Chapter 16

The Holy Spirit

Baptizes, Fills

The baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit are perhaps the most widely discussed and controversial of the fundamental doctrines of Scripture. It is so controversial, in fact, that entire denominations have been built upon different understandings of the Bible's teaching on these subjects. We must clearly understand what the Bible says lest we end up spiritually burned. Some go to extremes in emotionalism and others miss out on much that God has for them.

GOD'S SPIRIT AND THE SAVED (cont.)

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Two things are taught about the Christian's relationship to the Holy Spirit. First, the Spirit of God dwells in the believer, and second, the believer is in the Spirit of God. Paul teaches this in Romans: "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Romans 8:9). God is in us, and we are in God, in response to Jesus' prayer in the Gospel of John, "that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us" (John 17:21).

The words "baptize in water" mean to be put under water or to immerse. Therefore, to be baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be put into Him. It is the privilege of all of God's children to be indwelt and baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Some Christians teach that the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes after salvation. First one is saved, and subsequently baptized in the Holy Spirit. They say it may happen immediately after being saved or sometime later. I believe Scripture teaches otherwise. Let me explain. The Gospel of John teaches that salvation and baptism in the Holy Spirit are at the same time:

John 7:38-39

38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'"

39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

All who believe would receive the Holy Spirit after Jesus was glorified and the Holy Spirit would flow forth from their innermost being.

Furthermore, Paul taught this about the Holy Spirit: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13). When Paul said, "we were all made to drink of one Spirit," apparently he was referring to what Jesus said in John 7:38 quoted above. When the Holy Spirit baptizes us into one body (of Christ), we are simultaneously made to drink (receive internally) the Spirit. One spiritual baptism accomplishes two purposes: (1) it places us in Christ and (2) the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us.

All believers are baptized into one body, by one Spirit. Notice the word "all" in 1 Corinthians 12:13. Paul is writing to the whole Corinthian church. When he wrote "all baptized" that included all believers regardless of how long they had been saved. Ten years, five years, one year, one month, one week, one day, one hour, one minute – the length of time makes no difference. He includes every Christian in this verse, for he says, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." It does not matter whether you are Jew or Gentile, slave or free, if you believe in Jesus, you were made to drink of the one Spirit and baptized into one body.

Compare the "one baptism" of Ephesians — Now, by comparing the following verses, we find a very interesting fact:

Ephesians 4:3-6

3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul says that we should be "diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Then he lists seven spiritual things in which we ought to maintain unity as Christians: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. As an example, there is one Spirit. If I taught there are two Spirits, both of whom are God, you would forbid me to come back to your church to minister. I cannot teach two Spirits, because there is only one Holy Spirit! The same is true of the six other spiritual unities. There is one Lord; not two Lords – not a lord Buddha and a Lord Jesus Christ; there is only one Lord – Jesus Christ.

Notice all these things are spiritual in nature, not physical. It is not reasonable for just one of them to refer to a physical event such as water baptism. Therefore, "one baptism" does not speak of water baptism; it speaks of spiritual baptism in this context.

It is clear, then, that if all believers are baptized into one body, and all made to drink of one Spirit, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:13, there can be only one spiritual baptism. That baptism must, of necessity, occur the moment a person is saved and placed in the body of Christ since all believers are baptized. However, it is true that many believers do not live as though they are in the Holy Spirit and He is in them.

The Filling of the Holy Spirit

In some cases the differences among Christians over the baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit result simply from semantics, i.e., the meaning of words. While it is clear that all believers are indwelt by the Spirit and have been put in the Spirit, it is equally clear that not all Christians conduct themselves in the power of the Holy Spirit. Some believers are filled with the Holy Spirit and others are not. The words "filling" and "baptism" do not speak of the same thing. Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place when you are saved. Filling may happen then, or it may happen later, and you may be filled more than once in your Christian experience.

Filled with Him/Controlled by Him — What do I mean by the words "filled with the Holy Spirit"? The Bible explains it by contrasting a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit with one who is filled with wine and has become drunken:

Ephesians 5:17-18

17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.

