Acts 19:1-7

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NKJV[6] But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

"Why such a study?" If we do not understand the God-head, then we will not understand the Holy Spirit.

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Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit for us today? If it is not for us, then for who? Who receives this baptism? When was this baptism administered, and by whom? I know many of these questions are very hard to answer, but please stay with me, and we will give a Bible answer.

There are different “measures” of the Spirit Baptismal measure Laying-on-of-hands measure Indwelling measure What is not under discussion in this study The divine person of the Holy Spirit “Indwelling of the H.S.,” “gift of the Spirit,” “filled with the Spirit,” “walk by the Spirit,” or “spiritual gifts”

NT Passages “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16) “John 1:33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'” (John 1:33)

NT Passages “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."” (Acts 1:5) “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. [16] 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)

The Bible Facts When and where did H.S. baptism take place? There are only two recorded cases of it in the New Testament. Acts 2: Apostles baptized in the H.S. Acts 10: Cornelius & his household baptized in the H.S.

Acts 19:1-7 Acts 19:1-7 NKJV[1] And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples [2] he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." [3] And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." [4] Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." [5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. [7] Now the men were about twelve in all.

The Bible Facts Note the phrase “at the beginning” and “unto us” (Ac.11:15,17; 15:8). H.S. baptism was not common to all conversions. No other case of H.S. baptism is recorded in the entire New Testament! Also note that it was obedience to Peter’s “words,” not to H.S. baptism, which brought salvation (11:14; 15:9).

The Bible Facts Why was Cornelius given H.S. baptism? To “bear them witness” (Acts 15:8) Not to… Make him acceptable to God (Acts 10:35) Provide remission of sins (Acts 10:43) Replace water baptism (Acts 10:48) Save him (Acts 11:14) Give him faith (Acts 15:7) Purify his heart (Acts 15:9)

What Is H.S. Baptism? Was H.S. Baptism Is Not 1. Promise Matt.3:11 1. Command 2. Limited Ac.2,10 2. All people 3. Few Days Acts 1:5 3. All time 4. Witness Acts 1:8; 15:8 4. Regenerate 5. Tongues Ac.2:4; 10:46 5. 2nd Blessing 6. Seen/heard Ac.2:33 6. Feelings 7. Confirmation Heb.2:3-4 7. Salvation

The Bible Facts Why was H.S. baptism given? It was given to fill three specific divine purposes: Inspiration - To guide the apostles into all the truth (Jn.14:15-16,26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15) Confirmation - To confirm the apostle’s message with miracles (Mk.16:20; Heb.2:3-4) Demonstration – To show the Jews that the Gentiles were saved in the same way; by grace through faith (Acts 11:18; 15:7-8)

No H.S. Baptism Today There is no promise of it today (no promise to all believers) There is no purpose for it today (no new inspiration, confirmation, or demonstration needed) There is no evidence of it today (no speaking in tongues) Therefore, there is no occurrence of it today

No H.S. Baptism Today H.S. baptism A.D. 33 Water baptism (Acts 2:4,38) (Acts 19:3-5; Ephesians 4:5) “One baptism” = water baptism John’s baptism and Holy Spirit baptism had passed away by A.D. 62

H.S. Baptism vs. Water Baptism 1. Baptism in H.S. 1. Baptism in water 2. Promise received 2. Command obeyed 3. Man passive 3. Man active 4. Administer: Jesus 4. Administer: man 5. Not for salvation 5. For salvation 6. For certain ones 6. For all mankind 7. No name 7. Name of F/S/H.S. 8. Ceased by A.D. 62 8. Unto the end

H.S. Baptism in the NT In the Bible no one was ever… Commanded to be baptized in the Holy Spirit Told what to do in order to be baptized in the Holy Spirit Told to pray for Holy Spirit baptism Told to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit

What Have We Learned? We don’t have H.S. baptism today, but we have the effects of it: the inspired, confirmed, and complete word of God; and, the powerful demonstration that all can be saved the same way – by grace through faith We don’t have Holy Spirit baptism today, but we do have the Holy Spirit working through the word of God today Is Holy Spirit baptism for you? No. But, Holy Spirit words are! (Revelation 2:7; 22:17)