In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I discuss “baptism in the Holy Spirit,” which Charismatics, Pentecostals and some others claim is a special empowering by the Holy Spirit manifested through spiritual gifts, and is separate and distinct from the saving indwelling of the Holy Spirit experienced by all genuine Christians.

Music

Knowledge MC, Baptized in Flames, from the The Book of Knowledge album, 2005

Oaks Worship, Pour Your Spirit, from the Awaken Me album, 2009

Terminology

Pneumatology: the study of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecostalism: a “renewal” movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the “baptism in the Holy Spirit,” an event separate and distinct from the saving indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Charismatics: a larger group of professing Christians, including Pentecostals, who emphasize the availability to believers today of tongues and other miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit as seen in Acts.

Gentile: a non-Jew, one not descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Godfearers: Gentiles who attached themselves in varying degrees to Judaism, engaged in Judaic religious ideas and practices.

Historical References

Clement of Rome: Letter to the Corinthians

Barnabas (various candidates): Epistle of Barnabas

Biblical References

In support of a temporal “gap” and distinction between baptism in the Holy Spirit, experienced only by some, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, experienced by all saved believers.

John 20:22

Matthew 10:19-20

Acts 1:4-5

Acts 2:2-4

Acts 11:15-17

Acts 9:3-17

Acts 8:12-17

Acts 19:1-7

In opposition to any limited scope for baptism in the Holy Spirit; it is for all believers in the expanding scope of God’s Kingdom

Acts 2:15-21 quoting Joel 2:28-32

Contrasted with Numbers 11:16-17,25-29

Gift broadened to Samarians in Acts 8:14-17

Broadened to God-fearers (Gentile followers of Judaism) in Acts 10:44-47

Broadened to unobservant Gentiles in Acts 19:1-7

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all Christians and marks one as a genuine believer

1 Corinthians 12

John 7:37-39

Receiving the Holy Spirit is a promise that we are saved

Romans 8:9-11,15-17

2 Corinthians 5:4-5, cf. Matthew 7:7-8

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Ephesians 1:13-14

Also, since “baptism” sometimes refers to this baptism in the Holy Spirit, and not physical baptism in water…

1 Peter 3:20-21

Romans 6:3-4

Galatians 3:27

Colossians 2:11-12

Apostles didn’t have Holy Spirit before Pentecost

Luke 24:49 cf. John 20:22