The phrase "so then do not be foolish" can also be translated "do not act rashly." It is in keeping with the previous verse in which Paul wrote to be careful how you conduct your life. Here he says, "do not act rashly," do not act without reason or without understanding.

Paul continues with the words, "understand what the will of the Lord is." I am so glad that the Bible does not simply command us to understand what the will of the Lord is and give us no further instruction. Paul tells us what His will is: "do not get drunk with wine … but be filled with the Spirit." When one is drunk, he is under the influence of alcohol. Often a person who is very timid becomes bold and rash. On the other hand, one who is normally bold may become very shy and timid. Too much alcohol influences the way a person conducts himself. The same is true for those who are filled with the Holy Spirit; He will influence the way they act. We are not to be under the influence of alcohol, but under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He will influence us for good, like too much wine will influence us for evil.

Be Being Filled — The phrase "be filled with the Spirit" gives us some very interesting insights also. It is given to us as a direct command from the Lord – it is not optional! If we obey the Lord, we will be filled with the Spirit of God. Not only is it a command, but it is written in a way that means we are to permit God to fill us rather than trying to fill ourselves. The filling or control of the Holy Spirit comes by His action within us. Our part is simply to allow Him to do so and submit our lives to His control.

The command is also continuous in meaning; the filling of the Spirit is not once for all time. It is a day by day, moment by moment filling. Another way of expressing the verse is "be being filled with the Holy Spirit." This says much to us about how to live a life pleasing to God. It does not teach us that we are to sit back and do nothing, waiting for God to do everything. But it does teach that we are to permit the Holy Spirit of God to have His way in our lives. We must not resist Him, but cooperate with Him at all times. We cannot fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit, but we should ask God to do it and permit Him to control us moment by moment.

How to Recognize the Filling of the Holy Spirit

How may one know if he has been filled with the Spirit? Ephesians 5:19-21 gives four marks of a Spirit-filled Christian. They will be seen in a Christian who walks with the Lord.

Joy — The first mark of being Spirit-filled is that of joy. Verse 19 is a manifestation of this characteristic: "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." One does not have psalms and hymns and spiritual songs on his lips often unless he has a deep abiding joy in his heart.

Notice another thing. It says the believers are speaking to one another. Where the Spirit of the Lord is in charge, there will be free and open communication with our fellow believers. If, because of pride, resentment, envy, or hurt you will not speak to a fellow believer, you are not filled with the Spirit of God. One cannot harbor these things in his heart and be filled with the Spirit of God at the same time. Resentment and bitterness cannot exist side by side with deep abiding joy.

Praise — The second mark of a Spirit-filled Christian is found in the last half of verse 19, "singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." This is praise. One filled with the Holy Spirit can sing and make melody with his heart to the Lord for all that God has done. I think of Psalm 103 in this connection where David wrote:

Psalm 103:1-2

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;

Thanksgiving — The third mark of being filled with the Spirit is "always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father" (Ephesians 5:20).An attitude of thanksgiving to God is a sign that one is filled with the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit enables us to give thanks for all things in the name of Jesus to the Father. Thanksgiving is related to the context in which we find this verse. God does not intend for us to give thanks for sinful acts, but we can give thanks for His grace to endure hardship and heartaches, and to overcome sin.

Humble Submission — Voluntary submission to other Christians out of "the fear of Christ" is the final mark of a Spirit-filled Christian. Ephesians says, "and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). Fear in this case means reverence or respect. Being submissive is commonly called humility. It takes great humility to be subject to other people in the Lord, but this is exactly what the Spirit of God will work in our lives if we will permit it.

Humility that allows submission does not mean that one does not stand for his principles or that he lets other people run over him. Moses was very humble (Numbers 12:3) and yet he was a strong leader of Israel in the wilderness. He withstood opponents and was victorious because his cause was righteous. But he also submitted himself to God and to His divine order.

Make It Personal

How does your life measure up to the standards which God sets forth in His Word? If you do not have at least some of the marks of a Spirit-filled Christian, then you should ask God to fill you with His Spirit. You will be changed for the better as you trust Him daily.

Ephesians 5:18

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.

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