Baptism of Holy Spirit

The promise of out pouring of the Holy Spirit was first prophesied by Prophet Joel (Joel 2: 28-29). In the New Testament john the Baptist said that Jesus will baptize people with Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). In the book of gospel we find, Jesus Christ told people that he will give them the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). In the book of acts we find believers were baptized by Holy Spirit. Peter said it is part of salvation process( Acts 2:38).

In the book of acts after resurrection of Jesus Christ told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized by Holy Spirit.

Acts 1: 5for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 8. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

During His earthly ministry Jesus taught many things to his disciples. They experienced powerful miracles by Jesus. But still during the time of trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we can find them discouraged, frighten and confused. Almost all of them left Jesus and hide themselves. But after the baptism of Holy Spirit in the Pentecost, their life was transformed and they were bold( Acts 4:13) to proclaim the gospel around the world to witness Jesus Christ.

The disciples were first baptized by Holy Spirit in Acts 2. There were total 120 people in the upper room, all of them received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues.

Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Apostle Peter confirmed that this is the same Holy Spirit that was prophesized long ago by Prophet Joel. God wants to pour out his spirit on all people.

Acts 2:16-18 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all people: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

When the people wanted to receive new life, Peter told them about the promised Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is for all who want to receive new life in Jesus Christ.

Acts 2: 38-39 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

We need the Holy Spirit to live the holy life. We can operate in both gifts and fruit of the spirit. Gifts will help you in ministry and fruit of the spirit will help you in building your character. Both are essential for new life.

Examples of baptism of Holy Spirit

Jesus Christ got conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was water baptized at the age of 30 years. Soon after water baptism he was baptized by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit came and rested on him in the form of a dove. (Mt.3:16; John 1:19-34). The Holy Spirit convicts our heart about sin and he helps us to repent. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us for new birth. And at the same time we need to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Apostles were filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). Other disciples also experienced baptism of Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:22-38, 8:12-17; 9:3-18, 10:44-48; 19:1-7)

Book of Acts

CHAPTER	OCCASION	REPENT	BELIEVE	BE BAPTISED (WATER)	BAPTISED BY HOLY SPIRIT
ACTS 2:22-38	PENTECOST	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
ACTS 8:12-17	PHILIP IN SAMARIA		Yes	Yes	Yes
ACTS 8:35-36	PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH		Yes	Yes
ACTS 9:3-18	PAUL’S CONVERSION	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
ACTS 10:42-48	CORNELIOUS CONVERSION		Yes	Yes	Yes
ACTS 16:13-15	LYDIA’S CONVERSION		Yes	Yes
ACTS 16:29-34	PHILIPPIAN JAILOR	Yes	Yes	Yes
ACTS 19:1-7	EPHESIAN DISCIPLES		Yes	Yes	Yes
ACTS 19:17-20	EPHESIAN SORCERERS	Yes	Yes
ACTS 22:6-16	PAUL’S CONVERSION STORY	Yes	Yes	Yes

In most of them, repentance was implied in the context of the story. In all believing was key to their conversion. Also, in all but one is baptism an immediate response of the convicted sinner. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is mentioned 5 of the 10 times that the new births are mentioned. The fact that these aspects are not always mentioned does not mean that they did not happen. It is just based on the focus of the story.

Q. Who may receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

This is for all those who have believed on the Lord Jesus and repented for their sins (Acts 2:38,39, Joel 2:28-29)

Q.What is the sign of the baptism of Holy Spirit?

In the book of Acts we can see whenever someone is baptized by Holy Spirit he started to speak in tongues or other languages or prophecy.

Acts 19:5-7 When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. In these 2 places we see in detail how people had received the Holy Spirit in the bible.

Acts 19:6″… the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues…” (See also Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:45, 46; 1 Corinthians 14:5,18).

Each time we see that the Holy Spirit came on all people and each time they spoke in another language. That was the common experience. It is like a glass of water being filled up to over flowing. When we are filled up it overflows out of our mouth into tongues.

We have to understand here some people may have some emotional experience or some physical manifestations which may not be a sign of baptism of Holy Spirit.

Q. Is repenting for sin and baptism of Holy Spirit same thing?

Lot of people has supernatural experience when they repent from their sins. Repentance brings refreshing (Acts 3:19) as they receive new heart. They confuse this understanding with receiving Holy Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that brings conviction of sin and repentance. But still we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is a difference between coming to Jesus by faith and getting baptised by the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus got conceived by the Holy Spirit, so we need to be born again by the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was baptized by the Holy Spirit, so we too need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Q. How newly converted receives the Holy Spirit?

In book of acts people received it directly or by lying of hand by disciples.

Q. Are there any Hindrances in receiving Baptism of Holy Spirit?

There may be hindrances for several reasons like –

If the person is not properly repented, or
If the person is using intellectual understanding or
If he has wrong understating about tongues/ Holy Spirit

Q. Is repenting for sin and baptism of Holy Spirit same thing?

There is lots of confusion about Holy Spirit baptism. Some believe that Holy Spirit baptism is not a separate experience but it is same as repenting for our sins. They argue because it is Holy Spirit that can only bring conviction of sin. And after repentance we have peace in our heart.

Now we need to understand the baptism of Holy Spirit is indeed a separate experience found in book of Acts. It is very clear that people repented baptized in water and they were baptized by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:4, 5, 8 …. “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about….For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit…. But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word. And they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:5-7 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.

In these 2 places we see in detail how people had received the Holy Spirit in the bible.

It is true that the Spirit of God that helps us to believe in Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that brings conviction of sin and repentance in our heart. After that only we can get baptized in water and Holy Spirit.

Some people have supernatural experience when they repent from their sins. This is because during repentance God remove the heart of stone to heart of flesh. Repentance brings refreshing (Acts 3:19) as they receive new heart. They confuse this understanding with receiving Holy Spirit.

Here we can understand one thing that -there is a difference between coming to Jesus by faith and getting baptized by the Holy Spirit. We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Let us understand it some other way. Jesus was got conceived by the Holy Spirit, so we need to be born again by the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was baptized by the Holy Spirit, so we too need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.