What is “Spirit Baptism”?

The Bible contains only one verse explaining what some call “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” We have read it, but let’s review.

Paul wrote, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (I Cor. 12:13). No other verse mentions this phrase. (Ephesians 1:22-23 and Colossians 1:18 define “body” as “the Church.”)

So this verse merely says that God’s Spirit baptizes people into the Church! Since the Greek word for baptize (baptizo) is “to immerse, plunge into,” it is easy to see that people are “immersed” or “plunged” into the Holy Spirit—and into the Church. (You may read our free booklet What Do You Mean Water Baptism? to understand proper water baptism.)

Recall that Romans 8:9 stated that we must have God’s Spirit, or we are “none of” Christ’s.

Understand! The term that Pentecostals use, “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” is simply not found in the Bible! Like the term “tarry meeting,” it is a twisted version of a scriptural phrase done to alter what God intended.

The Great Assumption

Pentecostal people make a giant assumption in regard to what they call “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Without the slightest proof, they assert that it is a kind of second receiving of the Holy Spirit, which takes place at a “tarry meeting.”

Now, they do not actually teach that the Holy Spirit is given a second time, but rather that this second occurrence is when one receives power, generally described as given to “witness for Jesus.” Millions seek what they call “the baptism.”

Supposedly, this is an additional necessary experience, above conversion, and when it does not happen for some, they become hopeless and give up completely on the idea of Christianity.

The following pattern is a general description of the “manifestations” the “seeker” would hope to demonstrate. First, the tongue begins to loosen up, almost as though one is becoming drunken. Second, physical sensations and thrills, usually bringing certain gyrations—and even jumping, leaping, dancing, swaying and shouting in a way that “evidences” receiving power never before felt. Third, a glibness and quickness or looseness (probably best described as flippancy) of speech is present, and all inhibition disappears.

“The Baptism” and “Receiving the Holy Spirit” Are the Same Of course, none of the apostles are reported to have done ANY of these things—and God nowhere prescribes them in the Bible. That is the plain truth of the matter!

Acts 2:4 states that those present “…were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit.” Being “filled” with the Spirit is clearly the same as being baptized with it.

When thousands from around Jerusalem came running to the event and were baptized, it was only as a direct result of hearing Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized…and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This was the way they received the Holy Spirit. This event allowed them to be converted and “added to the Church” (Ac 2:47).

Every converted person—those who have repented and been baptized—has been baptized by God’s Spirit. The Bible teaches no later follow-up requirement for the newly converted to receive “power.” At the point when one is led by the Holy Spirit, he has become a begotten child of God. However, he is not yet born, because “that which is born of the flesh IS flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit IS spirit” (John 3:6). The newly begotten is a babe in Christ, called to spend the rest of his life growing and overcoming (II Pet. 3:18).

The disciples had not received God’s Spirit prior to Acts 2:1-47. That account was not a description of a second, follow-up “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” It was a description of how they, and the 3,000 with them, received the Holy Spirit and power for the first and only time in their lives!