The baptism of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the body of Christ at the moment of salvation. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was predicted by John the Baptist (
Mark 1:8) and by Jesus before He ascended to heaven: “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (
Acts 1:5). This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (
Acts 2:1–4); for the first time, people were permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and the church had begun.
Hello and greetings as well.
Yes, I am a thorough student of the gospel. If I read this correctly, then for the most part I agree with what is said.
#1 = "The baptism of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ..."
Yes, that is what I read in scripture. Once you become baptized, you are following what the gospel commands and enter into Christ's church, thereby being in a saved state. So long as you remain faithful that is and continue in what the gospel states.
#2 = "The baptism of the Holy Spirit was predicted by John the Baptist (
Mark 1:8) and by Jesus before He ascended to heaven: “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (
Acts 1:5). This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (
Acts 2:1–4); for the first time, people were permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and the church had begun."
Now, I see this in scripture and I agree with the verses and what is said in scripture in context, but this is where I think you are starting to sway from what that context is actually saying.
The Holy Spirit acted a DIFFERENT way from "water" baptism only 2 times in the NT. The account happening in Acts 2:1-13 and Acts 10:44-46. It is the ONLY 2 times the Holy Spirit acted this way. It by no means shown salvation and in a saved state. All it shows is that they received miraculous gifts. Not salvation and entering a saved state with Christ.
First Corinthians 12:12–13 is the central passage in the Bible regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (
1 Corinthians 12:13). Notice that we “all” have been baptized by the Spirit—all believers have received the baptism, synonymous with salvation, and it is not a special experience for only a few. While
Romans 6:1–4 does not mention specifically the Spirit of God, it does describe the believer’s position before God in language similar to the 1 Corinthians passage: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
#1 = "
First Corinthians 12:12–13 is the central passage in the Bible regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (
1 Corinthians 12:13)."
I think you are not seeing what the word baptism means maybe?
Strongs G907 =
baptizō = to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk);to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet).
"13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,..."
This chapter and verses are what I use to prove just one church, the church of Christ. That there be "no divisions", that it is not many body's but only one body, and if someone is in another body they are not in Christ's' body.
So, you are baptized "into"(eis Greek word) the ONE body of Christ.
#2 = "Notice that we “all” have been baptized by the Spirit—all believers have received the baptism, synonymous with salvation, and it is not a special experience for only a few."
Unless you tell me otherwise in your next reply, this sounds like when you say "all", you entail even those who are not baptized, as the Greek word defines, and those who do not repent even. That's what it sounds like to me.
Like I stated before, you are not in the body of Christ until you are baptized, therefore you are not saved until you are baptized.
#3 = "While
Romans 6:1–4 does not mention specifically the Spirit of God,"
I would suggest to you Acts 2:38. What happens when you are baptized FOR the remission of sins? This is what Romans 6:1-4 is talking about. This is how one is saved.
The following facts are necessary to help solidify our understanding of Spirit baptism: First,
1 Corinthians 12:13 clearly states that all have been baptized, just as all been given the Spirit to drink (the indwelling of the Spirit). Second, nowhere in Scripture are believers told to be baptized with, in or by the Spirit, or in any sense to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This indicates that all believers have had this experience. Third,
Ephesians 4:5 seems to refer to Spirit baptism. If this is the case, Spirit baptism is the reality for every believer, just as “one faith” and “one Father” are.
Strongs G907 =
baptizō = to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk);to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet).
#1 =" The following facts are necessary to help solidify our understanding of Spirit baptism: First,
1 Corinthians 12:13 clearly states that all have been baptized, just as all been given the Spirit to drink (the indwelling of the Spirit)."
This does not speak of such. Like I said before in this post, Acts 2:1-13 and Acts 10:44-46 are the only 2 times the Holy Spirit acted this way and both times it was talking about miraculous gifts, not salvation.
Further evidence here in Matthew 16:18-19 states that Jesus assured that Peter would open with the "keys" His church/kingdom (they were used interchangeably). Then in Acts 2 and Acts 10, you see both times Peter using those "keys" to open the kingdom to the Jews first, then to the Gentiles.
In Acts 10, the Holy Spirit was showing the Jews with Peter, that Christs kingdom was for ALL people, not just for the Jews (see Acts 11 Jews were mad at Peter). Cornelius, and his friends and household, was only saved when they were baptized Acts 10:47-48 and then they too were added to the Lords church (Acts 2:47).
#2 = "Second, nowhere in Scripture are believers told to be baptized with, in or by the Spirit, or in any sense to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This indicates that all believers have had this experience. "
Yes, they are told to. See Acts 2:38 for one. Many others if you wish for more proof but this should suffice.
38 Then Peter said unto them,
Repent,
and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
Only WHEN you are baptized, for your sins, do you receive the Holy Spirit. This verse just shown your statement false.
#3 = "Third,
Ephesians 4:5 seems to refer to Spirit baptism. If this is the case, Spirit baptism is the reality for every believer, just as “one faith” and “one Father” are."
You are choosing verse I use on people to show unity in one church. This does not imply in the least what happened in Acts 2 and 10.
The "one baptism" in Ephesians 4 refers to this:
church of Christ baptism or Methodist baptism, which will save you?
"one faith" = having faith in Allah or having faith in Christ, which will saved you?
"one body" = Being in Christs church or being in the baptist church, which will save you?
See, one baptism is referring to the fact that if you are baptized by Presbyterian doctrine you are baptized into that faith. It is NOT of Christ. It is NOT Christs body and therefore not the "one baptism" that can save you.
This is a verse I use to show there is only one church and one way of doing things, Christs way or the highway.
In conclusion, the baptism of the Holy Spirit does two things, 1) it joins us to the body of Christ, and 2) it actualizes our co-crucifixion with Christ. Being in His body means we are risen with Him to newness of life (
Romans 6:4). We should then exercise our spiritual gifts to keep that body functioning properly as stated in the context of
1 Corinthians 12:13. Experiencing the one Spirit baptism serves as the basis for keeping the unity of the church, as in the context of
Ephesians 4:5. Being associated with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection through Spirit baptism establishes the basis for our separation from the power of indwelling sin and our walk in newness of life (
Romans 6:1-10;
Colossians 2:12).
#1 = "In conclusion, the baptism of the Holy Spirit does two things, 1) it joins us to the body of Christ, and "
In conclusion from what I posted thus far, this statement is false. One joins the body of Christ when one IS BAPTIZED (Acts 2:38, 41, 47 then compare Romans 6:1-4)
#2 = "2) it actualizes our co-crucifixion with Christ. Being in His body means we are risen with Him to newness of life (
Romans 6:4). "
This is redundant at this point, but you are not in His body until you are baptized (Acts 2:38, 41, 47 compare Romans 6:1-4). Your statement is found false.