Baptism In The Holy Spirit (Number Two) by West End Church of Christ

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Baptism In The Holy Spirit (Number Two) A few years ago The National Catholic Reporter, an official organ of the Roman Catholic Denomination reported, "At the private gatherings, a growing number of Catholics have been experiencing the same 'baptism in the Spirit' that Protestant Pentecostals experience." The "Protestant Pentecostals" have generally held reception of Holy Spirit baptism as their hallmark. They add further that it is always evidenced by speaking in tongues. The charismatic movement has touched and influenced just about every religious movement in existence. Among nearly every religious group all around the world you will find someone who claims to have received this extraordinary experience which they call "Holy Spirit Baptism." Are their claims valid? What do you think about these matters? I hope you will stay tuned -- we will investigate the question of Holy Spirit Baptism a little more in depth today. But first, again let me warmly invite you and your family to visit the West End Church of Christ today. We begin Bible study at 9 a.m. -- just under an hour from now. During this period of time we divide into various classes, usually by age grouping, and some very fine teachers conduct stimulating discussion of various biblical themes. At 10 this morning we meet for our congregational worship. Wednesday night at 7 p.m. we have more classes for all ages. We urge you to come and visit with us if you possibly can. Our meeting house is at the corner of Old Morgantown Road and Parkside Drive, just across from Lampkin Park and Tapp’s Drive-in restaurant. We also offer a free religious paper twice a month called "The Voice of West End." There is no hidden meaning in that word free. We sell nothing, ask for nothing, accept nothing by way of monetary value from you. If you, or someone you know, would like to receive it, be ready at the end of today's broadcast to take down our address. All you have to do is ask for it. The different claims for Holy Ghost baptism are interesting - - but very confusing. Holy Spirit baptism is something the Bible teaches -- of that fact there can be no dispute. The confusion rises from two things: (1) the nature of Bible Holy Spirit Baptism, and (2) the views held by those of our day who claim to have received it. For example, the term "pentecostal" is a broad term embracing just about anyone who claims to have received Holy Spirit Baptism. It does not seem to matter that there are serious and fundamental doctrinal differences among them, as long as they all have come under this baptismal experience in the Spirit they are all "Pentecostals." Some who claim the Holy Spirit's baptism affirm it is essential to salvation while others do not. But there are even others. Among those who are followers of the late Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of those called "Mormons," this claim is also heard. Please listen to Brigham Young, successor to Joseph Smith, Jr. as president, prophet, and seer of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In a speech in Salt Lake City, April 8, 1885, Young said, "Again, if a pure Gentile firmly believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and yields obedience to it, in such a case I will give you the words of the Prophet Joseph -- "When the Lord pours out the Holy Ghost upon that individual he will have spasms, and you would think that he was going to have fits. "Joseph said that the Gentile blood was actually cleansed out of their veins, and the blood of Jacob made to circulate in them; and the revolution and change in the system were so great that it caused the beholder to think they were going into fits." (Journal of Discourses, Volume II, page 269). Journal of Discourses is an official chronicle recognized as authentic by the Latter Day Saints Church. With this before us, consider how confused the situation is. Some argue there is only one person in the Godhead and pronounce that all who do not believe it are in heretical error. They claim they have received Holy Spirit baptism and speak in tongues. Others flatly deny that there is only one person in the Godhead and also claim to have received Holy Spirit baptism and also speak in tongues. Others recognize John Paul as their spiritual father. They call him Universal Father to the Church on Earth, or Pope. They also claim they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. Others recognize only Joseph Smith, Jr., and his successors as true prophets of God in these latter days and claim to have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I gently suggest that doctrinally, none of these various groups making this claim will recognize or endorse any of the others. And when they speak in tongues, none of them understand anything anyone utters. If I am wrong I will stand to be corrected. The point, however, is that the same Holy Spirit allegedly baptized them all, was poured out on all of them, and the only thing at all they have in common is speaking in tongues. Beyond that they would quickly denounce all others as teaching error and heresy. My understanding of the Holy Spirit's power as it is poured out in