Notes compiled by Marty Zide and Steve McAtee
All believers are simultaneously baptized by the Holy Spirit at the time of regeneration. No one is saved and then subsequently baptized by the Holy Spirit. The primary function of the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit is to place believers into the Body of Jesus the Messiah.
Definition
The baptizing work of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit places the believer into union with Messiah and into union with other believers in the Body of Messiah The baptizing work of the Holy Spirit has nothing to do with power, but with our position in Messiah. As a result of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, we are now members of the Body of Messiah of which He is the Head.
1 Cor 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Eph 1:22-23 - And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
This baptism unites all Church Age believers to form one organism, of which Jesus is the head. This is what Jesus said He would build during His earthly ministry.
Matt 16:18 - I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Eph 4:11-15 - And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Messiah;... As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Messiah.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is unique to the church age. It can be demonstrated that this ministry of the Spirit began at Pentecost by comparing Acts 1:5, which indicates the baptizing work is still future, with Acts 11:15, which indicates the “beginning” of this work was at Pentecost in Acts 2. The baptizing work did not occur in the Old Testament; it is unique to the church age which began at Pentecost.
Acts 1:5 - for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
Acts 11:15 - And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit includes all believers in this age. The emphasis that “all” are baptized by the Holy Spirit is stated in several passages.
1 Cor 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Gal 3:27-28 - For all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Jesus.
3. The Holy Spirit indwells us
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit refers to His taking up residence within all true believers at the time of their salvation with the promise of His abiding with them forever.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a one-time event for all true believers. It takes place at the time of salvation and never needs to be repeated again. This is quite different for those who were saved during the Old Testament dispensation. The Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell them, but He could come upon them and then depart.
Ps 51:11 - Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Acts 5:32 - And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
Acts 19:2 - He said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said to him, No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:2 - deals with the transitional aspect of the book of Acts. We will discuss this topic at a later time in our study and give further explanation on how this cannot be repeated in our day. Paul would sometimes remind believers about this aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.
1 Cor 3:16 - Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Cor 6:19 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
It is impossible to be saved and not have the Holy Spirit.
Rom 8:9 - However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he does not belong to Him.
Jude 19 - These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit indwells believers forever. Once He is present, He never leaves.
John 14:16-17 - I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever. That is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
Not only does the Holy Spirit indwell us, but the entire Trinity indwells the true believer.
1 John 4:12 - No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
Col 1:27 - to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory.
Coming Next - The Holy Spirit Seals Us
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