Baptism Of The Holy Spirit
Many conflicting theories exist today in the religious community concerning the subject of "The Baptism of The Holy Spirit. " We must deal with, however, the facts set forth in the New Testament concerning this vital subject and not the theories. Theories of men have never settled a thing among us but only tend to confuse more and more the minds. Let us simply study carefully and prayerfully what the New Testament teaches of this subject -- noting these FACTS:
1, HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM WAS A PROMISE and not a command. It was a promise made to the apostles of Christ only: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;.... These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:16, 26.) "And, being assembled together with them, (the apostles) commanded them that they (the apostles, O. G.) should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye (again, the apostles only. 0.G.) shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5) The only thing left for the apostles to do was to wait for the fulfillment of this promise to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Let us note from Acts 2:1-4 the complete fulfillment of this:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they (note verse 26, chapter 1: "...with the eleven apostles.") were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they (the apostles, O. G.) were sitting. And there appeared unto them (the "they",-the apostles, OG) cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them (the "them", the "they", --the apostles), And they (same ones -the apostles, OG) were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them (only the apostles, OG) utterance."
2. THE ADMINISTRATOR OF HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM was Christ and not men; not even the apostles could baptize with the Holy Spirit. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you," (John 16:7) "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49.)".. he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matt. 3:11c , 12.)
3. THE ELEMENT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Acts 1: 4-5; Matt.3:11.) When the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, there was an outward manifestation that the promise was fulfilled: The sound of the mighty wind, the cloven tongues like as of fire -- something they could see and hear. (Acts 2:2,3,33.) The apostles were completely submerged, or immersed, overwhelmed in this wonderful power.
4. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS A SPECIAL MIRACLE FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE. It occurred only twice in the New Testament: the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the household of Cornelius (Acts 10.) Holy Spirit baptism of the apostles was to endow them with power to confirm the truth -- ALL TRUTH revealed to them by the Holy Spirit -- with signs and wonders (Heb. 2:3,4); also to bring all things Christ had spoken to their remembrance. (John 14:26; 15:26; 27; 16:13.) Cornelius and his household were baptized in the Holy Spirit in order to convince the Jews that the gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles as well as unto the Jews; it was God's way of bearing witness to this fact. Please read Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-18; 15:7-9; note the use Peter made of this case of Holy Spirit baptism.
No one, but no one -- is BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT TODAY: and I am willing to publicly proclaim same.
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