Baptism of the Holy Spirit
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING BAPTIZED IN THE SPIRIT AND BEING “INDWELLED” WITH THE SPIRIT?
By Wayne O’Conner
This information is based on a teaching given by one of my first Christian mentors. Brother Ernie taught me how to leave the dry and stale teaching of churches that had left their first love to follow the precepts of men, rather than simply follow scripture. My mentor admonished me not to follow sets of rules instead of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. He explained that as I read and reread scripture and fellowshipped with others who were trying to follow Jesus, rather than passively listen to one speaker for an hour or so per week, then live in an independent worldly fashion, that I would mature spiritually. That said, this information is not always directly from the scripture, but is often taken indirectly from meditating on many scriptures. One must read the scripture, pray for wisdom, meditate and then understanding will come as one compares scripture to scripture and thinks through what both human teachers and the imparting of the Holy Spirit has taught.
In the Old Testament, prophets, judges, priests and kings were anointed by the Holy Spirit to do a ministry. This special mantle of anointing was not as evident in the general population, although a few honored God and were blessed in wisdom or worldly goods and at times with both.
In New Testament times, we are all anointed as a royal priesthood. Another point my mentor insisted upon, was that as important as the gift of speaking in tongues was, that it was merely a sign of that gift, and not the grander scope of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Some readers may disagree with my last statement, especially if they minor on the majors, and put undo preeminence on the gift of tongues.
1 Peter 2:9 (All verses unless otherwise noted are from the KJV.)
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”
The Holy Spirit comes upon one to impart giftings, but the indwelling of the Spirit over time, strengthens those gifts. Note for example that Paul the Apostle, when teaching the converts at Corinth, asks the rhetorical question, “Do all speak in tongues?” Of course, the opposite spectrum of denominations that deny the giftings will adamantly demand that all such activity ceased with the deaths of Paul and the original apostles. That too, is an error.
I, the writer of this article, speak in tongues myself and have for decades. That said, many of my Pentecostal and Charismatic brethren, may Jesus richly bless them, according to His will, often ignore or twist this verse and others like it. Some of them, in order to force-fit the scriptures to their own personal interpretation, tweak or circumnavigate these verses, to make them conform to their denominational doctrine and demand that Christians must speak in tongues or they are not saved.
1 Corinthians 12: 6-10
“And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
While the one-man monologue teaching technique and the common “pulpiteering” tradition may have its uses, much of what the Holy Spirit wishes to teach us, both in bringing us maturity, and training us up in ministry, happens in small group settings. The use of dialogue teaching and personal, rather than group mentorship, are efficient and invaluable tools for leaders and the Holy Spirit to use to train new and growing Christians. Whether we are talking evangelism, prophecy, public scripture reading, teaching, or wisdom and knowledge gifts, the small group meeting is like a university lab class, where new and growing Christians learn “HANDS-ON” to develop their gifts and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. For more about this issue please listen to Jon Zens YouTube video:
Pulpit or Participation?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dnPpL4Iq28
When we are initially filled with the Holy Spirit that begins the process, but it is only by continuing in God’s program to mature us, that we become more refined and our gifts strengthened.
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
John 20:22
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
Initially Jesus breathed on the disciples. It wasn’t until they met in Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit gave them an extra measure, that the real infilling started, and they began to change spiritually in a manner that produced greater wisdom, maturity and miracles in their ministries.
Matthew 3:13-17
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Here we see a picture of how a believer has the Holy Spirit come on him or her like a mantle, which marks them as belonging to Jesus and stirs ones giftings. Later, as the Holy Spirit begins to indwell in us, as we cooperate with God’s program to make us little Christs, that is when we begin to have progressive changes that mature us and improve the efficiency in which we walk with Jesus and become more effective servants in His Kingdom.
John 14:26
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
This teaching of the Holy Spirit is not an example of our initial quickening in the Spirit but is a result of the later indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-15
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore, I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”
Here again is another confirmation of the process of progressive increases in wisdom that comes with the indwelling, which manifests after one has the Holy Spirit come upon them. The original anointing of the Holy Spirit on us is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling comes later as the Holy Spirit gives us a continued “line upon line, precept upon precept” impartation of wisdom and produces further spiritual changes that make us more Christ-like. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit helps us walk closer to Jesus.
