Why the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not for Today
Understanding the Baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts is difficult. But I found the keys are the Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:27 and the Samarians Acts 8:5. In essence, all had the Holy Spirit but only the Samarians had the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
These received the gift of the Holy Spirit according to Peter in Acts 2:28 just as we do today. But the Samarians also received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit through the apostle’s hands which the Eunuch did not.
On Pentecost God baptized the 12 Apostles with the Holy Spirit who also spoke in tongues. According to Acts 2:38 the eunuch and the Samarians had the gift of the Holy Spirit through Philip’s preaching. But Philip could not provide the baptism of the Holy Spirit for either. Acts reveals that beyond the two outpourings, only the Apostles through the laying on of their hands could baptize people in the Holy Spirit. It was the proof of apostleship Hebrews 2:4.
When the Apostles visited the Samarian converts, they laid their hands on them baptizing them in the Holy Spirit. But this was not the case with the Eunuch. It says he went on his way rejoicing after Philip baptized him in water.
So the Samarians and the Eunuch received the gift of the Holy Spirit through Philip’s preaching. But only the Samarians received the baptism with the Holy Spirit through the Apostles’ hands.
About 7 years later, God poured out the Holy Spirit on the gentiles at Cornelius’ house which resulted in their speaking in tongues just as the Apostles did at Pentecost.
Scripture doesn’t mention the 3000 converts on the day of Pentecost as baptized with the Holy Spirit. Nor the 5,000 converts days later. But we might assume those whom the Apostles baptized in water also received the baptism with the Holy Spirit through their hands. But anyone baptized by someone other than an apostle would have been like the Eunuch who received only the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Later, Paul preached to the disciples at Ephesus Acts 19:1. These like the Eunuch received the gift of the Holy Spirit. But they also received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit through the apostle’s hands the same way the Samarians did.
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit provided God’s word through tongues and prophecy until the New Testament canon became complete. How do we know this? Paul says scripture thoroughly equips us 2 Timothy 3:17. Paul said tongues and prophecy provided only partial knowledge 1 Corinthians 13:9. So it makes sense scripture replaced them when completed.
Beyond Acts, the Corinthians no doubt received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit through Paul’s hands. And Paul mentioned he wanted to visit the Romans to give spiritual gifts to them too Romans 1:11. Paul mentions laying his hands on Timothy who also received a gift 2 Timothy 1:6.
So we can say scripture directly supports the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for those ministered to by an apostle. That it was not for all. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit passed into history with the rest of the apostles Hebrews 2:4 because only they provided it as a sign of their authority. And that scripture replaced the fragmentary gifts of tongues and prophecy with the completed revelation. And we can confidently say believers from Pentecost on have the gift of Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:38, but not the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Just as the Eunuch and believers since then.
First of all, there are many baptisms in scripture. And only one baptism is saving. The saving one baptism is being baptized into Christ by the Spirit. This is not the baptism with the Holy Ghost or the baptism of water under the old covenant and diverse washings (Hebrews 9).
Every believer needs this one baptism but not all may have the baptism with the Holy Ghost for power in ministry and witness etc.
The baptism with the Holy Ghost is for all believers into the ends of the Earth. We see various ways the Holy Ghost baptism came. Some were just sitting in the upper room, non preaching or laying on of hands. Others heard Peter preaching words and they were baptized with the Holy Ghost. Others had men lay hands on them to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. But in all cases it is Jesus who baptises with the Holy Ghost.
He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
But to have this baptism from Jesus with the Holy Ghost a person must first have Jesus Christ in them being baptized into Jesus Christ. Then He will baptize them.
Also you said
“. Paul said tongues and prophecy provided only partial knowledge
1 Corinthians 13:9. So it makes sense scripture replaced them when completed”
This is chief error many make here. This is not talking about the scriptures to come as that which is perfect. For they already had Holy scripture which is able to make them perfect unto every good work 2 Timothy 3:15,16,17.Timothy has these from a child. And all believers had God working directly in them to make them “perfect” unto every good work (Hebrews 13:20,21). They also had the apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints. And they had been given already all things that pertain to life and godliness. So why try to make them seem as if they could not have been made perfect then and only some future people could be?? This is a grand error.
Also the meaning of that which is perfect section is paralleled by Paul again here,
“ Philippians 3:10. That I may know him, and the
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;11. If by any mean
s I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus...15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
And that expression
“I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus”
Is similar to the one in Corinthians where it says
“ 1 Corinthians 13:12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part;
but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
Speaking of the resurrection and seeing Christ face to face and in a glorified body.
The words “apprehend” and “know” are similar in meaning in Greek
Know-“a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge),
perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand”
And
Apprehend-“from
2596 and
2983; to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively):--apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain,
perceive, (over-)take.