The Comforter Is Come

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< > Chapter Two How to receive a mighty baptism in the Holy Spirit Some people believe that we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion; however, this can be shown to be incorrect by many passages of Scripture. The apostles were converted before Pentecost, their names were "written in heaven," Lk.10v20.; they were "clean," Jn.15v3.; they belonged to God. Jn.17v6,9,23. After Calvary these disciples received the baptism of the Spirit that had been promised to them. Acts.1v5-8. Pentecost was not the time when they were saved, they were rejoicing in their salvation before Pentecost. Lk.24v52,53. Paul was saved when he met the Lord Jesus on the Damascus road, he owned the Lordship of Christ, and said, "Lord, what will thou have me to do?" Acts.9v6. Ananias was able to call him "Brother Saul." Ananias was sent that Paul might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit; this was three days after Paul's conversion. Acts.9v9,17. At Samaria the people accepted Philip's sign-attested ministry and became joyful believers. It was several, or even many days later that Peter and John came to Samaria to lay hands on the converts, that they might receive the baptism in the Spirit. Acts.8v5-18. The apostle Peter tells us in Acts.2v38,39., that the baptism in the Spirit comes after repentance and faith in Christ, and also as a general rule, after baptism in water. The exceptions to this rule are found in Acts.10v44-48. and possibly Acts.9v18.. We are told in Jn.1v29,33. that Christ came not only to save but to fill with the Spirit as well, these are obviously looked upon as quite distinct experiences, the baptism in the Spirit is a quite distinct experience from conversion. In Acts.19v2. Paul asks the question, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" However, some have translated this Scripture, "Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?" The first translation states that the baptism of the Spirit is after conversion, the second translation states that the baptism of the Spirit is at conversion. Which of the translations gives the correct translation of the Greek words?" There can be no doubt that the correct translation of the Greek shows that the baptism of the Spirit takes place after conversion, and not at conversion. The words translated "since ye believed," and " when ye believed," are the translation of the Greek word "pisteusantes," the aorist participle of the Greek word "pisteuo," which means, "to believe." Machen writes in his "New Testament Greek for Beginners": "The aorist participle denotes action prior to the action denoted by the leading verb, whether the action denoted by the verb is present, past, or future." The leading verb in the sentences quoted is "elabete," translated in the King James Version, as " have ye received,” and in the Revised Version as "did ye receive." The literal translation of the Greek word "pisteusantes" is, “having believed." Therefore, according to the rule that Machen has stated, the literal translation of the sentence is "Having believed, did ye receive the Holy Spirit. The aorist participle, "having believed" speaking of an action which took place before the action of the leading verb, "did ye receive?" The believing took place at some time before the receiving of the Spirit. The Scriptures nowhere look upon salvation and the baptism of the Spirit as identical events, so the aorist participle of identical action cannot apply here, the more usual aorist participle of antecedent action is the participle that applies here. F.F. Bruce states in his commentary on the book of Acts that the "disciples" at Ephesus were Christians whose knowledge of Christianity was in a similar defective condition to that of Apollos before he was instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. Acts.18v24-28. Bruce states that the term "disciples" is a term that was commonly used for Christians, and if these "disciples" had been disciples of John, Luke would have said so explicitly. If the Ephesian were Christians who had been converted under the ministry of Apollos, or another Christian whose knowledge of Christianity was defective, it automatically follows that their baptism in the Spirit took place a considerable time after their conversion. Even if, as some say, these "disciples were disciples of John who became Christians when Paul spoke to them, it still follows that they were baptised in the Spirit some time after their conversion. For it would take some time to find a suitable place where they could baptise the disciples. Some time must have elapsed between this and the baptism in the Spirit, even if it were only a matter of minutes or hours. Their baptism in the Spirit occurred, therefore, sometime after their conversion, when the apostle Paul laid hands upon them. Probably the clearest statement in the Scripture that the baptism in the Spirit takes place after the conversion and not at conversion, is found in Eph.1v13., it states that "after ye had believed (in Christ), ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." This promise of the Spirit was not the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, which all Christians have before the baptism of the Spirit, it was the promise of the Father, the promise of the baptism in the Spirit, the enduement of the power from on high. Lk.24v49. The words "after that ye had believed" are the translation of the Greek word "pisteusantes" which we have just considered. By the use of this word Paul confirms the fact that the Ephesians received the baptism in the Spirit some time after their conversion not at conversion. The outpouring of the Spirit at the house of Cornelius proves that Christians can receive the baptism in the Spirit a few seconds or minutes after believing on Christ as Saviour, and without having been previously baptised in water, and without having the ministry of the laying on of hands. There are thousands, indeed, millions today who have proved the truth of the Scriptures that after conversion the Christian can experience the baptism in the Spirit. The baptism in the Spirit is an experience that comes after conversion, the Holy Spirit who is with the believer in Jesus comes to live in their body. Jn.14v17. Lk.10v20. with Acts.1v4,5,8. 