Tag: Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit – Summary and Implications

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

A Summary

This series on the Holy Spirit highlights the close connection between living by the Holy Spirit and adopting the mindset displayed by Christ on the cross. Although there is certainly much more that can be said about the Holy Spirit, we cannot say any less. This aspect of the Holy Spirit is central to the teachings of the New Testament, yet it often goes unnoticed or receives minimal attention.

The study began by exploring the meaning of the word “spirit.” The Hebrew word “Ruakh” and the Greek word “Pnuma” both conveyed the basic meaning of “wind” or “breath.” Spirit refers to the air that enters and exits our lungs, sustaining life. It is the stuff that gives thoughts and ideas. A person’s spirit is expressed through spoken words as they are breathed out. If you want to describe a person’s mindset or way of thinking, you could use the word “spirit.”

                Part 1: What is a “Spirit”?

Not only do humans have a spirit, but God also has a Spirit. God’s Spirit is the source of all life. Just as a person’s spirit is closely connected to their spoken words, God’s Spirit is closely connected to His words. The first mention of God’s Spirit is found in Genesis 1:2, which states that “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”. In the very next verse, we read that “God said.” God’s Spirit has always been closely connected to His words.

                Part 2: The Holy Spirit in Creation

Throughout the Old Testament, there were special occasions when God’s Spirit filled certain individuals, such as judges, kings, or prophets. When God’s Spirit filled someone, it meant that that their words and actions could be attributed to God Himself. In other words, their words reflected the mind of God and were not solely a product of their own thinking.

                Part 3: When God’s Spirit Fills People

                Part 4: The Holy Spirit Gave Us The Old Testament

The prophets anticipated a day when God’s Spirit would no longer be poured out on a select few, but on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32). They anticipated a time when God would give His people new life, a new heart, and a new Spirit. Putting His Spirit in His people would enable them to walk according to His statutes and obey His rules (Ezek. 36:26-27). The prophets foresaw that God’s people would be changed from within, where they would obey Him from their hearts. Their spirit would be made new, so that their thinking would look like God’s as they walked in harmony with His laws.

                Part 5: Prophesies Concerning the Spirit

This anticipation is further developed in the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist foretold that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Himself promised to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples after his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit was described as “The Spirit of Truth” and a “Helper” who would teach them and bring to remembrance all of Jesus’s words (John 14:19-26). As in the Old Testament, the “Spirit” remained closely linked to the ideas, commands, teachings, and mindset demonstrated and taught by Jesus Himself. Although Jesus would return to the Father, His “Spirit” would be sent in his place.

                Part 6: The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus

                Part 7: The Holy Spirit in John

                Part 8: The Holy Spirit Raised Jesus From the Dead

                Part 9: Baptism With The Holy Spirit

After Jesus’s ascension, the promised coming of the Holy Spirit became a reality. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8), the Gentiles (Acts 10), and the disciples of John (Acts 19). This outpouring of the Spirit was accompanied by astonishing signs and wonders, including the ability to speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues served as observable proof that their words originated from God’s Spirit.

                Part 10: The Fulfillment of the Promise of the Spirit

                Part 11: Speaking in Tongues as a Sign of the Spirit

Throughout the book of Acts, the miraculous outpouring of the Spirit consistently connected with baptism. When God’s Spirit was poured out, those who believed the gospel responded with baptism. The connection between the Holy Spirit and baptism is explained throughout Paul’s writings, where he states that all Christians are baptized in the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).

                Part 12: All Christians are Baptized in the Spirit

                Part 13: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Baptism

Through baptism, the Spirit is “given,” “sent”, or “poured out” into their hearts (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Rom. 5:5). The Spirit solves the heart problem highlighted in the Old Testament, as a person’s mind is transformed to live according to the Spirit. Through this transformation, the Spirit offers hope for new life (Rom. 8:1-9).

                Part 14: The Holy Spirit and the Heart

                Part 15: Life in the Spirit

Living according to God’s Spirit means aligning with God’s way of thinking. It requires focusing our  minds on the things of the Spirit and submitting to God’s law (Rom. 8:5-7). It means adopting mind of God, particularly the mind of Christ on the cross, being crucified and suffering with Him (Phil. 2:1-8).

