Baptism in the Holy Spirit Field Guide™️

Purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit

To empower the believer for the supernatural Christian service. See Acts 1:8; and Luke 24:49.

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.”1
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”2

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a supernatural seal from God acknowledging that the person has already entered the body of Christ. This sign was recognized and accepted by all in the early church.

Verses to Study: Acts 10:47 Acts 11:17-18 Acts 15:7-9.

But what is “baptism”?

The word “baptism” is what is known as a cognate–a word borrowed from another language, in this case the Greek language. Borrowed, however, does not even do it justice, it’s more of a straight transliteration. As a result, the English word baptism has taken on all manner of ecclesiastical meanings, most of them not justified.

The transliteration ‘baptize’ signifies the ceremonial character that NT narratives accord such cleansing, but the need of qualifying statements or contextual coloring in the documents indicates that the term β. was not nearly so technical as the transliteration suggests.3

In Greek the verb βαπτίζω means to dip, plunge, or wash for ceremonial purification or as a rite for renewing or establishing a relationship with God.

What can we observe from this? Since one is being dipped, plunged, or washed, the whole person is baptized. As a rite that renews or establishes a relationship, baptism marks a transition. The person baptized is passing from one condition into another.

What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a New Testament term. There are seven passages in the New Testament where the word “baptize” is used concerning the Holy Spirit. Verses to study:

  • Matt. 3:11
  • Mark 1:8
  • Lk. 3:16
  • John 1:33
  • Acts 1:5
  • Acts 11:16; and
  • 1Cor. 12:13

The phrase “to be baptized in the Holy Spirit” implies that the whole person is immersed in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes down upon the believer from above and from the outside. Verses to study:

  • Acts 2:4;
  • Acts 8:15, 17;
  • Acts 10:47; and
  • Acts 19:2.

Receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit is analogous to that of drinking water:

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 7:37–39 (KJV)

Verses to Study:

  • Acts 2:2
  • Acts 2:17, 18
  • Acts 2:33
  • Acts 8:16
  • Acts 10:44-45
  • Acts 11:15-16
  • Acts 19:6

There are two distinct experiences with the Holy Spirit.

The first one is salvation and the second is the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The gospels demonstrate that there two distinct experiences with the Holy Spirit.

  • John 4:14
  • John 7:37-39
  • Luke 11:11-13
  • John 14:17
  • Matt. 9:17 (NASB)

Jesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that Jesus came to the earth emptied of the attributes of deity.

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:6–7 (KJV)

Of “no reputation” means a “divestiture of position or prestige: of Christ, who gave up the appearance of his divinity and took on the form of a slave….”4 If He was emptied of his Deity, how did Jesus do his might works? He was anointed like the other Old Testament prophets.? Jesus was anointed like the other Old Testament prophets:

17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Luke 4:17–19 (KJV)

So, you might be wondering, how was Jesus anointed? Let’s take a look. First, was baptized.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Luke 3:21–22 (KJV)

He also received the Holy Spirit:

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness….

Luke 4:1 (KJV)

Jesus was our model of ministry, those that followed Him were also born again and then filled with the Spirit.

The early disciples of Jesus were first born again (John 20:19-23) then filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

The Samaritan believers received the dual working of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:5-7, 12, and 14.

The Apostle Paul was first converted on the road to Damascus. Later he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 26:14-15; and Acts 9:17.

The household of Cornelius was converted and filled with the Holy Spirit. See Acts 11:13-14; Acts 10:44-46; and Acts 15:7-9.

The disciples at Ephesus also first received Christ, then received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-5; Acts 19:6-7.

Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s operation and presence that produce effects observable by the physical senses is described by demonstration (1 Cor. 2:4), and manifestation (1 Cor. 12:7). There are three places in the New Testament where we are told about the outward manifestations that accompanied the initial infilling of the Spirit: Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-47 and Acts 11:15; and Acts 19:6.

But are you sure that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence?

The book of Acts describes other believers who “received the Holy Spirit” or were “filled with the Spirit,” where nothing is mentioned of speaking in tongues. How can we justify that speaking in tongues is the necessary initial outward manifestation of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Take a closer look at Acts 8:14-17. There is nothing mentioned of speaking in tongues with the reception of the Holy Spirit. But read verses 18-21:

“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou host thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter (Gr. “logos” – utterance or speech)…” (C.f., 1 Cor. 1:5)

Wait a minute—What about the Apostle Paul?

