THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Johnie Scaggs, Jr.
How often have you heardsomeone say that they were baptized with the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Most likely more times than you can remember! Those who make such claims do err not knowing the scripture. The Bible very plainly declares that there is only ONE baptism, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph.4:5). The question then should be what is the "ONE baptism" which Paul referred to? If the ONE baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then Peter, Paul and others did not know the truth on the matter, for they themselves baptized many with water baptism, (cf.Acts 2:38; 8:12, 38; 9:18; 10:47, 48; 16:15, etc.). Paul rebuked the first century brethren at Corinth for their division and then said that he was glad that he had not baptized any of them with the exception of those whom he named (I Cor.1:10-16). Surely Paul was referring to water baptism. There can be no doubt that the baptism of Eph.4:5 is water baptism. Therefore, when Paul stated that there was only "ONE baptism" he was stating that water baptism is the one baptism! If this is true and it is, then to whom was the Holy Spirit Baptism given?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a promise. We find Jesus stating that He would, "...send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Jesus was speaking to His apostles; it is to them that the promise was made and not to anyone today. Jesus said, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7). Once again, Jesus is speaking to His apostles; it is to them that the promise is made. In Acts Luke recorded the words of our Lord on this very matter, making forever clear to whom Jesus spoke, "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence"(Acts 1:4-5). Luke shows us clearly who would be baptized with the Holy Ghost [Spirit, ASV] in verses 2-3; it was the apostles. In the second chapter of Acts the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, and only the apostles, (Acts 2:1-4). We can know without any doubt, that those who claim to have the baptism of the Holy Spirit today are false teachers. They know not about that which they speak.
If anyone of the so called, "baptized with the Holy Spirit baptism" people are truly baptized with the Holy Spirit, then let them prove themselves! The apostles did! Let me issue a challenge to anyone of these false teachers. First, if you are truly baptized with the baptism of the Holy Spirit then let us hear you speak in tongues [languages] which you have not learned! The apostles did, (Acts 2:4-11). Furthermore, let us see you perform a miracle that all can see in order that they might believe; the apostles did(Acts 3:1-10. Note: not only did Peter perform a miracle that no one could deny was truly a miracle, but he also performed it on a man who was lame from his mother's womb (ver.2). And Peter performed it so that ALL might see this event in order that the word of God might increase.
If you can perform miracles, then drink some deadly poison and see if it will harm you; the apostle could. "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover"(Mark 16:17-18). There is not one person alive today who can do these things which Jesus said they would be able to do. If so, then please stand up and let us all see, in order that we also might be partakers of this blessing. No wonder the world today is so confused with religious matters today. People claiming to be able to perform miracles, and yet we have hospitals full of folks who are sick. If these so-called miracle workers are true, then let them prove their claim by healing the sick within the hospitals!
When a promise has been fulfilled, as is the case of the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then we should not expect to see more from the same promise.