                Part 16: The Fruit of the Spirit

                Part 17: The Spirit Links Christians to the Cross

                Part 18: The Mind of Christ

The Spirit did empower individuals for a time to work miracles, but the enduring work of the Spirit is seen when Christians live with Christ-like love. It is only through the Spirit, by embracing the wisdom of the sufferings seen on the cross, that Christians can confesses Jesus as Lord. All other teachings or ideas should be tested in light of the Spirit of God as seen on the cross.

                Part 19: The Spirit and Miraculous Gifts

                Part 20: The Holy Spirit and Confession

                Part 21: Test the Spirits

The Holy Spirit is the source of life, and the basis of the Christian’s hope of resurrection. However, this hope is contingent on our commitment to live by the Spirit in the present. It requires us to think with the mind of Christ and live not by our own wisdom but by the Spirit of God as demonstrated by Christ on the cross.

                Part 22: The Holy Spirit, Suffering, and Hope

In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is not merely an emotion or a feeling. Being led by the Spirit is not simply following our own hearts. To be led by the Spirit is to be guided by God’s thinking, words, and wisdom. It is a particular way of living that submits to God’s commands, even to the point of suffering and death. It involves loving others, even at the cost of our own lives.

The Spirit of God is clearly seen in the Spirit of Christ on the cross. As we set our minds on the things of the Spirit, we seek to imitate Him. As we live by the Spirit of His Son, who was sent into our hearts, the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit first created life, the Holy Spirit is the foundation of our hope for new life in the resurrection. But this hope is contingent on living by the Spirit now, in the present, by sharing in Christ’s suffering.

Implications

  • To live by the Holy Spirit is more than simply following the Bible. But it is not less than that.

Old Testament Israel had inspired Scripture, yet the heart still needed to be changed (Deut. 10:16). The New Testament distinguishes serving in the new way of the Spirit from the old way of simply following a written letter (Rom. 7:6). Serving by the Spirit necessitates a new heart and mind (Ezek. 36:26). However, living by the Spirit does not mean we can cast off God’s words; to the contrary, it requires submission to them. Living contrary to God’s inspired word is characteristic of living by the flesh (Rom. 8:7-8).

  • To live by the Holy Spirit means to live in purity and holiness, denying our flesh.

As we live by the Spirit, our bodies become a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Our bodies must be treated as sacred space. Whoever disregards purity and holiness disregards the Holy Spirit.

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
  • The Holy Spirit is the key to unity.

No matter their background, Christians are one in Christ because they are baptized in one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Unity and peace are experienced in the Spirit. (Eph. 4:3-4). In Philippians Paul emphasizes that fellowship in the Spirit is found only as we live with them mind of Christ, as seen in his humility on the cross (Phil. 2:1-8).

  • The Holy Spirit is the source of love.

God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). Love is listed as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). God abides in us as we mimic His love on the cross.

In this is love, not that we have loved God that but he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:10-12
  • The Holy Spirit is God’s Power in Weakness

He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.

2 Corinthians 13:3b-4:a

The power of the Holy Spirit was seen in the creation of the world and in the resurrection of Jesus, and He will be seen in the resurrection of all of those who are in Christ (Rom. 1:20; 8:9). The question is not whether the Holy Spirit is powerful, but how His power is experienced now. The power of the Holy Spirit is found not in human wisdom, influence, political power, or strength. It was human strength that nailed Jesus to the cross. But it was in this moment, when Jesus subjected himself to a place of supreme weakness, that the power of the Holy Spirit was seen most powerfully. We access His power as we share in His sufferings.

That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11

Conclusion

Although is much more that can and should be said about the Holy Spirit, it is crucial for the church to grasp this key point. Living by the Spirit requires adopting God’s way of thinking, exemplified by the Spirit of Christ on the cross. Trying to obey Scripture is necessary, but it is insufficient in and of itself. Our hearts must be transformed by suffering and dying with Christ. Living by the Spirit by following the crucified Savior leads to unity, love, and hope for resurrected life in Him.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Baptism

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

This post is the 13th in an ongoing series on the Holy Spirit. To read other parts of this study, click here.

What the Holy Spirit Does in Baptism

There is a sense in which all Christians are baptized in the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Moreover, this “Spirit” is more specifically identified as the “Spirit of God.”

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11b

The three passive verbs (“washed… sanctified… justified”) imply the activity of God. Thus, according to Paul, baptism is not only an act which unified the Corinthians in Christ, it was specifically the Spirit of God who does the washing, sanctifying, and justifying.

