BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing July 2017 E-magazine English | Page 4

JULY 2017
Clarifying Doubts!
Explaining the benefits of the Spirit baptism
alone may not suffice for certain believer. Depending
upon their background they may have several
questions. Though it is not always possible to
satisfactorily answer every question, it is necessary
that the basic questions are tackled and deep-rooted
doubts cleared. I have normally come across the
following questions:
1. Don't I already have the Holy Spirit because I
am a child of God?
Those coming from Brethren and non-
charismatic Evangelical background usually pose
this question. This genuine theological question must
be answered clearly from Scriptures. The names of
the disciples were already written in Heaven (Lk
10:20) before the Day of Pentecost. Even before His
ascension, Christ breathed on them saying, “Receive
the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22). This cannot be dispensed
as a mere symbolic act. The disciples did receive a
measure of the Spirit at that instant, but they received
the Spirit in His fullness as a “baptism” (indicating
totality) several days later (Acts 2:1-4).
Crowds of men and women in Samaria were
baptized by Philip when they believed in Jesus
Christ. When the news reached Jerusalem, the
apostles came down to visit the new believers. They
found that they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.
Therefore they laid hands on them and they received
the Spirit (Acts 8:12-17). Note that Spirit baptism is
distinct from conversion. Saul is another example.
He accepted Christ as the Lord on the Road to
Damascus but he was filled with the Holy Spirit three
days later (Acts 9:6, 9, 17). So also is the case of the
Ephesian disciples which is self-explanatory (Acts
19.1-6).
Though some people may experience rebirth
and Spirit baptism simultaneously, one cannot deny
that they are two distinct experiences. In the first we
are baptized by the Spirit “Into Christ” and in the
second we are baptized by Christ “Into the Spirit”.
Apostle Paul has put them orderly one after the other
in 1 Corinthians 12:13 - “by one Spirit we were all
baptized 'INTO one Body' and have all been made to
drink “INTO one Spirit.” Conversion is the work of
the Spirit applying the benefits of Calvary. Spirit
baptism is the work of Christ applying the blessings
of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit leads us to Christ (Jn
16:8) and Christ baptizes us in the Holy Spirit (Jn
1:33).
2. Should I not become holy enough to receive
the Holy Spirit?
Over the years, people have heard Bible
teachers say, “Who would pour milk into an unclean
vessel?” This illustration has led believers into a
misconception that they must become holy in order to
receive the Holy Spirit. But the truth is that the Holy
Spirit does not fill us because we are holy but in order
to make us holy. Sanctification is through the Spirit
(1 Pet 1:2). No gift of God can be merited by our
worth or works. Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are
God's gifts. Salvation through Christ is “not of works
lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:8, 9). In the same
way the gift of the Holy Spirit is our inheritance
because we are inducted into the family of God (Acts
2:38,39).
This of course does not mean that the reception
of God's gifts is void of human responsibility and
cooperation. When we come to God for Salvation
through Christ, what is expected of us is repentance
and faith (Mk 1:15). When we come to God for the
Gift of the Holy Spirit, what is required of us is faith
and obedience (Acts 5:32). Water baptism is a basic
step of obedience in Christian life. That's why Peter
told the enquirers on the day of Pentecost, “Repent ...
be baptized ... and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37, 38). Though God in His
sovereignty may baptize in the Holy Spirit some of
those who are not baptized in water, it does not negate
the need for water baptism. We see Peter
commanding the Spirit-baptized congregation in
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