One of the most confusing and to some degree dividing doctrines facing the church relates to the aspects and character of the Holy Spirit. This, along with other concepts, are drawn along denominational dividing lines and frankly, especially in this case cause more damage than good. Like most other doctrinal issues the main crux of the matter is in the definition of terms and explanation of concepts in light of what ALL of Scripture has to say on the topic. Also what needs to be considered is the contextual aspects of the scriptural support used as in many cases of things of denominational dispute context is the last thing considered by a proponent if ever.

The purpose of this study is to approach this topic in a manner that defines and describes the aspects of the Holy Spirit's ministry during this age and establishes a "timeline" for His works in and with a believer all the while carefully dividing the Word keeping it in context and in truth. I would recommend opening Scripture and following along carefully comparing the quoted verses and text to Scripture and looking at Scripture for what it says not what you think it says...by doing so I pray the Spirit will show you the truth.

In order to understand the truth of the Holy Spirit we must consider the various aspects of the Spirit's relationship to the world first. The coming of the Spirit into the world must be seen in relationship to His work in previous dispensations.

The Old Testament

"In the Old Testament it was said that the Holy Spirit was in the world as the Omnipresent God; yet He is said to come into the world on the day of Pentecost. During the present age He is said to remain in the world but will depart out of the world - in the same sense as He came on the day of Pentecost - when the rapture of the church occurs."¹

In the Old Testament the existance and presence of the Holy Spirit is presented throughout Scripture. In every mention He worked in and through the people of God according to His divine will. A relationship can be seen between the Holy Spirit and the creation of the world. A relationship can be seen between the Holy Spirit and the revelation of truth to the saints and prophets. He had a hand in inspiring the writing of the Scriptures and he can be seen enabling believers for service.

But with all the mention of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament there is no evidence that He indwelt every believer. He would come upon a select few for service but would also depart according to His will (recall David praying that God would not take His spirit from him). Basically, in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was in the world, with men, but not in them.

Later on, Christ would confirm this concept in the Book of John. Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Before the death of Christ it can be seen that the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) was "with" them but shall also be in them. This was a radical new concept.

The Day of Pentecost

As seen in John 14:16-18 it was promised that at some point in the future a Comforter would "abide" with them forever. This promise saw it's fulfillment on the day of Pentecost. On that day the work fo the Spirit took on many new aspects compared to the Old Testament.

The Holy Spirit is said to regenerate every believer (John 3:3-7, 36). The Holy Spirit indwells every believer (John 7:37-39; Acts 11:15-17; Romans 5:5, 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As indwelling the believer, the Holy Spirit is our seal unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Further, every child of God is baptized into the body of Christ by the Spriit (1 Cor 12:13).²

All these ministries apply equally to every true believer in this present age. In addition to these works of the Spirit that are related to the salvation of the believer, there is the possibility of the filling of the Spirit and of walking by the Spirit which opens the door to all the ministry of the Spirit to the believer in the present age.³

Works of the Spirit: Regeneration

Regeneration is a fundamental doctrine in relation to salvation. Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (KJV)

Tit 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, (NASB)

Based upon this text, theologians have chosen the word "regeneration" to express the concept of new life, new birth, spiritual resurrection and new creation relating to the new life that believers receive in Christ.

Works of the Spirit: Indwelling and Sealing

Although Christians may vary greatly in spiritual power and in manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, Scripture teaches plainly that every Christian is indwelt by the Spirit of God since the day of Pentecost. Temporary delays in the indwelling seen in a few instances in Acts (8:14-17; 19:1-6) were unusual instances, not normative, and due to the transitional character of the Book of Acts.4

The following passages make clear that prior to Pentecost the Old Testament order (only some being indwelt) was in effect, but after Pentecost the normal work of the Spirit has been to indwell every believer:

John 7:37-39; Acts 11:17; Romans 5:5; 8:9,11; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 6:19-20; 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 3:2; 4:6; 1 John 3:24; 4:13.

Further just as preist and kings were anointed and set apart to their sacred tasks, so the Christian is anointed by the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation and by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit set apart to his new life in Christ (2 Cor 1:21; 1 John 2:20,27). This annointing is universal, occurs at the moment of salvation and doctrinally is the same as the indwelling of the Spirit.