Paul makes a similar statement in his letter to Titus.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7

Paul states that Christians are saved “by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”, which results in “being justified” so that we “become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” The reference to “washing” and “renewal” is almost certainly intended as as reference to baptism. As was observed in the previous part of this study, Paul saw baptism as the moment when someone was united with the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6:1-4) and was put “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27). From Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:13, among other passages, we know this was closely connected to the work of the Spirit. Here, as in 1 Corinthians 6:11, we see that it is the Holy Spirit who does the washing, renewing, and justifying in baptism.

This parallels nicely with several other passages in the New Testament. The verses below refer to God’s act of sanctifying, cleansing, washing, or to the act of being “brought forth” or “born” again, all of which are terms closely connected with baptism.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.

Ephesians 5:25-26

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James 1:18

Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.

1 Peter 1:22-23

Interestingly, with the exception of 2 Thessalonians 2:13, none of these verses mention the Spirit. Instead, they speak of the “washing of water with the word” or being “brought forth by the word of truth” or being “born again… through the living and abiding word of God.” From our earlier study on the Spirit (Parts 1, 3, and 4) it was observed that God’s “Spirit” or “Breath” was always closely connected to His “Word.” Whether, then, we speak of the “Spirit of God” or the “Breath of God” or the “Word of God”, He is the one who does the washing, sanctifying, justifying, cleansing, and purification in the new birth of baptism.

Pentecost Set the Stage for Baptism

Having surveyed the New Testament’s doctrinal explanations of the role of the Holy Spirit in baptism, we can now see why Peter would respond to the surprising events of Pentecost by saying

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.

Acts 2:38

Just as it is necessary for a swimming pool to be filled with water before someone can be immersed in the pool, and just as it is necessary for water to be poured out into a bathtub before someone can be washed in the bathtub, so it was necessary for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in order for believers to be washed, sanctified, and justified in the Holy Spirit. That is why Peter’s command of baptism was the logical response when the Spirit was poured out on Pentecost, and why it was again the logical response when the Spirit was poured out on Cornelius’s household (Acts 10:46-47). Without Jesus sending the Holy Spirit, immersion in water would be no different than John’s baptism. But now that Jesus has ascended into heaven and has sent the Spirit, we too can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we believe and are baptized in Him (cf. Acts 19:2-6).

Or as Paul put it in Galatians 3:14:

In Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

All Christians are Baptized in the Spirit

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

This article is part 12 of an ongoing series on the Holy Spirit. For previous posts in this series, click here.

Baptism is described as the moment when someone is put into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13). Baptism is what puts one “in Christ” in a way that can be described as having “put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). To be more specific, baptism is centered on the cross, producing union with Christ’s death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5).

While baptism was clearly centered on Christ, it is also closely connected with the Spirit. The book of Acts continually describes a close connection between the pouring out of the Holy Spirit and the necessity of baptism (Part 11). But it is in the writings of Paul where the find the clearest doctrinal explanations of the role of the Holy Spirit in baptism.

Here it will be observed from the writings of Paul that there is a sense in which all Christians are baptized in the Spirit. The next part of this study will examine the writings of Paul further with a focus on what the Spirit is said to do in baptism. Once we consider everything Paul says about the role of the Holy Spirit in baptism, we can return to the book of Acts with a greater understanding of why the spectacular outpouring of the Spirit was followed with a command to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:47) or otherwise closely connected with the act of baptism (Acts 8:16-17; 19:5-6).

The Corinthians Were All Baptized in the Spirit

Paul speaks of baptism as the moment when one is initiated into the body of Christ.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

In this text, baptism is clearly associated with the Spirit. It is stressed that all Christians were baptized in the Spirit. It does not matter one’s ethnicity (Jew or Greek) or one’s position in life (slave or free). All Christians were made to drink of the same Spirit. All of them. This is the foundation of Paul’s discourse on the importance of Christian unity.

The Galatians Were All Baptized in the Spirit

Paul makes a very similar statement in his letter to the Galatians.

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Galatians 3:26-29

Just as in 1 Corinthians 12:13, here Paul points to baptism as the basis of Christian unity. Jews, Greeks, slaves, free, males, and females are all one in Christ, because they were all baptized into Christ. Baptism is the means by which a person becomes “in Christ.” Because they are all in Christ, they are all considered as Abraham’s offspring.

