There is great confusion in the religious world regarding Holy Spirit baptism. Some sincere and honest folks believe that when the Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit, they think only of the baptism of the Holy Spirit; others believe that when the Bible speaks of baptism, it must refer to Holy Spirit baptism.
Let us look at eight reasons why Holy Spirit baptism is not a requirement for believers today:
Let us look at eight reasons why Holy Spirit baptism is not a requirement for believers today:
- Christ was the administrator of Holy Spirit baptism and no man can baptize another in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:3-4).
- Holy Spirit baptism was promised but never commanded (Matthew 3:11). On the other hand, water baptism is a command (Acts 10:48) to every one (Matthew 28:19) and not a promise, though there is great promise connected with water baptism (our sins are remitted and washed away – Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16).
- Holy Spirit baptism was never intended to save anyone (John 15:3; Acts 11:14).
- Holy Spirit baptism is a figuration baptism because the Holy Spirit is a divine being and not a material substance in which a person can be literally immersed. Water baptism, however, is a literal baptism (Acts 8:35-38).
- Holy Spirit baptism was given to the apostles for the express purpose of revealing and confirming God’s truth (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Hebrews 2:3-4).
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit was never commanded for all people, but promised only to the apostles (Acts 1:1-8) for a special mission to the Jews and to Cornelius (a Gentile) to illustrate the fact that Gentiles had also been granted repentance unto life (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 11:15-16).
- The Holy Spirit never made a person jump, run, fall, or act demented. He never knocked a man down, nor made him roll on the floor like an animal, nor made him babble in a mysterious language that man could not understand (Acts 2:2-12; 1 Corinthians 14:32-33).
- Since we have the perfect (complete), revealed law of liberty, there is no longer any need for inspired men, miracles, or miraculous tongues today (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; cf. James 1:25). Hence, there is no need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit today. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is in the past, Christ having fulfilled His promise to the apostles (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:3-4).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
"Is Holy Spirit Baptism For Believers Today?" No, it's not. Know where in the New Testament does it teach such. We only receive the "Holy Spirit" when one is Baptized into Christ.
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