Episode 4: Baptized in Flames

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I discuss “baptism in the Holy Spirit,” which Charismatics, Pentecostals and some others claim is a special empowering by the Holy Spirit manifested through spiritual gifts, and is separate and distinct from the saving indwelling of the Holy Spirit experienced by all genuine Christians.

Music

• Knowledge MC, Baptized in Flames, from the The Book of Knowledge album, 2005
• Oaks Worship, Pour Your Spirit, from the Awaken Me album, 2009

Terminology

• Pneumatology: the study of the Holy Spirit.
• Pentecostalism: a “renewal” movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the “baptism in the Holy Spirit,” an event separate and distinct from the saving indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
• Charismatics: a larger group of professing Christians, including Pentecostals, who emphasize the availability to believers today of tongues and other miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit as seen in Acts.
• Gentile: a non-Jew, one not descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
• Godfearers: Gentiles who attached themselves in varying degrees to Judaism, engaged in Judaic religious ideas and practices.

Historical References

• Clement of Rome: Letter to the Corinthians
• Barnabas (various candidates): Epistle of Barnabas

Biblical References

• In support of a temporal “gap” and distinction between baptism in the Holy Spirit, experienced only by some, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, experienced by all saved believers.
  • John 20:22
  • Matthew 10:19-20
  • Acts 1:4-5
  • Acts 2:2-4
  • Acts 11:15-17
  • Acts 9:3-17
  • Acts 8:12-17
  • Acts 19:1-7
• In opposition to any limited scope for baptism in the Holy Spirit; it is for all believers in the expanding scope of God’s Kingdom
  • Acts 2:15-21 quoting Joel 2:28-32
    • Contrasted with Numbers 11:16-17,25-29
  • Gift broadened to Samarians in Acts 8:14-17
  • Broadened to God-fearers (Gentile followers of Judaism) in Acts 10:44-47
  • Broadened to unobservant Gentiles in Acts 19:1-7
• Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all Christians and marks one as a genuine believer
  • 1 Corinthians 12
  • John 7:37-39
• Receiving the Holy Spirit is a promise that we are saved
  • Romans 8:9-11,15-17
  • 2 Corinthians 5:4-5, cf. Matthew 7:7-8
  • 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
  • Ephesians 1:13-14
• Also, since “baptism” sometimes refers to this baptism in the Holy Spirit, and not physical baptism in water…
  • 1 Peter 3:20-21
  • Romans 6:3-4
  • Galatians 3:27
  • Colossians 2:11-12
• Apostles didn’t have Holy Spirit before Pentecost
  • Luke 24:49 cf. John 20:22