While Paul does not explicitly state that that the Galatians were baptized “in one Spirit” as he does in 1 Corinthians, there are several indications that this was the case.

A few verses earlier, Paul asked the Galatians a pointed question:

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by work of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Galatians 3:2-3

This question implies that the Galatians had all received the Spirit at some point in the past. What’s more, Paul specifically refers to them as having “begun by the Spirit”, indicating that they received the Spirit at the beginning on their Christian walk, that is, at the time of their conversion. This of course would have been the time of their baptism. Paul goes on to say that the Spirit was supplied to the Galatians by faith, which is why they can be identified sons of Abraham.

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith – just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Know then that it is those who are of faith who are the sons of Abraham.

Galatians 3:5-7

Paul goes on to write:

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba! Father!”

Galatians 4:6

Paul says the Spirit is sent from God to all those who are sons of Abraham. Who did Paul just identify as the sons of Abraham? Those who were baptized into Christ:

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ… And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Galatians 3:27-28

All the Galatians, both Jews and Gentiles, who were baptized into Christ, were now to be considered as sons. All those who were sons had received the Spirit at the beginning of their life in Christ. Paul goes on to speak of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23) and to encourage to Galatians to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25), both of which assume the presence of the Spirit in the lives of all those in the churches of Galatia.

So while the exact wording “baptized in the Spirit” is not used in the book of Galatians, baptism is described the means by which a person becomes “in Christ.” And throughout the book of Galatians, it is assumed that all those who are “in Christ” received the Holy Spirit at the time of their conversion, which would have been the time of their baptism.

The Romans Were All Baptized in the Spirit

As with Galatians, the book of Romans nowhere explicitly states that the Holy Spirit is received at the moment of baptism. However, there are several passages that demonstrate a close connection between baptism and the Spirit.

For example, Paul writes that baptism is what unifies someone with the death and resurrection of Christ and gives new life in him.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6:3-5

From here, Paul goes on to write:

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:9-11

The presence of the Spirit described as a necessary and defining characteristic all those who are “in Christ.” Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. From his previous statement, we know that baptism is what put them “in Christ”. That means that the Spirit is a defining characteristic for all those who are baptized. It was baptism that gave the Roman Christians hope of resurrection, and it was the presence of the Spirit which is necessary for that resurrection. Reading these passages in unison demonstrates that the Romans, like the Corinthians and the Galatians, were all baptized in the Spirit.

Furthermore, just as in Galatians 4:6, Paul says the Holy Spirit plays a key role in the Roman’s adoption as sons of God.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the Spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:14-17

In the book of Romans, Paul describes baptism as the moment when we are united with Christ’s death and resurrection and begin our new life in Christ. Paul also teaches that we have hope in the resurrection because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is a necessary and defining characteristic of all those who belong to Christ. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that just as in the church at Corinth, and just as in the churches of Galatia, all of the Roman Christians had also been baptized in the Spirit.

All Christians are Baptized in the Spirit

From these Pauline passages we can conclude that there is a sense in which all Christians are baptized in the Spirit. This truth harmonizes nicely with the teachings of Jesus, who said:

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5

And:

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive.

John 7:38-39

These passages also harmonize with the words of Peter on Pentecost:

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

Keep in mind that the sense in which all Christians are baptized in the Spirit must not be confused with those unique and miraculous outpouring of the Spirit, which is described only on a few special occasions in the book of Acts (See Part 11). The role of the Spirit in baptism is however closely related to these miraculous outpourings. This close connection will be explored further in the next part of this study.

The Fulfillment of the Promise of the Spirit

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

This is part 10 of an ongoing series on the Holy Spirit. To read the other parts of this series, click here.

The Promise of The Father

The Old Testament prophets frequently spoke of the coming kingdom of God. This new age would be initiated when the Holy Spirit is poured out on his people (Part 5). For instance, Ezekiel said:

I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Ezekiel 36:27

And:

I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 39:29

And in Joel it written:

And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on my male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

Joel 2:28-29

In similar fashion, John the Baptist said that the coming Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Part 9).

I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 3:11 (cf. Mk. 1:8; Lk. 3:16; Jn. 1:33)

Jesus himself spoke of a future day when he would send the Holy Spirit (Parts 6 and 7).

