Holy Ghost Baptism – Part 2: How to Receive It

This is the second part of the 2-part mini-series on Holy Ghost Baptism. The first article, Holy Ghost Baptism – Part 1: The Misconceptions, addresses the many misconceptions and unbiblical teachings on Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost Baptism in many Churches today. This one focuses on the biblical teachings on Holy Ghost baptism. I suggest that you read the first article prior to reading this since it lays the foundation of what you will be reading below.

In the previous article in this series, I discussed 3 major misconceptions on Holy Ghost baptism: Holy Ghost baptism by works and prayers, by water baptism, and by speaking in tongues. In the article, I will show you how the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs in the biblical way. But before I get to that, I will address some of the reasons for the misconceptions discussed in the previous article.

Before I proceed in this section, I will like to remind you of the truth that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 . Confusions arise from our failure to study the Scriptures or to rightly divide according to 2 Timothy 2:15. I have identified two areas of confusions below which I believe will be helpful for your understanding of some believers’ confusions.

Confusions in the Ministry of the Holy Spirit

This subject becomes controversial because the ministries of the Holy Spirit are often confused. There is the baptism of the Spirit (the receiving or the indwelling of the Spirit) and there is the filling of the Spirit. These two are both function of the Spirit in the life of the believers but they are two different functions.

The receiving or indwelling of the Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation. Subsequent to Pentecost, every believer who comes to faith in Christ immediately receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This was even promised by Christ in:

John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.).

It is also re-affirmed in the Epistles:

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.

As a matter of fact, the Scripture says a person does not belong to Christ if he does not possess the Holy Spirit.

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.

This is why the New Testament never commands anyone receive the Spirit or to be baptized with the Spirit. Rather it says, “be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18.

On the other hand, the filling of the Spirit is an ongoing process in the Christian’s life whereby the Holy Spirit, who already indwells him, takes control of his life. The filling of Spirit is a result of day-to-day walk in the Word, which in turn results in the desire to please God. Many Christians do not know or believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit also occurs at the moment of salvation, this sometimes results in the Baptism of the Spirit being seen as something that needs to occur after salvation. The believer already possesses the Holy Spirit.

Confusions in the Baptism of the Spirit

There are about 5 different ways by which people got the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. But today, we receive the Holy Spirit the same way: we have to hear and believe the gospel and we get the Holy Spirit. Here are the different ways the Holy Ghost baptized people during the early part of the Church Age:

1. Jesus Breathed on the Apostles – John 20:22
2. By Repentance and Water Baptism – At Pentecost – Acts 2:38
3. Praying and Laying On of Hands (Peter and the Apostles in Samaria) – Acts 8:14-17
4. By Just Listening and Believing (Peter Here at Cornelius house) – Acts 10:34-46, Other Believers Ephesians 1:13-14
5. Water Baptism and Laying on of Hands (Paul and the John’s disciples) – Acts 19:1-7

Without paying attention to the rest of the Scriptures, many people have decided to hold on to breathing on people, or laying on of hands, or even pushing people in the forehead in order to impart something on them. That is what happens to you when you refuse to study the Word of God carefully.

The reason for the change in the way people were baptized by the Holy Ghost at the Early Church is the transition that was taking place then. Things were changing as the gospel was moving from the Jews to the Gentiles. If you study your Bible, you will see this transition.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Occurs at the Moment of Salvation. Today, everyone who have received Christ by faith in the gospel also received the Holy Spirit. I believe that the following passages are more than enough to convince you. Take a close look at them:

The Promise of Jesus Himself:

John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Peter’s experience at Cornelius House:

Acts 11:15-18 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Refer to Acts 10 for this occurrence.

The Writings of Paul in the Epistles:

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.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13-17; Colossians 2:10-12;  1 John 3:24; 4:13

In John 7:37-39, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit that people who believe in Him will receive, but not until He has died. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, the Apostle Paul clearly teaches that we are baptized by the Holy Spirit the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. In Romans 8:9, the Bible tells us that if a person does not possess the Holy Spirit, he or she does not belong to Jesus Christ.

Therefore, the possession of the Spirit is an identifying factor of the possession of salvation. In Ephesian 1:13-14, the Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation for all those who believe, and that this sealing takes place the moment we believe. The Holy Spirit could not be the seal of salvation if He is not received at the moment of salvation.

We receive the Holy Spirit by simply receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, that is, by believing the Word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ in His own words says we need the Spirit to be born again – John 3:5-7. No one can be born again without the Holy Spirit since the Bible says that a saved person is born of the Spirit.

John 1:12-13  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The Holy Spirit becomes our permanent possession and permanent resident in us from the moment we believe.

So if you are reading this, and you believe in your heart that you’re saved, then you already possess the Holy Spirit. The fact that you aren’t aware of it does not change the truth that the Spirit now indwells you. But if you are not saved, or not sure about your salvation, all you need is to admit who you are as a sinner who cannot save himself, and believe in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. This is takes it means to be saved. And when you are saved, you receive the Holy Spirit at the moment. This Bible says so, you just need to believe it.

