THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“One of Finney’s theological innovations was his increasing tendency to identify the baptism of the Holy Spirit as the means of entering into entire sanctification. By 1840, he spoke of permanent sanctification through such a baptism. He also proposed the possibility of receiving subsequent fresh receptions of the Holy Spirit for believers”. Vinson Synan, the Holiness- Pentecostal Tradition, page 16.

Charles G Finney (1792 -1875) was influenced by Wesley’s sanctification doctrine and believed that you can attain sinless perfection in this life. Although John Wesley did not believe in sinless perfection however, Finney was convinced of this and became an innovator of this questionable doctrine.

Finney’s development of this doctrine placed emphasis on sinless perfection but this teaching has evolved into the second blessing experience for power. 

At the turn of the twentieth century, the Holiness movement was transformed into the Pentecostal movement through William Seymour who was mentored by Charles Fox Parham. The Pentecostal doctrine of the second blessing or “baptism of the Holy Spirit finds its scriptural arguments mainly from the book of Acts. The view is that on the day of Pentecost believers were baptised in the Holy Spirit. The question is, is this a historic biblical teaching?  

Pentecost experience of “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 ESV

As Jesus promised His disciples, after His ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower and equip the church to fulfil the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20). However, this seems to prove the Pentecostal teaching of the second blessing experience.

In Acts, there are four instances of Pentecost and we find the main Pentecost in Acts 2, in the presence of the twelve Apostles. Afterwards, there were mini Pentecosts in cities such as Samaria and Ephesus. (Acts 8:16-17, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:2-6).

This looks like there are two stages of baptism, because if the disciples were born again before Pentecost or have already been baptised by John. (John 1:35-37).

Then it stands to reason that the original disciples baptism in the Holy Spirit was the second blessing experience. 

Since, this argument is clearly proven from the scriptures, does that mean that this two stage experience is required for all Christians? To put it in another way, should Christians seek a second experience after their conversion?

You see, we need to know that this was a transitional period in redemptive history. The apostles happened to be in between the old and new covenants period. And It’s true that they were already believers of Jesus Christ but they did not receive the full new covenants blessings until the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:4-7). Since, these disciples were already saved and baptised by John, what is the solution to this problem? First let’s answer the question of John’s baptism.

What was the baptism of John?

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance or a religious ceremony of washing as he called God’s people to turn away from their wicked ways and to believe in the promised Messiah (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:4).

This was a constant theme in the Old Testament as the Prophets often call out a holy remnant in anticipation of the promised Messiah’s arrival (Joel 2:32, Micah 5:7-8, Isaiah 37:31-32).

As John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, he stood in the middle of change from the old dispensation to the new. John pointed people to Christ the one who gives eternal life (John 1:29-31).

In light of this truth, this gives us an understanding of one of the mini Pentecost that happened in Ephesus.

And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” Acts 19:3 ESV

At Ephesus, the apostle Paul asked some of John’s disciples if they have received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

However, what we need to establish is that, John’s baptism was different to that of a New Testament Christian baptism. The disciples at Ephesus were possibly focused on the ethical teachings of John and missed the end goal of knowing Christ (Luke 3:10-16).

Evidently they have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ as a result not received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul clearly explained to the disciples the difference between the baptism of repentance and that of the gift of Christ (Acts 19:4).

After, the proclamation of the gospel, they were baptised in the Holy Spirit as they were converted and became Christians (Acts 19:5-6).

Proponents of the second blessing teaching believes that speaking in tongues is the proof of “baptism in the Holy Spirit”. This is not true, because the tongues in Acts were human languages inspired by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the purpose of tongues was to confirm that Gentiles are part of God’s covenant community but also judgment on unbelieving Jews (Acts 10:45-48).

Charles Finney, the Holiness movement and the early Pentecostals believes in sinless perfection. But according to sound biblical teachings, sanctification begins at conversion and it’s a slow and gradual process throughout the Christian life and it is completed at death.

Since, we have established what John’s baptism was, let’s examine the New Testament teaching of baptism in the Spirit.

What does it mean to be baptised in the Holy Spirit?

“Baptism in the Holy Spirit,” therefore, must refer to the activity of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the Christian life when he gives us new spiritual life” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, page 769.

As Grudem puts it, Christians are baptised in the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion and are sealed by God’s Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the baptism of all the fullness of the new covenant blessings (Ephesians 1:3).

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

The baptism in the Holy Spirit comes from the Son of God as a consequence of His work on the Cross. At the point of conversion a person is baptised in the Holy Spirit or have a union with Christ. The New Testament clearly teach this doctrine and there is no second blessing experience after conversion (Ephesians 4:5).

As we have established, the original disciples were in a unique period in history. Amazingly, contemporary Christians don’t need to wait for the Messiah as we are fortunate to be alive after the resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus. His work was completed therefore we receive the full covenant blessings at the beginning of our conversion.

In addition, New Testament water baptism is a symbol of inner spiritual renewal (Acts 8:35-39). It should not be confused with John’s water baptism of the Old Covenant repentance in preparation for the Messiah.

Hence, whether you are a Pentecostal, Charismatic or not, as long as you are a true Christian at the beginning of conversion, you are baptised in the Holy Spirit. The idea of two tier Christians is seriously dangerous and unbiblical. 

Be filled with the SPIRIT 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit”. Ephesians 5:18 ESV

The remedy for a sinful life is to be filled with the Spirit. It’s a life of seeking and walking with God. The reward for this is joy and graces of the Holy Spirit.

The command is for believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit and it’s an ongoing experience from the beginning at conversion and throughout the Christian life. When you walk according to the Spirit, then you will be filled with the Spirit. It’s not done by the person but the Holy Spirit.

Being filled with the Spirit is an inner assurance of salvation. When we are filled with the Spirit, we enjoy the blessings and satisfaction of the abundant life. Lastly, prior to the second blessing teaching, for nineteen hundred years all Christians have always been filled with the Holy Spirit.