The problem with understanding the 2 Holy Spirit baptisms is that the church today (and what it has been taught) is so different than what the NT church believed in. Satan has been successful in deceiving the church about several things, including “the baptism with the Holy Spirit” and the 9 spiritual power gifts (1 Cor. 12).
So, please read the following with an open mind & heart.
Paul said:
the Holy Spirit is the One who baptizes the new believer:
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body [the church] … and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
The new believer (a BAC) receives the Holy Spirit INSIDE (John 14:16-23, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Galatians 4:6, 2 Timothy 1:14, 1 John 3:24,
1 John 4:12-16).
First: Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to His 11 disciples:
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so
I am sending you.” Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22)
And the Holy Spirit baptized them as new believers
(see 1 Cor 12:13 above). Please note …
All BACs are given peace by “the Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
“For Christ Himself has brought peace to us.” (Ephesians 2:14)
“God’s peace exceeds anything we can understand” (Philippians 4:7)
John the Baptist said:
Jesus is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit
in the following verses:
Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33.
Second: Jesus promised them that they would receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which brings a spiritual anointing and power:
● “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.”
(Luke 24:49, NKJV)
● “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before
[in Luke 24:49]. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4)
● “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere …” (Acts 1:8)
The baptism with the Holy Spirit was the gift which had been promised.
Third: Jesus’ 11 disciples witnessed to many others
who became BACs:
“During this time, when about 120 believers
were together in one place, Peter stood up
and addressed them, “Brothers …” (Acts 1:15)
These 120 were all new believers (BACs actually) …
and they had received the Holy Spirit INSIDE
(see 1 Corinthians 12:13 above).
Fourth: a few days later, the now 12 disciples
(and others) experienced the day of Pentecost:
“On the day of Pentecost all the [120] believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring
of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled [up]on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking
with other languages [tongues], as the Holy Spirit
gave them this ability.” (Acts 2:1-4)
On the day of Pentecost above, the Holy Spirit came
UPON the 120 believers. Peter tried to explain …
“And the Father gave Him [Jesus] the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. … Each of you must repent of your sins and turn
to God, and be [water] baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This promise is to you, and to your children,
and even to the Gentiles …” (Acts 2:33-39)
Other examples of the baptism with the Holy Spirit (where we see UPON)
“… Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them* … For as yet He
[the Holy Spirit] had fallen upon none of them*.
They* had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them*, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying,
‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom
I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’”
(Acts 8:14-19) * the Samarians
“… the Holy Spirit fell upon all those [Gentiles]
who heard the word … the gift of the Holy Spirit
had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they [Peter and his companions] heard them speak
with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter asked,
‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized [in water] who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be [water] baptized in the name of the Lord.“ (Acts 10:44-48)
“… the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at
the beginning. Then I remembered the word of
the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ” (Acts 11:15-16)
“… they [the disciples in Ephesus] were baptized [in water] in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues
and prophesied …” (Acts 19:5-6)
Water baptism preceded the baptism with the Holy Spirit (but in Acts 10 above the reverse was true).
There are other examples of this baptism
(where UPON is not specified).
