How Would You define the "Baptism In the Holy Ghost" From Scripture?

[Van]

Let's consider Acts 1:5, "for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (NASB)
The translation "with water" literally could be translated "to water." But the translators understood the idea to be that water was the material into which the person was immersed. So they correctly rendered it "with" water. In the second part of the verse, it would literally read baptized "in" the Holy Spirit. But the preposition "en" is used in several ways such as to indicate location (within something" but it is also used to show cause (translated because of) or instrumentality (by or with). Here again the translators understood the idea to be that they would be immersed into the Holy Spirit. Note that indwelling is referred to as baptism.

So we have verses indicating we are immersed into Christ (Galatians 3:27) , into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and into the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). Could Christ refer to the Spirit of Christ? Yes. Could the body of Christ refer to the Spirit of Christ? Yes Could the Holy Spirit refer the Spirit of Christ? Probably not. Well then could the preposition (en) in Acts 1:5 be indicating the instrument used to baptize, i.e. by the Holy Spirit? Probably not. How do we manage this dilemma? The way out of the problem that I chose was to consider the Baptism of Christ to include both being baptized into Christ by the Spirit, and being sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit, thus immersed on the inside as well as on the outside. And the way I handle the issue that it is Christ who baptizes, I claim the Holy Spirit was acting as the agent of Christ.

I know that might seem a long way around the barn, but it is how I understand the issue of the OP.

 

[Van]

When we are baptized into Christ spiritually, we are set apart in Christ, or sanctified in Christ, and this transfer into Christ is performed by the Holy Spirit, thus the sanctification by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13) and the sanctifying work of the Spirit, 1 Peter 1:2. Sanctify means to set apart or to make Holy. Positional sanctification refers to when we are baptized into Christ.

 

[Yeshua1]

That could very well be the case. I understand 1 Corinthians 12:13 to be saying "For in one Spirit (in the spirit of unity Paul was talking about in the preceding context) we were all baptized (going down into the water and coming up out of the water) into one body (the local body of believers belonging to Christ), whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit."

I would think the better explanation though is that by the same Holy Spirit, God placed us into Christ and thus into the Body of Christ, His Church!

 

[Rebel1]

Hi Rebel1, Romans 6:3 says we were baptized into Christ, not the other way around. The voice of "baptized" is passive indicating we were being acted upon (immersed in Christ).

The truth to grab on to is that God put you in Christ, you did not put ;yourself into Christ. God the Holy Spirit, acting as the agent of God the Son, baptized you into the spiritual body of Christ. Think about being baptized into Christ's death. What do you believe that means? Christ died as the Lamb of God, the substitutionary sacrifice. So when we are baptized into that death, immersed in Christ spiritually, our sin burden (what God held against us because of our past, present and future sins) was removed, the circumcision of Christ, the washing of regeneration, the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world, one sinner at a time.

I can agree with everything you said, accept your view of the atonement. Thanks for your post.

 

[Rebel1]

That could very well be the case. I understand 1 Corinthians 12:13 to be saying "For in one Spirit (in the spirit of unity Paul was talking about in the preceding context) we were all baptized (going down into the water and coming up out of the water) into one body (the local body of believers belonging to Christ), whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit."

I hold that the "spirit" here is the Holy Spirit, not the spirit of unity. So I guess I see the passage somewhat differently from you.

 

[TCassidy]

I hold that the "spirit" here is the Holy Spirit, not the spirit of unity. So I guess I see the passage somewhat differently from you.

And that is the primary problem with proof texting. It takes the verse out of context. The entire context of the book is spiritual unity.

Paul, in the immediate preceding context, talks about the spiritual gifts, and reiterates that each gift was given by the Holy Spirit, and says various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. Then he said various kinds of service, and the same Lord.

He then says various kinds of workings, but the same God.

Notice Paul does not emphasize the Holy Spirit as he says "same Lord," "same God" also.

Next he says But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

He then talks about the spiritual gifts and how they are designed to bring the people together for a single purpose. Unity.

And unity, of course, is the context of the entire rest of the book.

So, in my opinion the context is talking about unity. And 12:13 tells us that our baptism was the outward symbol of the inward unity we now have with Christ and thus with His assembled people.

Paul then spends several verses talking about the unity of the people. Many different bricks making one building. Unity.

Many different parts making one body. Unity.

Then he sums it up in verse 25 "that there should be no division (unity) in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Then he reiterates the purpose of the gifted men, and the grace gifts, were the unity of the church body.

 

[Rebel1]

And that is the primary problem with proof texting. It takes the verse out of context. The entire context of the book is spiritual unity.

Paul, in the immediate preceding context, talks about the spiritual gifts, and reiterates that each gift was given by the Holy Spirit, and says various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. Then he said various kinds of service, and the same Lord.

He then says various kinds of workings, but the same God.

Notice Paul does not emphasize the Holy Spirit as he says "same Lord," "same God" also.

Next he says But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

He then talks about the spiritual gifts and how they are designed to bring the people together for a single purpose. Unity.

And unity, of course, is the context of the entire rest of the book.

So, in my opinion the context is talking about unity. And 12:13 tells us that our baptism was the outward symbol of the inward unity we now have with Christ and thus with His assembled people.

Paul then spends several verses talking about the unity of the people. Many different bricks making one building. Unity.

Many different parts making one body. Unity.