the baptismal measure is quite different. I freely affirm that one baptized with the Holy Spirit would proclaim and understand precisely like any other individual who received the same gift. No one who thinks straight would accuse the Holy Spirit of the chaos and confusion that reigns among so-called "Pentecostals," regardless of what denominational stripe they bear. To do so would border on blasphemy. The truth is the Spirit of God is one with the Father and the Son, and the divine three make up what Paul called "the Godhead." (Acts 17:29). And whatever the Godhead does is done as a unit. The unit consists of three separate and distinct divine Beings, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remember that it was Jesus who gave the promise of Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 1:5). And on the glorious day of Pentecost the Spirit came upon the apostles. Read it with me: "And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4). Several facts stand out in clear relief from this passage. First the pronoun "they" refers to the apostles, not the one- hundred twenty. Let me show how clear this is: 1. Acts 1:15 tells us "in these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren..." which later Luke said were about one hundred and twenty in number. "These days" include the entire period of waiting in Jerusalem which Jesus commanded. But the contrast is clear in chapter two. It begins with the definite day, "when the day of Pentecost was now come." This is an entirely different setting from chapter one, verse fifteen. 2. Chapter one ends with the selection of a replacement for Judas. The disciples put forth two men, Joseph and Matthias. They prayed to the Lord to select one of the two. The Lord selected Matthias and he was "numbered with the eleven apostles" (verse 26). Now the next chapter begins with "they." "They were all together." What "they?" It can be none other than Matthias and the eleven -- making up the twelve apostles. 3. It was upon these twelve, and only upon these twelve that the Holy Spirit fell in the baptismal experience. The "they" of Acts 2:1 is the same they and them throughout the context of Acts 2:1-4. Therefore, only the apostles had Holy Spirit Baptism. The baptism of the Spirit was promised only to them -- not to any other individual in Jerusalem. Here are some other facts: 1. The baptism of the Spirit was from Heaven -- it also came with an audible sound -- like a mighty rushing wind. Very likely it sounded like an oncoming hurricane or tornado. I have attended revivals and other meetings in which people claimed to receive Holy Spirit baptism. The only sounds came from within the building from the people -- never from heaven -- never as the sound of a mighty rushing wind. 2. The sound filled all the house where they sitting. It was a sound that everyone could hear. Holy Spirit baptism does not come as some inward or subjective feeling -- it is something external to the recipient and completely fills the house. Have you ever seen anything like that in the modern day claims of Holy Spirit baptism? I haven't. 3. There was a visible evidence of the Spirit's presence. Luke said, "there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire." Notice it says "there appeared." They were able to see the tongues that parted asunder. It further says these tongues were "like as of fire," not that the tongues were actually fire. Has anyone who has attended a revival where the Holy Spirit supposedly baptized someone ever seen such a thing? I have been present a number of times over the years at such meetings and never seen anything other than human beings present. 4. They were all filled with the Spirit. When and if there is such a meeting today, all who are present will be filled with the Holy Spirit exactly like those on the day of Pentecost. Unless all are filled, none will be filled. But I remind you again that I have attended numerous such meetings at which some claimed to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit but others did not. There is really only one sensible conclusion anyone can draw from all this -- people today may go through an emotional experience and think it is the Holy Spirit, but they have to understand it as merely a delusion. They are like the mother of Zebadee's sons. She made a wrong request to Christ and He replied, "You do not know what you ask." My dear listening friend, never ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit -- it is not even promised to you. Act upon what those who received it have revealed to us, the New Testament Gospel and obey it and be saved, secure, and sanctified by faith that obeys from the heart. We urge you to study the New Testament alone, for it alone is true and right. If there is any way we can be of help, let us know. Should you disagree with anything said on this broadcast, or any other we produce, let us know. Respectful disagreement is healthy. If you would like to receive our free religious paper, write to the West End Church of Christ, 1609 Parkside Drive, Bowling Green, Ky. 42101. Till next time, I sincerely pray for you to be blessed and happy and safe so that you may learn the will of the Almighty and do it. Good bye and God bless you. Radio Sermon No. 10, Page 1