God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

alone bestows all the grace which is figuratively represented by outward baptism. . . and bestows the Spirit of regeneration.” ( Commentaries, Harmony of Matthew Mark, and Luke , 1.199, Beveridge trans.). The point is that, however John the Baptist may have understood the words, there is nothing further said about them in any of the Gospels. Jesus’ words in Acts therefore are decisive (whether viewed as interpretation or reinterpretation). And, as we have already noted, they must refer especially to His action in the Spirit for the enablement of ministry. . . . Incidentally, Calvin in his Institutes speaks about baptism in the Spirit as “the visible graces [or gifts] of the Holy Spirit given through the laying on of hands” and adds, “It is nothing new to signify these graces by the word ‘baptism’” (4.15.18, Battles trans.). In this statement Calvin goes beyond the view that identifies Spirit baptism with regeneration. In so doing he is much closer to the picture in Acts. ~ J. Rodman Williams. Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective [Three Volumes in One], Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996. p. 179, footnote 80. Williams goes on to point out that to those who read the Acts narratives as decisive, baptism in the Holy Spirit is more connected to terms like outpouring (Acts 2.33, 10.45), falling on (Acts 10.44, 8.16, 11.15), coming on (Acts 1.8, 19.6, cf. John 1.32) and filling (Acts 2.4, 13.52) than with conversion/regeneration. This does not deny the Spirit’s pivotal role in regeneration but simply separates this activity from “a baptism of power for witness and mission” (see Renewal Theology , Vol. 2, pp. 191-207).

A key question to have students consider is, “Is there only one biblical pattern?”

13 Page 107 Student Questions and Response

The Bible is clear that one cannot be a Christian at all unless one has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This is phrased in all people at all times and languages (Rom. 8.9). However, while all Christians have a definitive first experience with the Holy Spirit is it necessarily true that all Christians will have the same experience of the Holy Spirit following this?