If we cooperate with Jesus’ program, we become more sensitive to His Will and less likely to follow our natural, fleshly and soulish whims and personal agendas. Once again, as important as the gift of tongues is, the audible uttering of that language is not the baptism in the Holy Spirit; it is merely a sign that the gift is operating. Tongues is one gift among many. It is just one point in the whole process of initially being baptized in the Spirit, which is the original impartation at salvation and the second stage, of that baptism, is the future “indwelling” which is the constant infilling, and renewing over time, that comes as we seek to submit to Jesus’ spiritual enrichment program. That program has as its goal, to fully regenerate us, mature us, and make us more and more like Him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Here we see a refining of the original giftings that came with our baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is during the time of the indwelling of the Spirit that we are fine-tuned and taught to become more efficient and powerful members of the Kingdom of Jesus. God uses the scripture on it own, the giftings and nudges of the Holy Spirit, to us as individuals, and by using the gifts and wisdom of others in the body, angels, and even events that occur around us, to mature us and equip us to do good works and function more efficiently in our ministries.
John 3:5-8
Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
To really enter the Kingdom, we accept the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit, that begins at salvation, and the indwelling comes along later. After that is when, as we listen to the Spirit’s direction, that we totally befuddle those who walk in the flesh, and in the foolishness of paganism or Christian-in-name-only religious practices. Those who walk by the flesh and intellect, are often totally confounded and confused by those who follow the Spirit. Such people, whether they are pagans or people who attend a church, but who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ do not understand what those who follow the Spirit are saying and doing.
Here is where we need discernment. Some who become easily confounded by those who walk by the Spirit, may just be baby Christians, who have not matured to the point that they are sensitive to spiritual issues or events. Others may be religious converts who learn all the right buzzwords, but who may have naturally progressed physically in age, to the point they have wrinkles, rolls, and gray hair, but they are not truly converted.
During my time sharing at different Christian home fellowships or traditional churches, I have been shown the verses that point to the examples of scriptures that talk about the wisdom that comes with age and informed that my teaching is “unscriptural.” Yes, with age we naturally tend to gain wisdom. The scriptures do speak of this. Not all wisdom is spiritual. Some wisdom is earthly wisdom. (See James 3:13-18)
The most seasoned Christians will most likely have gray hair, but you must also take into account their spiritual maturity. I know many Christians who demand that others submit to them merely because they are old. Many people use the incomplete verse that says “judge not lest ye be judged” to defend their boorish behavior and spiritual immaturity.
Paul the Apostle wrote that we who will one day judge angels, should have enough wise leaders in our midst to make judgements within the church! See my article, “Natural Elders and Spiritual Elders,” from my book, KINGDOM LESSONS FOUR, which is available at Amazon.com. Or follow this link to an audio which shares some of the teachings from this book: https://wayneoconner.com/greetings-and-salutations-radio-show-kingdom-lessons-four-teachings/
Another way to state Paul’s admonition is to say that we, especially if we are called by Jesus to a leadership position, in the context of a plurality of elders, must be “fruit inspectors.” If you are interested in further study concerning the concepts of plural eldership, here is a link for your perusal:
While some may have an actual supernatural gift for that ability, as one matures, this should be a quality that all believers gain, at least minimally. When you watch the attitudes of those who demand their way or demand submission, it becomes patently obvious that they exhibit many carnal and fleshy qualities, such as controlling, selfish, prideful, arrogant and angry outbursts. Watch them in their homes, in public, and in meetings and you will see examples of such Christian people, often leaders, who are at best immature and at worst lording it over the brethren. Many such Christians maintain roles of leadership in the churches, when scripture prohibits them from holding such positions! This type of behavior is often the result of unbroken family-line curses, unconfessed sin, demonical interference and simply not submitting to the nudges of correction Jesus has been providing, often for years, from the Holy Spirit, life circumstances, and admonishment from other brothers and sisters.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”
While the baptism of the Holy Spirit may impart gifts that are useful to the ministry, it is only the indwelling of the Spirit, that will in time, manifest, as Paul the Apostle wrote, “in power and in the Holy Spirit, rather than mere motivational words and speeches.”
God can use wicked kings or stubborn donkeys, as well as immature Christians, to perform His will, but more often than not, He looks for, and deserves, the services of Christians who are sincerely attempting to serve Him in faithful, humble obedience.
Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
This speaks of the regeneration or change that comes by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I had an uncle who fought the Lord for many years, but finally repented and asked Jesus to save Him. He only lived a month or so after that, but he stopped swearing, and if he drank alcohol, he drank very little. With some people there are instant and notable changes in behavior and ways of thinking, following a conversion and the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit. With others, the changes are slow and may take years. We must also note again, that some say that the Baptism in the Spirit is the gift of tongues. Tongues, whether we are talking a heavenly language or the speaking or understanding of existing languages, unknown by the believer, is the evidence of an important spiritual gift. It is, however, not truly the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Many denominations, especially if they make this one gift their focus, may call your first speaking in tongues experience, the “Baptism of the Spirit,” but to the best of my knowledge that is not an accurate presentation. While using this term may be fine in a very loose sense, and simply part of the religious jargon of some denominations, I believe that it is technically incorrect, and an exercise in bad form, if taught as proper doctrine.
Acts 2:1-4
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Even though some of the original disciples had Jesus breathe on them, so they would be able to walk with Him during His ministry, this too is part of the initial impartation of the Holy Spirit. The original disciples and others who followed Jesus, on the day of Pentecost, became an exhibit, not only to humans, but also a heavenly host, good and evil, to show the Glory of the Lord and to fulfill prophecy.
That said, for many of them, this was a time where indwelling began. The indwelling may have started there, but it changed and grew within them as they allowed Jesus to change them from within. The Holy Spirit began teaching them more wisdom and how to grow to become better and more efficient vessels of holiness and wisdom in their Master’s service. Through this progressive transformation they became chosen vessels to preach the Gospel and show by their life and love, that they belonged to Jesus, and that the work of Jesus through His followers, following His resurrection and ascension was genuine and a true work of God. This, like the events of Pentecost, and gifts of healing, validated the work of Jesus through His servants, by the authority and power of His Name and Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13-14
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians again confirms that when we receive salvation, we receive a baptism of the Holy Spirit which was like the down payment on a house. In America, in the real estate world, there is a parallel. The technical term for this parallel is referred to as an “earnest payment.”
We are the temples spoken of in the scripture that are not made with human hands. The indwelling may start at this time, but like a seed planted in good soil, watered, weeded, and kissed by sunlight, it is only as we submit to God’s training and pruning, that the level and intensity of the spiritual life within us grows. It is only then that we mature, as dross and impurities are slowly burned out of us. The quicker we submit to Jesus’ programs to correct our stubborn fleshly natures and encourage us to gain further discipline, obedience and unconditional love, the sooner it produces progressive levels of growth in wisdom and Godly stature within us.
When we do not cooperate, it slows down our maturity and hinders whatever ministries we may have been given. With some they stay baby Christians, even though gaining wrinkles, rolls and gray hair; others become hard and religious. Hard and religious people often use natural gifts such as manipulation or motivational speaking to gain positions of power within the church or to get their needs and wants met. In other words, while appearing to be saintly leaders operating in the wisdom and authority of Jesus, they are wolves in sheep’s clothing, using natural soulish abilities, or demonic power, instead of the gifts of the Spirit, to operate “their” ministries.
We need to be careful and pray for discernment, as many come in Jesus name, and use natural gifts and the power of religious spirits to promote themselves and their ministry. It may look like Jesus and act like Jesus, and sound like Jesus to those with little spiritual discernment but such religious activity is only a poor imitation of the true Master, Jesus Christ. It may take time for Christians to mature, but the more they mature, the more often and more powerfully the Holy Spirit will manifest in their lives.
John 14:15-17
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
While baby Christians struggle with issues of holiness, some more than others, maturity manifests over time, producing more fruit of the spirit than fruit of the flesh. They tend, as the indwelling Holy Spirit changes them to be more Christ like, to react to events that happen around them with more patience and unconditional love. Just as babies throw tantrums, immature Christians tend to display more selfishness, dishonesty, and struggle with improper thoughts and actions. Why are toddler Christians more prone to fits of anger, than more mature Christians? Mature Christians have cooperated with the character-building program that allows Jesus, through the indwelling Spirit, to make them wiser, gentler and more Christ-like.
John 14:26
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Romans 8:26
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
As a part of the indwelling process the Holy Spirit will bring important teachings to our remembrance and helps us pray, both in our native tongue, and in the Spirit, if we exercise that gift.
