Question:
Dear Greg,
What
is being baptized in the “Holy Spirit”?
Ronald
Answer: Dear Ronald,
Baptism
of/in the Holy Spirit was promised (by John the Baptist) as being part of the
ministry of Jesus. Some believe that this baptism occurred in Acts 2, once and
for all. “Secessionists” would
generally take this view, as they see some New Testament signs as ceasing at the
end of the first century (the gift of tongues, for example). Others, including many charismatics and Pentecostals, see the
baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate and distinct act of regeneration (apart
from initial conversion and water baptism) and confirming a deeper conversion
and regeneration. The gift of
tongues is seen by some of these individuals as a sign of this baptism.
In
Christ,
Greg Albrecht