8v5-18. 9v9,17. Eph.1v13. The sign that this has taken place is the speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. Acts.2v4. 10v45,46. Jesus is the baptiser in the Holy Spirit. Jn.1v33. Acts.2v32,33. If we want a deep experience of the Holy Spirit we must seek the baptism in the Spirit with the following attitude of heart. With a deep faith in the Word of God and the goodness of God. Heb.11v6. To be strong in faith we must feed on the food of faith, the Holy Scriptures. 2Tim.3v14-17. Jn.20v30,31. 1Pet.2v2. Acts.20v32. Rom.10v17. With a determination to live a life of obedience and holiness. Acts.5v32. Confess and forsake your sins, renew your consecration. Be determined to serve God with all your heart. Hunger and thirst after righteousness, determine to keep your heart pure. Turn away from the failures of the past and determine to live wholly for God and He will accept your consecration. Phil.3v7-14. Rom.12v1,2. With a heart thirsting for God and much prayer. Ps.42v1. Lk.11v9-13. Jn.7v35. This removes the hindrances to full communion with God and prepares the heart for the blessing of God. It is the Christians joy and delight to meet with their Heavenly Father. The prayer meeting is the powerhouse of the Church. Acts.1v14. With a genuine humility of mind. Mt.5v3. 11v28-30. Is.66v1,2. Ps.138v6. Intellectual arrogance and pride will always result in spiritual barrenness. How many preachers today would have the humility that Apollos had, he was willing to learn of further truth and blessing from ordinary Church members. He did not make his already great ministry an excuse for being complacent and satisfied, Apollos was willing to learn and even greater blessing came upon his already great ministry Acts.18v24-28. With a praising heart and praising lips. Ps.95v1-7. Lk.19v37-40. Heb.13v15. Break through your reserve and worship God with all your heart. Ps.103v1,2,22. We are told to make a joyful noise to the Lord, but this does not mean excessive noise, which is not conclusive to worship. Worship is the love of a grateful heart poured out to God in sincere thanks. God deserves our worship, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men." Ps.107v8,15,21. With others who are earnestly seeking God. Acts.1v14. Heb.10v24,25. In the upper room were 120 who with the one mind sought God for the blessing He had promised, fellowship of this kind is indispensable. If you want a powerful baptism of the Spirit you will have to seek the baptism in the Spirit with these attitudes of heart. A shallow approach very often results in a shallow experience that is disappointing and is easily lost. A dedicated and prayerful seeking of the baptism in the Spirit will result in a satisfying, deep and lasting experience that gets richer as time passes by, if the same dedication and prayerfulness continue. Let us "dig deep" with God. Mt.7v24-27. The Lord Jesus breathed upon the disciples and told them to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Though this is not the baptism in the Spirit, it was not just a mere symbol; there was a definite impartation of spiritual power and authority. Jn.20v21-23. The Lord Jesus also told us to come to Him and in faith "drink" of His fullness, and He will fill us with the Holy Spirit and as a result of this, rivers of God’s life-giving power will flow out of our lives. Jn.7v37-39. So let us come to Jesus with worship, faith and dedication, without any stress and perfectly relaxed, trusting in His grace and love and He will fill us with the Holy Spirit. Jn.1v33. We must let our lips express the love that our hearts feel for the Lord Jesus, for the Holy Spirit comes to help us to worship the Lord in a far better way than we can in our own language, and He will find it difficult to fill the closed and prayerless heart. So we can see that it is very necessary that we should be loving and worshipping the Lord with all our heart, and surely the Lord has so laden us with benefits that this is not only our privilege but our "meet and bounden duty" as well. The Scriptures make it clear that the ministry of the laying on of hands can have an important part to play in the reception of the baptism of the Spirit. Those who are "full," i.e. powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit's power can have a ministry of helping people into the experience of the baptism in the Spirit. However, this valuable ministry will only be a formality if those who are trying to exercise this ministry are not empowered by the Holy Spirit, and are not sustained by much prayer, and are lacking holy and pure lives. < >
The Disastrous Effects Of The Doctrine Of Original Sin \| By His Stripes We Are Healed \| The Book Of Revelation \| The Second Coming Of Christ \| The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit \| The Comforter Is Come

Chapter Two

How to receive a mighty baptism in the Holy Spirit

Some people believe that we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion; however, this can be shown to be incorrect by many passages of Scripture. The apostles were converted before Pentecost, their names were "written in heaven," Lk.10v20.; they were "clean," Jn.15v3.; they belonged to God. Jn.17v6,9,23. After Calvary these disciples received the baptism of the Spirit that had been promised to them. Acts.1v5-8. Pentecost was not the time when they were saved, they were rejoicing in their salvation before Pentecost. Lk.24v52,53.

