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

3. There are Scriptures that can be cited in support of both the single-stage and multiple-stage views.

a. The Pauline letters tend to emphasize more strongly the coming of the Holy Spirit at salvation and his work of uniting us to Christ as the key element of Spirit baptism.

b. Luke’s writings (Luke and Acts) tend to emphasize more strongly the work of the Holy Spirit in coming on a person so that they are enabled to minister with power (witness) as the key element of Spirit baptism. This miraculous power often seems to be spoken of as a second-stage of the Spirit’s work. c. Paul and Luke do not disagree with each other but emphasize differing sides of a common truth. Whether we hold a single-stage view or a multiple-stage view, it is important that we take both Paul and Luke seriously and strive to understand how their views work together to express one common truth about the Holy Spirit.

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B. The single-stage view of Spirit baptism

1. The single-stage view is often called the Reformed view of Spirit baptism. This understanding of Spirit baptism is what you are likely to find in churches with a Presbyterian, Reformed, or Baptist heritage, among others.

2. Union with Christ is the key to understanding salvation.

To be united to Christ in his life, death, and resurrection is what distinguishes a Christian from a non-Christian. Because of union with Christ, everything that Christ has God counts as belonging to us.