The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

2. Predicted by John the Baptist • And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”- Mk. 1:4-8

3. Observations: • We are not told exactly what it means • It is a promise, not a command • Other references: Mt. 3:11, Lk. 3:16, Jn 1:33

4. Jesus’ Instructions • Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. • - Lk. 24:45-51

5. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”Acts 1: 3-5

6. The Baptism Arrives • When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. • Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. • They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. • - Acts 2:1-4

7. Observations: • They did not know what to expect • Greek: “glossais” - from which we get the word “glossary” - means “languages” • Translation: “other languages”

8. The story continues: • Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.’” - Acts 2:5-13

9. Observations: • 2:8 > “in his own native language” - Greek: “dialektoi” - “dialect” • 2:11 > Greek “glossais” - language or tongue • 2:11 > “in our own language” • 2:11 > “declaring the wonders of God” • Two different greek words - both mean “language” in the usual sense

10. They were Galileans: People from the following areas: • Parthians • Medes • Elamites • Mesopotamians • Judeans • Cappadocians • Pontus • Asia • Phrygia • Pamphylia • Egypt • Libya • Rome • Cretans • Arabs

11. The Apostles did not know these languages - • No wonder the crowds were “amazed and perplexed!” • “They have had too much wine!”

12. Fulfillment of prophecy: • Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: • “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women,I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to bloodAnd everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.‘ - Acts 2:14-21

13. Observations: • “Pour out my spirit” - from heaven’s perspective, a “pouring out” - from our perspective, an immersion • “On all people” (flesh) • “men and women”

14. The result: • When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. - Acts 2:36-41

15. Observations: • The baptism of the Spirit ushered in the preaching of the resurrected Christ • The focus was on preaching the message of the gospel to people • Note: Matt. 16:18-19 is fulfilled: And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. will give you the keys of the kingdomof heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

16. Were they carrying it out? • Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, • and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” • Matt. 28:18-20

17. The Gentiles await... • At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. Acts 10:1-7

18. Readings: • Acts 10: 9-23 • Acts 10:23-43 • Acts 10:44-48 • Acts 11:1-18 • Acts 11:19ff The Antioch Church is planted!

19. Observations: • The Apostles and early church still had not ‘gotten’ Jesus’ plan for ALL NATIONS to be brought into God’s Kingdom • It took an angel, a vision and a miracle! • It was the “message” that saved, not the baptism of the Holy Spirit (11:14) • The focus was on Jesus, not the Holy Spirit • The Spirit’s purpose: to glorify Jesus and his message! • Holy Spirit Baptism came to Cornelius at Jesus’ initiative, not his own. • Baptism in water was immediately commanded