Isaiah 11:2
“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;”
In Old Testament times only prophets, judges, kings and priests were anointed with the Holy Spirit. Depending on how well they submitted to God’s will in their life, that anointing increased, diminished, vacillated or departed. God could use wicked kings, or even dumb donkeys, as well as soulish judges like Samson, to do His will, but His most powerful and efficient servants, were the best examples of devoted and life-long service. While Christians of any maturity level in modernity may have embarrassing moments, as a general rule, until the time where old age saps our strength and our mind, the more spiritually mature we are, the more likely we will tend to react in patience, unconditional love, and with the wisdom of Jesus to adverse conditions around us.
Romans 8:14
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Galatians 5:18
“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Conclusion:
What my mentor shared with me decades ago, when I was fresh out of college, was that there is a difference between being baptized in the Spirit and being filled or “indwelled” with the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, a person was anointed by the Holy Spirit when called to be a prophet, judge, priest or king. At the same time, the Holy Spirit would attempt to bring them to maturity. Many resisted and did not allow God to mature them. This foreshadowed the change that occurred in the New Testament when all believers became a royal priesthood.
No longer was this mantle of anointing limited to prophets, judges, priests and kings, but became available to all Christians, according to Jesus’ will, according to the gift-mix endowed individually by the Holy Spirit. In essence the “baptism of the Spirit” is a two-stage process. The first stage, which comes at salvation, seals us to Jesus and imparts a spiritual gift mix. The second stage of that process is a progressive “infilling” of the Spirit that, if we cooperate, brings us spiritual maturity, and helps us walk in our giftings and produce the fruit of the Spirit in us. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to assist us in growing in obedience, discipline, and unconditional love, and to walk in a relationship with Jesus while gaining sensitivity to His voice, the more often and more efficiently He will manifest genuine spiritual gifts through us.
Yes, today, we are still a priesthood of believers. There are many gifts distributed among the body of Christ. Some Christians rise because they know certain people and use natural gifts to elevate themselves to places of authority. Some are called to different gifts or different leadership positions – the five-fold ministry, eldership, helps, administrations, giving, and many others. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are anointed and sealed unto Jesus as a down payment into the Kingdom. After this, there comes an indwelling of the Spirit, and the more we cooperate with Jesus’ program to bring us to maturity, the more often and more efficiently the intensity of the Holy Spirit grows within us, which in turn produces greater wisdom, unconditional love, and flowing springs of supernatural manifestations that are genuine, rather than examples of soul power, human will and mentally improvised techniques, or religious, demonically empowered, dark anointings.
The rub is this, “many are called but few are chosen.” While many of us have the potential to walk in the gifts and grow in wisdom and maturity, we do not. Many do not yield to Him. Jesus often honors our free will, even when it quenches the spirit and hinders our spiritual growth. We often wonder why our blessing, protection, and answers to prayer diminish. It is because we use up our grace when we rebel or continue to sin or resist Jesus’ correction. When we cooperate with God’s program to bring us to full maturity and wisdom, and that is a progressive process, that indwelling of the Spirit grows within us and makes us stronger more efficient vessels in His service.
If we cater more to our flesh and push our personal will and agendas against what Jesus is calling us to do, that hinders our personal growth and our walk. It is great when we are like the Bereans and reason together, and grow mentally, but if we only do this, and do not allow the Holy Spirit to teach us humility, wisdom, and the fruit of the Spirit, we end up as white-washed sepulchers, who appear clean on the outside but are impure (full of dead men’s bones) on the inside. We become like the storm clouds that James talks about that ruin our Love Feasts when we come together to worship and share our gifts with the local assembly.
Going to a Bible school for example, is great, but unless we let the Holy Spirit humble us and give us His wisdom and humility, we are at best immature leaders. Baby Christians will make mistakes, but part of the process of being a Christian, whether we are called into simple roles in the body or greater roles in leadership, is to grow up and mature, mentally and spiritually.
Remember, if we are given spiritual leadership within a flock or over more than one flock, Jesus must always be the Chief Shepard! We must always be servant leaders, under Him, not lording it over the flock. We must not use His people as plunder or divert the glory and honor that is His, to give us greater control, increase our valuables or seek prestige. If we are called to more simple roles, we are responsible to honor Jesus daily, occupy until He comes, and be good examples of wisdom, charity, and unconditional love to our brothers and sisters, before a watching world.
Written by Wayne O’Conner for my blog wayneoconner.com at the request of Brother Emmanuel Euche of Nigeria, Africa. The title of this paper was his question.
https://wayneoconner.com/2018-books-and-audio-recordings-by-wayne-oconner/