“. . . but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” – Acts 1:5
Billy Graham once said, “We are the Bibles the world is reading; we are the Creeds the world is needing; we are the Sermons the world is heeding.” A pithy social media exhortation I recently saw said, “Live in such a way that those who know you, but don’t know God, will come to know God because they know you.” Another said, “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” Similarly, the Bible refers to Christians as “an epistle [i.e., letter] of Christ” that are “known and read by all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). When people look at you, what do they read, what do they see?
In Ephesians 4 there is an interesting picture painted by the Apostle Paul who quotes Psalm 68:18, “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” (Ephesians 4:8). The imagery is one of a conqueror returning from a victorious conquest who distributes gifts as evidence of their victory. Paul speaks of Jesus giving spiritual gifts for ministry, gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor/teacher “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of its in love” (Ephesians 4:12-16). Such gifts are given by Jesus as a sign of His victory in the crucifixion and resurrection. Such gifts are given when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person who is called to ministry. If you are in ministry, are such gifts of the victory of Jesus evident in you? Or are you struggling along, discontent, frustrated, and speaking anything but, “the truth in love”?
All of this is the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who have trusted Jesus as Savior. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual life to those who have been born again or spiritually regenerated through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit then empowers Christians to fulfill the Great Commission. The tools the Holy Spirit gives are called spiritual gifts, or literally spirituals. Such spiritual gifting is first seen in the Book of Acts.
Being Spirit-empowered people of God is a prime theme of the Book of Acts. This empowerment is first introduced to us by Jesus in Acts 1 where He speaks of the Promise of the Father, a baptism with the Holy Spirit that empowers to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). This empowerment is described as being baptized with the Holy Spirit because it is a total surrender of self, an emersion in the Spirit. This experience is necessary for serving the Lord.
This experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is described as a coming “upon” (Greek preposition epi) and is an overflowing. This is what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of “rivers of living water” that would gush from the heart of the one baptized with the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). It is Jesus who pours out the Holy Spirit in this way upon those who desire it (Acts 2:33). This is an experience received as a gift of God’s grace through faith (Acts 15:8-9).
What we see in the Book of Acts is that being baptized with the Holy Spirit should be normalized and a necessity for those desiring to serve Jesus. In Acts 1 Jesus insisted His disciples wait and proceed no further in the Great Commission until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, and 8). In Acts 2 at Pentecost, the hundred and twenty in the Upper Room were baptized with the Holy Spirit demonstrating spiritual gifting. Out of this first group arose Peter who stood up and preached the gospel with newfound power resulting in the conversion of three thousand. In Acts 4 we see the refilling or refreshing of the early disciples with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31). In Acts 5 we see a powerful rebuke of the Spirit to those faking this life in the Spirit. In Acts 6 and 7 we see the powerful service rendered by the Spirit filled. In Acts 8 we see the insistence by Peter and John that the converts in Samaria receive this empowerment. In Acts 9 we see enemy Saul converted to servant Paul. He was converted on the Damascus Road as no one can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). He is then empowered as Ananias lays hands on him and prays (Acts 9:17). In Acts 10 we see the Gentile Pentecost and those of Cornelius house saved and empowered by the Spirit. We then see the Spirit leading the Apostles on the First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14), and Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15-18) where they encountered all kinds of people and difficulty but were used powerfully to preach the gospel and overcome opposition. The last segment in Acts 18 shows us that the acts of the Spirit were not performed merely by those who were educated or naturally gifted, like Apollos. No, those used by the Holy Spirit were ordained or anointed to do so. Such an anointing is an empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
What we see throughout the Acts of the Holy Spirit is that Holy Spirit empowerment is essential for ministry and fulfilling the Great Commission and should be the norm. We see the normalcy of this empowerment in the inquiry of the Apostles to the disciples they meet along the way. In Acts 8 and 19 for instance, we see that upon encountering the disciples, the Apostles ask if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. We will dig into the meaning of those inquires. What we will find is an emphasis that the baptism with the Holy Spirit should be the norm in our walk with Jesus. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Therefore, we should be asking, “Am I baptized with the Holy Spirit?” Are you baptized with the Holy Spirit? Have you received the Promise of the Father from Jesus? What do people see in you? What are people around you reading in you?
What is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit?
Looking at the Book of Acts we can summarize what the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is.
First, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is something that Jesus said was necessary; it is something we need to wait for, something we should make sure to have, before we try to serve Him – Acts 1:4. We may accomplish some things for the Lord in our own strength, but we will never accomplish or do as much as we could, as fruitfully as we could, as God-glorifyingly as we could, if we have the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Without the Baptism with the Holy Spirit we will be more like the disciples were pre-Pentecost; confused, fearful, boastful, ineffective. With the Baptism with the Holy Spirit we will be more like the disciples in the Book of Acts. Jesus wants us to be more like His Church in Acts, which is why He insisted the disciples wait in Jerusalem until they received it. That is why He wants us to be baptized with the Holy Spirit as well.
