Baptism of the Holy Spirit

[Keith Sedillo]

I was listening to one of the audio files and at the end, the pastor prayed that the people in the church would be baptised with the Holy Spirit. I have also attended a men’s conference where the pastor called everyone in the church to the front to be baptised with the Holy Spirit. I have heard people say that by doing this baptism people’s spiritual gifts will manifest? I am confused and I was hoping for clarification.

Once someone is saved do they not receive the Holy Spirit at salvation? Why do pastors pray that someone be baptised with the Holy Spirit if they already have it? To me this is a contradiction of sorts.

Keith

[Michael]

Hey Keith,

That is a good question that a lot of people have. It is not a contradiction, but it is often misunderstood. When a person surrenders their life to Jesus Christ, they do in fact gain the gift of salvation which is marked by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They also are given by the Holy Spirit a gift or gifts depending on His plan for their life.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate occurrence in which we are asking the Holy Spirit to grant us with a fresh empowerment for the upcoming ministry in our lives. This often can come with new gifts or gifts that we have had in the past or gives previously granted, but not used. (The Holy Spirit can grant a gift for a specific time or event, but He is fully capable of granting a gift for a lifetime. It depends on what will gain Him the most glory.)

Michael Thom
Bible College Director

[Keith Sedillo]

Michael,
Thank you for the clarification. Can you give me a few scriptures so I can study this topic a little further?

Keith

[Chris Torres]

Hey Keith;

Awesome question as Michael stated here is a nice article found for you on Carm.org which is a excellent apologetic resource.
https://carm.org/what-baptism-holy-spirit.

Chris

[Keith Sedillo]

Chris,
Thanks for the article. I enjoy reading Matt Slick and I do go to carm.og periodically. I didn’t think to go there for this particular question. I am struggling with this topic because of a doctrine that I have heard over the last four years that pretty much condemns all things charismatic. This topic in particular, is difficult for me because I feel as if it is added to or interpreted with extra emphasis on a particular charismatic belief. I wish it was named something different besides baptism with the Holy Spirit. Personally, when someone receives salvation and come to know the Lord they are baptized with the Holy Spirit, this is my interpretation from Ephesians 1: 13-14. So when someone says be baptized with the Holy Spirit, I feel as if they are saying do it again, kind of like an Arminianism view that somehow I lost my salvation or the Holy Spirit. I feel as if the naming should be different. Almost like be renewed with the Holy Spirit or rededication, something of that sort. I will continue to look into this topic and pray about it.
Thanks
Keith

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