...Baptism and the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts Water Baptism vs Baptized with the Spirit and Power The book of Acts begins with Jesus' parting words to His apostles before His ascension to the right hand of God the Father. In His opening statement Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, and He does this by distinguishing the coming of the Spirit from the baptism of John. “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5) John had testified the same of his baptism, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11, also in all the other Gospels: Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33) So there are two types of baptisms in the book of Acts, what the old theologians called baptismus flaminis (the outpouring of special gifts of the Holy Spirit) and baptismis fluminis (the Baptism of water which is a Sacrament of the remission of sins). (See Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, II.289, note 53) Water Baptism: John's, Jesus' and the Church's Baptism (baptismis fluminis) Of these two types of baptism, the first is the baptism of John, and then commanded (and expanded) by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and given to all the converts on Pentecost, etc. (This is the normal baptism that continues today. We see many of these in Acts, including Acts 2:41; 8:12-16, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15...
Words: 1277 - Pages: 6
...How to Receive Baptism in the Holy Spirit John 14:12, 16-17, 26 John 15:26 John 16:7, 12--15 Luke 24:49 Acts 1:4, 5, 8 Acts 2:1-4 Acts 2:38-39 Acts 8:14-17 Acts 9:17 & 1 Corinthians 14:18 Acts 10:44-48 Acts 19:1-6 Mark 16:17 Luke 11:13 Mark 11:24 1 Corinthians 14:14, 15 Jude 20 The new language of the Holy Spirit is not meant to be understood by the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:14). God understands everything which the Holy Spirit helps believers to pray this way. Prayers in the Holy Spirit's language are perfect prayers because the Holy Spirit knows exactly what the recipient needs (1 Corinthians 14:15-17). He is not limited by our vocabulary, understanding, or desire for privacy. There are some things about which you might not pray in your native tongue, but which the Holy Spirit might guide your tongue to pray. Examples might include prayer for the eradication of your pride through chastisement, or prayer for the healing of personal female or male problems, or prayer for the restoration of a so-called model-couple’s troubled marriage. You probably would not pray aloud for these things with understanding. But you could pray for these things aloud by the Holy Spirit in a language no one understands and there would be no embarrassment for you or the recipients. When a person receives a new language upon receiving the Holy Spirit, that is the SIGN of tongues, not the GIFT of tongues. The person with the sign of tongues has one language (Mark 16:17;...
Words: 514 - Pages: 3
...Reflection Paper #2 Introduction On this reflection paper, the topics I choose were the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” and the “Rapture”. I choose these topics because they both bring topics of debate with them. There are many different views on these two topics and I will try to shed some light on them. Through Biblical research and theological definitions, we will try to discover the purpose and meanings of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Rapture. The first topic of discussion is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This topic stirs up much debate in the denominational realms of the church. There are many different views and standpoints on this topic. John 1:33 states that when John the Baptist, after witnessing the descent of the Holy Spirit as a dove at the baptism of Jesus, recorded these words: “He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost”. Later Jesus promised His disciples, “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). On the day of Pentecost, the disciples had a number of experiences involving the Holy Spirit, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The disciples spoke in tongues to address the gospel of Christ to many different nations in attendance of Pentecost. This event was the start of the church and its spread of the gospel of Christ to all nations. Many Christians today have confused...
Words: 1274 - Pages: 6
...received a spiritual experience they call the baptism in the Holy Spirit. At the present time, hundreds of millions of believers identify themselves with the movement that teaches and encourages the reception of that experience. The global expansion of that movement demonstrates the words of Jesus Christ to His disciples that when the promised Holy Spirit came upon them, they would receive power to be His witnesses to all the world (Acts 1:5,8). The New Testament emphasizes the centrality of the Holy Spirit's role in the ministry of Jesus and the continuation of that role in the Early Church. Jesus’ public ministry was launched by the Holy Spirit coming upon Him (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). The Book of Acts presents an extension of that ministry through the disciples by means of the empowering Holy Spirit. The most distinguishing features of the baptism in the Holy Spirit are that: (1) it is theologically and experientially distinguishable from and subsequent to the new birth, (2) it is accompanied by speaking in tongues, and (3) it is distinct in purpose from the Spirit’s work of regenerating the heart and life of a repentant sinner. Baptism in the Holy Spirit The term “baptism in the Holy Spirit” does not occur in Scripture. It is a convenient designation for the experience predicted by John the Baptist that Jesus would “baptize in [Greek en] the Holy Spirit”1 (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John...