Paul was saved when he met the Lord Jesus on the Damascus road, he owned the Lordship of Christ, and said, "Lord, what will thou have me to do?" Acts.9v6. Ananias was able to call him "Brother Saul." Ananias was sent that Paul might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit; this was three days after Paul's conversion. Acts.9v9,17. At Samaria the people accepted Philip's sign-attested ministry and became joyful believers. It was several, or even many days later that Peter and John came to Samaria to lay hands on the converts, that they might receive the baptism in the Spirit. Acts.8v5-18.

The apostle Peter tells us in Acts.2v38,39., that the baptism in the Spirit comes after repentance and faith in Christ, and also as a general rule, after baptism in water. The exceptions to this rule are found in Acts.10v44-48. and possibly Acts.9v18.. We are told in Jn.1v29,33. that Christ came not only to save but to fill with the Spirit as well, these are obviously looked upon as quite distinct experiences, the baptism in the Spirit is a quite distinct experience from conversion.

In Acts.19v2. Paul asks the question, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" However, some have translated this Scripture, "Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?" The first translation states that the baptism of the Spirit is after conversion, the second translation states that the baptism of the Spirit is at conversion. Which of the translations gives the correct translation of the Greek words?" There can be no doubt that the correct translation of the Greek shows that the baptism of the Spirit takes place after conversion, and not at conversion. The words translated "since ye believed," and " when ye believed," are the translation of the Greek word "pisteusantes," the aorist participle of the Greek word "pisteuo," which means, "to believe." Machen writes in his "New Testament Greek for Beginners": "The aorist participle denotes action prior to the action denoted by the leading verb, whether the action denoted by the verb is present, past, or future."

The leading verb in the sentences quoted is "elabete," translated in the King James Version, as " have ye received,” and in the Revised Version as "did ye receive." The literal translation of the Greek word "pisteusantes" is, “having believed." Therefore, according to the rule that Machen has stated, the literal translation of the sentence is "Having believed, did ye receive the Holy Spirit. The aorist participle, "having believed" speaking of an action which took place before the action of the leading verb, "did ye receive?" The believing took place at some time before the receiving of the Spirit. The Scriptures nowhere look upon salvation and the baptism of the Spirit as identical events, so the aorist participle of identical action cannot apply here, the more usual aorist participle of antecedent action is the participle that applies here.

F.F. Bruce states in his commentary on the book of Acts that the "disciples" at Ephesus were Christians whose knowledge of Christianity was in a similar defective condition to that of Apollos before he was instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. Acts.18v24-28. Bruce states that the term "disciples" is a term that was commonly used for Christians, and if these "disciples" had been disciples of John, Luke would have said so explicitly. If the Ephesian were Christians who had been converted under the ministry of Apollos, or another Christian whose knowledge of Christianity was defective, it automatically follows that their baptism in the Spirit took place a considerable time after their conversion. Even if, as some say, these "disciples were disciples of John who became Christians when Paul spoke to them, it still follows that they were baptised in the Spirit some time after their conversion. For it would take some time to find a suitable place where they could baptise the disciples. Some time must have elapsed between this and the baptism in the Spirit, even if it were only a matter of minutes or hours. Their baptism in the Spirit occurred, therefore, sometime after their conversion, when the apostle Paul laid hands upon them.

Probably the clearest statement in the Scripture that the baptism in the Spirit takes place after the conversion and not at conversion, is found in Eph.1v13., it states that "after ye had believed (in Christ), ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." This promise of the Spirit was not the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, which all Christians have before the baptism of the Spirit, it was the promise of the Father, the promise of the baptism in the Spirit, the enduement of the power from on high. Lk.24v49. The words "after that ye had believed" are the translation of the Greek word "pisteusantes" which we have just considered. By the use of this word Paul confirms the fact that the Ephesians received the baptism in the Spirit some time after their conversion not at conversion.

