If you were raised up from a young child through the Baptist ranks as I was, most likely, the phrase "baptism of the Holy Spirit" carries a totally different meaning/definition than that of the Pentecostals/Church of God/Foursquare.
First, let me say that I'm not denying the filling of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. No one can deny that fact, it's clearly seen many times in Scripture. I'm stating that the original meaning of the phrase "baptism of the Holy Spirit" has become very confusing because it has been hi-jacked by the Pentecostals and given a new definition. The reason for all the misunderstandings of the "baptisms" found in the NT Scripture.
I'll begin with Acts 1:5,
"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
This baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost in Acts 2. We all know what happened, The Holy Spirit fell on them and they spoke in tongues. But what was this Baptism, what did it mean? What was God's purpose?
The Baptists and Pentecostals agree that this Baptism was the Holy Spirit coming to man in a new dimension, to permanently dwell in man. This had never been possible before because "Christ had not yet been glorified."
Where the Baptists and the Pentecostals part ways is in the purpose of this Baptism. The Pentecostals place the emphasis on the filling of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues in relation to the 9 gifts of the Spirit. The Baptists place emphasis on the born-again experience, as Paul put it, "the baptism into Christ."
Before the Pentecostal Movement came on the scene around the turn of the 20th century, the great theologian's and scholar's associated "the baptism of the Holy Spirit" with the "baptism into Christ" that Paul preached. Paul further explained in Colossians 2:9-13,
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"
This is what happens every time a lost soul accepts Christ as their Saviour. It's the Holy Spirit coming in a new dimension, taking up residence in man "through the faith of the operation of God." The exact same thing that took place in Acts 2 for those who believed.
Maybe I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help but to be upset that such damage has been done to the Word of God. So much confusion, so many not able to understand.
First, let me say that I'm not denying the filling of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. No one can deny that fact, it's clearly seen many times in Scripture. I'm stating that the original meaning of the phrase "baptism of the Holy Spirit" has become very confusing because it has been hi-jacked by the Pentecostals and given a new definition. The reason for all the misunderstandings of the "baptisms" found in the NT Scripture.
I'll begin with Acts 1:5,
"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
This baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost in Acts 2. We all know what happened, The Holy Spirit fell on them and they spoke in tongues. But what was this Baptism, what did it mean? What was God's purpose?
The Baptists and Pentecostals agree that this Baptism was the Holy Spirit coming to man in a new dimension, to permanently dwell in man. This had never been possible before because "Christ had not yet been glorified."
Where the Baptists and the Pentecostals part ways is in the purpose of this Baptism. The Pentecostals place the emphasis on the filling of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues in relation to the 9 gifts of the Spirit. The Baptists place emphasis on the born-again experience, as Paul put it, "the baptism into Christ."
Before the Pentecostal Movement came on the scene around the turn of the 20th century, the great theologian's and scholar's associated "the baptism of the Holy Spirit" with the "baptism into Christ" that Paul preached. Paul further explained in Colossians 2:9-13,
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"
This is what happens every time a lost soul accepts Christ as their Saviour. It's the Holy Spirit coming in a new dimension, taking up residence in man "through the faith of the operation of God." The exact same thing that took place in Acts 2 for those who believed.
Maybe I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help but to be upset that such damage has been done to the Word of God. So much confusion, so many not able to understand.