Foundation: Building Blocks of Faith: Week 4
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
1. Believer’s baptism (1 Cor. 12:13)
2. Water baptism (Mt. 28:19)
3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Mt. 3:11, Mk. 1:8, Lk. 3:16, Jn. 1:33)
Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The three Baptisms make up the complete work that God desires to fulfill in all of our lives.
Acts 2:38 (NKJV) Then Peter said to them, “Repent [salvation] and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins [water baptism]; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [baptism in the Holy Spirit].
Acts 1:4-5 (NKJV) And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 1:8 (NKJV) But you shall receive power [dunamis — “an explosive power, a great ability for performing miracles.”] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:38 (NLT) And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Acts 8:14-16 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God [salvation], they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [water baptism].
Acts 8:17-19 (NLT) Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 9:10-12 (NLT) Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision… 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
Acts 9:17-18 (NLT) So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul [salvation], the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was [water] baptized.
Acts 10:44-48 (NLT) Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being [water] baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be [water] baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 11:15-16 (NIV) ”As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”
Acts 19:1-6 (NKJV) Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this [salvation], they were [water] baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Question #1: How can we be sure the baptism in the Holy Spirit hasn’t passed away?
Acts 2:38-39 (NKJV) Then Peter said to them, “Repent and let every one of you be in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NKJV) But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV) For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Question #2: Who can receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Question #3: Do I have to speak in tongues to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Question #4: What’s the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Power to be His witness (Acts 1:8)
Greater measure of purity (Mt. 3:11)
Worship and giving thanks (1 Cor. 14:15-17)
Rest and refreshing (Is. 28:11-12, Jn. 7:37-38)
Edify ourselves (1 Cor. 14:4)
Build ourselves up in the faith (Jude 20)
Keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 21)
Pray God's perfect will (1 Cor. 14:2)
Intercede for others (Rom. 8:26-27)
The gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1-11)
Question #5: How do we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Extra Resources:
John 14-16
1 Corinthians 11-14
Sermon series — “In the Spirit” by Quinton Self
Sermon — “What Does This Mean?” by Dusty Hammock
Book: “The Holy Spirit — An Introduction” by John Bevere
Book: “The Holy Spirit Today” by Dick Iverson
Book: “Holy Spirit: Agent of Change” by Dr. Lynn W. Aurich
Book: “There is More” by Randy Clark