Words: 568 - Pages: 3
...THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTS 1:8 A Paper Presented to Professor Gary May Liberty University Lynchburg, VA In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for Acts BIBLE 364-B09 By Donna McCurrie-Bowen 3/8/13 Introduction The purpose of the Book of Acts was to offer a history of the early church with a focus on the Holy Spirit and how it is the “life principle” of the Church (Johnson 1992, 14). The book focuses on the day of Pentecost and how one can be empowered by being a witness for Jesus Christ. Specifically, Acts tells the reader that the purpose of the book is to write “about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven” (Acts 1:1-2); this, according to Bock (2007, 51) is a reminder from his gospel and is used as a reaffirmation. Acts is the record of the apostles being Christ’s witness in Jerusalem, Judea, and the rest of the surrounding area. Hengen (1979, 71) implies that Acts is to be read as a gospel for edification purposes, it is also a gospel that specifically shows the reader how the Holy Spirit works. Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The book gives the reader insight into how the Holy Spirit works to guide, teach, empower, and serve as a person’s overall counselor. The Book of Acts records...
Words: 2851 - Pages: 12
...History and Theologies of Pentecostals and Charismatics…….……….………2 a. Brief History of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements……..……….2-3 b. The Beliefs of the Pentecostals and Charismatics…………………..............3-5 III. The Bible and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit……………………..……….…….....5 IV. The Bible and Gifts of the Holy Spirit…………………………………….………..6 V. Scholarly Perspectives on Speaking in Tongues ………………………….………..7 a. Speaking in Tongues: A Reversal of the Babel Event at Pentecost….……..7-8 b. Psychiatric Views of Speaking in Tongues……………………….…......….8-9 c. Speaking in Tongues as Spiritual Warfare…………………………….…....9 VI. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….…....10 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………......…11 I. Introduction Author Paul Enns presents his perspectives on the supernatural gift of speaking in tongues and the Holy Spirit in his book The Moody Handbook of Theology, Revised and Expanded. However, Enns believes that gift ceased at the end of the Apostolic Age. This view is flawed because it does not take into account the manifestation of the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues in today’s modern world. Whether the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still at work and bestowed upon believers today is an issue causing considerable confusion, disagreement, and tension within the Christian community. There are as many arguments for as against the degree of...
Words: 3207 - Pages: 13
...Chapter 1 Christian life is to live in the Spirit. All persons who have the Spirit of God are children of God, and all those who are children of God have the Spirit of God. It is impossible to have the Spirit of God without being a child or a child of God without having the Spirit (Rom. 8:9). Paul said that life in the Spirit and who belong to Christ are synonymous expressions. In other words Paul is saying no one can belong to Christ without the Spirit. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 states when we purchased and the price has been paid in full, then our bodies are not our own but belongs to Him who buy / redeem us. Therefore redemption, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit because God himself who gives us the Holy Spirit. So, having the Holy Spirit is not the result of human effort but a gift from God. The Holy Spirit declared Christ to us so that we repent, and The Holy Spirit forming Christ in us. Does it have the same Holy Spirit baptism of Holy Spirit? There are two opinions of the 'same' and 'not equal'. Those who argue are not the same holy spirit teach that baptism is the experience of the two that follow, which should be experienced by all Christians after water baptism. On the other hand, argues that the baptism of the Holy Spirit belongs to all believers who have truly repented. Outpouring or baptism of the Holy Spirit is one of special blessing of the new age (2 Cor. 3:8). The phrase appears only the baptism of the holy spirit in the Bible as much as 7 times in the New...
Words: 1917 - Pages: 8
...more than the thoughts and feelings of participants because they have to be understood psychologically and theologically. There are seven sacraments in Catholicism: Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, The Eucharist, Penance, Anointing the Sick and Holy Orders. People learn and remember and they remember from practice of prayer and of the involvement and preparation of the sacraments. (Martos 2009). These sacraments help people work together in the Catholic Community and celebrate God every day. Mt 25 34-46. Confirmation is one of three Catholic sacraments of initiation, it connects the recipient and reveals communion with God and his grace. “Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states: by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. They are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” In the Eastern Catholic churches, Confirmation is known as Christmation and confers a, “sacramental character that cannot be erased and predisposes the Christian person to receive the life of God and his division protection.” According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “A sacrament is which the Holy Ghost is given to those already baptized in order to make them strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus. Confirmation can be conferred only on those who have...
Words: 2822 - Pages: 12
...tongues currently being debated, one must begin with a definition of spiritual gifts and their purpose. A spiritual gift is the God-given capacity of every Christian that enables him or her to carry out or perform his or her function in the body of Christ. Spiritual gifts are different from the fruit of the Spirit. According to Galatians, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). The fruit of the Spirit is the natural harvest of a spiritually mature Christian whereas Christians receive a spiritual gift at the time of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Thus, the initial indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a Christian is at his or her baptism in the Holy Spirit. This indwelling occurs when the non-believer accepts Christ and joins all other Christians in the body of Christ. At the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a spiritual gift is given, and the work on the fruit of the Spirit begins. This baptism first occurred on the Day of Pentecost to...
Words: 814 - Pages: 4
...with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11 ESV, Baptism is found all over the New Testament. The definition of baptism is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. John the Baptist mentions that he will baptise in water, but someone mightier than he, will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire. Baptism and the Spiritual gifts are the two major things that I will address. The argument that I will be looking at is the baptism...
