THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Pastor Ted Montoya
I have been thinking a bit about the Baptism in Spirit lately and would like to flush out my thoughts, primarily motivated by a desire to clarify my own thinking rather than trying to be a persuasive theologian.
There seems to be more confusion about the Holy Spirit and his role in the Church than any other doctrine in the Bible, with the exception of Eschatology (The study of future events in the Bible).
While I hope to clarify some issues surrounding the Baptism of the Spirit, I have no grand illusions that I have a corner on the truth here. I do think however that confusion is not of the Lord, so I will do my part to clarify things related to the Spirit’s Baptism in as believers life.
First, let me summarize the two primary views about Spirit-Filling and the Baptism of the Spirit in the Church as I understand them.
The Non Charismatic View: The first view worth a brief examination is the view that all Christians are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at their conversion (Baptism-Immersion by the Spirit) yet can be filled over and over again through a life of trust and obedience (Eph 5:18). However, such Refillings are not accompanied by the addition of Spiritual gifts.
Those who hold to this view believe that all Christians receive all that the Spirit intended for them when they first trusted Christ.
What they believe to have received at the time of their conversion is the promised Spirit’s presence to help them gain victory over sin (John 14; Romans 8; 1Cor.6:19), and a spiritual gift or two (1Cor.12) to equip them for a life of impact in and out of the Church. Those in this camp see spiritual gifts as talents to be discovered over time and cultivated in order to become effective tools in God’s hands.
Most who hold to this view refuse to believe that the gifts of prophecy, tongues, healing, words of knowledge, etc.. (1Cor.12-14, Eph 4) exist in our contemporary culture today because we now have a written and completed Bible in hand. Although such people would claim that God speaks to them in their thoughts, they will not accept revelation from others as inspired messages from God.
Those who hold to this conservative view of the Spirit’s Baptism tend to place more emphasis on the fruit of the Spirit than the gifts of the Spirit.
To their way of thinking, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23) are qualities that will bear fruit for the Kingdom.
The Charismatic View
The second view concerning the Baptism of the Spirit is often referred to as the Second Blessing. Those who hold this view believe that while everyone receives the Holy Spirit at conversion, not everyone receives all that there is to experience in God at Salvation and that spiritual gifts are the most obvious manifestation of the second blessing.
While the intention of my writing is not to challenge the rich experiences connected with unique encounters with God, I do hope the reader will be motivated to clear thinking as it relates to spiritual gifts and such encounters.
Those who hold to the Charismatic view of the gifts believe that some Christians are given gifts for service at the time of their conversion while others are gifted at a later time, or both. These Christians also refuse to accept the notion that the sign gifts have ceased and that God no longer distributes them among his people. These Charismatic types believe that all the gifts are for the here and now and should be sought after. And those that seek after these gifts do so most often in a corporate setting. Some among this group even go so far as to suggest that people who do not manifest the sign gifts are somehow less spiritual in nature and are missing out on the power.
So, where is the balance?
In this context of polarized views of the Baptism of the Spirit, is one view wrong while the other right or is there room for both views? Well, let me give you my two cents on the issue in hopes of making room for balanced and a sensible middle.
Two Stage Spiritually
First of all, because I recognize that many Christians have had encounters with God that they understand to be Second Blessing type experiences, I dare not try to dissuade such people from the beauty of their special times with God. However, as it relates to Spiritual Gifts and the Second Blessing, I would like to offer some questions for consideration because I think the confusion concerning the Second Blessings is related more to the gift issues than the special encounters of God.
Questions and Considerations:
I don’t think that a two stage approach to spiritual gifts makes good sense. After all, it would seem rather inconsistent and contrary to the purposes of the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20). Why would an all wise God give some people gifts at salvation and others be left waiting even after they have been saved? Was not the Spirit given to the Church for the purpose of expanding the kingdom? Would not withholding spiritual gifts until some future day in a believer’s life hinder the spreading of the good news? And, can we find people being coached in the Bible to loose their tongues in order to receive the particular gift of speaking in tongues. And one last question for consideration, why is it that the only gifts that seem to be assigned to believers at a Second Blessing are the sign and wonder type gifts? Have you ever heard of someone being baptized in the Spirit and receiving the gift of administration, the gift of helps, or the gift of giving?
I’m not trying to be sarcastic, but I must admit that this gifting idea seems a bit inconsistent to me.
