BEING SAVED?

Occasionally, people claim that salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are always simultaneous events. It has been thought that when a person finds salvation, he also always automatically receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Of course, this would be ideal and this occurred, for example, in the case of Cornelius; Acts 10:44-48)

   But is this view correct? If we look at the Bible, we can find many problems and difficulties connected to this issue. They are, among other things, the next points:

It is connected with ministry and witnessing. Firstly, we must note that the Scriptures indicate that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is always connected with ministry and witnessing, not with being saved. The baptism of the Holy Spirit cannot mean the same as being saved. It is a question of us getting power for the ministry God has called us to do – whether it is being a preacher or a missionary or, for instance, doing charity work. R. A. Torrey has described this very well:

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is always in connection with testifying and serving others. If we carefully study each Bible passage concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we will see that it is in connection with serving and testifying and that it is given because of this. (2)

Being born of the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit

- (John 3:7-8) Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born again.

8 The wind blows where it wants, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

- (Acts 1:5 / 2:4) For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

2:4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The second important issue is connected with being born and being filled by the Holy Spirit. It is a different thing to be born of the Spirit than to be filled with the Spirit. Everyone who has turned to Jesus and has been saved has the Holy Spirit in their heart. They have the life and nature of God in their heart. They are Temples of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit has made them part of the body of Christ. There is no exception among the children of God, this refers to all of them:

- (Rom 8:9) But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

- (Gal 4:6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

- (2 Cor 1:22) Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

- (1 Cor 3:16) Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

- (1 Cor 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.

- (Eph 4:3-4) Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling

Then again, being filled with the Holy Spirit is different from having the Holy Spirit in our heart. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not connected with salvation, but with our life and service here on the Earth.

   A good example of this is what Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, and also in his other letters. Paul – who on several occasions spoke about the Spirit of adoption, and about how the Holy Spirit is a seal in us until the day of redemption – advised that we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. He made a difference between these two (the seal of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit):

- (Eph 1:13) In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

- (Eph 5:18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

The Apostles. If we look at the Apostles, we can very clearly see that also in their lives being saved and baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were separate, not simultaneous events. There are several indications that they were saved already before Pentecost:

Their names were already in the Books of Heaven:

- (Luke 10:20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

They knew their sinfulness and followed Jesus:

- (Luke 5:8-11) When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; from now on you shall catch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

They were all clean before God, except Judas:

- (John 15:3) Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you.

- (John 13:10-11) Jesus said to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all.

11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean.

They had received the words of Jesus:

- (John 17:8) For I have given to them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you, and they have believed that you did send me.

God was their Father:

- (John 20:16-17) Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned herself, and said to him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

17 Jesus said to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

They baptized people already before the Pentecost:

- (John 4:1-3) When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

They preached repentance, drove out demons, and prayed healing for people already before the Pentecost:

- (Mark 6:12-13) And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

They joined together constantly in prayer for ten days. If they were not born again yet, they prayed more passionately than many believers these days:

- (Acts 1:14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Samaria. One example of how salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are not simultaneous events is the case of Samaria. In Samaria, people received the word of God preached by Philip, believed it, were saved, and were also baptized, but they did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the same time.

   Instead, they received it when Peter and John came to Samaria. They got it by the men placing hands on them:

- (Acts 8:5-8,12,14-17) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen on none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Paul. As far as Paul is concerned, he was also filled with the Holy Spirit after his conversion. When he on his journey to Damascus confessed Jesus to be his Lord, believed, and prayed to Jesus, he still had to wait three days before getting back his sight and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It took place when the disciple Ananias prayed for him:

- (Acts 9:3-6,10-11,17-18) And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me?

5 And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.”

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays,

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized.

Ephesus. One good example of how salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are different events is the description of the congregation in Ephesus. They had already found salvation and were disciples (cf. Acts 9:10, 11:26, 13:52), but had not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit. They got it through Paul who placed his hands on them:

- (Acts 19:1-6) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said to them, To what then were you baptized? And they said, To John’s baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

2. CAN WE ALWAYS RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONNECTION WITH WATER BAPTISM?

The second issue needing clarifying is the question of whether water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are always simultaneous events. Some people have really thought that they would always be simultaneous, so that whenever a person is baptized with water, he also immediately receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.

   But is this view correct? If we look at it in the light of the next examples, we will find them to go against it:

Different events. One indication of the events not being the same is that the Bible separates water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit from each other, making them different events:

- (Mark 1:8) I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

- (John 1:33) And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said to me, On whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.

- (Acts 1:4-5) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

The Apostles are another example. They, too, were certainly baptized with water before the Pentecost, because they baptized other people already before it. There is no mention at all of their own water baptism in connection with the Pentecost.

   Instead, they had assembled together at Pentecost, certainly to pray, when they received the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit:

- (John 4:1-3) When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

- (Acts 2:1-4) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat on each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

In Samaria, the gift of the Holy Spirit was received only after people had found salvation by the sermon of Philip and they had been baptized (cf. Mark 16:16, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.). They received the gift of the Holy Spirit only after Peter and John placed their hands on them:

- (Acts 8:12, 14-17) But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen on none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

In the home of Cornelius, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and water baptism were also different events. People received the gift of the Holy Spirit through the sermon of Peter, but they were baptized after this:

- (Acts 10:44- 48) While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

In Ephesus, the believers did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit through water baptism, but only after Paul placed his hands on them. Mere water baptism did not give them the gift of the Holy Spirit:

- (Acts 19:5-6) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

Jari Iivanainen