04-27-08 Sermon Review

The Baptism of the Spirit

Last week we went over verses 19-36 discussing the testimony of John. This week, I want to take us all a little deeper into a topic which is brought up within these verse that we did not have an opportunity to give a treatment it deserves last week. The topic is Spiritual Baptism and it is found in John 1:33.

"I did not recognize him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit." (italics mine)

Most of you guys might be wondering, "Why is he bringing up this theological issue, I could care less about it." I bring this up because it is a clear teaching in Scripture that is often times confused, and most often times to the detriment of one's walk with the Lord. There are two views on what this baptism of the Spirit means.

Baptism of the Spirit Post-Conversion - There is huge group in Christian circles that believe this baptism is a second experience after one believes in Jesus Christ, usually a "filling" of the Spirit that is evidenced by special gifting, including speaking in tongues (actually, most often times speaking in tongues). To substantiate this view, many go to the passages in Acts to show that in all the occurences of the "filling" of the Spirit, the filling followed the conversion.

The problem with this view is that Acts is a descriptive book, and therefore does not explicitly state that this is normative of way things are. There is no divine commentary on these events in Acts either, and therefore a conclusive statement such as this view is hard to maintain. Not only this, but other sound explanations can be given to explain this two step experience that we see in Acts. Another thing to keep in mind is that the baptism of the Spirit, speaking in tongues, or other post-conversion experiences aren't mentioned at all in the other accounts of conversion in the book of Acts, which limits these experiences to four instances in Acts out of the many.

I am not trying to say there are no post-conversion experiences for believers. There are times of dryness that are often times revived with greater fervor for the Word and prayer in many Christian's lives. But this sort of an experience is totally different from the kind of experience (i.e. one that is follwoed by a miraculous manifestation of the Spirit) that those who hold this view will argue for.

So is this view biblical? I cannot say that it is. Is it dangerous? In some regards. Let me explain. This view often times leads many to a "holier-than-thou" attitude, creating tiers in Christianity. They separate the "Spirit-baptized" from the nominal Christians. This view also leads many to seek a second experience to validate their faith in Jesus Christ. This view has many such implications for assurance, salvation, gifts, and much more.

Baptism of the Spirit Regeneration - So what view is more consistent with the biblical teaching on Spirit-baptism? I believe that the baptism of the Spirit is what theologians now call regeneration, and therefore simultaneous to conversion. The best description that I have ever found in Scripture of regeneration is in Titus 3:4-7 and it links this simlutaneously with our justification. Therefore, if the baptism of the Spirit is indeed regeneration, it cannot be a post-conversion experience. Here are some reasons why believe that the baptism of the Spirit means regeneration in this text.

Baptism was an introduction into a community - 1 Corinthians 12:13 clearly states that by this baptism of the Spirit, we were brought into one body. The construction in the Greek is exactly the same here as it is in our John text. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" (italics mine). Therefore, a post-conversion experience cannot be in view here.

Baptism was a symbol of cleansing - John the Baptist paved the way for Jesus by calling for a baptism of repentance. This water baptism was only a symbol of what Jesus would do in His Spirit baptism. Peter ties baptism with cleansing when he writes "baptism no saves you, not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a clean conscience -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21; italics mine). This clean conscience is brought by the baptism of the Spirit, when He causes us to be born again through Christ's resurrection.

Regeneration is a repeated theme in John - Regeneration passages fill the chapters of the Gospel of John. Take for example John chapter 3 when Jesus speaks with Nicodemus. The conversation revolves around the necessity of regeneration. John 10:10 states taht Christ came that we might have life, an abundant life, a life which we do not yet have. Even a few verses prior to our passage for today there is a statement made about regeneration, "But as many as received Him, He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).

So what's the point? - Now if you're a Christian here and you're wondering what this has to do with all of us. Let me explain the implication as explicitly as I can: Every true Christian must be regenerate; every true Christian must be baptized by the Spirit. If you are a Christian here today, can you truly say that you have been baptized by the Spirit? Can you say with Paul, that you have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you? Has the old gone and is the new here? Have you been baptized into the death of Jesus, crucified the flesh, and now living in the newness of life found in the power of His resurrection? Has your conscience been cleansed by the forgiveness that flows from the bloody tree of calvary? Have you embraced the"one body" to which you have been brought into? These aren't just things Christians say when they are more mature, these are the confessions of every true Christian.

Titus 3:4-7 tells us that God saved us by mercy by the washing of regenaration of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you cherish this regenerating work of mercy. I pray that you are awed that Christ has purged from you the old self who was enslaved to sin, and has created you to be a new man ensalved to righteousness for the joy of your soul in God. Cherish the life we have in Christ, cherish the baptism of the Spirit. Our Christian walk has begun in the Spirit, and will be completed by the Spirit (Galatians 3:1-3). Let us embrace that. Stay strong and God bless.