truth on the Holy Spirit

God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is for all those who obey Him^11131417. It is a “gift”¹⁰¹⁷ from the Father, along with forgiveness of sins,¹⁰ that makes one saved¹³. The promise of the Holy Spirit is a personal “indwelling of the Holy Spirit” for all/any (e.g. Jew or Gentile¹³¹⁵¹⁶) who would hear the word and respond/obey¹¹¹²¹⁴ in baptism³¹⁰.

It’s important to first recognize that scripture never speaks of being “baptized with the Holy Spirit” as a proper noun – never with a coptial “B”. We only ever see “baptized” used for what it means; synonyms could be “clothed”⁴, “immersed”, “covered”, or “consumed”. As far as the Holy Spirit “baptizing” individuals, we see it happen in the Old Testament¹² but only twice⁹ in the New Testament. Each occurrence⁶⁷ marked “firsts” – the first conversion of Jews⁶, and then of Gentiles⁷. It was the miraculous ushering in of the kingdom of God for “the Jew first and also the Greek” (Romans 16).

The first occurrence was on the day of Pentecost⁶ when the apostles preached the gospel to the Jews in Jerusalem and saved 3,000 souls. The second time we read of the Holy Spirit baptism is at the conversion of the first Gentiles⁷. It was a miraculous spectacle just like on the day of Pentecost⁸⁹. In fact, it was a necessary display to convince Peter, his traveling companions⁸, and the Christian Jews back in Jerusalem⁹ of God’s acceptance of Gentiles into the kingdom⁷⁸⁹.

What it means to be baptized with the Holy Spirit can sometimes get mixed with other aspects of God’s promise of the Holy Spirit for all disciples. For example, John the Baptist³ preached that his cousin Jesus would bring a different baptism than what he taught. While this could have referred at least in part to the special anointing in Acts 2⁶ and Acts 10⁷, John was speaking to and about all disciples. When Jesus spoke about it⁴⁵, it was specifically to the appointed apostles. Furthermore, after the Acts 10 instance⁸, Peter refers back and connects it to what Jesus had said⁵ (not John). Both of those instances in Acts 2⁶ and Acts 10⁷ were also for the benefit or in witness to the others present — proving to them that this was God’s will.

John’s profession³ fits much better with the water baptism of the new covenant⁷ that Jesus made available for all mankind. A water baptism that would give the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to the individual. As a result, other passages¹⁰ are sometimes promoted as speaking about this special Holy Spirit baptism but they are forced interpretations often taken out of context.

The miraculous power of the Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus to the apostles just before He ascended² (He had already given them authority to do miracles¹). They first received the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit “not many days later” on the day of Pentecost³. From then on, the apostles alone could bestow the miraculous gifts to baptized believers⁵⁶ by the laying on of their hands⁴⁵⁷. There is no other mention or example of this ability of non-apostles with the power to pass it on.

The Holy Spirit is dwelling in every baptized believer.^{234791011131415} It is rather “matter-of-factly” stated in many places.^{3691011141516} It is also a critical fulfillment to an ever-present Bible theme of God’s desire and promise¹¹ to be with His people.

God dwelt among His people during the wanderings (tabernacle) and Solomon (temple) years. However, during the captivity (no temple) and remnant years, He was absent but promised a day when He would return⁵⁸. In the first century, Jesus alludes to this promise⁷¹¹, and we see the fulfillment of that promise on the Day of Pentecost⁴. From that point on, we see these very plain statements by New Testament writers about the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers^{23691011131415} – and by extension, His church¹¹².