In the circles of the greater religious community, that claims to be Christians, it is common to hear people claim to have been informed of certain things by God through a direct, personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They often use catch words like “called,” “led,” or even “told” when they speak of some direct contact from God separate and apart from His Word.

Either through ignorance or deliberate twisting of the Scriptures, many have gone to various Bible passages to prove their claims to a miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit. However, a careful study of the Bible, reveals that man is not guided by the Spirit by any other means than through the Word which He inspired (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

According to the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit has dwelt within man in four separate ways. However, not everyone has received the same method or measure of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. By observing the examples of the Spirit’s work in the book of Acts, a thorough understanding can be obtained of how He has worked in the past and how He continues to work today.

Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

There are some religious groups today that claim that one must be baptized with the Holy Spirit in order to be saved. However, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a measure of indwelling that was promised, not commanded. In Matt 3:11-12 John the baptizer promised, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” When Jesus spoke to His apostles, he further instructed, “I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Additionally, He told them in Acts 1:5, “John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

From these verses, it is also clear that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was administered by Christ. John said that “he that cometh after me…” would be doing it (Matt 3:11). Additionally, Peter said concerning Jesus, “he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). Man cannot give this measure of indwelling, nor can he call upon the Lord to perform it.

It was also limited in occasion. There are only two recorded times that the baptism of the Holy Spirit has ever taken place. The first was in Acts 2. It was upon this occasion that the church of Jesus, His kingdom, is inaugurated. It was for this occasion and for the purpose of confirming the beginning of the church that this very public indwelling took place. The second time is recorded in Acts 10 and was intended to demonstrate the acceptance of Gentiles into the church.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was also limited in application. On Pentecost (Acts 2) only the apostles received this indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is evident from the fact that the people were astonished at the apostles, not themselves (Acts 2:6, 12-15). In Acts 10, the baptism of the Holy Spirit was only given to Cornelius and his household (v. 44-47). No one else ever has or will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, the baptism of the Holy Spirit was a measure of indwelling that was observable by witnesses. On Pentecost, “cloven tongues like as of fire” sat upon each of the apostles. Peter said that it was something that the people both saw and heard (v. 33). Additionally, Peter said of the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and his household that they had received the same thing (Acts 10:47).

Ted Parks
Vacaville, Ca.