Spirit Baptism

Did the baptism with the Holy Spirit, itself, empower the Apostles?

The baptism with the Holy Spirit did not of itself empower the Apostles to do the work of an Apostle.  We can be sure of this because Cornelius and his household would have been empowered also.

What power did the Apostles receive?

They received the following powers:

• The Holy Spirit taught them all things. And brought to their remembrance all that Jesus said to them.  John 14: 26
• Whatever you ask of the Father in the name of Jesus, He may give to you. 

           John 15: 16

• The Holy Spirit will bear witness of Me, and you shall bear witness also because you have been with Me from the beginning.   John 15: 27
• The Spirit would guide them into all truth, for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.  John 16: 13
• He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. 

           John 16:14

• If you shall ask the Father for anything in the name of Christ, He will give it to you in My Name.    John 16: 23

How do we know that the “power” is not the Holy Spirit? 

We can be certain because:

• The Apostles were to receive power when the Holy Spirit fell on them.  Acts 1: 8
• If the power was the Holy Spirit then Cornelius and his household would have received the power because they received the Holy Spirit just like the Apostles.     Acts 10: 47

What are the gifts of the Spirit?  1 Corinthians 12: 7-11

They are:

• Word of wisdom
• Word of knowledge
• Faith
• Gifts of Healing
• Effecting of Miracles
• Prophecy
• Distinguishing of Spirits
• Various kinds of tongues
• Interpretation of tongues

What is the baptism with the Spirit?

The following is said in the Scriptures:

• Baptism with the Spirit is immersion with the Spirit, just as baptism with water is immersion in water.  Acts 1: 5
• It is the pouring out of the Spirit on all mankind.  Acts 2: 17  Peter said this is that  2: 16
• It is the Spirit coming upon you.  Acts 1: 8
• It is the Holy Spirit falling on them.  Acts 10: 44
• It is the pouring out of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 10: 45
• It is receiving the Holy Spirit.  Acts 10: 47
• It is receiving God’s gift.  Acts 11: 17
• It is receiving the Holy Spirit.   Acts 15: 8

With what does the “baptism with the Spirit” have to do?

The “baptism” means immersion, it has to do with how the Holy Spirit is dispersed, not with what is dispersed.  God poured out His Spirit so richly and so abundantly that they were said to be immersed in the Spirit.

How does God pour out His Spirit today?

God pours out the Spirit richly or abundantly through Jesus Christ.   Titus 3: 6

What did Cornelius receive?

He received the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gave him the gift of the Spirit, the ability to speak in tongues to confirm that he had received the Spirit.  

Acts 10: 45, 46

What did the Apostles receive at Pentecost?

They received the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gave them the special powers promised by Christ and the gift of speaking in tongues.  The sound of the rushing mighty wind and the tongues as fire were incidental.  They were the attention getters.

Conclusion:

The baptism with the Spirit does not have to do special powers per se.  The baptism has to do with the immersion in the Spirit.  God gives the Holy Spirit to all His people.  The Spirit gives gifts as He wills.  The Apostles received special powers as promised by Jesus.  They also received the “gifts of the Spirit” and bestowed the Spirit by the laying on of hands.

Baptism with the Spirit indicates that God pours out  the Spirit on all of mankind so richly and abundantly that they are said to be immersed in the Spirit.

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Last Update   10/28/04