The Apostle Paul made it clear to the believers at Corinth that every Christian has been given a gift by means of the Spirit (1Cor12:7) as he determined at the time of their inclusion into the body of Christ. In this context Paul also asks a rhetorical question that demanded a NO answer,
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret 1Cor. 12:29-30
What is the point I am trying to make here? Simply that connecting the Baptism in the Spirit with Spiritual gifts, especially sign gifts seems to be a bit of a stretch.
Concerning Superior Spirituality and the Gifts
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities that God gives to his people to fulfill their individual divine assignments in life. These assignments include edifying the Church and expanding the Kingdom of God. By definition, all gifts are spiritual in nature and none more spiritual than others.
With this in mind, one believer is not more spiritual or close to God because he manifests a gift that others do not. In this context, I think we can appreciate the Apostle’s words to the Corinthians, the eye can’t say to the hand I don’t need you….1Cor.12:21.
At the heart of Paul’s message to the Church at Corinth was that people who are gift focused could become dangerous to the unity of the Church because they may even unintentionally communicate a attitude of superiority among those manifesting speaking gifts.
God’s Timing and the Manifestation of our Gifts
I believe that all people are gifted with spiritual gifts at the time of their conversion but most people are not mature enough to understand or appreciate their gifting at the time of their salvation. Think about the nine year old who trust Christ in Sunday school. Does he begin to speak in tongues, pastor, lead, administrate, heal the sick, give words of knowledge? Of course not! Well, could it be that the manifestation of our gifts is some how connected to God’s sovereign timing? Maybe believers who receive the Second Blessing are merely becoming attuned to God’s initial blessing in their life.
I find it rather interesting that most people that I’ve known who have experienced the Second Blessing also begin to recognize that Christ wants to dwell within them without compromise. In other words, Second Blessing type experiences seem to be more related to Lordship than gifting. Yet, their new experience does appear to open up new expressions of ministry in their lives.
Could it be that many Christians have yet to experience the power of the Spirit because they have not yielded to the call of the Spirit to exalt Christ in their bodies? Maybe Second Blessing encounters are really about the Lord of the Harvest cutting away the chaff in a barren life so that his gifts have room to grow.
Maturity and Spirituality
Many people mistakenly believe that a Christian is Spirit-filled only if they speak in tongues or preach boldly, or get words from the Lord, etc…
However, this notion too needs to be balanced. Gifts, while important to the expansion of the Kingdom are not the best way to measure a person’s spirituality. I believe the best way to measure spirituality is to look at ones disposition and character. When the Spirit of God is filling a believers life it will be oblivious; love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, etc…. will be the best ways to spot a Spirit filled Christian.
I have known many people through the years who spoke in unknown tongues whose lives were characterized by immaturity or worse yet, a lack in character. You see, maturity takes time to develop which flies in the face of our microwave society. We want power without having to exercise the disciplines demanded for personal growth. But God’s power is dangerous in the hands of a person lacking character.
Many people mistakenly believe that Spirituality is based upon some one-time spiritual experience. But true spirituality is better understood as mature faith which is developed over time and under pressure. Listen to what James writes:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
See also Romans 5:1-5. Suffering produces perseverance and perseverance produces character (maturity). In other words, exercising our gifts doesn’t make a person a spiritual giant or a model in the faith, trials accomplish this.
Worth Noting: It is rather interesting that the qualities spelled out for a spiritual leader in the Church are void of Second Blessings type sign gifts (1Tim3, Titus 1). Would this not assume that spirituality is not to be based upon outward manifestations of Spiritual gifts or equating spirituality with the Baptism of the Spirit?
Conclusions:
My blog friends, what then does the writer think about this Baptism of the Spirit and the Christian Life? Well, what I can tell you is that I am becoming more and more comfortable with what some people call the Baptism of the Spirit or Second Blessing. However, I understand it to be really nothing more than a deeper understanding or experience of their first blessing. From my point of view, believers who seek after a Second Blessing are only demonstrating a thirst for more of the spirit and how can such people be faulted for this. In fact, I think that the Spirit is poured out in fresh ways on those who seek out His filling ministry regardless of their understanding of it.
Concerning the manifestation of the sign gifts, I am comfortable being uncomfortable with the signs and wonders produced by the Spirit. While I would not claim to speak in tongues or be a prophet, I do believe that God works his mysterious ways through people walking in the Spirit and gifted in ways that accomplish super natural effects for God’s glory. However, I would caution Christians not to throw out their brains every time some says thus says the Lord! Remember that discernment is King; and be governed by what Jesus said, you will know a disciple by his fruit not his gifts! (My paraphrase)