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 7:37-39

According to Jesus, the Spirit would be given to those who believed in him, but this would not happen until after he was glorified. Later, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus told his disciples that they would not see him anymore, but that the Holy Spirit would come and teach them all things (Jn. 14:16-26).

Jesus’s teachings, along with those of John the Baptist, were consistent with the Old Testament prophets, in that they all spoke of a coming day when the Spirit would be poured out. This brings us to what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit following his resurrection, but prior to his ascension.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.

Acts 1:4-5

Observe:

  • Jesus told his disciples that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit “not many days from now.”
  • Jesus connects this event with the “promise of the Father.”
  • In doing so, Jesus seems to connect the Old Testament prophesies regarding the coming Spirit with John’s statement about baptism with the Holy Spirit

With this “baptism with the Spirit” and the “promise of the Father” in the front of his mind, Luke then tells his readers about the amazing events which happened on Pentecost.

The Spirit on Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4

Observe:

  • The close connection between the mighty rushing “wind” and the “Spirit.” Recall that the words “wind” and “Spirit” are the same (see Part 1). This passage could be translated that the apostles heard a sound of a mighty rushing “Breath” or “Spirit,” they were filled with the Holy “Breath”, and began to speak in tongues as the “Breath” gave them utterance.
  • It was the “Spirit”/”Wind”/”Breath” that gave them their words. This makes sense when we recall how God filled various people in the Old Testament, giving them the ability to speak words from God (Part 3). The apostles, filled with the Spirit, were speaking words that originated with God’s Spirit.
  • In the context of Jesus’s statement quoted above (Acts 1:4-5), we can observe that Luke sees this event as closely connected to the baptism with the Spirit and the promise of the Father.

Next, notice how Peter explains these events by referring to the prophecy from Joel 2:28-32 (cf. Part 5).

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Acts 2:14-18

According to Peter, this prophesy was being fulfilled in the events of Pentecost.

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Acts 2:33

Baptism With the Spirit in Acts

Later in the book of Acts, Luke records of another time when the Spirit was poured out, this time upon the Gentiles in Cornelius’s household (Acts 10:44-48). As Peter recalls the event, he makes the following statement:

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 11:15-16

Observe:

  • Peter said that the outpouring of the Spirit on the Gentiles in Cornelius’ household was essentially a repeat of what happened to the Jews on Pentecost
  • Peter identified each of these events as a fulfillment of Jesus’s prediction about baptism with the Holy Spirit

If it wasn’t already clear from Acts 1-2, Peter’s statement here explicitly identifies “baptism with the Holy Spirit” with the events that occurred in both Acts 2 on Pentecost and in Acts 10 with Cornelius’s household. In other parts of the book of Acts similar events are recorded (Acts 8:14-19 and Acts 19:6) which very likely could also be described as “baptism with the Holy Spirit.” These will be discussed in more detail in the next part of this study.

What Paul Said About The Promised Spirit

Since Luke in the book of Acts explicitly identifies the amazing events of Acts 2 and Acts 10 as baptism with the Holy Spirit, we might think it logical to conclude that baptism with the Spirit does not occur where amazing signs and wonders (such as speaking in tongues) are absent. It would be a mistake, however, to draw a conclusion that does not account for the writings of the apostle Paul. For instance, in his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” – so that in Christ Jesus the blessing on Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:13-14

When Paul speaks of the blessings of Abraham being experienced by “us” so that “we” might receive the promised Spirit through faith, he seems to be referring to all Christians, or “those of faith” (Gal. 3:7). Notice that Paul says that “we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” While Luke in Acts speaks of the promise of the Holy Spirit being fulfilled in the observable events of Acts 2 and Acts 10, Paul speaks of the promised Spirit being received by all Christians through faith.

Paul also wrote the following in his letter to the Ephesians:

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14

According to Paul, all Christians are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” The “promised Holy Spirit” is what we now have as a down payment of our future inheritance.

A Question to Consider

Since the book of Acts explicitly identifies the miraculous events described in Acts 2 and Acts 10 as the fulfillment of the prophetic promises regarding the Spirit, and as the fulfillment of Jesus and John’s statements about baptism with the Holy Spirit, why does Paul conclude that all Christians receive the promised Holy Spirit?

