This is the second in a 4-part series on the Ministry of Jesus Christ as our Savior, Holy Spirit Baptizer, Healer and Soon Coming King.
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, is Omnipotent and Omnipresent. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and righteousness, draws sinners to the Savior, rebukes, pleads and searches out the hearts of mankind. He comforts, guides, teaches, baptizes and endues with power. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a promise from Jesus to endue believers with power, to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus, to give inspired utterance in witnessing of Him, to foster the spirit of prayer and to equip the individual and the church for soul-winning. – From the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus Christ as the baptizer in the Holy Spirit is the second of the four aspects of Jesus’ ministry. This issue is extremely crucial in connection with the spiritual life and service of every believer. We must approach the study of the Holy Spirit with a sense of inability to grasp the full subject at hand! In studying the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, we are touching that which is very close to the heart of God. It is well to use caution in studying this subject, seeking to be guided by the Holy Spirit himself. A few issues of caution might be in order:
1. The Holy Spirit never becomes visible. Because of this He can only be spiritually discerned. Natural wisdom cannot comprehend Him.
2. Much that we know in relation to the Holy Spirit has to do with our personal experiences, and experiences are never safe guides from which to arrive at doctrine. Because of that, we must keep close to the Word of God in our thinking concerning the work of the Spirit.
3. Our reaction to the power of the Spirit may differ, but the revealed Truth of the Word never changes.
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
1. The Person – The Holy Spirit is a Member of the Godhead, or Trinity.
A. The three members of the Godhead include: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All three persons of the Trinity are clearly seen in the following passage.
- As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17 (See also Genesis 1:26; 3:22; Isaiah 6:3)
B. The Holy Spirit was sent to the world to remain with us forever after Jesus returned to Heaven.
- And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
C. The Holy Spirit possess knowledge (Romans 8:27), feelings and emotions (Romans 15:30), a will (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), and power (Ephesians 1:18-20).
2. The Comforter (Counselor) – This word comes from the Greek word “parakletos,” which means one called alongside to help.”
- And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever… John 14:16
3. The Teacher – The Holy Spirit is also referred to as One who teaches.
- But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin.
- When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father,… John 16:8-10
2. The believer is born again by the Holy Spirit.
- He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,… Titus 3:5-6
3. The Holy Spirit bears witness to the believer’s sonship.
- The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6
4. The Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body of Christ.
- For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body… 1 Corinthians 12:13
5. The Holy Spirit places the seal of ownership upon the believer.
- And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (Ephesians 4:30)
6. The Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer.
- …because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (1 Peter 1:2)
7. The Holy Spirit transforms the believer.
- And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
8. The Holy Spirit bears fruit (God’s Character) in the believer’s life.
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…. Galatians 5:22-23
9. The Holy Spirit strengthens the believer for greater revelations of Christ.
- I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge… Ephesians 3:16-19
10. The Holy Spirit leads the sons of God.
- …because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14 (John 16:13; Galatians 5:18; Ephesians 3:20)
11. The Holy Spirit gives power for service and to be a witness.
- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
12. The Holy Spirit reveals and gives understanding of the Word of God.
- But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth…. John 16:13-14 (1 Corinthians 2:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
13. The Holy Spirit helps the believer to pray.
- We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express… Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20)
14. The Holy Spirit gives power for preaching.
- My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
15. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers.
- …All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
16. We are to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The baptism is the promise of the Father.
- 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.” Luke 24:49 (John 14:16, 15:26; Acts 2:38, 5:32)
2. The purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is that the believer may have power:
- For witness (Acts 1:8).
- In personal life (John 16:13-15; Galatians 5:16-17).
- For service (Luke 4:18-19; John 14:12; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
- For spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 4:4).
- For God-given ability to accomplish God-given tasks.
3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift AND a command of the Lord (Acts 1:4; Ephesians 5:18).
4. The evidences of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit include speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6). This is a gift to EVERY believer. We do not seek tongues; we seek the Giver of gifts, Jesus.
- Other evidences include: a greater passion for souls, a new power to pray, a greater power to witness of Christ, a love for the Word of God, functioning in our spiritual gifts, and Christ revealed as never before!
PURPOSE FOR THE PUBLIC GIFT OF TONGUES FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 14
- Edification — 1 Corinthian 14
- It is the fulfillment of Isaiah 28:11 and the words of Jesus in Mark 16:17
- It is the evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; 19:6
- Personal edification or strengthening – 1 Corinthians 14:4
- Spiritual edification of the church – 1 Corinthians 14:5
- Communication with God – 1 Corinthians 14:15
- Holy Spirit intercedes through us – Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:14; Ephesians 6:18
- Expression of spiritual joy – 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-19
2. Public Exhortation
- Based upon 1 Corinthians 13 (Love)
- This is the Apostle Paul’s correction of abuses of this gift in the public worship service
- Public tongues, unless it is a congregational time of worship expressed in tongues, are only edifying when interpreted – 1 Corinthians 14:5, 28
- The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet – 1 Corinthians 14:23
- Public tongues and prophecy must be judged by the leaders – 1 Corinthians 14:29
- All the gifts are placed and displayed in the church for the mutual edification of the believers – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
3. Note concerning 1 Corinthians 14:21-25 quoting Isaiah 28:11
- Foreign invaders who spoke another language were a sign in Israel’s day when they mocked and scoffed at God’s warning to reject their idols and to return to Him.
- Paul uses the same thinking that tongues would have the same effect on believers with a hard heart. The word “unbelievers” is not referring to non-Christian people as much as to believers who were unbelieving or had no faith.
IN CONCLUSION
The Baptism of and in the Holy Spirit is for today as it was for the believers in Bible times. It is received by faith, just as salvation. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to baptize you and empower you for greater and more joyful service.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER & INSTITUTE 