Doctrine Of Baptisms (Holy Ghost)
By: J.E. Gray

After a person has repented with a godly sorrow in their heart, and gone out of the sinning business and believed that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, then we are instructed that there are other vital points that are included in God’s plan for the Christian faith. Be reminded that we can go no further than we have faith to go with. We can do no more than we have faith to do with.

We have arrived at fundamental number three, the Doctrine of Baptisms. You note that the word is plural, “baptisms.” The scripture bears out that there are two parts to baptism. Both the experience of the Holy Ghost and being baptized in water are called a baptism. We realize that Ephesians 4:5 says, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” but we are also aware that it takes both water and spirit to complete this one baptism.

You will note that John the Baptist mentioned water baptism and spirit baptism in the same verse. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” – (Matthew 3:11)

Jesus said in Acts 1:5, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence,” So, it actually takes both to encompass the subject of baptism. Jesus had this in mind when he said in John 3:5, “… Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

In I Corinthians Chapter 10, Paul wrote concerning the children of Israel that they were all baptized of Moses in the cloud and in the sea. That cloud was representative of (a type of) the spirit (Holy Ghost) and the Red Sea, a type of water baptism. As they came out of bondage (a type of sin), they were caused to pass through the sea and the cloud. That cloud continued to guide them and protect them, for it was illuminated with fire.

There was always present both parts to complete the one total experience of baptism.

We cannot allow ourselves to just single out one verse of scripture and say that we are going to be saved by that. Sometimes people say, “I’m going to be saved by faith” or, “I’m going to be saved by love,” or “I’m going to be saved by grace,” or “I’m going to be saved by baptism” and this only.

I’d like to point out here that there are twelve different statements given in the Bible whereby we may be saved. I do not believe that we can single out one of these twelve and say we’re going to ride that horse in, but we must take the entire sum of all that is said about being saved in order that we might actually be saved. We’re saved by:

1. Faith, according to Ephesians 2:8 and Hebrews 11:6.

2. Love, according to John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16.

3. Grace, according to Ephesians 2:5-8.

4. Works, according to James 2: 14 and Acts 2:40-41.

5. Baptism, according to 1 Peter 3:20 and Mark 16:16.

6. Fear, according to Jude 23.

7. The Name of Jesus, according to Acts 4:12.

8. The Holy Ghost, according to Titus 3:5 and 1 Corinthians 12:13.

9. Preaching, according to I Timothy 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18.

10. Hope, according to Romans 8:24.

11. Repentance, according to Psalms 34:18 and II Peter 3:9.

12. Endurance, according to Matthew 24:13.

We can’t just pick out one of these and say this is all we need. We must add them all up, take the sum total, and by this we will be saved.

It is important to note that along with other things we are saved by baptism, by water AND spirit baptism. Let us look a little further in the word concerning the subject of spirit baptism, and be reminded that this experience is still real today. God is still pouring out this spirit upon people today.

Jesus promised in John 7:37, “… If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink… (This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe in him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified).”

The terms “gift of the Holy Ghost,” “received,” “poured out,” “filled,” are synonymous with the term “baptism of the Holy Ghost.”

It is essential for us to know that the doctrine of baptisms is part of the doctrine of salvation. The promise of the Holy Ghost was given in Isaiah 28:11-12, “For with stammering lips and another tongue, will he speak to this people… This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing.” St. Paul confirmed this in I Corinthians 14:21.

Joel prophesied concerning the day when the Holy Ghost would come. (2:28) “It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh…” The apostle Peter confirmed this as actually being a prophecy concerning the Holy Ghost in Acts 2:17.

John the Baptist preached everywhere he went. “I indeed baptize you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,” (Mark 1:8).

The experience of being baptized with the Holy Ghost is a real experience. There is no such thing as saying that you believe you have the Holy Ghost but there was not a tangible experience. If you could get it and not know when you got it, then you could lose it and not know when you lost it. So, how do you know that you have it! I thank God that I can even feel right now that spirit which the Lord filled me with several years ago.

The Bible teaches us that the Holy Ghost did come. Jesus spoke about it on many occasions. In John 4:10 he said, “If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” In John 14:17 he said, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” In Luke 24:49 Jesus sent his disciples back to Jerusalem to tarry until they were “endued with power from on high.” Acts 1:5 says, “… ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:8 says,”… ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…”

I would like to offer the following summary to further assist those who wish to “search the scriptures” concerning the wonderful subject of (The Baptism of the Holy Ghost).

O.T. Prophecies and N.T. Fulfillment:

1. Stammering lips, other tongues – Isa. 28:11 – I Cor. 14:21.

2. Spirit within – Eze. 36:26,27 – Col. 1:27, I Jn. 4:4, I Cor. 6:19.

3. Spirit poured out – Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17.

N.T. Promises:

1. Promised by John the Baptist – Matt. 3:11, Acts 1:5.

2. Promised by Jesus – Jn. 4:10, 7:39, 14:16, Lu. 11:13, 24:49, Acts 1:8.

3. Promised by Peter – Acts 2:39.

4. To Those that obey – Acts 5:32.

5. Sent from Heaven – I Peter 1:12.

Examples of Receiving:

1. Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:4.

2. 3000 others, same day – Acts 2:41.

3. Samaritans – Acts 8:17.

4. Gentiles – Acts l0:44,47.

5. Paul – Acts 9:17, 1 Cor. 14:18,39.

6. Mary, other women and disciples – Acts 1:14, 2:4.

7. John’s disciples at Ephesus – Acts 19:1,5.

Promised to All – Acts 2:38,39. Rev. 22:17.

Qualifies Ministers and Workers. – Acts. 1:8, Luke 24:45,49.

Other Terms Used –

1. Spirit of promise. Eph. 1:13.

2. Filled with the Spirit. Eph. 5:18.

3. Sealed by – Eph. 4:30.

4. Led by – Rom. 8:14.

5. Resurrected by – Rom. 8:11.

Kingdom of God defined Rom. 14:17.

(Righteousness, Peace, Joy – in the Holy Ghost)

Holy Ghost Compared to and Illustrated By –

1. Wind. Jn.3:8.

2. Water. Jn. 4:10, Jn. 7:38.

3. Wine. (new) Eph. 5:18, Acts 2:13.

4. Oil. Matt. 25:1,8.

5. Fire. Matt. 3:11.

The Bible teaches three basic purposes for speaking with other tongues.

1. The uniform initial evidence that one has been baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:4, 10:45-47, 19:1-6)

2. The edifying or building up one’s own spiritual strength. (I Cor. 14:4)

3. The edifying of the church (I Cor. 14:26, I Cor. 12:28).

Be well assured that when the power of the Holy Ghost comes in, that one will speak with other tongues as the “spirit gives the utterance.” If God spoke through a donkey, (Numbers 22:28). And Satan spoke out of a man, (Luke 8:30). It should not be hard to accept the fact that the Holy Ghost can speak forth when one is filled.

Some facts known to this writer:

1. Country boy received the Holy Ghost in Arkansas. Spoke in Czechoslovakian, a language he’d never heard.

2. International evangelist witnessed Latin Americans began to praise God in English during revival in Ecuador, South America.

3. Missionary heard Asian speak English when filled with the Holy Ghost.

4. Arabian guide on Holy land tour heard American Pentecostal speaking in his native tongue, during a service.

5. Deaf-mutes in St. Louis receive Holy Ghost and speak with tongues even though they never were able to speak or hear before or after this experience.

Isn’t this Wonderful!

(The above material appeared in the booklet Treasures of Truth.) Christian Information Network