Appointed for the Defense of the Gospel (Part 5)

Holy Spirit Baptism

When I lived in Akron there was a Pentecostal Holiness “church” group just down the street from me. On a few occasions they would come with pamphlets and invitations to come and worship with them. On a couple of those occasions I was there and had opportunity to sit and talk with them. I would tell them upfront that I was a preacher of the gospel, and a “Christian Only”. Each and every time after that the topic would turn quickly to the question, “But, have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit?”

Start with Ephesians 4 and verse 5 which states clearly that there is, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”. Ask will you agree with that scripture? Then turn their attention to Matthew 28:19 noting that Jesus commanded the eleven disciples to make disciples of “all the nations”, and then to baptize them. No mention of the Holy Spirit baptizing—but by the hand of men, disciples were baptized. Then they taught those who were baptized to do the same, (Matt. 28:20). Where to go from there is to ask, “We are all searching for truth, so I ask you, did the Holy Spirit fall on the 120 or just the twelve?”

It is important to understand that the Pentecostal Holiness groups basically use accounts in Acts 1 and 2 for their proof that Holy Spirit baptism is necessary to prove a believer is saved. It will start with an assumption on their part that all the disciples received Holy Spirit baptism that day, concluding all believers in all ages were promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now the key is this, start at the very text they use to prove them wrong that their eyes might be open to the truth. It’s a long leap from Pentecostalism to truth, but it’s always worth it to plant a seed. The arguments are simple yet cut right to the root of their beliefs.

First show that the promise was made only to the twelve Apostles, yes even Judas. In John chapters 14-16, Jesus promised the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to those who were with Him and that was the twelve apostles which is clearly seen from chapter 13:1ff, and from Matthew 26:20 which stated, “When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve”. Both accounts clearly referring to the Passover Supper, showing only the 12 were with Jesus at the time He made the promise of the “Comforter”. From there go to (John 15:26-27) and note two things: (1.) “you also will bear witness”, and (2.) “because you have been with Me from the beginning”. The promise was to the individuals who were with Jesus “from the beginning”. Ask them, “Were you there?” There must come a no answer, thus how could you witness? How could anyone today be a witness? Worthy of our attention, the words of Jesus speaking to the apostles who were “witnesses of these things” that they were to “tarry in the city [b]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:46-49). These witnesses are the eleven, plus Matthias, twelve apostles who were empowered when the Holy Spirit “sat upon each of them” them (Acts 2:3). Acts 2:32 “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses”. It was the apostles who were selected witnesses (John 15:27; Lk. 24:48; Acts 1:8, 22; 10:41).

Secondly, in Acts 1:1-8 clearly Luke presents the promise of Holy Spirit baptism as being made to the apostles and to no one else. The text says “He”, we all agree that would be Jesus, “had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen” (v.2). Further note in verse 3, “to whom He also presented Himself alive”, and “being seen by them”, can’t be applied to anyone today. Note too in verse 4 it was Jesus, “assembled together with them”, them being the apostles. He, “commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me” (v.4). Who was “He”, (Jesus) and who is “them” (Apostles)? Still not convince then verse 5, “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” To whom does “you shall be” refer too? Of course, again, it’s the Apostles. Let me show this to be true by taking liberty to fill in the dots to verses 6 and 7. “Therefore, when they (Apostles) had come together, they (Apostles) asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them (Apostles), “It is not for you (Apostles) to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”

The scope of Holy Spirit baptism as recorded in Acts 2 cannot be greater than the promise of the Lord found in Acts 1. That promise was made to the apostles and to no one else. To add one person to the list would be to change what God said, thus becoming a curse (Gal. 1:6-8). Additions, subtractions and misapplication of scripture is nothing new, and the penalty for this is always the same.

No possible way exists of using Acts 1:1-8 to show that Holy Spirit baptism is for all believers today. To say, “I am guided by the Spirit of God”, apart from the inspired word of God, is an impossibility. How can the Holy Spirit lead them to contradict what the Spirit of truth said in the New Testament? For their teaching to be right, we must conclude they’re correct and that Luke was not guided by the Spirit when he by inspiration penned the words of the book of Acts. Will you proclaim that Luke was wrong, and you are right?”

Thirdly, In Acts 2 verse 4 we read, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”. Every scripture we just read clearly indicates that “they” refers to the twelve. Notice from verse one the pronoun “they” clearly points back to the apostles from Acts 1:26. Important to note in verse 2:7, “Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?” Who was “all amazed and marveled”? Was it not the “multitude” from verse 6? Yes, it was! Three points here. (1): [They were Galileans] The “two men stood by them in white apparel” (Acts 1:10-11), distinctly refers to them, the eleven, as “men of Galilee”. So, ask yourself, how likely it is that all 120 present were from Galilee? Not likely at all. Note that those who spoke in tongues were those who had been baptized with the Holy Spirit and those who spoke in the tongues/languages were Galileans. The apostles were “men of Galilee.” So, the apostles were the ones who received Holy Spirit baptism. (2): [They were all men] The mockers in the multitude said, “These men are full of new wine.” Note “these men”. God breathed scripture clearly states that the 120 disciples included women (Acts 1:14-15). The tongues speakers were also all men. (3): [Only apostles were accused of drunkenness] Peter stood up with the other apostles and said, “For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only [a]the third hour of the day” (v.2:15). Clearly Peter’s denial was directed to the apostles, so just as clear the charge must have been made against the apostles and not the 120. Did those 120 disciples all gather together in that upper room for one great drunken party? Of course not!

Fourth: When you read in chapter 2 and at verse 42 they, “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [a]doctrine” ask yourself, “Why is it written, “the apostles’ doctrine” if the 120 disciples also delivered the teaching? It was the apostles who spoke, because it was the apostles who were being guided into all truth. Concerning verse 43, “many wonders and signs were done through the apostles”. Compare this to Acts 4:33 and Acts 5:12. This remained until we read of Stephen who, “did great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). This only possible because the hands of the apostles were laid on him (Acts 6:6).

We should ask ourselves what did Paul mean by declaring, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7)? Are not the “manifestations” or so called evidences of Holy Spirit baptisms visual and tangible, that is things we can see and perceive? Are you walking by faith when you say, “I must speak in another tongue”? Are you walking in faith by insisting on “signs”, “miracles” and “wonders”? When Philip baptized the eunuch, it was in water (Acts 8:36-39). Are there two baptism or one? According to the Holy Spirit Paul said there is, “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5). Jesus commanded men to “baptize them”, not the Holy Spirit. Were you baptized in water by another, into Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 2:38; Acts 8:38) which is the one baptism that was commanded by Christ our Lord? If not, why not?

In Love

Dave Scarpino

“6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert[a] the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be [b]accursed.”   (Galatians 1:6-8)