THE INNER WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
One of the distinguishing things about Pentecostals from some other parts of Christianity is their insistence on active interaction with the Holy Spirit. This includes the reality of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Some people choose to think of the baptism in the Holy Spirit as a new phenomenon. However, if we examine history we notice that there have been believers of all ages who have claimed this experience. Indeed, history will record that it was a fresh act of God's grace around the turn of this century that brought a new awareness of both the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the experiences associated with Him. Yet, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not limited to any dispensational framework. This means that from the time of the first church to our present day, there have probably always been believers who have experienced and enjoyed the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Having already established that the Holy Spirit is a Person, we now focus our attention on His role in the believer's life.
1. Note the following and briefly state what's happening-
a) Ex. 31:3 - _____________________________________________
b) Nu. 11:25, 29 - ___________________________________________
c) Judges 3:10 - ____________________________________________
d) 1Sam. 10:6 - ____________________________________________
e) 1Ki. 18:12 - ____________________________________________
f) Ps. 51:10 - ____________________________________________
g) Pr. 1:23 - _____________________________________________
h) Isa. 44:3 - _____________________________________________
The Holy Spirit was active in the lives of those living in the Old Testament. We read in the Old Testament how God put His Spirit upon people and they were able to do great things for Him. Yet when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, He spoke of His role being a future one. So, although people had been filled with the Holy Spirit; there was still an experience people would have with Him different from that under the Old Testament.
2. Note the differences between being filled with the Spirit and being baptized in the Holy Spirit -
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| Repeated experience | Occurs _ _ _ _. |
| Specific purpose | _ _ _ _ _ - purpose |
| Old & New Testament | _ _ _ Testament. |
The passage in John 20:22 is a controversial one. There are numerous interpretations of it. If we are to adopt the belief that there is a difference between being filled and being baptized with the Holy Spirit, then most of the interpreting problems cease. In this instance then, when Jesus breathed on them and said "receive the Holy Spirit"- they did just that. If the Holy Spirit fills us for specific purposes, then it could be seen that Christ was empowering them for what was to come- His physical absence. When they received that filling of the Holy Spirit, it was quite possibly their salvation and spiritual 'regeneration' they were receiving. Therefore we need to understand the different roles of the Holy Spirit in salvation and 'baptism'.
a) Mk. 16:17 - __________________________________________
b) Acts 2:4 - ____________________________________________
c) Acts 8:14-18 - _________________________________________
d) Acts 10:44-46 - ________________________________________
e) Acts 19:6- ____________________________________________
Along with the acceptance that the Holy Spirit is indeed for today has come a gradual compromise to the initial evidence of His baptism. "Some of the surveys done in the U.S. among Charismatics reveals that as few as 5% of those who claim to be charismatic actually speak in tongues" (Dr. David Cartledge, Qld. AOG Superintendant's Newsletter).
The Scripture either shows outrightly or by implication that the initial evidence for the baptism with the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. Some have confused other evidences that flow on naturally from either salvation or being filled occasionally with the Holy Spirit as the initial evidence.
4. What other evidences do you think are confused with the evidence for the baptism with the Holy Spirit, that may simply be evidences of conversion?
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5. Could any of these also be an evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, but not necessarily the initial evidence? Are there any other evidences apart from speaking in tongues?
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This is but one of the roles for the baptism with the Holy Spirit. When we observe the way Jesus described Him, we are able to see that the baptism with the Holy Spirit brings a believer into an intimate fellowship with Him. In John 14:15-18 Christ says the Holy Spirit will comfort believers like a loving Father. In verses 25-27 of the same chapter He says that the Holy Spirit will be a Helper, Teacher, Reminder and the Bringer of peace. In John 16:13-14 He says that the Holy Spirit will be the Guide who will lead believers into all truth, tell them of things to come and glorify Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 12 we see a listing of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has made available to believers through the doorway of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
7. What does Paul say the purpose of these gifts are? (1Cor. 14:12)
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One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is "tongues" (2Cor. 12:10). This is different from the tongues received in the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The "tongue" (new language) received with the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for personal edification and building up (1Cor. 12:10), while the gift of tongues (not the ministry of tongues) is for the whole church to be edified (1Cor. 14:5). Therefore, we can comfortably worship God in our heavenly language amidst the congregation of other believers without actually giving a message in tongues (the gift of tongues) which demands interpretation.
8. Some people argue that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not for today because it was only received when an apostle laid hands on someone. Give a Scriptural example from Acts 10, of this not being the case.
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Some suggest that the passage in 1Cor. 13:8-10 predicted that tongues would be done away with once that which is perfect is come. They suggest that this predicted the completion of the New Testament which would make void any need of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The context of what Paul was saying clearly refers to the day when we will be present with the Lord with our resurrected bodies, where childish things will have ultimately been done away with and we will not be able to sin anymore.
The Scriptures are plain that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for today. May God grant us each a fresh filling of His Spirit!
Amen.