Introduction:

Referring to the Christ Whose way he was sent to prepare, John, the Baptist declared: "I Indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." (Mark 1:8 - the English word "with" here is from a Greek preposition more accurately translated "in.")

Unless otherwise specified, the word baptism in the New Testament always refers to a dipping or immersion in water, never to a mere sprinkling or pouring. Despite the general agreement of scholars on this fact, however, a large part of Christendom prefers convenience to obedience and no longer practices baptism in water as a religious ordinance.

Still more confusion prevails on the question of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Some people think it is synonymous with regeneration; some think it is a second or third "blessing" or experience subsequent to regeneration; and in recent years some sly seducers have confused it with an imaginary "spiritual baptism" which they say puts every believer into their nonexistent invisible "church."

Our present lesson, including key verse and context, sets forth the Biblical truth that it was the church which Jesus had organized during His own personal ministry (Matthew 16:18; 18:17-20) that He baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Like the virgin birth, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Christ, this was an actual event in history which never has been and never will be repeated.

We ought not, because the Bible does not, refer to every demonstration of the Holy Spirit as a "baptism" in the Spirit As an individual believer in Christ can be scripturally baptized in water only once, so the divinely constituted and organized church of the Son of God was baptized in the Holy Spirit only once.

Some signs of the Spirit's power were given to other persons on other occasions, as in Acts 8:16-17; 10:44-48; and 19:2-6; but these were not additional "spiritual baptisms": they were reminders of that Pentecostal baptism, establishing the right of other believers, including Gentiles, to a place in that same institution (Acts 11:15-18).

Let all who lay claim to repeated experiences of Pentecostal baptism exhibit the signs that were manifested on that day, hold the same doctrines, and follow the same practices as that first church - and then we may begin to take their claims seriously.

Scripture verses included hi this lesson can be studied with the following outline:

1. Baptist Unanimity, Acts 2:1-3
2. Baptist Utterance, Acts 2:4-8
3. Baptist Unction, Acts 2:14-16
4. Baptist Ultimate, Acts 2:36
5. Baptist Ultimatum, Acts 2:37, 38
6. Baptist Urgency, Acts 2:39, 40
7. Baptist Union, Acts 2:41
8. Baptist Usage, Acts 2:42

Notes on the Printed Text:
Baptist Unanimity, Acts 2:1-8.

Once upon a time there was a Baptist church where the members, after some days in prayer, were able to meet "with one accord." Pentecost was the fiftieth day after the Passover, or perhaps after one of the days in the Passover week.

Sudden manifestations of the Spirit's presence included "a sound from heaven" which filled the house, and so the church was immersed in the Holy Spirit There was also the visible symbol of "cloven tongues like as of fire," and this appearance of fire "sat upon each of them" - that is, each of the members present.

Baptist Utterance, Acts 2:4-8.

When we are baptized in water we generally hold our breath to keep the water on the outside. But when the church was baptized in the Holy Spirit, the individual members also "were all filled with the Holy Ghost." We must not confuse baptizing with filling, though on this occasion both took place. But baptism is external while filling is internal. These same disciples, and others, were filled with the Spirit on other occasions; but the church was baptized in the Spirit only once.

"Tongues" here means languages, not gibberish. "The Spirit gave them utterance," and so they spoke in the various languages of their audience "the wonderful works of God" (v. 11). Scarcely worth mentioning is the weird theory of a few careless commentators who hang up on verse 8 and imagine a miracle of hearing rather than of speaking. Verse 4 makes it perfectly clear that the miracle was in the utterance. Verses 6 to 8 and following merely Indicate that the hearers could hardly believe their own ears.

Baptist Unction, Acts 2:14-16.

Up to this point, apparently, amid all the excitement, all the members of the church had been witnessing to individuals or small groups; but as the excitement grew to the extent that some were accusing the disciples of being drunk, Peter took his stand with the other apostles and "lifted up his voice" in public address.

At times it seems necessary to defend ourselves against false charges, but Peter's defense was a rather curious one. Later in the day, perhaps, a charge of drunkenness might be reasonable; but It was too early in the morning for that! The Spirit's power often produces a peculiar mixture of humility and boldness. The apostle was gentle in defense, but became bolder with his declaration of divine prophecy and its fulfillment. "This is that which was spoken."

John tells us that all believers (I John 5:13) "have an unction from the Holy One" which "teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie." (1 John 2:20-27.) The English words "unction" and "anointing" are KJ translations of the same Greek word. This unction is the common portion of every child of God, not to be confused either with baptism or with filling.

With the Holy Spirit as Teacher, and that teaching always in perfect agreement with His written word through the former prophets, we have every reason for confidence in applying ancient truth to modern times. We do need to beware of mistaking enthusiasm for truth.

Baptist Ultimate, Acts 2:36.

End and essence of all true gospel preaching is the exaltation of Jesus the Christ as Lord of all. This is always the leading and purpose of the Spirit of God. Counterfeit Christians who downgrade the virgin-born, vicariously crucified, bodily resurrected, presently interceding, gloriously coming Christ of the Bible are not led by that Holy Spirit Who manifested His presence and power at Pentecost.

Baptist Ultimatum, Acts 2:37, 38.

Spirit-filled preaching resulted in spiritual conviction. Those who heard the word recognized the apostles as messengers with some authority from God, but still human "brethren" who would give needed instruction. Peter's response to their question was in th6 imperative mood. There was no "If you please" or "Maybe you ought to." We may improve the translation of verse 38 as follows:

"And Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Gospel repentance is a change of mind from unbelief to belief in Christ, and every true believer has received the forgiveness of sins. (John 3:18; 5:24.) Every believer then is commanded to be baptized with reference to or because of the forgiveness of sins. Not only is this a legitimate translation of the Greek preposition eta; it is the only translation that clearly lets this verse agree with the uniform teaching of scripture.

Baptist Urgency, Acts 2:39, 40.

Apostolic preaching was not in an indifferent, take-it-or-leave-it tone. "With many other words he kept on testifying and exhorting them, saying, Get saved from this crooked generation." There was a fervent urgency that would not compromise the truth to get false professions, but nevertheless yearned for the souls of men who could be persuaded to come God's way.

Baptist Union, Acts 2:41.

Only those "that gladly received his word" were baptized, but that was a good number. They "were added" to the roll of a church that previously included only 120 members (Acts 1:15). Union of Baptists in a Baptist church is the only New Testament organization authorized by Christ to carry on His work. Whatever may be said or thought about other Christian organizations being useful or otherwise (and no doubt some of them have been useful), such organizations are extra-scriptural and have no right to usurp the place and authority of Christ's church.

Baptist Usage, Acts 2:42.

Let no so-called church claim to be Baptist in the historical sense if it has abandoned apostolic doctrines, fellowship, and practices. If the widespread apostasy of "Baptist" churches continues, true Baptists may again have to be known by some other name, as they have in past centuries. True churches of the Lord Jesus must continue "in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship," or they cease to be true churches.

Key Verse:
"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." - Acts 1:5.

Of course this should read, "in water" and "in the Holy Ghost." The language seems plain enough. This promise of Jesus was fulfilled at Pentecost.
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[From Ashland Avenue Baptist weekly paper, Friday, April 3,1970, pp. 2-3. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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