In my experience within Christian churches the term "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" has almost always caused confusion, division and sometimes even heated debate. The term's definition also varies greatly between different denominations. Thus, being asked "have you received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit" will mean completely different things depending on what church you are standing in. There are other terms like "slaying in the Spirit", "laying on of hands", "drunk in the Holy Spirit" and various others that are used in conjunction with it. There is also great debate as to exactly how a person receives this "Baptism".
What is it?
Firstly I wish to define what I mean by the term "Baptism of the Holy Spirit". The simplest description of how I see the term is that it is synonymous with the word "regeneration". In regeneration we receive and become indwelt by the full presence of the Holy Spirit, and He remains in us as a permanent seal that we now belong to God. When this takes place we become "born again", meaning that our old life of sin is now 'dead', and that we have a new life that is in Jesus Christ. The 'Baptism' happens only once, which is at our conversion.
How do we obtain it?
Regeneration, like justification and adoption, is obtained immediately the moment we first exercise saving faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation. The only requirement, then, is faith.
There is no need for:
1. Special requests or 'tarrying' for the Holy Spirit.
This is because:
Some Christians misinterpret the historical event of Pentecost. After Christ returned to heaven there was a short period where the disciples were left 'alone' before the Holy Spirit came to earth. They waited and prayed in expectation of the coming of the Holy Spirit. However, after the initial outpouring of the Spirit, first to the Jews, then the Samaritans, and finally the Gentiles, there no longer remained any need to 'wait' or ask for the Holy Spirit to come as He was already on earth and remains today, convicting the world of sin and regenerating and indwelling all who place faith in Christ.
There is no need for:
2. Laying on of hands to receive the spirit.
This is because:
This again goes back to a failure to study the bible in context. The bible clearly teaches that the 'gift' or 'baptism' of the Holy Spirit, (both synonymous terms), is received by faith alone. (Acts 10:44-48; Galatians 3:2, 3:14)
As the apostle Paul said, "There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:4-5) All Christians have been baptised with one baptism. Not all with water, not all with laying on of hands, but all with the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the only baptism that is essential to all Christians regardless of cultural or denominational practices.
What does being "filled with the Holy Spirit" mean?
This is another term that can have various meanings and cause great confusion. The word "filling" has the unfortunate effect of likening the Holy Spirit to a liquid-type substance that has to be continually poured into us as though refilling the gas tank of a car. This is clearly an incorrect definition of what the term 'filling' means. Although the word 'filling' is not perhaps the best choice of words, it can be used to describe the level of work that the Holy Spirit is doing in the Christian's life. When a person becomes a Christian the Holy Spirit comes to indwell them. At that stage, and from then on, the Holy Spirit is completely present and whole. We can use the word "filling", not to describe how much of the Holy Spirit is in us (as if it were possible to "chop up" the Spirit into fractions), but instead describe to what degree we are living the fullness of the new life in Christ that the Holy Spirit brings. This fullness is dependant solely on our submission to the Holy Spirit's leadership in our lives.
See also:
(Acts 2:37-41; 1 Corinthians 6:11, 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-5)
Speaking in Tongues.
The issue of speaking in tongues is commonly associated with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. For example, the Assemblies of God (Australian Christian Life Centres) Articles of Faith combine the two inseparably as below:
"WE BELIEVE that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the bestowing of the believer with power to be an effective witness for Christ. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the New Birth; is received by faith; and is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues as the spirit gives utterance, as the initial evidence."
I must disagree with the description of this "experience" (in itself not a good choice of words) being "distinct from and subsequent to the New Birth" (that is, regeneration). Secondly, I must also disagree that speaking in tongues is the "evidence" for anything to do with our standing with God. Certainly the claim that all Christians must speak in tongues is in error when we look to Paul's question, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?" (1 Corinthians 12: 29-30) When studying the passage in context, clearly the expected answer to Paul's question is in the negative.
The CLC's beliefs at least state that this "evidence" is given to people by faith, although it is common that those who advocate speaking in tongues also believe that it comes only from the laying on of hands. Again this comes back to an error in reading the events of Pentecost in their cultural and historical contexts.
I believe that the gift of speaking in tongues was an important part of the early stages of the newly formed Church after Christ's ascension. Firstly, the gift of tongues was used by God in specific cases, like the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10 & 11), for the important and special purpose of showing the Jewish believers that God also accepted the Gentile believers as fully as He did them. We also notice in this account that the household all received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by simply believing in the gospel, not by laying on of hands.
However, I believe that the most important reason was because the Church had no written word from God (apart from the old covenant) and needed direct teaching from Him in order to survive and understand the new covenant to which they now belonged. However, it is clear that from Paul's later lists of spiritual gifts that as time went on this gift was less and less prominent and, I believe, eventually no longer needed, as the formation of the Holy Scriptures came to a close around 100CE. None of the early Church fathers make mention of the use of the gift, which would be expected if it was still an important and useful gift after the passing of the apostles and the formation and availability of the Holy Scriptures.
There can be no mistake that in many cases the abuse of speaking in tongues has caused friction and disharmony in churches. It may cause people to feel left out, especially if they are incorrectly taught that all true Christians must possess this 'evidence'. In my opinion, this specific gift is not part of the contemporary church, neither are such gifts necessary to 'prove' that one has become a Christian, or that an individual has achieved any sort of spiritual maturity over another.
However, in consideration of my brothers and sisters in Christ who honestly believe that God still uses this gift in the contemporary church, I echo the sentiments of the Salvation Army Positional Statement on speaking in tongues:
"The thrust of the Apostle's [Paul] teaching is to show that, as far as public worship is concerned, prophecy [teaching/preaching] which is intelligible is far preferable to speaking in tongues. The former builds up the congregation with encouragement and consolation, while the latter, if not controlled, can bring the church into disrepute with unbelievers (see 1 Cor 14:3-23). …With all of this in mind and because of our love for our brothers and sisters,...[Christians]...are urged to exercise restraint by not using this gift in public meetings. This voluntary restraint will help maintain the bond of unity and love in the body of Christ."
This article was taken from "Statement of Belief - by Cameron Stefferson". You can view the complete document by clicking on 'Statement of Belief' in the top menu.
