The Baptism In the Holy Ghost

Sub-headings:

• Understand the fundamentals.
• How was the Baptism in the Holy Ghost administered / received?
• What were the key outward signs that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost had taken place?
• Who can receive and how to receive?
• Conclusion!

Understand the fundamentals.

First and foremost lets establish that the phrase, Baptised in the Holy Ghost, is a biblical one – see Mark 1:8 and Acts 1:5.  Another commonly used phrase is to be “filled” with the Holy Ghost. Again this has its foundation in scripture – Acts 2:4.

In Mark’s account (1:4-8) he refers to John the Baptist’s preaching template. This includes underlining the importance of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost to John and of course to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Saviour Himself reinforces the absolute necessity for this second baptism when He speaks to the disciples in Acts 1:4-9.  Jesus Christ tells them it is going to happen as an experience that is distinct and separate from water baptism leaving no room for choice or debate (v5). Christ relates this Holy Ghost Baptism to the outpouring of power which will fully equip the church to reach the whole earth with the Good News of the Gospel (v7-8). 

The fundamental question is whether or not this second baptism was only for the 120 in the upper room or was it for all men, women and children throughout the ages that turn to Christ as their Lord and Saviour?

To answer this and several others questions we will refer to three of the main references to the Baptism in the Holy Ghost in the book of Acts: Acts 2:1 – 8; 10: 44-48; 19: 1-6.   

How was the Baptism in the Holy Ghost administered / received?

Acts 2: 2-4.   In an environment of unity, worship, remembrance and obedience the most dramatic of all the accounts concerning the filling of the Holy Ghost takes place.  The mighty sound from heaven, the tongues of fire and how they sat on all in attendance was not dramatic just for the sake of it.  This first Baptism was deliberately played out by God as a mighty spectacle. It was designed to reinforce the importance of this promise being fulfilled and to mark it as the birth of the New Testament church empowered to save the world. Read again the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Acts 1:4-8.

N.B. The evidence was that they spoke with other tongues proclaiming Christ and His resurrection power – remember the words of Jesus, “…ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost…and ye shall be witnesses unto Me …in Jerusalem…” (Acts 1:5&8).

Acts 10:44-48.  The environment was one of prayer, generosity, love and an unashamed witness and hunger for the things of God with fasting (i.e. Cornelius’ house Acts 10:1-2; v22; v30). It was in this environment that the word was preached and Gentiles were filled with the Holy Ghost without anyone touching them.  The method was different from that in Acts Ch.2 but the result was the same. The underpinning thought weaved throughout the whole of Ch.10 is that the filling of the Holy Ghost is for everyone whose heart is sold out to God…not just the Apostles, not just the 120 in Acts Ch.2 and certainly not just for the converted Jews.

N.B. The evidence was that they spoke, “…with tongues and [magnified] God” (Acts 10:46).

Acts19:1- 6.  The environment was one of faithfulness to what little revelation had been received, coupled with a hunger and willingness to embrace truth that would change their lives forever.  Again the method was different but the result was the same – Paul laid his hands on the church at Ephesus and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. 

N.B. The evidence was that they spoke with other tongues and prophesied. 

What were the key outward signs that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost had taken place?

From the above passages there are several outward confirmations indicating that the filling of the Holy Ghost had taken place…speaking with other tongues; a powerful bold witness and testimony; worship / magnifying God; and prophecy. 

Of all these signs there are two common denominators:

(1) Speaking with other tongues – manifested in all three of our examples.

(2) Boldness and power – manifested in unreserved witnessing, unrestrained worship and the gifts of the Spirit in operation.

Who can receive and how to receive?

In Acts 2 the select 120 are baptised. In Acts 10 a Roman convert and his Gentile friends were baptised.  In Acts 19 a group of disciples living in complete ignorance of the Holy Ghost never mind being filled with His power and presence are duly baptised.

It is important to emphasis that the church at Ephesus (Acts 19) did not even know that the Holy Ghost existed.  This means, for example, that a traditional background where the filling of the Holy Ghost has played no part cannot hinder a believer in any way.  Please be warned that this also means it cannot be used as an excuse not to be baptised in the Holy Ghost either.

It is crucial to note that the Ephesians were born again believers who had not been filled with the Holy Ghost.  Salvation (including the baptism with water) and the Baptism in the Holy Ghost are two separate experiences.  That said, ideally they should happen at the same time but this is in turn dependent on the knowledge and experience of those involved.

Concluding thoughts!   

To be filled with the Holy Ghost you will have to be lead and instructed by those who believe it and preach it.  To be filled with the Holy Ghost follow the pattern of those early believers.  They were faithful and obedient with what they knew, worshiped with all their might, sought God with earnest hearts and were open to the changes God’s gift would bring.  They got caught up with the person of Christ and found themselves on a collision course with the promise of Christ.  Whilst you are no less saved if you are not filled with the Holy Ghost you will be lacking in Christ’s best for you in terms of intimacy, power and authority.  This may seem harsh but the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is God’s plan with no back up in place. God’s response to Cornelius demonstrates that He will supernaturally respond to the earnest prayer of any believer. However, it is God’s singular purpose to lead all His children to the point where they will be filled with His Spirit as at the day of Pentecost, Cornelius’ house and the church at Ephesus.

Don’t reject this wonderful promise rather purpose your heart and God will lead you to it. Don’t be discouraged, for if our Lord and Saviour can guide a group of men at Ephesus (Acts19) to be filled who did not even know that the Holy Ghost existed then He will surely guide you. 

If you are baptised but waning in your authority and the anointing you once knew waste no time with regret or self-condemnation.  Rather, stir up the gift that is within you (1st Timothy 1:6).  Speak with other tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18), worship the Lord Jesus Christ, be obedient in what you do know and find something to do that will serve Him and honour Him.  Remember that the original Greek for the word “filled” means to be continually filled.  Pursue the gift of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost for it will empower you afresh day and daily.