Introduction
1. Our approach in determining what the New Testament teaches on any particular subject should be to first locate all the passages in the New Testament that refer to that subject and then formulate our understanding of what the doctrine is.
2. We do not have the freedom to mix up the terms that the Scripture uses differently to refer to different activities of the Holy Spirit. In doing so we end up being mixed up in our doctrinal understanding.
The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
There are only three verses that refer to the Anointing of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament with reference to believers. [There are other passages that refer to the anointed one, the Messiah] All these three verses only use the term ‘anointing’ though we may safely allow that it refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
1. 2 Cor.1: 21: The only truth we can derive from this verse is the answer to the question: Who is responsible for our anointing? The answer is God.
2. 1 John 2: 20 and 3. 1 John 2: 21
Both these verse reveal the purpose of the anointing: that we may know truth from error
This purpose agrees with the promise for which the Holy Spirit was sent as given in John16:13
This is all that the New Testament teaches on the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Any teaching beyond this is outside of what the New Testament teaches.
So with regard to the Anointing of the Holy Spirit we can conclude:
• It is God (the Father) who anoints us: He is responsible.
• We have not been given any command or responsibility to seek or attain the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Cor.1: 21 was written to the Church at Corinth which included carnal, divisive and immature believers. No distinction is made to indicate that some were anointed and others were not anointed.
• The purpose of the anointing is that we may be able to discern truth from error, fulfilling the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 16:13 that when the Holy Spirit comes He will guide us into all truth.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
There are only seven passages that refer to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
1. Mathew 3:11
2. Mark 1:8
3. Luke 3:16
4. John 1:33
All these four passages are the promise of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They teach us that Jesus Christ is responsible to baptise believers with the Holy Spirit and non-believers with fire.
5. Acts 1:4,5
Here too the promise is repeated, but the timing of its fulfilment is also mentioned: ‘a few days from now’
This group of believers, the early disciples, were therefore asked to wait in Jerusalem for its fulfilment.
The commandment to ‘wait’ for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit has not been repeated to any other group of believers at any other time.
6. Acts 11:15-17
Here the promise of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is once again recalled. The context of Peter recalling this promise is given in Acts 11:1,2...The issue was whether Gentiles can be accepted into the Body of Christ: the church.
7. 1 Cor.12:13
This passage gives light into the purpose of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit: to make us ONE BODY. The tense of the phrase: ‘we have all been baptised’ is the aorist tense in Greek language which is used when we want to refer to a onetime event, the effects of which continue. This can be collaborated with Ephesians 2:11-16. So the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a one time historical event, which took place on the Day of Pentecost. Its purpose was to make us all (without distinction) ONE BODY, breaking once-for-all the barrier that hither to existed between Jews and Gentles.
Illustration:
India was declared independent on 15th August 1947: A one time historical event. Those born after 1947 did not have to individually struggle for independence and gain the benefits of independence for themselves. The effects of that one time historical event continued on all who came after 1947.
Likewise, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit took place on the Day of Pentecost and I do not have to do any thing new to benefit from its effects. The moment I am born again I become part of that One Body: the Church.
Even after the Declaration of Independence in India, there were certain pockets where local kings ruled. These were later brought under the nation separately. So it was with Samaritans, Gentiles, and the disciples of John (who represent Old Testament saints). The first entry of these groups into the One Body was marked by special events as we shall study later.
The Filling of the Holy Spirit
There are 14 passages in the New Testament that refer to the filling of the Holy Spirit. In each case we shall consider who was filled and what was the result?
No. Passage Who? Result?
1 . Luke 1:15 - John - v 16: Ministry
2 . Luke 1: 41 - Elizabeth - v 43: Discernment
3 . Luke 1:67 - Zechariahs - Prophecy
4 . Luke 4:1 - Jesus - Overcame the devil
5 . Acts 2: 4 - The 120 - Other tongues
6 . Acts 4: 8 - Peter - Preached the Word
7 . Acts 4:31 - Early Disciples - Bold Preaching of the Word
8 . Acts 6: 35 - Stephen - v 7: Evangelism; To Serve
9 . Acts 7:55 - Stephen - Saw Gods Glory
10 . Acts 9: 17,18 - Paul - Obeyed in Baptism
11 . Acts 11:24 (22) - Barnabas - Many added
12 . Acts 13: 9 Paul - v 10: Bold Rebuke
13 . Acts 13:52 - Disciples - Joy
14 . Eph. 5:18-21 - You and Me - Singing from the heart, Thanksgiving always for all things, Submission
What we may conclude with regard to the filling of the Holy Spirit:
1. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a commandment given to us. It is our responsibility.
2. Peter, Stephen, Paul, etc were filled repeatedly. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one time ‘Second Blessing’ for a believer; it is to be a repeated experience.
3. Among the 14 passages where filling is referred to in the New Testament, speaking in other tongues was the result only in one of the 14 cases. Therefore while speaking in other tongues can be the evidence of having been filled with the Holy Spirit, it is wrong to insist that speaking in tongues is the one and only visible evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Any of the other 14 plus results may follow when a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find a person saying, 'I am filled with the Holy Spirit'. It was others who discerned the filling of the Holy Spirit and reported it. The believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit may never realise it himself. It would be others who would take notice of the person’s filled status.
5. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, one must confess all known sin and yield to the Lordship of the Holy Spirit.
Receiving of the Holy Spirit
There are five passages to be considered in studying about the Receiving of the Holy Spirit.
Passage 1: John 20:22 - The 10 disciples
How did they receive the Holy Spirit?
Read from v 19 onwards: When Jesus Christ breathed upon them
Passage 2: Acts 2: 38,39 - The 3000 Jews
How did they receive the Holy Spirit?
V 41: When they received Gods Word
Passage 3: Acts 8: 12-19 - The Samaritans
How did they receive the Holy Spirit?
v 17: When hands were laid upon them; in spite of receiving Gods Word in v 14
Passage 4: Acts 10: 44-48 - The Gentiles
How did they receive the Holy Spirit?
v 44: While they were hearing the Word with believing hearts; before baptism
Passage 5: Acts 19: 2-6 - Johns Disciples (Comparable to OT Saints)
How did they receive the Holy Spirit?
v 6: When hands were laid upon them; after baptism: Note the question in v.2
What do we learn?
The process of receiving the Holy Spirit was different each time for each group.
So how can we go about making the doctrine as applicable to us?
We need to ask to which of the above groups we can identify with.
The answer is: Gentiles
How then did they receive the Holy Spirit?
The answer is: While they were hearing the Word with believing hearts; before baptism.
So it is to be with us.
To confirm, we check with the teachings in the epistles. What is taught about receiving the Holy Spirit in the epistles written to Gentile churches?
• Galatians 3:2,14
• Romans 8:9 B
So we received the Holy Spirit when we received the word with believing hearts.
Conclusion:
Most Pentecostals are probably referring to an experience of the filling of the Holy Spirit when they refer to their experience of the anointing/baptism of the Holy Spirit. When we study about the ANOINTING, BAPTISM, FILLING AND RECEIVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, we must be careful not to mix up what the Word of God has precisely termed differently.
