Baptism of the Holy Ghost

Temple Baptist Church - 2-4-2018

Romans 6:1-10

Introduction: 

A.  There is so much in these verses that I will take my time with them.  Tonight, I want to look at the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

B.  There is a lot of unnecessary confusion on this subject because of lack of study and rightly dividing the Word of Truth, our Bible.  Even among the independent Baptist, there are those who deny this precious doctrine. 

C.  There is the presence of false doctrine on the subject.  Most comes from the Pentecostal Movement.  The modern day Tongues Movement began in 1906 at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles, California.  Born in that “revival” were heresies concerning the baptism of the Holy Ghost and, therefore, spiritual confusion.

a.  The heresy that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is a second working of grace.

b.  The heresy that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is for the “spiritual elite.”

c.   The heresy that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is evidenced by speaking in tongues.

D.  Let us make this simple.  The word “baptize” means to immerse or submerge.  It does not mean to sprinkle of to pour.  Baptism is placing something into something!

1.  At the moment of salvation, the believer is baptized into the body of Christ: also called the “family” and the “church.”  Verse 3.

Romans 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (Water baptism is a type of what was done at the moment of salvation and does not baptize us “into His death!”)

1 Corinthians 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  (Water baptism is done by man.  The baptism of the Holy Ghost is done by the [capital “S”] Holy Spirit.)

Galatians 3:26-28  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have beenbaptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (This baptism cannot be water baptism because, in the local church, we are Jew and Greek—Gentile—bond and free—male and female.  In the church or body of Christ, all are equal because all are the same.) 

Ephesians 5:28-30  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 

2.  At the moment of salvation, the Holy Ghost indwells the believer.

Romans 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Ephesians 4:4-6  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  (5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  (Four things are tied together in these verses: a)  one body  b)  one Spirit  c)  one baptism  d)  in you all.  Again, not water baptism.  These verse speak of salvation, not church membership.  That is the reason that “baptism” is singular, water baptism has nothing to do with salvation, thus, the baptism of the Holy Ghost is referred to here.)

Hebrews 6:1-3  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  And this will we do, if God permit.  (When speaking of doctrine in Hebrews 6, “baptisms” is plural.  This does not mean “washings” as some would interpret it because there were no “washings” in the New Testament church as the Law was fulfilled in Christ.  “baptisms” plural speaks of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and water baptism because both are New Testament doctrines.)

            1.  The Baptism of the Holy Ghost takes place at the moment of Salvation.

            2.  Water Baptism is an act of obedience taken after Salvation.

3.  At the moment of salvation, the believer is sealed by the Holy Ghost: eternal life.

1 Corinthians 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Colossians 3:3-4  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.