He Baptizes in the Spirit

Baptism, Spirit-Baptism

At his baptism, the Spirit of God descended on Jesus, equipping him for his messianic mission – He “baptizes in the Spirit.” 

At the Jordan, John proclaimed a baptism in water “for the remission of sins,” and announced the arrival of the “Coming One.” He was the Messiah’s forerunner as promised in Isaiah: “Behold, I send my messenger before your face; he will prepare your way. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.” -[Photo by Sorasak on Unsplash].

In the Last Days

Last Days, Spirit-Baptism

The outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost signaled the arrival of the “last days,” just as prophesied by Joel – Acts 2:17-21. 

The application of Joel’s prophecy by Peter on the Day of Pentecost links the gift of the Spirit to the onset of the messianic age, the era of fulfillment following Christ’s ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the latter signals the arrival of the “last days” and the now impending “day of the Lord” - [Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash].

Heirs of the Covenant

Abraham, Covenant, Inheritance

With the ascension of Jesus, the gift of the Spirit has arrived with blessings for all believers as promised to Abraham. 

The “promise of the Father” is the gift of the Spirit that Paul links to the Abrahamic covenant, and its promises find their fulfillment in the new covenant inaugurated by Jesus. The bestowal of the Spirit on the church marks the commencement of the age of fulfillment, and “in Christ,” Gentile believers become full heirs of Abraham - [Photo by Todd Cravens on Unsplash].

Do All Speak in Tongues?

Gift-Ministry, Tongues

Does the New Testament teach that all believers receive the gift of tongues when they are baptized in the Spirit? 

A problem with the assumption that speaking in tongues is the one and only “sign” that someone has been filled with God’s Spirit is Paul’s indication in 1 Corinthians that not all believers do, in fact, speak in tongues. Moreover, elsewhere, he teaches that all believers have God’s Spirit, and if they do not, they are not true disciples of Jesus - [Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash].

Tarrying for the Spirit?

Spirit-Baptism

Does the New Testament teach that believers must spend time “tarrying” before they can receive the gift of the Spirit? 

Jesus told his disciples to “tarry” in Jerusalem until they received the Spirit. In some churches, this command has become a teaching applicable to most Christians. The idea is that the believer must “tarry” before the Lord until his mind or spirit enters a stage more conducive to God’s Spirit, or that he must first be purged of certain sins - [Photo by Samuel Martins on Unsplash].