Second, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is the “Promise of the Father” – Acts 1:4. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is something the Father has promised to give us. As a “promise,” it is a gift of His grace. If it is by grace, then it is received by faith not our works. This is an important first step relating to this experience that is important for us to grasp.
Third, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is something Jesus gives us – Acts 2:33. On the Day of Pentecost Peter said that Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God the Father, and that the Promise of the Father, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, is something Jesus, “poured out” on the recipients of Pentecost. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is something we should ask Jesus to provide to us.
Fourth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an enablement provided by the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:5. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a Person, not a force or energy. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an immersion in the Spirit in terms of us fully surrendering to Him and His will. It is when the Holy Spirit not only fills us as at conversion (i.e., being born again – John 3) but overflows us as He comes “upon” us. This is, like water baptism, an immersion of self in the will and power of the Spirit.
Fifth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an empowerment – Acts 1:8. Jesus described it as “power,” (Greek dunamis) or the power to do. This power transcends our own strength. It is not our talent or ability but an empowerment that is the result of the Holy Spirit coming upon (Greek epi preposition) us.
Sixth, the Baptism with the Spirit is power to witness – Acts 1:8. The word “witness” (Greek martys – pronounced mar-tus) means a witness in court, one who testifies to historical facts like the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, an example of the impact Jesus has in your life, one who shares the truth as it is laid out in scripture. We get the English word martyr from this word and sometimes a Christian witness gives their life to be a witness, e.g., Stephen in Acts 7. This witness can only truly be lived out in the power of the Spirit.
Seventh, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is something received by waiting for it in prayer – Acts 1:12-14. About 120 disciples waited in the Upper Room praying fo the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. This is an experience we should wait on the Lord for in prayer.
Eighth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit involves spiritual gifting – Acts 2. On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they spoke in tongues. Tongues is a spiritual gift that enables a person to worship God and enhances their prayer life. It is not the only spiritual gift that accompanies the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, and you don’t necessarily have to speak in tongues to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost Peter demonstrated the spiritual gifting of tongues, discernment, faith, wisdom, prophecy, teaching, and evangelism. In Acts 3 the spiritual gift of healing is given by the Spirit. In Acts 5 the spiritual gift of discernment is seen. Etc. A good study would be to study through Acts looking to identify the spiritual gifts used in the power of the Spirit. At the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit provides us with gifting or enablements to serve Him beyond our own capacities.
Ninth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit gives us holy boldness – Acts 2 and 4. The Apostles stood before their enemies at Pentecost and in Acts 4 and boldly testified to Jesus. The Holy Spirit enables us to be brave and courageous in our witness for Jesus.
Tenth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience that needs to be refreshed – Acts 4:31. In Acts 4 when the disciples prayed it states they were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (an expression used to often refer to the Baptism with the Holy Spirit). This was a refilling and is due to our own human limitations.
Eleventh, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is given to serve – Acts 6-7. Being filled with the Spirit was a prerequisite for those serving just a s much as it was for the Apostles who were giving themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word of God. No matter how or where you serve, do it with the power of the Spirit. Indeed, serving the Lord is an outlet for the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Twelfth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience subsequent or following being born again – Acts 8 and 9. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost came after the disciple’s conversion (Gospels and Acts 1-2). Peter and John prayed for the Christians in Samaria to receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). Saul, who was knocked down off his high horse by Jesus, was instantly saved (“Who are you Lord?” – Paul referred to Jesus as “Lord” which can only be done by the enablement of the Spirit – 1 Cor. 12:3) and then empowered by the Holy Spirit when Ananias prayed for him (Acts 9). In Acts 10 the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles concurrently with their conversion. Apollos received the empowerment of the Spirit after his conversion (Acts 18). The disciples in Ephesus received the Baptism with eh Holy Spirit after they were saved (Acts 19). Sometimes the Baptism with the Holy Spirit comes concurrently with conversion (i.e., at the same time or in close proximity to) and sometimes it comes after conversion.
Thirteenth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit involves the Spirit’s directing us – Acts 11-14. The disciples were directed by the Spirit to embark on their missionary journeys. This doesn’t mean the one baptized with the Holy Spirit will necessarily be directed to foreign lands by the Spirit, it does mean the Holy Spirit will direct us where He wants us to minister. Fruitfulness is found in places where we minister by the direction of the Spirit, but also opposition. Fruitfulness is not necessarily seen in the conversion of souls but involves the presentation of the gospel giving people an opportunity to respond to the gospel.
Fourteenth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit involves heart purity – Acts 15:8-9. When Peter described the experience of the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house being converted and baptized with the Spirit, he did so saying it involves, “purifying their hearts by faith.” the Baptism with the Holy Spirit involves a purification of the heart from those things that are displeasing to God and that hinder the Spirit using us. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, therefore, is connected to holiness and sanctification in our walk with the Lord.
Fifteenth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is received by faith – Acts 15:8-9. When Peter describes the Gentile Pentecost and outpouring of the Holy Spirit he says their hearts were purified “by faith.” As we mentioned earlier, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a “promise of the Father.” If it is a “promise,” then it is a gift of God’s grace. A gift of God’s grace is not something we work for, but something we simply receive, by faith. Pray for the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and receive it by faith.
