What Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

The subject of the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit has become a point of considerable controversy and diverse opinion. There is confusion on one hand with water baptism. Although there are many passages that refer to Spirit baptism, some people see these passages as referring to water baptism (cf. Rom. 6:4; Gal. 3:27). Others understand the baptizing work of the Spirit as a “second blessing,” which may be empowerment for service and/or may manifest itself through speaking in tongues.[1] Part of the confusion lies in a failure to understand the distinctive nature of the church. It was at Pentecost that the church was born and that the Holy Spirit began His work of building the church by baptizing believers into the body of Christ.

A Definition

The baptizing work of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

An Explanation

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is unique to the church age. The basic reference is 1 Corinthians 12:13, which states, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” That this ministry of the Spirit began at Pentecost can be seen by comparing Acts 1:5, which indicates the baptizing work is still future, with Acts 11:15, which indicates the “beginning” of this work was at Pentecost in Acts 2. The baptizing work did not occur in the Old Testament; it is unique to the church age, which began at Pentecost.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit includes all believers in this age. The emphasis that “all” are baptized by the Holy Spirit is stated in several passages. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 it indicates “we were all baptized.” In Romans 6 all who were baptized (v. 3) are those who have been united to Christ (v. 5), hence, all believers. In Galatians 3:27–28 it indicates “all of you . . . were baptized into Christ” and became “one in Christ,” no matter whether they were Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings believers into union with other believers in the body of Christ. No distinction exists among those coming into union with one another: Jews, Gentiles, slaves, free people, men, women (1 Cor. 12:13). It is also noteworthy that the spiritual condition of the believer is not a factor—the Corinthians were noted for their carnality, yet all were included.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings believers into union with Christ. The very ones that were “baptized into Christ” (Rom. 6:3) were also “united with Him” (Rom. 6:5). This truth prohibits the baptism of the Spirit from being a work subsequent to salvation.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not experiential. Since this is a work done to the believer and not by the believer, and since the baptism occurs simultaneous to salvation, it is not experiential.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is performed by the Holy Spirit. There are not two baptisms by the Spirit. Some groups distinguish between 1 Corinthians 12:13, “by one Spirit,” suggesting the placing into the body and Acts 1:5, “with the Holy Spirit,” suggesting a subsequent act of empowering for service. However, the same Greek preposition en is used in both phrases, and it is precarious at best to attempt a distinction where the same Greek phrase is used in both passages. The Holy Spirit is the agent of the baptism (Acts 1:5; 1 Cor. 12:13).48

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[1] A no less notable person than R. A. Torrey confused the baptizing work of the Spirit with the filling of the Spirit. See R. A. Torrey, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit (New York: Revell, 1895).