Have any of you been babtized in the Holy Spirit? What is your interpretation of what this is?

Question

I'm not asking if you have been baptized in water but by the Holy Spirit. What was your experience like if so? Do you know what it means? Have you heard of this before?

I'm referring to the overflowing of the Holy Spirit: speaking in tongues, praising, etc.

Answer 1

I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. To me, it is a committment to Father God (Jehovah) and Jesus, to live one's life with Jesus not only as one's saviour, but also as Lord. I believe being baptized with the Holy Spirit comes with an evidence of the event which is the gift of speaking in tongues. In the Bible, in every instance the Bible recounts early believers being filled with the Holy Spirit, it also says, "and they spoke with tongues." I also believe that being filled with the Spirit is a lifelong process of continually being perfected to become more Christ-like in our daily lives. Good question!

Answer 2

Jesus told His apostles, "You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5)

Notice the following:

This was a promise, and never a command. Water baptism, however was a command. (Acts 10:47-48, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, et.al.)

This promise was made to a specific group of people, the apostles. The baptism that was commanded in the Great Commission (baptism in water) was commanded to all the world (Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20, read Luke 24:47 along with Acts 2 - especially verses 5 and 38).

This promise was made to be fulfilled at a particular time, "not many days from now"! The fulfillment was accomplished in Acts 2:1-4!

Holy Spirit baptism was a VISIBLE, miraculous event! It could be seen, and it's purpose was as a sign to those who observed. (It was not just a good feeling inside.)

In Acts 2, it was to show the power of the Lord, to show the hearers that the apostles were speaking from authority from the Lord, and to give the apostles the ability to speak in other languages to aid in the teaching.

The only other example in the New Testament is in Acts 10:44-48 (and the same event repeated in Acts 11). Here this was also a visible event and it served as a sign that the Gentiles were eligible to also receive water baptism (Acts 10: 47) for the remission of their sins (see Acts 2:38).

These are the only examples of Holy Spirit baptism. Its purpose was fulfilled and it is no longer in existence.

As proof of this, by the time Ephesians was written, Paul said "There is... one baptism." (Ephesians 4:4-5)

Since there are many examples of water baptism being taught and practiced throughout the New Testament, then obviously water baptism was, and still is in existence. (Examples: Acts 8:36-38, 1 Peter 3:20-21, etc.)

If Holy Spirit baptism was still in existence at that time, then there would have been two baptisms (Holy Spirit baptism AND water baptism), but Paul said there is only "one"!

By that time, Holy Spirit baptism had been fulfilled in purpose and the time when it was to take place ("not many days" after Jesus had issued the promise) had past.

Answer 3

Baptism is a Christian requirement; Jesus is the prime example of a 'spirit baptism' Yes, he was dunked under water, when he came up from that water, his desire to do his Father's' will, preach the kingdom, and provide examples of what the kingdom will do for mankind. In the sealing of this covenant with his Father, he gave his life as a ransom for all mankind. So as Christians we must follow his example. Which means-- that when we have gained enough knowledge about his Father and Jesus we Make a decision as to whether we want to do Jehovah's will. Matthew 3:13-15;-Hebrews 10:7; 1 Peter 2:21;- Matthew 16:24;-
Baptism is a symbol of disowning [oneself] or dedication ...Romans 12: 1, 2;- 1 Peter 3:21 It is to be experienced only for those old enough to be taught...Matthew 28: 19, 20;- Acts 2: 41;-
Jesus was not baptised to wash away sins ... 1 Peter 2:22;- 3: 18;- Baptism does not cleanse from sins, since it's bloodless...Hebrew 9:22
Jesus blood washes away sins...1 John 1: 7
Baptism for the "dead is unscriptural" 1 Corinthians 15:29 refers to baptism into Christ's death Roman 6: 3,4
Such die like Christ, and are resurrected like him...Romans 6:5- Phillipians 3:10;-
Dead persons are out of existence, beyond our help...2 Samuel 12: 16-23
We can answer to God only for ourself...Romans 14: 12;- Psalms 49: 7

Answer 4

Hello:

I was raised catholic and so I baptized before I can remember. I have also stood as Godfather to my niece so I have been involved in both sides of this ritual.

Although my views have shifted to that of a more agnostic/atheistic in nature I still keep an open mind about religious ideas.

I think that baptism is a symbolic ritual that really carries more weight in an adult convert than in the early childhood ritual. The water symbolizes (obviously) the washing away of your sins (original sin) and your old life so that you can begin a new as a Christian (I am not aware of other religions that baptize). In the end it is symbolic that you choose to walk the path of Christ.

In childhood your parents/guardian basically make the decision to raise you in the church and really the ritual is for their benefit because the child is usually very young (its best to wash that original sin away early). When an adult converts to Christianity I think the ritual will carry much more weight because they will get to experience a clean soul (so to speak).

That being said, the notions of original sin and your soul being cleaned with a ritual (epically conjoined this way) are silly and by in large they are the reason why I left the church to seek the great redeemer on my own.

I hope this has helped in some way.

Rev Phil

Answer 5

Years ago, I was mixed up with the pentacostals and thankfully God showed me that they have some false doctrine. I did the so-called "speaking in tongues" thing but realized later that it was merely a form of self-hypnosis. Believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion.

Answer 6

Yes, I've been tried to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, but I didn't feel the Holy Spirit at that time, as with the possibility that I am not ready or I didn't fully confessed myself. But I am yearning to have the Holy Spirit to be with me and give gifts to me, such as wisdom, discernment, healing...

Answer 7

From catholic.com:

The sacrament of confirmation is found in Bible passages such as Acts 8:14–17, 9:17, 19:6, and Hebrews 6:2, which speak of a laying on of hands for the purpose of bestowing the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 6:2 is especially important because it is not a narrative account of how confirmation was given and, thus, cannot be dismissed by those who reject the sacrament as something unique to the apostolic age. In fact, the passage refers to confirmation as one of Christianity’s basic teachings, which is to be expected since confirmation, like baptism, is a sacrament of initiation into the Christian life.

We read: "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment" (Heb. 6:1–2).

Notice how in this passage we are walked through the successive stages of the Christian journey—repentance, faith, baptism, confirmation, resurrection, and judgment. This passage encapsulates the Christian’s journey toward heaven and gives what theologians call the order of salvation or the ordo salutis. It well qualifies as "the elementary teachings" of the Christian faith.

Answer 8

Being baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit is one in the same. Acts 2:38/Ephesians 4

Answer 9

In the name of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit, these three are one.

Answer 10

Yes. When I was baptised (with water), afterwards the priesthood holders also conferred upon me the "Gift of the Holy Ghost". That is what is meant by baptised by the Holy Spirit. It is a gift available only through the authority of the Holy Priesthood of God.... ie God's authorised representatives.

That said, while the gift was given straight after baptism, being "baptised with fire" (ie the Holy Ghost) is also an ongoing process of repentance and personal change. As I give up my sins and progress to become more like the Saviour (ie more patient, loving, faithful, etc) I am "baptised with fire and with the Holy Ghost."

What it feels like is to have a warmth and peace in your heart, which gives you great confidence in the reality of God and in your own good standing with Him. It is to truly know that he is there.

I hope this helped. God bless.