Problems with Holy Spirit baptism

A popular doctrine among some of our friends and prevalent in several large, local religious groups concerns John the Baptist’s remarks about Jesus in Luke 3:16: “I baptize you with water. He who is mightier than I is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” The doctrine states that all the saved today are saved by Holy Spirit baptism. Water baptism may, or may not, occur at a later time but a person is saved before and without water baptism. They are saved by Holy Spirit baptism. This article discusses what the New Testament has to say about baptism today and the role water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism plays, if any, in salvation for you and me.

Three baptisms come to mind from the New Testament. Although the Jews would voluntarily undergo self-baptism during Old Testament times, the first new baptism of the New Testament era is that found in Luke 3:3, namely, John the Baptist’s baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Clearly, John or his disciples administered this baptism (“John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized” John 3:23).

A second and different baptism is found in the same chapter of Luke and announced by John, as noted above, and is called Holy Spirit baptism. Read the text again carefully: “I baptize you with water. He who is mightier than I is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Note that John says this baptism would be administered by Jesus, although it would be a baptism “of the Holy Spirit.” In this sense we might imagine that this would be a “double baptism” by both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Happily Jesus clarified this baptism in John 14:26 and in John 16:7, 13 where He said the Father would send the Holy Spirit in His name to be a Helper: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you … When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on his own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come” John 16:7, 13). Thus the Father would “send” the Holy Spirit which would baptize the apostles in a special way to become a help to them.

A third baptism is found in Matthew 28:19 where Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Two points appear significant. First, this baptism was to be administered by the apostles. Second, it was a command. No Bible passage ever rescinds this command.

Now we ask, “Are these baptisms valid today?” In Acts 19 Paul encountered some disciples who had experienced only the baptism of John. Upon being taught about Jesus these disciples were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After being baptized Paul laid his hands upon them so that they could receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus Acts 19 shows us that John’s baptism for the remission of sins had ceased and was no longer valid.

We now ask if the baptism administered by Paul was water baptism or Holy Spirit baptism? Since the gifts of the Holy Spirit were administered by the apostle Paul after the baptism, water baptism must have occurred. Again we are fortunate in that Jesus clarified this matter by referring to and explaining John’s comments of Luke 3 when He instructed His disciples shortly before His ascension. He told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5). And in verse eight He added, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit Has come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

By Jesus’ words we understand that Holy Spirit baptism was designated for His apostles and had two distinct characteristics: it would occur very soon after Acts chapter one and it would come with power. We can read about this in Acts 2 where a large sound was accompanied by cloven tongues of fire sitting upon the twelve. Afterward they exhibited the power they had received by speaking in foreign languages and performing miracles (see especially Acts 5:16).

Now let us factor in what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:5 where he said, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” At the time of writing of Ephesians Paul could confidently say by the inspiration of God that only one baptism applied to the child of God seeking salvation. Acts 19 shows that this one baptism cannot be John’s baptism. Jesus explained that Holy Spirit baptism was for the apostles and was to occur “soon,” years and years before Paul wrote the Ephesians letter.

Thus, we conclude that the one baptism that applies to Christians today is water baptism and the other two baptisms had served their purpose or run their course.

This conclusion fits other scriptures as well. Water baptism is a command which Jesus gave to the disciples, Matt 28:19-20. That is, water baptism is administered by people. Holy Spirit baptism is sent by Jesus and administered by the Holy Spirit.

If we then say that there are two baptisms operating today, we introduce a contradiction with that written by Paul in Ephesisians 4, and God is not the author of contradictions!

Baptism is an old subject, but it is still the subject of misunderstandings by many today. Careful use of the scriptures will make clear to our friends what the Bible teaches on this old, but important subject. Believe it! God wrote it in His word.

Related

Abundant Life: April 2009

• The church of Christ at Antioch by Pat Farish