The Baptism with the Holy Spirit 
By Matthew Recker 

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an important subject because it is in the Bible, and there is a great difference of opinion between Bible believers upon this issue.  Let me say initially, that people who love the Lord are on both sides of the issue.  I am not questioning anyone's salvation when we deal with this subject, but I am seeking to present an alternative view to the traditional Pentecostal and Charismatic interpretation. Another reason for the importance of this subject is many people equate the baptism with the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues. 

 Let us consider first what the baptism with the Holy Spirit is. This baptism, available today, is the filling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer in order to "equip us and fit us for service."  R.A. Torrey, the successor to D.L. Moody, wrote a wonderful book on this subject.  He said "That the primary purpose of the Baptism of with the Holy Spirit is to equip us and fit us for service."  To be baptized with the Holy Ghost is equal to being filled with the Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 2:4). The disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost on Pentecost in order to witness and serve God with power. Let me ask you this question: What was the most important occurrence on the Day of Pentecost?  If you answered: speaking in tongues, I want you to consider another answer to that question.  The best answer to that question is this: the believers received power of the Holy Spirit to witness so that 3,000 people could be saved. The most important matter about the day of Pentecost was the Holy Ghost came so that they could witness with the power of God.   What were the disciples doing on Pentecost?  They were waiting in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Ghost to come upon them.  Why did they need the power of the Holy Spirit?  Not to speak in tongues, but to have power for service and witnessing for Jesus Christ. Again, my point is that the baptism with the Holy Spirit was primarily given so that the disciples could witness with power to their world.  The most important matter about Pentecost was that those present "were all filled with the Holy Ghost" so that they could witness and people would be saved.  The preaching of the Gospel was the important thing about Pentecost.   Along with this baptism or filling of the Spirit, there were three other occurrences that day that were of equal importance. There was a SOUND of a rushing mighty wind. There was a SIGHT of tongues like as of fire. There was a SPEECH of languages.  Sadly, although many know they cannot imitate the sound of a rushing mighty wind or the sight of tongues like fire over people’s head, the miraculous speech of languages is copied in an improper way. We do need the baptism of the Spirit today in order to witness for our Lord Jesus Christ with power.  We do not need to speak with tongues to have power with God or the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Now let us ponder that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues! In dealing with this subject, I must explain what baptism of the Holy Spirit is not: It is not speaking in tongues.   John the Baptist promised that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said this baptism would happen John the Baptist foretold the baptism of the Holy Spirit in his preaching ministry, but he said nothing of tongues speaking: Matthew 3:11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: John the Baptist never mentioned speaking in tongues as the result of the baptism of the Spirit which he announced. Jesus, after His resurrection, tells the disciples to wait for this baptism with the power of the Holy Spirit, but he did not speak about tongues when telling the disciples would be baptized the Holy Spirit: Luke 24:49: And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Jesus did not mention speaking in tongues as an evidence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit! In this Luke 24:49 passage, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is equal to being endued with power from on high. In Acts 1:4, 5, Jesus said, that this baptism still had not happened right up to his ascension.  Jesus commanded them “that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Then Jesus said, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). Jesus here did not mention speaking in tongues. The Bible no where says that every believer must speak with tongues.  Let me break this down for you a little bit tonight:  Tongues was a spiritual gift, of relative minor importance.  In the list of spiritual gifts, it is mentioned near the bottom of the list (1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 28-30) Not every believer receives the same spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:17).  If every believer receives the same gift, then the local church would be a monstrosity.  Paul’s point is that there is unity in the body of Christ when there is a diversity of gifts.  “Do all speak with tongues?  Do all interpret” Paul asks.  The obvious answer is NO! Tongues were the miraculous ability to speak a language one had not studied.  “Tongues” means language.  It is not a mumbo-jumbo.  Tongues were a sign gift to the nation of Israel (1 Corinthians 14:20, 21). There are very strict regulations related to tongues speaking (1 Corinthians 14:27-34).  Only one at a time could speak with tongues.  Two at the most three could speak in tongues at any one worship service.  One must interpret all the messages.  Women are not to speak in tongues.  When these regulations are met, Paul says, “forbid not to speak in tongues.”  I dare say that no where on earth where tongues are being spoken according to all these Biblical regulations! So, the Bible tells us that tongues are a spiritual gift, and not every believer will have the same gift.  Paul says, “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing?”  Can you imagine a whole body as an eye!  That body would be utterly grotesque!  Yet, Ken Hagin in a pamplet on The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, says, "Must I speak in tongues?  Yes, this is important.  This is a gift from God, why would you refuse it?  To refuse tongues is to refuse to yield yourself completely to God."  This is the reason so many are confused today.  If you do not speak with tongues, according to Mr. Hagin and many like him, it is because you are refusing to receive a gift from God, and you have not yielded yourself totally to God.  You are a "spiritual have-not."  You have missed out.  You lack power or surrender in your life.  According to this theology, you are disobedient to the Lord!   Listen to me well: No where is every believer commanded to speak with tongues.  NO WHERE in the Bible can you find that teaching!  You can only teach that IF you equate the command to be filled with the Holy Spirit (or the baptism with the Holy Spirit) with speaking in tongues, but they are not the same.  Every believer is commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but not every believer is commanded to speak in tongues. Many times believers were filled through out the Book of Acts and DID NOT SPEAK in tongues: Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 

They did not speak in tongues. Acts 9:17 Brother Saul...the Lord hath sent me, that thou mightest be filled with the Holy Ghost.  The result was "he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." Acts 13:9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and SAID, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the Devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Paul did not speak in tongues. Acts 13:52: And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. 

The disciples did not speak in tongues. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not primarily tongues speaking, yet that is what many believe.  The Bible is clear about tongues: Tongues were languages, known to the listener, but not known to those speaking.  Tongues were a sign to the nation of Israel.  The purpose of tongues was for God to get the attention of His people, Israel (I Corinthians 14:19-22).  The regulations for tongues is often neglected in many churches.  Tongues speaking is abused and misused today as it was in the Church of Corinth. 

Let me conclude by emphatically stating that the baptism with the Spirit is not a part of the “Full Gospel.” In the Dictionary of Pentecostalism, the definition of the Gospel from a Pentecostal perspective is, "We believe that the full gospel includes holiness of heart and life, healing for the body, and baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance."  (This definition is from the Dictionary of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements.)  Donald Gee wrote a booklet entitled, "Speaking in Tongues: the Initial Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit."  Friends, I take serious issue with both of these statements. Let me also say that for those who use the term, FULL GOSPEL, or FOUR SQUARE GOSPEL, to read your Bible carefully and do not add to the Gospel what is not in Scripture.  The four square Gospel, or full Gospel, to the Pentecostal means Jesus is the SAVIOR-HEALER-BAPTISER-and COMING KING.  The Bible tells us what the full Gospel is: the DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION of Christ alone.  Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for Paul’s definition of the Gospel by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.