The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
All believers are entitled to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Jesus insisted that his disciples receive the Holy Spirit: Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-22).
The baptism in the Holy Spirit was the normal experience of the early Christians in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit was given for the following reason: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is separate from salvation, and follows the new birth experience:
- Acts 8:12-17
- Acts 10:44-46
- Acts 11:14-16
- Acts 15:7-9
The Initial Physical Evidence:
- Acts 2: 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
This Experience Is For Us:
- Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Importance of This Doctrine:
Some non-Pentecostal Christians teach that Christ-like character and the fruit of the Spirit are better evidences of the Baptism than speaking in tongues. They believe the Baptism experience occurs at the time of salvation, without the manifestation of tongues. The Pentecostal position maintains that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism (the fruits of the Spirit should follow). This baptism is separate from salvation. This belief is based on the five instances of such infillings recorded in the Book of Acts.
- Acts 2:1-4
- Acts 8:12-17
- Acts 9:17-19
- Acts 10:44-46
- Acts 19:1-7
From the Biblical pattern and the fact that millions of believers have been baptized in the Holy Spirit all around the world we believe that the Baptism is accompanied initially with the audible expression of tongues. To be baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues under the impulse of the Holy Spirit is a precious gift.