The Promises of God - Lesson 19 Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Introduction:
1. In 2 Peter 1:4, God's promises are described as "exceeding great and precious." 2. Because God's promises are so special, they deserve our careful attention. 3. We are presently studying "God's promise to send the Holy Spirit." 4. Previously,: a. we showed how God has kept this promise 1) The coming of the Spirit was prophesied (Joel 2:28-32). 2) Jesus said that the Spirit would come after He left the earth (John 16:7). 3) Peter stated that Joel's prophecy was fulfilled on Pentecost after Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 2). b. we covered passages that reveal the Spirit's identity -- He is a member of the eternal Godhead c. we showed how God has blessed His people by sending the Spirit. 5. The Bible teaches that God has given people various measures of the Spirit, including: a. the baptism of the Holy Spirit b. the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by spiritual gifts c. the non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 6. In this lesson we are concentrating on "the baptism of the Holy Spirit."
Discussion:
I. LET US DEFINE "THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"
A. Two important terms are: 1. "baptism": immersion; an overwhelming 2. "Holy Spirit": a member of the eternal Godhead. B. "The baptism of the Holy Spirit" refers to an overwhelming of the Holy Spirit.
II. SEVERAL KEY PROPHECIES REVEAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT "THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"
A. Joel prophesied about the outpouring of God's Spirit (Joel 2:28-32). B. John stated that Christ would administer this baptism (Mark 1:6-8). C. Jesus said that the apostles would receive this baptism in Jerusalem (Acts 1:1-8).
III. "THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" OCCURRED ON 2 OCCASIONS
A. The apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). 1. Their baptism in the Spirit was demonstrated by their speaking in tongues (vs.5-6). 2. Joel's prophecy was fulfilled (vs.16-21). 3. Why was the baptism in the Holy Spirit necessary for the apostles? a. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus gave the Great Commission to the apostles (Matthew 28:19-20). b. Earlier, Jesus had told the apostles that He would send the Holy Spirit to assist them (John 14:26; 16:13). c. The Holy Spirit would guide and assist the apostles as they carried out their mission. B. The household of Cornelius was baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48). 1. These Gentiles also spoke in tongues. 2. Why was the baptism in the Holy Spirit necessary for these Gentiles? a. Joel's prophecy was fulfilled [God's Spirit was poured out on "all flesh"]. b. Their baptism in the Holy Spirit proved to Jewish Christians that salvation was also for the Gentiles (Acts 11:1-4, 15-18; 15:5-11).
Conclusion:
1. The Lord administered Holy Spirit baptism on 2 occasions. 2. He never commanded everyone to receive Holy Spirit baptism. 3. "The baptism of the Holy Spirit" was a promise that has been fulfilled. 4. There is "one baptism" in effect today (Ephesians 4:5), the baptism of the Great Commission that Christ wants everyone to receive.
