Scripture contains seven references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The first four record the prophecy of John the Baptist that Jesus would baptize with the Spirit (Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John1:33). The fifth reference is Jesus’ quotation of this same prophecy which He applies to Pentecost (Acts 1:5). The sixth reference is Peter’s quotation of Jesus which he applies to the conversion of Cornelius and to Pentecost (Acts 11:16-17). In the seventh reference, in 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul makes it clear that all believers have been baptized with the same Spirit.
John R. W. Stott has noted that there are four parts of every baptism. The first two parts are the subject and object (or the baptizer and the baptized). The third part is the element with or in which the baptism takes place. And fourth is the purpose for which the baptism takes place. In John the Baptist’s baptism in Matthew 3:11 the baptizer is John. That is the subject. The object is those who are baptized, John’s disciples. The element into or with which they are baptized is water, and the purpose is for repentance. In Matthew 3:11 is a baptism that is predicted. In this baptism Christ is the baptizer. The object is Christ’s disciples. The Holy Spirit is the element into or with which they are baptized. The purpose is left unsaid.
In 1 Corinthians12:13 all believers are the object, the Holy Spirit is the element. The purpose is so that they might form one body. The baptizer is not mentioned but we assume from what was said about baptism with the Spirit in other passages that he is none other than Christ.
Concerning these references, there is no indication in any of them that one should “seek” the baptism with the Spirit. Also, believers are not told in any of these references to look for a “sign” such as speaking in tongues, as evidence that they have received the baptism. Furthermore, all believers have received and share in common the baptism of the Spirit. Thus, the baptism with the Spirit is an experience which happens to all believers at conversion. It is the one act of the Spirit which puts the believer into the spiritual body of Christ.
The Scriptures also speak of the filling of the Holy Spirit. Scripture commands believers to be filled (Eph 5:18). From Paul’s command that we be filled with the Holy Spirit several implications arise. Not all believers are filled with the Spirit, but all believers are expected to be continuously filled with the Spirit. The verb tense in Ephesians 5:18 is continuous. Literally the verse indicates that believers are to “keep on being filled.” The filling of the Spirit is something which needs to be repeated and maintained. There are examples of this repetition in Acts (cf. Acts 2:4 with Acts 4:31).
All believers have been baptized with the Spirit, but not all believers are filled with the Spirit. Marks of the Spirit’s fullness are clear in the Bible. They are boldness in witnessing (Acts 4:31), gladness and joy in worship (Eph. 5:19-20), and Christ-like character (Galatians 5:22-23). Because these marks are missing in so many Christians today the command to be filled needs to be heeded. I hope this article was helpful. Remember that God loves you and so does First Baptist Church.