First Principles – The Doctrine of Baptisms (2)

20 March 2011

1. Introduction

Heb. 6:1-3 “Let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation …”

• In order to ‘grow’ or ‘go on’ there are two conditions:

(i) Foundations Laid (ii) Permission of God

• Heb 6:1-3 lists foundations that are essential to build our relationship and life with God.
• Doctrine = NT1322 = teaching or instruction about the meaning of baptisms.

Note: Western thinking (Greek) - Doctrine is about knowledge or information.

Hebrew thinking - Doctrine is teaching that is lived out experientially.

Baptisms

(i) Baptism into Christ             You are joined to Jesus Christ and to the body

of His people (1 Cor. 12-13).

(ii) Baptism in Water               Your old life is dead, a new life has begun.

(iii) Baptism in Holy Ghost      You enter the supernatural realm of the Holy

Spirit.

(iv) Baptism in Fire                  Your soul life is purified by fiery experiences

that test your faith.

2. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

(a) The Promise of Baptism in the Holy Spirit

• Lk 5:16 “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”.
• Baptise = NT907 = to immerse in, to dip into, with = en = in, into.
• Baptise in the Holy Spirit = the whole soul or personality is immersed, surrounded and enveloped in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

= the entrance into the supernatural realm of the spirit.

(b) The Example of Jesus

• Lk 3:21-22 “..Jesus also was (water) baptised and while He prayed the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove …”
• Following Jesus water baptism He was immediately baptised in the Holy Spirit.
• Note what happened:

(i)   Heaven opened – access into the supernatural realm of the Father       God

(ii) Holy Spirit descended – He was dipped, immersed into the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

(iii) A voice came from heaven – He was affirmed in His relationship and Sonship.

(iv) He was led by the Spirit (Lk4:1)

(c) The Promise of Jesus

• Jn 20:21-22 “…and when He had said this He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit”.

- Jesus imparted the person and life of the Holy Spirit into His disciples.

- They became born again, joined to the Spirit of God indwelling them.

(1 Cor. 6:17).

- This was not the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

• The Promise of Jesus

(i)   Lk 24:49  “Behold, I send the promise of the Father upon you, but tarry in the city

of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high”.

“Clothed” = NT1746 = Enduo = to sink into a garment, to cover with a

clothing, to put on a garment.

“Power” = NT1411 = Dunamis = supernatural ability.

(ii) Acts 1:4-8 “… wait for the promise of the Father … for John truly baptised with water

but you shall be baptised in the Holy Spirit not many days from now”.

• “Baptised” = NT907 = to immerse in, to dip into.
• Vs8 “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon and you shall be witness to me…”
• The Holy Spirit will come upon and envelop or cloth you with His Presence and Power.

3. What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

(a) The Bible describes this experience several ways:

• Acts 1:5 “You shall be baptised in the Holy Spirit..”
• Acts 1:8 “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon…”
• Acts 2:33 “..He poured out this which you now see and hear …”
• Acts 10:44 “..The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word.

• The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience where:

(i) The invisible presence, and power of the Holy Spirit comes upon a person

                  and surrounds, envelops and clothes them.

(ii) The invisible presence and power of the Holy Spirit arises from within your

      spirit surrounding and sensitising the soul to spontaneous impressions of

      the Holy Spirit.

(b) The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the entrance to a supernatural realm of life

• New realm of awareness (Acts 2:17-18)       
• New realm of functioning (1 Cor. 12)
• New realm of power (Acts 1:8)
• New realm of revelation (1 Cor. 2:9-10)
• New realm of guidance (Lk 4:1, Rom. 8:14)
• New realm of prayer (Rom 8:26)
• New realm of conflict (Lk 4:1,14)
• Holy Spirit rests upon and immerses the person!

(c) We need constant daily filling with the Holy Spirit

• Eph. 5:18-19 “Be not drunk with wine … but be filled with the Spirit”.
• Be filled = continuous, ongoing, something that happens as a result of yielding.
• Acts 4:31 “When they had prayed … they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…”

4. Speaking in Tongues

(a) They speak in Tongues!

• Acts 2:1-4 “… they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues…”
• Acts 10:44-46 “…for they heard them speak with other tongues and magnify God.
• Acts 19:6 “…The Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

(b) What is Speaking in Tongues?

• It is an overflow from your heart of the Holy Spirit speaking through a yielded soul and voice.
• Some Key Features:

- Your spirit is praying (1Cor.14:14)

- The Holy Spirit is giving the language (Acts 2:4)

- It is a real language with meaning (1 Cor. 14)

- You are speaking to God (1 Cor. 14:2)

- It builds, energises, enlarges your spirit (1 Cor. 14:4)

Edify = NT3618 = Oikodameo = to build a house, to construct.

Where is the house built? Within You! Your spirit is enlarged and becomes charged with life.

- It gives voice to God’s will and purpose (1 Cor.14:2)

- It enable your soul to become energised with spontaneous communication of the Holy Spirit.

5. How to be Baptised in the Holy Spirit

• Mk 11:24

(i) Desire

(ii) Ask            

(iii) Believe – exercise faith    

            (iv) Receive gratefully                       

(v) Yield your soul and voice to allow Holy Spirit to speak through you.

N.B.: You speak! He gives the Words!