The necessity of baptism is evident to any honest Bible student, as dozens of New Testament texts require it. However, some will dispute whether it is water or Holy Spirit baptism required. We’ll address this question today.
Here are some texts that I’ve been told are Spirit, not water baptism:
- Mark 16:16
- Acts 2:38, 41
- Acts 22:16
- Romans 6:3-4
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- Galatians 3:27
Before we look at these, consider a few important principles for Bible study.
- Do not place a figurative meaning on a text unless the context demands it.
- Understand words in their normal & primary meaning, unless the context demands otherwise.
- Interpret an ambiguous text by the use of related plain and clear texts.
Since none of the texts listed specify water or Holy Spirit baptism, we must determine from the common use of the word baptize and the consistent teaching of the Scriptures what is spoken of in a particular text. The Greek baptizo is defined by Strong’s as to immerse, submerge, make whelmed. It is used in the Bible of the Holy Spirit and of fire (Luke 3:16), ceremonial washing (Luke 11:38), suffering (Luke 12:50), a figure of water baptism (1 Corinthians 10:2), and of water baptism (Acts 8:36).
So, which of these is the common usage for the word? It is overwhelmingly used to describe baptism in water. In fact, of the 49 times that baptizo is definitively described, 42 are of water baptism. That’s over 85%! Without a doubt, the common usage of the word deals with water. [NOTE, this doesn’t account for words derived from baptizo]
Holy Spirit Baptism
What is Holy Spirit baptism? John said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus spoke of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as “the Promise of the Father” (cf. Luke 24:49). The apostles were to remain in Jerusalem, where they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. In describing the baptism of the Spirit, the Lord said,
…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you… (Acts 1:8)
In Acts 2,
…there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4)
Such an outpouring is not seen again until Acts 10. There, Peter went to the Gentiles and as he was speaking to them
…the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. …the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ..they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. (Acts 10:44-46)
This was not the norm! It astonished Peter’s companions! To the brethren at Jerusalem, Peter said,
…the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 11:15-16)
People were added to the church daily (Acts 2:47). If the baptism of the Holy Spirit was part of this, Peter would refer to what happened over and over, but he didn’t. He spoke of what happened to him and the other apostles “at the beginning.” It did not bring to mind a group saved last week, but the words spoken by the Lord years earlier. All indications in this text are that the baptism of the Spirit (a miraculous receipt apart from the laying on of the apostles’ hands) was not commonplace. It happened just twice, Acts 2 & 10.
With references to baptism of the Holy Spirit being so rare, and the occurrence of the baptism of the Spirit happening just twice, it is logical to assume that the texts listed above refer to water baptism, not Spirit baptism. But to avoid all doubt, let’s look at each text in its context and in light of the whole Bible.
Mark 16:16 & Acts 2:38
Jesus said,
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
In Matthew 28:19, the parallel to this text, the apostles are commanded to make disciples of the nations. How? “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Recall, the baptism of the Spirit was a promise (Acts 1:4), not a command. Here the apostles are commanded to do something, baptize the people. With the Holy Spirit baptism, the Spirit of God acted alone.
Acts 2:38 is our first opportunity to see what the Lord commanded in Mark 16:16 in action. Having learned that they had crucified their Savior, the people asked what they should do. Peter did not tell them to wait, and the Holy Spirit would come upon them. He told them to take action:
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
The baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at the beginning of this chapter. Is Acts 2:38 consistent with his own experience? Did he tell the people to wait or to act? Where are the tongues of fire? Why is the crowd not speaking in tongues? Did Peter command the Spirit to come upon the people, or did he command the people to be immersed in water? If this is Holy Spirit baptism, then of necessity, the apostles had power to command the Holy Spirit! What a blasphemous thought!
We’re told,
…those who gladly received his word were baptized… (Acts 2:41)
They were commanded to be baptized, and so they did, in water, for the remission of sins.
We will continue to look at the New Testament command for baptism next week, and see a consistent pattern of water baptism.
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
Return to the article archive