To answer this question, we must first:

  1. Pay close attention to Luke’s reason for highlighting the miraculous signs and wonders (such as the ability to speak in tongues) at very special and critical moments in the book of Acts, and…
  2. Pay close attention to how both Luke and Paul connect those miraculous outpourings of the Spirit with what happens in the baptism of every Christian

This will be the objective of the next two parts of this study.

The Holy Spirit (Part 6): The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit2 Comments

Read earlier parts of this study here.

In the New Testament, the Spirit plays a big role in the life of Jesus, in his resurrection, and in the lives of his people. This is true in all four gospel accounts, and especially in the book of Luke. What God’s Spirit does in the New Testament corresponds with the things the Holy Spirit is said to do in the Old Testament.

Jesus’s Birth Is Attributed to the Holy Spirit

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:18

Mary’s pregnancy was from the Holy Spirit. As surprising as the virgin birth is, it is not surprising to see God’s Spirit connected with the gift and creation of life in a place where there was previously no life. This is the same sort of thing that the Spirit is described as doing in the Old Testament (e.g. Genesis 1-2).

Luke starts the story even earlier with the story of the birth of John the Baptist. First, Luke records how Elizabeth was told that John the Baptist would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb.

He will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:15

A few verses later, Luke records that John’s father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit when he prophesied about Jesus’s birth. Again, it is no surprise to see that the Holy Spirit is connected with speaking words from God, as this is the same thing the Spirit is described as doing in the Old Testament.

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying…

Luke 1:67

Similarly, Simeon is described as having the Holy Spirit when he prophesied.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents of the child brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up on his arms and blessed God and said…

Luke 2:25-28

Again, just as in the Old Testament, we see the Holy Spirit described as revealing special knowledge to a prophet. Simeon was filled with the Holy Spirit in that he was able to know things that came from God’s own mind.

All these events surrounding the birth of Jesus were attributed to the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit’s Role in Jesus’s Baptism

In Luke 3, Luke describes how John was leading a repentance movement and baptizing people in the Jordan River. Some people began to question whether or not John might be the Christ. Luke records John’s answer (which will be examined in more detail in a future part of this study).

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

Luke 3:16-17

Luke then records that Jesus himself was baptized by John.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:21-22

Observe:

  • Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan
  • The heavens were opened
  • The Holy Spirit descends in bodily form, like a dove
  • God’s voice is heard speaking

Having studied the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, we can see that this event seems to echo another time when God’s Spirit is said to hover (a word used to describe what birds do) over the waters in connection with God’s voice speaking words.

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.

Genesis 1:2-3

From the account of Jesus’s baptism, we can also notice the close connection between God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. The Holy Spirit/Pnuma/Breath is described as descending on Jesus at the same moment that God speaks words. Again, given our understanding of the Hebrew and Greek words for Spirit, it makes sense that we would see a close connection between God’s Holy Spirit and God’s Word’s. We can also note that the Holy Spirit is distinct from the person of Jesus, but is also very active in the life of Jesus.

The word “trinity” is never used by Luke (or any other New Testament author) to describe the close relationship between God and the Spirit and Jesus. (The word “trinity” wasn’t even invented until after the close of the New Testament when early Christians tried to describe God’s nature.) But there is certainly a very close relationship between God and the Spirit and Jesus, just as in the Old Testament there was a close relationship between God and the Spirit and the prophesied Messiah.

The Spirit in the Life of Jesus

Luke highlights the role of the Spirit in the life of Jesus more than any other author.

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days.

Luke 4:1

Jesus’s day to day work was attributed to God’s Spirit.

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Luke 4:14-15

If Jesus was in the power of the Spirit when he taught, who’s words was he speaking? God’s words! Jesus was giving voice to words from God’s own Holy Spirit. Jesus made this clear when he applied Isaiah 61:1-2 to himself.

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:17-21

In Luke 10, when Jesus saw what was happening, he gave credit to, and rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”

Luke 10:21

In Luke 11, Jesus described the Holy Spirit as a gift that could be given by God to his children.

If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Luke 11:13

In the Old Testament, when on special occasions, God’s Spirit is filled unique individual’s, the words and actions and wisdom of those individuals could then be attributed to God himself. When Luke and the other gospel writers attribute the life and ministry of Jesus to the Holy Spirit, it means that the things Jesus said and did can rightly be attributed to God himself. When we see Jesus’s ministry and teachings, we see the words and actions of God Himself.