Page 15 - Bible Doctrine Survey I- Student Textbook

baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
we too may live a new life.”

The following facts are necessary to help solidify our understanding of Spirit
baptism:
1. 1 Corinthians 12:13 clearly states that all have been baptized, just as all been
given the Spirit to drink (the indwelling of the Spirit).

2. Second, nowhere in Scripture are believers told to be baptized with, in or by
the Spirit, or in any sense to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This indicates
that all believers have had this experience.

3. Ephesians 4:5 seems to refer to Spirit baptism. If this is the case, Spirit baptism is the reality for every
believer, just as “one faith” and “one Father” are.

In conclusion, the baptism of the Holy Spirit does two things, 1) it joins us to the body of Christ, and 2) it
actualizes our co-crucifixion with Christ. Being in His body means we are risen with Him to newness of
life (Romans 6:4). We should then exercise our spiritual gifts to keep that body functioning properly as
stated in the context of 1 Corinthians 12:13. Experiencing the one Spirit baptism serves as the basis for
keeping the unity of the church, as in the context of Ephesians 4:5. Being associated with Christ in His
death, burial, and resurrection through Spirit baptism establishes the basis for our separation from the
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power of indwelling sin and our walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-10; Colossians 2:12) .

A person then is baptized by the Holy Spirit once for all at their conversion (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:26-28).
It is not a second step of obedience after a person is saved. He enters the believer at the moment of
belief.

Galatians 3: 1-3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was
clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by
the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?

In this verse, Paul is questioning the Galatian church about when they received the Holy Spirit. He helps
them understand that the Holy Spirit was received by believing (at the time of their salvation) and not a
later work of the law.

Before the church age, the Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell believers. He would come to
empower a servant of God, then exit. After Christ resurrected from the dead, Christ promised that the
Holy Spirit would come to permanently indwell the apostles and all believers. On the Day of Pentecost
when the church age began, both new and existing believers were baptized by the Spirit (Acts 1:5;
11:15,16). Also in two other cases in the early church it seems the Spirit was not given to believers until
an apostle was present (Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-6). This event was evidenced by their ability to speak
languages (tongues) which they previously did not know. However, others heard them speak and
recognized their languages.

2 https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-baptism.html (used with permission)

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