Systematic Theology, Chapter 39

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Baptism in and Filling with the Holy Spirit.

Is Baptism in the Holy Spirit something distinct from regeneration as much of the Pentecostal movement of the 60s and onwards would teach?  Does it occur at the point of becoming a Christian or sometimes after conversion?

Many speak of a great blessing after becoming Christians from the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which made prayer and Bible study more meaningful, a new joy in worship, and was often accompanied by a spiritual gift such as speaking in tongues.

Several places Jesus speaks of a later coming of the Holy Spirit upon believers, John 20:22, Acts 1:5.

According to the traditional Pentecostal experience, Christians today should follow the apostles footstseps and the pattern of their lives, and seek a baptism of the Holy Spirit for more power in ministry.   Not just at the original Pentecost experience, but also in Samaria and Ephesus, people who were believers later recieved the Holy Spirit.

What does Baptism in the Holy Spirit mean?  7 verses speak about it in the New Testament.

The first 4 are from John the Baptist speaking of Jesus and how he will baptise people in the Holy Spirit (instead of just water as John did).

Two verses refer to Pentecost: looking forward to how jesus will baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

And finally, in 1 Cor 12:13, "For we are all baptized in one Spirit into one body- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."   Pentecostals will prefer to separate this verse, as it takes away from the experience of baptism, and gives it rather to all Christians alike at conversion.   Wayne Grudem means that Paul wast trying to say that baptism in the Holy Spirit takes place at conversion.

Grudem says that the day of Pentecost was a point of transition between the old covenant work and ministry of the Holy Spirit and the new covenant and the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament the work of the Holy Spirit was less extensive, for a few people, but Moses longed for the day when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all of God's people.

King Saul for example, lost the spirit of God in his life, there was no examples of casting out demons in the Old Testament, and John the Baptist was the last in the line of old covenant experiences of the working of the Holy Spirit.

The work of the Holy Spirit in all Christians in the New Testament gievs us more effectiveness in witnessing and ministry, greater power for victory over the influence of sin, power for victory over Satan and evil forces that attack believers.

The spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are intended not for individual use but for the corporate building up of the body of Christ.

Just because the disciples had a second experience at pentecost, this does not mean it should be taken as a pattern for us, as they were experiencing a transition from the old covenant to new covenant experience of the Holy Spirit.

Rather we are as those at Corinth, when we become christians we are all baptized in one Spirit into one body...

By classing Christians into "normal" and "spirit filled" Christians, we are making a class system, just as has been done throughout history, with carnal vs spiritual christians, ordinary vs sanctified christians.  Nowhere in the Epistles do we see Peter or Paul encouraging people to all find a baptism in the Holy Spirit, etc.

Rather as Christians we should all be seeking greater maturity (sanctification) and a closer walk with God.

The contemporary experience of those who say they have a baptism in the Holy Spirit are often taught that they should confess all known sins, repent of remaining sin, trust Christ to forgive their sins, commit all areas of their lives to the Lord's service, and yeild themselves fully to him, and believe that Christ will empower them and use them....of course that person will have significant growth in the Christian life!  Grudem says, we may expect that the Holy Spirit will graciously bring additional fullness and help them grow.

What terms should we then use?  If the term "baptism in the Holy Spirit," as an experience that every Christian should have after conversion, then we put Christians into two categories.   Rather, we might say, "a large step of growth," or "a new empowering for ministry,"

What is "being filled with the Spirit?"  This should result in renewed worship and thanksgiving, increased sanctification, increased power for ministry, and diversity in the use of spiritual gifts.  Many times in Acts we read about people being filled with the Holy Spirit, as an event that can occur again and again. 

Grudem says, "there is nothing wrong with teaching people to pray and to seek this greater infilling of the Holy Spirit, or to expect and ask the Lord for an outpouring of more spiritual gifts in their lives, for the benefit of the body of Christ." 

Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not always result in speaking in tongues. Many Biblical examples do not show speaking in tongues, but rather, speaking words of blessing, strength to overcome temptations, faith and maturity of life, sound judgement, powerful preaching, etc.