As we look at the effects of the baptism in the Spirit it is perhaps first helpful to understand what the Word "baptize" means. I once read a Baptist archaeologist, whose name I would cite if I could remember it, state that while the Greek "baptizo" means "immerse", it means more than that. The ordinary Greek word for immerse is "bapto," and "baptizo" is a more emphatic form. Having written this he publishes an ancient Greek pickle recipe to demonstrate his point. In the recipe cucumbers were first dipped "bapto" in boiling water, then dipped "baptizo" in vinegar. The difference between mere dipping and baptism was baptism produced a marked change in the thing dipped just as the vinegar changed a cucumber into a pickle. The word was also used to describe the dying of a cloth, or sinking of a ship, or being overwhelmed in general. As this relates to water baptism I think this is apparent. As we choose to follow Christ in the waters of baptism we are buried with Him and begin a new life, we proclaim publicly our following of Him and it has an indelible effect upon us, whether we are true to the profession made there or not. Now in looking at the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we are referring to an immersion into the Spirit of God, like a cup thrown into a lake, where the water is in the cup and the cup is in the water, so we become vessels in the Spirit filled with the Spirit. Baptism in the Spirit must produce a marked change in our lives or it is not a true baptism. What are the effects then?
- Speaking in other (foreign) tongues
Acts 2:1-4, "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." Notice here that while the entrance of the Spirit into the room was announced by the wind and fire, but the filling of the individuals was shown by their speaking in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to enunciate clearly (the meaning of utterance). Peter speaking later to the crown who wondered what was going on told them that this was the promise given by Joel. He also added that it was the promise of the Father that Christ had received on His ascension that they were seeing and hearing (v. 33). Further he promised them that they and all who were called of God could enter into this promise if they repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38-39). The tongues that they were hearing were an intimate part of the promise of the Father so much so that they are the initial evidence of this promise.
Looking now at Acts 8, we see that Phillip the deacon ministered in Samaria and many responded and were baptized (Acts 8:12). Yet later we see that the apostles in Jerusalem specifically sent Peter and John to Samaria to pray for these converts to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). Clearly this does not refer reception of the Spirit at salvation, it must refer to something else, the most obvious conclusion would be that it refers to receiving subsequently the promise of the Father with its intendant sign and this is allowed by many non-pentecostal commentators such as Gill, Barnes, and Clarke. If the early church felt it important enough to send a special mission out to ensure that the new converts were filled with the Spirit, do you not think that it is perhaps important for us as Christians to enter in to this same blessing?
In Acts 10, Peter was preaching to the Gentiles, much to his own initial horror, and the Spirit fell on them. They manifested this by speaking in tongues (Acts 10:44-48). This opened the door to the Gentile believers. Peter knowing that the Spirit had fallen on them because of their speaking with tongues could not forbid their baptism. This portion of Scripture shows us that Peter interpreted the speaking in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Spirit. It also presents a large obstacle to the doctrine of baptismal regeneration, but that is another issue.
Peter then defends his conduct to his Jewish brethren in the next chapter saying, "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" This again shows that he equated the speaking with tongues with the reception of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
In Ephesus Paul met disciples of John the Baptist who he first baptized into Christ and then laid hands on them the received the Holy Spirit and spoke with other tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:1-7). Again we see speaking with other tongues linked with receiving the Holy Spirit.
I think it is clear from these Scriptures that we have looked at that this experience is subsequent to salvation. It is also clear from these passages that this experience is separate from water baptism. I also trust that it is clear that the one manifestation that is the distinguishing evidence of this experience is speaking in other tongues, though other effects also follow.
- Boldness
Boldness is an effect of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The marked contrast in the Apostles conduct at the time of Christ's crucifixion and the day of Pentecost says volumes about the power of the emboldening Spirit. The religious leaders saw it and realized it came from Christ (Acts 4:13). Furthermore they prayed for more boldness in the face of persecution and were heard.
- Guidance
It is interesting to note that after the Spirit fell we never see the use of lots for guidance any more in Scripture, but instead the believers were lead by the Holy Spirit. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit opens us up to receive His voice and prodding in a greater way than we have before.
- Other miraculous gifts
The baptism of the Holy Spirit also resulted in a flow of spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, miracles, and healing. Jesus had promised rivers of living water flowing out of believers and the rivers can be various in manifestation, but flow from one source. It should be noted though that it is at least somewhat possible to move in healing and casting out devils without the baptism in the Holy Spirit because all the Apostles and the seventy did (Matt. 10:1;Luke 10:17).
These are not the only effects of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but I think they are a sufficient look at some of the main ones. In my next post I would like to look at some misconceptions of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and with God's help do what I can to clear them up.
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