If you are reading this, and you believe in your heart that you’re saved, then you already possess the Holy Spirit. The fact that you aren’t aware of it does not change the truth that the Spirit now indwells you.

Acts 19 begins with an interesting question asked by Apostle Paul concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is one of the most controversial doctrines of the Bible among Christians today. But a close examination of the Scriptures makes it clear why these people have not received the Holy Spirit. Also, for Paul to lay hands on them before they could receive it is a different story. Let’s not forget that, at the time of the early church, different people received the Holy Spirit in different ways. At the time, the transition in the early Church was still going on. Today, we get the Holy Spirit the same way, and that’s when we believe the gospel.

In Acts 19:2, there is a question, better translated, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The manner and time of the receiving of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts does not follow a set pattern. (There are up to five different ways by which believers got the Holy Spirit at the time of the early Church (see above); only one of these applies to us today). To base a doctrine upon any other will lead you into errors.

These disciples in their own words say that they haven’t even heard about the existence of “any Holy Spirit”.

Acts 19:2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

They had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit or anything that happen after the Cross. Paul proceeds by asking them another question, listen to their answer, and Paul’s response:

Acts 19:3-4 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

These 12 disciples in Acts 19 were disciples of John the Baptist. They followed John and were baptized by him. Remember, John preached to the Jews to repent and be cleansed in preparation for the coming Messiah. This is the purpose of his baptism. Believing the message of John the Baptist only prepared the Jews for the Messiah, but did not get them saved. They still have to believe in Christ in order to be saved. This is what these disciples have never done.

When Paul realized who they were, He preached Christ to them and they believed:

Acts 19:5-6 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Here is the point: these 12 disciples of John the Baptist have never trusted in Christ. They believed for the first time during this encounter with the Apostle Paul. So as you can see, Acts 19:2 does not teach that a person can believe, or be saved and not receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. These people never believed. If you believe right, you will have it without any additional rituals.

Notice that these disciples who believed, and were water baptized, still didn’t get the Holy Spirit until the Apostle laid hands on them. How do we apply this to the church today? Should Pastors today do this as well? No! If they do, they will be acting in opposition to the teachings of the Apostles. This is why it is important for us to follow the consistent teachings of the Apostles rather than their diverse experiences.

Listen to the Bible

Once again every believer at the moment of salvation receives the Holy Spirit without praying, without the laying on of hands, without water baptism or any outward sign. I have listed below some Scripture verses which you can read to reassure yourself of this truth. The Word of God is truth:

1. John 7:39 – They that believe on Him will receive the Holy Spirit
2. Acts 5:32 – God hath given the Holy Spirit to them that obey Him
3. Romans 8:9 – The possession of the Spirit is an identifying factor of the possession of salvation
4. Romans 8:11 – His Spirit dwells in us and will quicken our mortal bodies (See Resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:44)
5. Romans 8:15 – We received the Spirit of adoption when we believed
6. 1 Corinthians 2:12 – We freely received the Spirit of God when we believed
7. 1 Corinthians 12:13 – We get in to the Body of Christ today through the Holy Spirit by faith
8. 1 Corinthians 3:16 – We are the temple of God and the Spirit dwells in us
9. 2 Corinthians 1:22 – We are sealed, and have the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts
10. 2 Corinthians 5:5 – God hath given us the earnest (down payment) of the Spirit
11. Galatians 3:2 – We did not receive the Holy Spirit by the works of the law but by the hearing of faith
12. Galatians 3:3 – We began with the Holy Spirit, and cannot be made perfect by the flesh
13. Ephesians 1:13-14 – Having believed, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise.
14. Ephesians 2:18 – Through Jesus we have access unto the Father by one Spirit
15. Ephesians 4:4-6 – There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling
16. Ephesians 4:30 – We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption
17. Colossians 2:10-12 – We are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands
18. Titus 3:5 – We are saved by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit
19. 1 Peter 1:22 – We obey the truth through the Holy Spirit
20. 1 John 3:24 – Christ abides in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
21. 1 John 4:13 – Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of his Spirit.

There are lots changes that took place at the time of the early Church. The Book of Acts presents many of those transitions. Study the occurrences in these passages: Acts 2:4; 8:15-17; 9:17-18; 10:44; 13:48, 52; 16:31-34; 18:8; 19:6.

Every person at the moment of salvation receives the Holy Spirit without the laying on of hands and without any outward sign. See Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 3:24; 4:13.

Rather than forming doctrines based upon only the experiences of the Apostles, we should follow the consistent teachings of the Apostles in the New Testament.

For details on the purpose of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer, please refer to An Introduction to the Holy Spirit and The Functions of the Holy Spirit.

Our study of the Holy Spirit does not end here. It continues to the Filling of the Spirit. This is a teaching that is often confused with the Baptism of the Spirit among many believers today. The next few articles will be devoted on the filling of the Spirit and how we can constantly experience it. Watch out for them!

Thank you for reading!