Sixteenth, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a baptism in the love of the Spirit – Romans 5:5. The fruit of the Spirit, or what the Spirit produces in us, is “love” (Galatians 5:22-24). “Love” (Greek agape – pronounced a-ga-pe) is the term used to describe God’s love (e.g., John 3:16). This “love” is sacrificial and fully committed. This is a love that sacrifices self in the service to God and people. This is a supreme love of God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and a sacrificial love for our neighbor (e.g., Matthew 22:37-40). This love is poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). This love should compel or motivate us in all we do (2 Cor. 5:14-16). Without such love what we do has no eternal value (1 Cor. 13). The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a baptism or overflowing of His love. What we see in Acts is the result of the Spirit pouring out His love into the hearts of the disciples. Their sacrifice, boldness, risking their lives, persistence in the face of persecution, all of it, is the product of the Spirit’s overflowing love in them.
This is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit as we have seen it in Acts. The question remains, “Are you baptized with the Holy Spirit?” If you have any doubt, pray and seek the Promise of the Father, in the name of Jesus, in the power of the Spirit.
Are you Baptized with the Holy Spirit?
When the apostle Paul was on his third missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:14) he came to the major city of Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Once in Ephesus Paul came across some “disciples.” As Paul met and began to fellowship with these disciples, he perceived that something was lacking in their walk with the Lord. Paul’s spiritual gift of discernment led him to ask, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” These disciples weren’t acting or living in a way that someone would normally act if they had the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their lives. If the Holy Spirit is in and upon you the love of God will rule your heart and overflow you (Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Perhaps Paul didn’t see the presence of God’s love in them. Perhaps he didn’t see the power of the Spirit in them (Acts 1:8).
The Problem – Spiritual Life without the Fullness of the Spirit
The disciples Paul saw at Ephesus lacked something in their spiritual walk (Acts 19). Perhaps there was a dryness or lifelessness he perceived in them. Whatever Paul saw it raised his attention and the pastor-teacher in him sought to get to the bottom of the problem.
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our Helper, our Advocate (John 14:15-18, 25-26; 15:26; 16:3-15). He is a Person, the Third Person of the Trinity. We have seen that there are three relational positions a person can have with the Holy Spirit: 1.) The Holy Spirit is “with” you as He is striving with you to draw you to a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Genesis 6:3; John 14:17; 16:8-11); 2.) The Holy Spirit comes “in” you when you receive Jesus as your LORD and Savior (John 14:17; 20:22; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20); 3.) The Holy Spirit will come “upon” you subsequent or after you accept Jesus as LORD and Savior to empower you for service (Acts 1:8). (And also there is an ongoing refreshing or refilling that the Holy Spirit does in the believer according to Acts 4:31 and Ephesians 5:18. See the notes on Acts 4.) The disciples at Ephesus apparently lacked this third experience with the Spirit and Paul sought to address this problem.
There’s a lot more for us to consider. Part One of this series is meant to whet your appetite and get you interested. During Resurrection Week we see Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper, His betrayal by Judas, the sham trial and false accusers, the cowardice of the disciples, Jesus substitutionary atoning death on the cross, and His resurrection. What is often left out of this Holy Week is Jesus’ descent into Sheol where He preached to the captive Old Testament souls of the dead and spirits of fallen angels.
The early church, as seen in such documents as The Apostles’ Creed (i.e., “He descended into hell”) believed that when Jesus died on the cross He at some point descended into Sheol. Sheol had two compartments, one for the unrighteous, one for the righteous (i.e., righteous by faith – e.g., Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4). Jesus spoke of this domain in Luke 16:19-31. Sheol is also alluded to in Ephesians 4:7-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-20. Jesus indicted the unrighteous about their just condemnation. Jesus informed the Old Testament believers who were just by faith of the fulfilled means of their salvation, His atoning death. The righteous had been kept in Abraham’s bosom until the actual atoning sacrifice of Jesus was completed (cf. Romans 3:21-26). His resurrection was proof of the truth of His gospel message and the reality of His victory over death. Jesus then led these righteous souls to heaven with Him in the grandest of victory processions. But further proof of the reality of Jesus’ victory over sin, the devil, and the enemies of God are the spiritual gifts Jesus distributed to accomplish the Great Commission we are all called to. And these spiritual gifts are given at the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Without the baptism with the Holy Spirit and the accompanying spiritual gifting, launching out into service and the ministry of God would be like going into battle without weapons. Without the spiritual gifts and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are to a great extent, powerless against the prowling predator devil and his minions. So I ask once more, Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit? Victory in life depends on how you answer that question. Pray about this. Pray for this series, that the Lord would use it to spark a revival in our land. Lord, in Jesus’ name, send the Holy Spirit upon us. Lord in Jesus’ name, make us what we need to be, to do what You call us to do, for Your glory, until He returns. Amen!