Holy Spirit Baptism Or Bust?
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Matthew 28:19-20-Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Jenna (not her real name) was extremely upset as we studied the Bible at a local Subway sandwich shop. She had been recently released from a six month jail sentence, but a few days before she had returned to her home, a local church ministry had come in and begun sharing their denominational beliefs with the inmates. One of the things that had been taught was that unless a person received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they could not be saved! Jenna had begun earnestly seeking the Lord in her time at jail, and she was now very discouraged since she had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Did this mean that she could not be saved without undergoing Holy Spirit baptism?
Actually, the baptism of the Holy Spirit had nothing to do with saving a person from sin. This is made clear in the conversion account of Cornelius, the first Gentile (non-Jewish) convert to Christianity. He was told by an angel to send for Simon Peter to hear God’s Word. Cornelius and his household and close friends (Acts 10:24) received the baptism of the Holy Spirit:
Acts 10:44-45-While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
What is interesting for our present study is what happens in Acts 11. Peter defends his work in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles. He recounts the words that the angel had spoken to Cornelius in sending for him:
Acts 11:13-14-And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’
Please notice that Peter would speak the words to Cornelius by which he and his household would be saved. Notice that the words had to be spoken before Cornelius could be saved!
With that in mind, look at the next verse.
Acts 11:15-And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.
Peter says that the Holy Spirit baptism fell on Cornelius and his household as he “began” to speak. This literally means that the Spirit baptism on Cornelius and his household took place just as Peter began to preach!
“In Acts 11: 4 we read, “Peter began and expounded the matter unto them in order.” In Acts 10 he did not give the events “in order.” In Acts 11, the events are given “in order.” Now in verse 15, Peter said, “As I began to speak. …” And that word means this, says Mr. Thayer’s Lexicon: “( A thing was just begun when it was interrupted by something else. For instance Matt. 12: 1, they had begun to pluck the ears of corn, but they were prevented from continuing by the interference of the Pharisees.) Mk. 2: 23; 4: 1 (He had scarcely begun to teach when a multitude gathered unto Him.) Mk. 6: 2; 10: 41 . .. ; Acts 11: 15 . . .).” That is what Thayer says the expression “as I began to speak,” means. Just as Peter began to speak the Holy Spirit fell on him. Peter said in the 15th chap-ter, “You know that a long time ago that by my mouth God had decided the Gentiles would hear the word of God and believe.” They had not yet heard the word, so they could not have faith. Peter said, “By my word they will have to believe.” And just as he began; here in his speech—( drawing on blackboard; marks line for beginning of Peter’s speech)—suppose that was all of his speech—just as he began, the Holy Spirit fell.” (Thomas B. Warren, L.S. Ballard, Warren – Ballard Debate on the Plan of Salvation, 1041-1051 (Kindle Edition): National Christian Press)
If Cornelius had to hear the words of God before he could be saved, and if he was baptized with the Holy Spirit before he heard the words of God, then Cornelius received the baptism of the Spirit before he was saved. This means that the purpose of Holy Spirit baptism was not to bring salvation from sin!
What then was the purpose of Holy Spirit baptism in the case of Cornelius?
Acts 11:16-18-Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
Holy Spirit baptism was for the purpose of revealing and confirming the Word of God (cf. John 14:26; 16:13). The only two direct examples of Holy Spirit were on the Apostles of Jesus (Acts 2:1-4), and on Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:44-45). Aside from these, the only other examples of Holy Spirit baptism in the New Testament are in cases where there were disciples upon whom the Apostles laid hands (Acts 6:1-7; 8:12-18; 19:1-6; Romans 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:6). As such, Holy Spirit baptism was for specific individuals, for specific purposes, and for a specific time. It was not for saving souls from sin.
After Cornelius and his family and friends received the baptism of the Spirit, look what takes place!
Acts 10:47-48-Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Friends, you don’t need to worry about being baptized in the Holy Spirit. But you should be concerned about being baptized in water to have your sins washed away by the blood of Christ!
Father, thank You for revealing and confirming Your Word. Holy Spirit baptism is not for saving us from sin, but Great Commission baptism is. Help us to heed Your call for salvation. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.