Paul was filled with the Spirit in Acts 9:17 through the ministry of Ananias, but nothing is mentioned of speaking in tongues. Acts 9:17. But, read 1 Cor. 14:18: “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.”

Hold on just a second! What about the accounts in Acts 4:8, 4:31, 13:9, and Eph. 5:18? All those passages mention being “filled with the Holy Spirit,” but nothing is mentioned of speaking in tongues. Remember that there is an initial infilling that is accompanied with speaking in tongues, but there are many fillings of the Spirit after the initial filling. These scriptures refer to subsequent fillings.

Understanding praying/speaking in unknown (or other) tongues

There are two different manifestations of “tongues.” The first is what theologians refer to as “praying in tongues,” or “praying in the spirit.” The second is the “gift of tongues,” or “speaking in tongues.” Let’s have a look.

Praying in other tongues

  • The first definition of tongues is praying In tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:2.
  • The believer is speaking to God, not to man: 1 Cor. 14:14.
  • No one understands what is being said including the speaker. 1 Cor. 13:1; 1 Cor. 14:2.
  • Praying in tongues is subject to the speaker’s will and can be misused. 1 Cor. 14:15, 18-19.
  • Praying in tongues is for all believers. Mark 16:17.

Benefits of praying in other tongues

  • Spiritual edification. 1 Cor. 14:4, 14.
  • Pray in line with God’s perfect will. Rom. 8:26, 27.
  • Stimulates faith. Jude 20.
  • Pray for the unknown. Rom. 8:26.
  • Spiritual refreshment. Isa. 28:11-12.
  • Give thanks. 1 Cor. 14:16-17.

Speaking in tongues as a gift of the Spirit

  • The second definition given by the Apostle Paul concerning speaking in tongues is found in 1 Cor. 14:21.
  • This type of speaking in tongues is not directed to God. It is God speaking through the believer to His people. 1 Cor. 14:21.
  • At times the language is understood by the listener, which would be sign of God’s presence. 1 Cor. 14:22.
  • The gift of speaking in tongues is given to believers “as the Spirit wills.” 1 Cor. 12:11.
  • Speaking in tongues with interpretation edifies the church. 1 Cor. 14:5.
  • Speaking in tongues (the gift of the Spirit) is not for all, but some. 1 Cor. 12:28-30.

The benefits of speaking in tongues

  • God supernaturally speaks to His people. 1 Cor. 14:21.
  • The church receives encouragement and spiritual edification. 1 Cor. 14:26.
  • It is a sign of God’s presence. 1 Cor. 14:22.

Putting it all together: Acts 8:5-21

1. Philip goes to Samaria to preach (v. 5)

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

2. The people listened to Philip’s preaching (v. 6)

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

3. Miracles and joy took place after people listen to Philip’s preaching (vv. 6-8)

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

4. The people believed Philip’s preaching and were baptized (v. 12)

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Note that they were born again, see v.16 “only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

5. Simon the sorcerer believes, was baptized, and witnessed miracles (vv. 9-11,13)

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Note that he was born again, see v.16 “only they were baptized In the name of the Lord Jesus.”

6. Peter and John travel to Samaria to pray that the Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit, because He had not yet fallen on them (vv. 14-16)

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

7. Peter and John pray for the people to receive the Holy Spirit (v. 17)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

8. When Peter and John prayed for the people, Simon saw with his eyes that the Holy Spirit was given (vv. 18-21).

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

What could he see with his eyes that would indicate that the Holy Spirit had been given? He already had been witnessing miracles. See point 5, above. Combine that with the fact that the word translated “matter” is the same Greek word translated utterance or speech5, and It seems reasonable that Simon witnessed speaking in tongues.

  1. Acts 1:8 (NKJV) ↩︎
  2. Lk 24:49 (NKJV) ↩︎
  3. William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000) [BDAG], 164. ↩︎
  4. Ibid. at 539. ↩︎
  5. λόγος – Sense 1, “a communication whereby the mind finds expression, word; ⓐ of utterance, chiefly oral. BDAG, 599. ↩︎

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