What is the Holy Spirit baptism?

By Sidharth Mohandas

Introduction 

As said in a previous article, the Greek word for “baptize” is “baptizo”, and it means “to be immersed” or “to be fully submerged”.  The term “Holy Spirit baptism” therefore refers to one’s being immersed or fully submerged in the Holy Spirit. It’s purpose? So that we receive power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). Jesus used the words “to be clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The Greek word used for “clothed” here is “enduo”, which translates as “sinking into a garment”.  And since garments cover people, our clothing is highly visible to others. So when Jesus said we’d be clothed with power from on high, He implied that God’s power would manifest or be evident in our lives in a tangible, demonstrative way, which in turn would make us witnesses to the fact that Jesus is alive! 

The Promise Is For You!

The term “Holy Spirit baptism” is first used in the ministry of John the Baptist. John, speaking of Jesus, says “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I’m not worthy to bear: He shall BAPTIZE YOU IN THE HOLY SPIRIT and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). About three years later, the person that John was referring to was crucified, buried and resurrected from the dead on the third day, and then appeared to His disciples for a period of forty days. On one occasion, He commanded His disciples: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard me speak about. For John truly baptized with water, but in a FEW DAYS you will be BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT” (Acts 1:4,5).There are thousands upon thousands of promises in the Bible, but it’s interesting that Jesus calls this promise the “baptism in the Holy Spirit”, THE promise of the Father. And like other promises within Scripture, this one needed to be appropriated by faith. About 120 disciples went to Jerusalem and waited there for around ten days for this promise. On the day of Pentecost “they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4). They were not only filled, but they were overflowing with Spirit-given utterances. Hearing the 120 disciples speak in new tongues, people gathered- Peter stood up and explained the whole thing to the curious and confused on-lookers. In response to his fiery message they ask: “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replies: “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. The promise is to you and your children and for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39) Notice, the promise of the Father, the gift of the Holy Spirit is for YOU!

References to the “Holy Spirit Baptism”

These are a few of the phrases that refer to the baptism in the Spirit:

(1)   “Filled in Holy Spirit”

(2)   “The Holy Spirit came upon them”

(3)   “They received the Holy Spirit”

(4)   “The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on them”.

(5)   “wait for the promise of the Father “

(6)   “having received the promise of the Holy Spirit “

On the day of Pentecost, “they were all FILLED in the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). The word used by Peter when he refers to the same experience in Acts 11:15 is come on: “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit CAME ON them as He had COME ON us in the beginning”. We know that the “them” that Peter is referring to was Cornelius and his household. The words used for the same experience at Cornelius’ house are “poured out” and “received”: “the gift of the Holy Spirit had been POURED OUT even on the Gentiles”, and “They have RECEIVED the Holy Spirit just as we have”. Other words used for the baptism in the Spirit are the gift of the Holy Spirit, promise of the Father, and the promise of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 2:33; Acts 2:38; Eph 1:13).

Notice, the above mentioned synonyms are exclusively used to describe the Holy Spirit baptism. So when the Scripture says “Did you receive the Spirit by works?” (Gal 3:2), “having received the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13); or “Have you not received the Spirit since you believed?” (Acts 19:2), it is talking specifically about the Holy Spirit baptism.   

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