Holy Spirit Baptism
They Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) moving on people has been around for thousands of years. We also see it in a limited way throughout the Old Testament. But the Full Mention of the Holy Ghost in the Bible is found in the first two chapters of the Book of Acts. That is the contextual epicenter of the subject and al other references must be filtered through those two chapters.
But first, Jesus Christ Himself declared to the disciples that power would be come to them soon. “And I will send upon you the promise of my Father; but you remain in the city of Jerusalem, until you are clothed with power from on high. (Peshitta Luke 24: 49).
In the first chapter of the Book of Acts, the first apostles of the new church were fill with the Holy Ghost. “And when the day of Pentecost was fulfilled, while they were assembled together, suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues which were divided like flames of fire; and they rested upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in various languages, according to whatever the Spirit gave them to speak. (Peshitta Acts 1:1-4).
In the second chapter, we find the Plan of Salvation. “When they heard these things, their hearts were touched and they said to Simon (Peter) and the rest of the apostles, our brethren, what shall we do? Then Simon said to them, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of the LORD Jesus for the remission of sins, so that you may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise was made to you and to your children, and for all of those who are far off, even as many as the very God shall call.” (Peshitta Acts 2:37-39).
Later when the Apostle Philip preached to the Samaritans, they believed and were baptized in water, but none of them had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Peter and John then went down unto them and then they received the Holy Ghost. “Who, when they went down, prayed over them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet it had not come upon them although they had been baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Peshitta Acts 8: 15-17).
These verses show us a distinction between the baptisms of water and the Spirit. A further distinction would be shown by the Apostle Paul when he encountered twelve men whom had been baptized in water years ago, but not of the Spirit. “When they heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in divers’ tongues, and prophesied.” (Peshitta Acts 19:5-6).
As I have just shown, if we want to be right with God and receive salvation, after repentance, we must receive both water and Spirit baptism. The two are completely separate and yet both are completely necessary for our salvation from our sins!
William James Roop, M.A.B.S.
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