Do Christians receive the Holy Spirit when they are saved? If so, how is this experience different from the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Yes, when persons accept Christ, the Holy Spirit begins a great work in their lives. The Spirit convicts them of sin, convinces them of righteousness, and dwells within them (John 6:44; 14:17; Roman 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13). No one becomes a Christian without this gracious work of the Holy Spirit.
However, there is an additional and distinct ministry of the Holy Spirit called the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Baptism is an empowering gift from God the Father that is promised to every believer (Matthew 3:11; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 2:33, 38). It helps the Christian to live a holy life and also brings a new devotional attachment to Jesus Christ, making Him very real and precious. The primary purpose of the Baptism is to give greater power for witnessing (Acts 1:8). Other benefits include a greater joy in spiritual service, and a heightened sense of one's mission to the world.
However, there is an additional and distinct ministry of the Holy Spirit called the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Baptism is an empowering gift from God the Father that is promised to every believer (Matthew 3:11; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 2:33, 38). It helps the Christian to live a holy life and also brings a new devotional attachment to Jesus Christ, making Him very real and precious. The primary purpose of the Baptism is to give greater power for witnessing (Acts 1:8). Other benefits include a greater joy in spiritual service, and a heightened sense of one's mission to the world.
Can a person receive eternal life in heaven without the baptism in the Holy Spirit? If so, why should we be baptized in the Spirit?
Receiving eternal life does not depend on being baptized in the Holy Spirit; for salvation is by grace through faith alone (Habakkuk 2:4; John 6:28, 29; Galatians 3:6; 5:6; Ephesians 2:8). It is a gift purchased for us by Christ when He was crucified. All we have to do is accept the gift.
At the same time, although the Bible does not say the baptism in the Spirit is required for salvation, it does tell us that Christ commanded His first followers to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). The Bible commands us to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). This personal encounter with the Holy Spirit should be sought and cherished by every believer.
At the same time, although the Bible does not say the baptism in the Spirit is required for salvation, it does tell us that Christ commanded His first followers to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). The Bible commands us to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). This personal encounter with the Holy Spirit should be sought and cherished by every believer.
Who should be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
When the believers were assembled in prayer on the Day of Pentecost, "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:4). Not one was left out. It was not just the apostles who were filled, but all the men and all the women in that company of 120 persons. Then the apostle Peter addressed the onlookers and told them that they should be filled. He said "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39).
As Peter said, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for every believer in every generation.
As Peter said, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for every believer in every generation.
What is the evidence of Spirit Baptism?
Whenever the book of Acts describes believers being baptized in the Holy Spirit, the Bible says they spoke in unknown tongues or languages. Therefore, we believe that whenever someone is filled with the Spirit today, he or she will follow this biblical pattern. In the moment of Spirit baptism, the believer cooperates with the inspiration of the Spirit to speak the words that the Spirit gives us to Speak.
A few scriptures to help:
Acts 2:1-4 "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
A few scriptures to help:
Acts 2:1-4 "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
What should I read in the Bible to learn more about the Holy Spirit?
Here are a few places to start:
- The Book of Acts (especially chapters 1-2, 10, & 19)
- 1 Corinthians 12-14
- John 16-17
- Jude
- Galatians 4-6
When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, is he in a semi-conscious state, or is he totally coherent and aware of what is happening?
It is clear from Scripture that there may be accompanying phenomena when a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, on the Day of Pentecost the crowd who witnessed that original outpouring of the Spirit "made fun of them" the 120 who had been filled with the Spirit. The onlookers said, "They have had too much wine" (Acts 2:13). But Peter explained, "These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:15, 16).
The point is clear: there was a dramatic human response to this divine visitation. From outward appearances it was as if these Spirit-filled believers were inebriated. Similar behavior is sometimes seen today when people are filled with the Spirit, but believers' experiences vary widely. Some have been filled with little or no emotional stirring, and yet the experience has been authentic and real.
It is important that each seeking believer yield fully to the Holy Spirit. The accompanying phenomena are established by the sovereign choice of the Holy Spirit. But the emphasis must always be on the inner filling rather than on the emotional experience, which is contrary to the authentic work of the Holy Spirit.
The point is clear: there was a dramatic human response to this divine visitation. From outward appearances it was as if these Spirit-filled believers were inebriated. Similar behavior is sometimes seen today when people are filled with the Spirit, but believers' experiences vary widely. Some have been filled with little or no emotional stirring, and yet the experience has been authentic and real.
It is important that each seeking believer yield fully to the Holy Spirit. The accompanying phenomena are established by the sovereign choice of the Holy Spirit. But the emphasis must always be on the inner filling rather than on the emotional experience, which is contrary to the authentic work of the Holy Spirit.
When an individual is seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, can anything be done to prepare his life or environment that will quicken the infilling?
The question is often asked: "What can I do to claim the promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit for my life?" One thing the believer should do is to seek the Baptizer rather than the Baptism. It is Jesus who baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit. Seekers should focus their attention on Him rather than on an experience.
There are other steps that, if taken, will assist seekers.
There are other steps that, if taken, will assist seekers.
- Understand that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God. It should be received with gratitude and giving of thanks to the Giver. It cannot be earned or merited. It can only be accepted with an open and willing heart.
- Be fully persuaded that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is both biblical and doctrinally correct.
- Confess any known sins in your life and resolve to live a righteous life with God's help.
- Begin to worship the Lord with expressions of praise and adoration.
- Express to the Lord, who is the Baptizer, a desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit for His glory.
- Yield to any deep "welling up" within your spirit and allow that inner surge to break through in expressions of worship, praise, and adoration in a language unknown to you but meaningful to God.
Are there any Christian books I can read to deepen my understanding of the Holy Spirit?
There are so many books out there! Here are a few Pastor Seth & Katie recommend:
- Power for Life by Jeff Leake
- Living in the Spirit by George O. Wood
- The God I Never Knew by Robert Morris
- The Master Mentor by Marvin Gorman
- Goodbye Chicken, Hello Dove by Tim Enloe
- Better Than Jesus by Ty Buckingham
- What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit by Stanley Horton