Then he sums it up in verse 25 "that there should be no division (unity) in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Then he reiterates the purpose of the gifted men, and the grace gifts, were the unity of the church body.

i know what the context is, but I also know what the verse says. It says "one S

And that is the primary problem with proof texting. It takes the verse out of context. The entire context of the book is spiritual unity.

Paul, in the immediate preceding context, talks about the spiritual gifts, and reiterates that each gift was given by the Holy Spirit, and says various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. Then he said various kinds of service, and the same Lord.

He then says various kinds of workings, but the same God.

Notice Paul does not emphasize the Holy Spirit as he says "same Lord," "same God" also.

Next he says But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

He then talks about the spiritual gifts and how they are designed to bring the people together for a single purpose. Unity.

And unity, of course, is the context of the entire rest of the book.

So, in my opinion the context is talking about unity. And 12:13 tells us that our baptism was the outward symbol of the inward unity we now have with Christ and thus with His assembled people.

Paul then spends several verses talking about the unity of the people. Many different bricks making one building. Unity.

Many different parts making one body. Unity.

Then he sums it up in verse 25 "that there should be no division (unity) in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Then he reiterates the purpose of the gifted men, and the grace gifts, were the unity of the church body.

I know about the context, but I also believe this particular verse is talking about the Holy Spirit when it says "one Spirit". I don't believe the "one Spirit" is the spirit of unity. For one thing, the word "Spirit" is capitalized, in both places. It also makes more sense that the Spirit "all have been made to drink of" is the Holy Spirit, not the spirit of unity.

 

[TCassidy]

For one thing, the word "Spirit" is capitalized, in both places.

Uh, proper nouns are not capitalized in Greek, (except, obviously, in the uncial manuscripts).

 

[Rebel1]

Uh, proper nouns are not capitalized in Greek, (except, obviously, in the uncial manuscripts).

What about the other point I made? Do you think it really makes sense to say that the spirit they were made to drink of was the spirit of unity? That seems to require quite a stretch to make it mean that.

 

[Van]

Rebel1, the capitalization of Spirit indicates the translator or translation team, thought the spirit in view was divine. Context (there is unity in Christ) is supported with the idea by one Spirit we were baptized into one body.

 

[Yeshua1]

What about the other point I made? Do you think it really makes sense to say that the spirit they were made to drink of was the spirit of unity? That seems to require quite a stretch to make it mean that.

Whatever it means, would have to be refering to the Church at large, to all of the saved in and out of local assemblies, for are not all saved Baptized in/with same Holy Spirit?

 

[TCassidy]

What about the other point I made? Do you think it really makes sense to say that the spirit they were made to drink of was the spirit of unity? That seems to require quite a stretch to make it mean that.

I fail to see the connection. Is "baptized" and "drinking" the same thing? Correct me if I am wrong, but baptized" is you in the water. "Drinking" is the water in you. So, "baptized" is the church in the Holy Spirit, and "drinking" is the Holy Spirit in the church.

 

[Yeshua1]

I fail to see the connection. Is "baptized" and "drinking" the same thing? Correct me if I am wrong, but baptized" is you in the water. "Drinking" is the water in you. So, "baptized" is the church in the Holy Spirit, and "drinking" is the Holy Spirit in the church.

That is the Holy Spirit job to place all Christians into the Body of Christ, as would not just be the local churches, but all who are saved now.

 

[Rebel1]

I fail to see the connection. Is "baptized" and "drinking" the same thing? Correct me if I am wrong, but baptized" is you in the water. "Drinking" is the water in you. So, "baptized" is the church in the Holy Spirit, and "drinking" is the Holy Spirit in the church.

Okay, you drank the spirit of unity, and I drank the Holy Spirit. You have the spirit of unity in you, and I have the Holy Spirit in me.

 

[Van]

And what if "drink" means "made to imbibe" as the Holy Spirit was "poured" into us! Seems most of us share a common history, experienced common events, and are of the same family, siblings of Christ. There is unity in Christ, for we were baptized into Christ and made to imbibe the same Spirit. Thus we are in Christ and Christ is in us, John 14:20.

 

[TCassidy]

Okay, you drank the spirit of unity, and I drank the Holy Spirit. You have the spirit of unity in you, and I have the Holy Spirit in me.

All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Are you insinuating I am not saved?

 

[Rebel1]

All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Are you insinuating I am not saved?

No, of course not. I just meant we obviously interpret that one verse differently.

 

[Van]

When we are baptized into Christ spiritually, we are set apart in Christ, or sanctified in Christ, and this transfer into Christ is performed by the Holy Spirit, thus the sanctification by the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13) and the sanctifying work of the Spirit, 1 Peter 1:2. Sanctify (G38) means to set apart or to make Holy. Positional sanctification refers to when we are baptized into Christ.

On the other hand, the word also refers to holiness or being made holy. 1 Thessalonians 4:7, "7 For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. (CSB) Here the CSB correctly renders G38 "holiness." However, as a matter of improved clarity and readability, they could have translated the verse "For God has not called us to impurity but to holiness. So this verse provides an example where an improved word for word methodology results in improved clarity and readability.

 

[HankD]

Greek prepositions are troublesome indeed.

HankD

 

[thatbrian]

Okay, you drank the spirit of unity, and I drank the Holy Spirit. You have the spirit of unity in you, and I have the Holy Spirit in me.

The things I see on this forum never cease to amaze me.