The outpouring of the Spirit at the house of Cornelius proves that Christians can receive the baptism in the Spirit a few seconds or minutes after believing on Christ as Saviour, and without having been previously baptised in water, and without having the ministry of the laying on of hands. There are thousands, indeed, millions today who have proved the truth of the Scriptures that after conversion the Christian can experience the baptism in the Spirit. The baptism in the Spirit is an experience that comes after conversion, the Holy Spirit who is with the believer in Jesus comes to live in their body. Jn.14v17. Lk.10v20. with Acts.1v4,5,8. 8v5-18. 9v9,17. Eph.1v13. The sign that this has taken place is the speaking with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. Acts.2v4. 10v45,46. Jesus is the baptiser in the Holy Spirit. Jn.1v33. Acts.2v32,33.

If we want a deep experience of the Holy Spirit we must seek the baptism in the Spirit with the following attitude of heart.
With a deep faith in the Word of God and the goodness of God. Heb.11v6. To be strong in faith we must feed on the food of faith, the Holy Scriptures. 2Tim.3v14-17. Jn.20v30,31. 1Pet.2v2. Acts.20v32. Rom.10v17.

With a determination to live a life of obedience and holiness. Acts.5v32. Confess and forsake your sins, renew your consecration. Be determined to serve God with all your heart. Hunger and thirst after righteousness, determine to keep your heart pure. Turn away from the failures of the past and determine to live wholly for God and He will accept your consecration. Phil.3v7-14. Rom.12v1,2.

With a heart thirsting for God and much prayer. Ps.42v1. Lk.11v9-13. Jn.7v35. This removes the hindrances to full communion with God and prepares the heart for the blessing of God. It is the Christians joy and delight to meet with their Heavenly Father. The prayer meeting is the powerhouse of the Church. Acts.1v14.

With a genuine humility of mind. Mt.5v3. 11v28-30. Is.66v1,2. Ps.138v6. Intellectual arrogance and pride will always result in spiritual barrenness. How many preachers today would have the humility that Apollos had, he was willing to learn of further truth and blessing from ordinary Church members. He did not make his already great ministry an excuse for being complacent and satisfied, Apollos was willing to learn and even greater blessing came upon his already great ministry Acts.18v24-28.

With a praising heart and praising lips. Ps.95v1-7. Lk.19v37-40. Heb.13v15. Break through your reserve and worship God with all your heart. Ps.103v1,2,22. We are told to make a joyful noise to the Lord, but this does not mean excessive noise, which is not conclusive to worship. Worship is the love of a grateful heart poured out to God in sincere thanks. God deserves our worship, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men." Ps.107v8,15,21.

With others who are earnestly seeking God. Acts.1v14. Heb.10v24,25. In the upper room were 120 who with the one mind sought God for the blessing He had promised, fellowship of this kind is indispensable. If you want a powerful baptism of the Spirit you will have to seek the baptism in the Spirit with these attitudes of heart. A shallow approach very often results in a shallow experience that is disappointing and is easily lost. A dedicated and prayerful seeking of the baptism in the Spirit will result in a satisfying, deep and lasting experience that gets richer as time passes by, if the same dedication and prayerfulness continue. Let us "dig deep" with God. Mt.7v24-27.

The Lord Jesus breathed upon the disciples and told them to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Though this is not the baptism in the Spirit, it was not just a mere symbol; there was a definite impartation of spiritual power and authority. Jn.20v21-23. The Lord Jesus also told us to come to Him and in faith "drink" of His fullness, and He will fill us with the Holy Spirit and as a result of this, rivers of God’s life-giving power will flow out of our lives. Jn.7v37-39. So let us come to Jesus with worship, faith and dedication, without any stress and perfectly relaxed, trusting in His grace and love and He will fill us with the Holy Spirit. Jn.1v33.

We must let our lips express the love that our hearts feel for the Lord Jesus, for the Holy Spirit comes to help us to worship the Lord in a far better way than we can in our own language, and He will find it difficult to fill the closed and prayerless heart. So we can see that it is very necessary that we should be loving and worshipping the Lord with all our heart, and surely the Lord has so laden us with benefits that this is not only our privilege but our "meet and bounden duty" as well.

The Scriptures make it clear that the ministry of the laying on of hands can have an important part to play in the reception of the baptism of the Spirit. Those who are "full," i.e. powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit's power can have a ministry of helping people into the experience of the baptism in the Spirit. However, this valuable ministry will only be a formality if those who are trying to exercise this ministry are not empowered by the Holy Spirit, and are not sustained by much prayer, and are lacking holy and pure lives.

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