2022_04_29 Insight Post- Emma Keeton

In Acts chapter 19 Paul goes to Ephesus and runs into 12 disciples who had not received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They had received the baptism of John (repentance), but Paul lays hands on them and baptizes them with the Holy Spirit as well. The men speak in tongues and prophesy when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. This curious passage raises many questions. What are we to make of the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Is it necessary for me to seek another baptism other than water? And didn’t we already receive the Holy Spirit when we believed?

To address these questions let’s first look at 1 Corinthians 12:13.

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit-so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

We were all given the Holy Spirit at conversion; is there are case to say we can have subsequent fillings of the Holy Spirit throughout our lives? These next verses certainly suggest it:

Jesus refers to the promises recorded in Joel 2 as he appears to his disciples after the resurrection:

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

And then at Pentecost:

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4

These verses all indicate that we are filled with the Holy Spirit at conversion, but also receive subsequent fillings of the Holy Spirit. There is no set formula to how or when we will receive the Holy Spirit on those other times in our lives. Being filled with God’s Spirit may come with a tangible sign as in Acts 19:6, or it could be present in a more subtle way, like a feeling of boldness or peace. We can ask for the Holy Spirit to empower us, or baptize us, as we seek to follow his will for our life and live as witnesses to others. Spiritual gifts are given to us not for our power, but to be clothed in ‘his’ power to share the message of the gospel.

“God always wants us to go deeper. We tend to sip where we could drink deeply; we drink deeply where we could wade in, and we wade in where we could plunge in and swim, most of us need to be encouraged to go deeper and further into the things of the Holy Spirit.” David Guzik

Reference:

Piper, John. “What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?” www.desiringGod.org. Accessed 4/28/22

Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead