2. What Is Spirit Baptism?
What Is Spirit Baptism?
To begin with the Bible does not actually use the expression “Spirit Baptism”. This type of baptism is usually in reference to the New Testament scriptures which speak of those who were baptized “with the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, Acts 11:16).
The Bible usually reflects this type of phenomenon as a movement of the Holy Ghost (God) acting upon or within a believer.
We first need to understand that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Holy Ghost, are all one in the same and regardless which description is used they are all expressions of God.
(1 Corinthians 12:3-6) “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”
(Acts 5:3-4) “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:8) “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
(1 Corinthians 3:16) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
This type of baptism, Spirit baptism (which some call being baptized with the Holy Ghost or receiving the Holy Ghost), is important for it is only for those of us who believe in this phenomenon of Jesus being the risen Son of God and his promise of eternal life through him who scriptures indicate will be saved or receive this gift of God’s grace given to man (eternal life through faith by grace – Romans 10:9-10, 1Peter 1:18-21, 1John 5:10-13, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Ephesians 2:8)
Spirit baptism (baptized with the Holy Ghost) also differs from water baptism in another way.
Whatever power (or abilities) that may be given the recipient after receiving this spiritual baptism experience, is called a spiritual “gift”. As expected this ability is above what humans would naturally be born with. This does not however indicate that the manifestation of these gifts will all be the same, which is determined only by God as he wills.
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Hebrews 2:4 “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”
What To Expect From A Spiritual Baptism
This type of experience, regardless what you choose to call it, “Spirit baptism”, “baptized with the Holy Ghost” or “Born Again”, are all expressions which indicate a spiritual rebirth or a renewing of our will being submitted (dying out to self), to embrace/do the will of God. However this does not mean that an immediate outward manifestation has to be made to experience a spiritual baptism. To the contrary, Spirit baptism, by its very nature indicates that being born again is normally reflected as something that is experienced from within or is invisible (being Spiritual as such).
(John 3:5-8) “Jesus answered, ………… 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
Jesus also confirms this to be true and identified some signs that would be made manifest after this baptism took place (it followed them) as evidence.
(Mark 16:16-18) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Take note least you be deceived by someone asserting something that is not scripture. Jesus indicated various signs would take place but it is also clear that Jesus does not place a time limit on the manifestation of these signs, neither do most religious doctrines make claims that every man should exhibit each of these listed attributes as MANDATORY or REQUIRED to indicate evidence of a recipient who has been baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Unless there is an outward manifestation, we cannot see a Spirit baptism taking place within man.
It is our faith in God’s grace which saves us, not necessarily any specific manifestations.
(Ephesians 2:8) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
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