The Baptism with the Spirit—Distinct from Salvation? by Michael D. Peters
Historical versus Biblical Christianity
As difficult as this may be to believe, it is possible the Apostles did not write about the Baptism with the Spirit as distinct from salvation because it was not a problem. Today’s problem of separating Spirit baptism from salvation was created by historic Christianity. Historic Christianity is the Christianity that has developed by the church living through history, and it does not always correspond with biblical Christianity as seen in the New Testament.
Although there are no specific exhortations to receive the Baptism with the Spirit, Paul’s exhortation to ‘be filled with the Spirit’ includes not only an initial baptism but many subsequent fillings.
Today’s problem of separating Spirit baptism from salvation is similar to the separation of water baptism from salvation. There are churches that baptize infants, others that baptize immediately upon a person’s confession of faith, and others that wait weeks, months, and even years. In Acts, the longest delay was Paul. He waited three days and Ananias asked him, “Why are you waiting: Arise and be baptized…” (Acts 22:16). Today debate surrounds water baptism because historic Christianity separated it from salvation.
The Baptism with the Spirit is similar. In Acts, Spirit baptism was associated with salvation, but salvation was not narrowly thought of as limited to initial faith. On the Day of Pentecost after commanding those seeking salvation to repent and be baptized, Peter exhorted them to be “saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40). According to Peter salvation involved more than their initial faith. It included faith, repentance, rebirth, water baptism, Spirit baptism, and all that is associated with entering the Kingdom of God, even separation from the world (Acts 2:38-40).
Salvation is broader than just initial faith. The New Testament speaks of those who are saved (Ephesians 2:8), the who are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18), and those who will be saved (1 Peter 1:5-9). These are not three different groups, but the same people. Those who are saved are being saved and will saved. That is the past, present, and future of salvation. Every person who has trusted Christ has been saved. They are also being saved as the Spirit works in them. And they will be saved in the fullest sense when Christ returns. Thus salvation is much broader than just initial faith.
Biblical Christianity called for salvation that involved repentance, faith, new birth, water baptism, and Spirit baptism. All of it was included.
Even though Spirit baptism is not an integral part of every Christian’s initial salvation experience, it can be a part of every Christian’s salvation. In a broad sense salvation involves not only initial faith but also water baptism, Spirit baptism, and everything that involves entering the Kingdom.
Peter on the Day of Pentecost offered the whole package. He even affirmed that the Spirit baptism was promised to all who believe: “For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). We may be afar off but if we are called, the promise is for us. Peter exhorted them to repent, believe, be water baptized, receive the Spirit, and separate from the world. The whole package belongs to salvation and Peter exhorted them to receive it all.
Category: Fall 1998, Pneuma Review, Spirit
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