Words: 983 - Pages: 4
...as differentiate them from Spiritual fruits and show which one is a sign of spiritual maturity. This essay will also discuss speaking in tongues, defining it, discussing if it is a sign of baptism in the Holy Spirit and arguing whether or not it is still a valid spiritual gift today. Spiritual Gifts are “gifts of God enabling the Christian to perform his or her (sometimes specialized) service” in the church.[1] They are supernatural gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit that enhance the work and ministry of the Christian. [2] Depending on which gift is given you use them to spread the Word of God and help the church to grown. They can be anything from the gift of prophesy, to the gift of speaking in tongues to the gift of administration. The gifts all have a place in ministry within the church. Spiritual gifts are not to be confused with Fruits of the Spirit. Fruits of the spirit such as love, joy, peace, kindness, etc. are all things that are produced in us by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). These things are not given to us, but brought out from inside of us through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Fruits of the Spirit relate to our character, not the things we can do. Having these brought out in us is a sign of spiritual maturity. Spiritual Gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8). These gifts can be given to and employed by the most immature believer.[3] Therefore, Spiritual gifts are not a sign of spiritual maturity. Speaking in tongues is speaking...
Words: 1401 - Pages: 6
...Baptism in the Lord's Way Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Savior revealed the true method of baptism to the Prophet Joseph Smith, making clear that the ordinance must be performed by one having priesthood authority and that it must be done by immersion: “The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. ”Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water“ (D&C 20:73–74). The Savior taught us that all men and women must be born again. Nicodemus, one of the rulers among the Jews, came surreptitiously to the Savior by night and said, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 5 Nicodemus was bewildered and...
Words: 901 - Pages: 4
...The Holy Spirit and the Spiritual Gifts Natalie Barrionuevo Liberty University Introduction Growing up in and out of church I have not only heard about the Holy Spirit but also seen the works of the Holy Spirit and the gifts that accompany it. The Holy Spirit plays a key role in a Christian’s daily life. God has given us this companion as a substitute for himself to lead and guide us on our Christian walk. With this companion comes gifts which we have the ability to receive through Christ to help us along our journey. Here, we will discuss the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts that can accompany it. Holy Spirit Theological Definition Baptism in the Spirit is the moment when the spirit begins to operate in a believer’s life. Being baptized in the spirit does not mean you are more spiritually mature or holier than the next person. Spirit baptism cannot be equated with receiving the gifts of the spirit. (Elwell, 1996) Biblical Foundation The Holy Spirit is discussed throughout the entire bible. In Genesis 1: 2 it states “The earth was formless and empty, and the darkness covered the deep waters, and the spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (KJV/NLT, 2005). This is the first...
Words: 1592 - Pages: 7
...According to the Tyndale Commentary, “The Holy Spirit is the third person of the God Head. The Holy Spirit is also, the way men receive power and help which bring us into fellowship with God”. John 15:26, tells us that when the comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which comes from the Father, he shall testify of me. Jesus implies, that he has many things to tell them but they cannot bear them until the comforter (Helper)... Comes which will guide you into all truth, he will speak and show you things. The comforter will glorify Jesus and the Father. Jesus was letting the disciples know that the Holy Spirit has his personal characteristics’, which are a mind, a will and emotions. John. 16:12-16. Acts 1:2-9. The disciples saw Jesus for 40 days after the resurrection…. Jesus ate with the disciples : According to Longnecker, This was known as the Breading of Bread which is the passion of Christ. Acts 2:42-47. Acts 1:14, 24 6:1-10 10:4-9. Referring to, Christ as the Church, while giving them special instruction to wait in Jerusalem until they receive promised from the Father. . The Holy Spirit was imparted into the believers before Jesus ascended. Acts. 1:4-5. The Promise: was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Matt.10:20. Bruce, explains ,“The Holy Spirit , promised by the risen Savior, comes to the disciples on the day of Pentecost.. Seven weeks after The Easter Festival.” Acts 2:1-5: the First Fruit Festival (Wheat Harvest)...
Words: 1760 - Pages: 8
...Christianity holds baptism as one of the most Significant sacrament an individual receives as it symbolizes the life and acceptance of Jesus Christ and the presents of the Holy spirit. For Christians Baptism is new life and the purification of sins as it will constantly become a reminder of faith and the death and resurrection of Christ. For the individual, Baptism is the beginning of a new life and commitment to the church. However the community provide guidance and growth for the individual and their own mission through the this sacrament is remembered. Baptism is highly significant to both the individual and the community as it was commanded by Christ through the Holy book as well as creating unity through the church. Christians believe that in order to live a fulfilled life in God’s kingdom is to be baptized just like his son Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. It is evident through the Bible that Jesus commanded Christians “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit”. Baptism for the individual meets Christ’s command as they will now live life in the example of Christ. Baptism is a constant reminder for the individual of faith and forgiveness as who receives baptism received the assurance of forgiveness and the gift of guidance by the holy spirit. it is through baptism that an individual experiences inner change and transformation through the power and strength of Christ. Jesus’...
Words: 514 - Pages: 3
