Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

Examples of Denominational Statements on “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” (continued)

John’s baptism (Acts 19:3), Paul explained they were to believe on Christ Jesus. Then these disciples were baptized in water, after which Paul laid hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them. The lapse of time was brief between these disciples’ believing on Christ and the Holy Spirit’s coming upon them, but it was long enough for them to be baptized in water. The baptism in the Spirit was distinct from and subsequent to salvation. The baptism in the Spirit is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. The scriptural ideal for the believer is to be continually filled with the Spirit. The Baptism is the crisis experience which introduces the believer to the process experience of living a Spirit-filled life. The expression initial physical evidence of the Baptism refers to the first outward sign that the Holy Spirit has come in filling power. A study of Scripture indicates there was a physical sign by which observers knew that believers had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. The evidence always occurred at the very time the believers were baptized in the Spirit and not on some future occasion. In the home of Cornelius there was convincing evidence of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48). Later, when Peter was called upon to explain to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem his ministry in the home of Cornelius, he referred to observable evidence of the believers being baptized in the Holy Spirit. He cited this as the reason why he arranged for the believers to be baptized in water (Acts 11:15-17). While speaking in tongues has initial evidential value, it is designed by God to be much more than evidence of a past experience. It also continues to bring enrichment to the individual believer in personal devotions, and to the congregation when accompanied by the interpretation of tongues. Church of God in Christ Excerpted from The Doctrines of the Church of God in Christ , http://www.cogic.org/doctrnes.htm We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification and that tongue-speaking is the consequence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the manifestations of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 10:46, 19:1-6). We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved (Acts 19:1-6; John 3:5). When one receives

Combination View: Pentecostal-Holiness