The teaching that one is anointed subsequent to salvation and that it is a second work of grace or possible only when filled with the Spirit is not the teaching of Scripture.5

A number of works of the Spirit occur simultaneously at the time of the new birth of a believer. Therefore, careful distinction must be made between these different undertakings of the Spirit. The indwelling of the Spirit and regeneration of the Spirit and not the same thing, although they occur at the same time. Likewise, the regeneration and indwelling of the Spirit and the baptism of the Spirit are not the same thing, but it too (Baptism) occurs at the same time as the other two. The indwelling of the Spirit is not the same as the filling of the Spirit as all Christians are indwelt, but not all are filled. The indwelling occurs once and for all....while the filling may occur many times in a Christian's life.

The sealing aspect of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament can be seen in three passages:

2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

It is important to note that in every respect the sealing of a believer is entirely a work of God. Christians are never exhorted to seek the sealing of the Spirit as they have already been sealed with their salvation. It too is universal and occurs with the indwelling and salvation of the believer. The sealing is not an experience but rather a fact to be accepted by faith. It is a symbol of the finished transaction.

Works of the Spirit: Baptism

Probably no other doctrine of the Spirit has created more confusion than the baptism of the Spirit. Much of this stems from the fact the baptism of the Spirit began at the same time that other great works of the Spirit occurred, such as regeneration, indwelling and sealing. Also, in some instances baptism of the Spirit and the filling of the Spirit occured at the same time. This has led some expositors to make the two occurrences synonymous. This conflict of interpretation, however, is resolved if one carefully examines the Scripture relating to the baptism of the Spirit. In all , there are eleven specific references to Spirit baptism in the New Testament 6

Mat 3:11 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:

Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Because of the confusion as to the nature and time of the baptism of the Spirit it has not always been recognized that every Christian is bpatized by the Spirit into the body of Christ at the moment of his salvation. This fact is shown and is the central concept being taught in 1 Corinthians 12:13. The use of "we all" clearly refers to all Christians. This is further confirmed in Ephesians 4:5. While rites of water baptism vary (immersian, dunk, sprinkle etc) there is only one baptism of the Spirit.

An important thing to note regarding the univerality of this aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit is that nowhere in Scripture is a Christian exhorted to be baptized by the Spirit...rather he is exhorted to be filled by the Spirit (Eph 5:18)

The baptism of the Spirit brings about two things....first, the believer is baptized or placed into the body of Christ; related to this is the second aspect of being baptized into Christ Himself.

By Spirit baptism the believer is placed into the body of Christ in the living union of all true believers in the present age. Here baptism has its primary meaning of being placed in, initiated into and given a new and abiding relationship. Accordingly, this relates believers to all the great body of truth that is revealed in Scripture concerning the body of Christ.

The body of believers, thus formed by Spirit baptism is mentioned frequently in Scripture (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 6:15; 12:12-14; Eph 2:16; 4:4-5; 5:30-32; Col 1:24; 2:19). Christ is the head of this body and directs its activities (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph 1:22-23; 5:23-24; Col 1:18).

As a member of the body of Christ the believer is also given special gifts or functions in the body of Christ (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:27-28; Eph 4:7-16). Being placed into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit ensures the unity of the body regardless of race, culture or background as well as ensuring that each believer has his particular place and function and opportunity to serve God within the framework of his own personality and gifts. Thus the body is "fitly joined together" (Eph 4:16)...that is, although the members differ, the body as a whole is well planned and organized.

In addition to this relationship with other believers in the body of Christ, one who is baptized by the Spirit has a new position in that he is declared to be in Christ. Looking at John 14:20 we can see this anticipated: Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

The "ye in me" is the future baptism of the Spirit.

Further: Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The baptism here is also the baptism of the Spirit as it cannot represent water baptism for without the baptism of the Spirit the rite or water baptism means nothing (as it is an outward acknowledgment of an inward change...the regeneration, indwelling and sealing of a believer).

In view of the fact that every Christian is baptized by the Spirit into Christ at the moment of Salvation it is clear that baptism is a work of God to be understood by faith. Although subsequent spiritual experience may confirm the baptism of the Spirit, the baptism is not in itself an experience. Baptism, because it is universal and related to our position in Christ, is an instantaneous act of God and is not a work to be sought subsequent to being born again.7

Much confusion has been wrought by the assertion that Christians should seek the baptism of the Spirit especially as it was manifested in speaking in tongues in the early church. While on three instances in Acts (Acts 2, 10 and 19) believers spoke in tongues at the time of their baptism by the Spirit, it is clear that this was unusual and related to the transitional character of the book. In all other instances where salvation took place there is no mention of speaking in tongues as attending the baptism of the Spirit.

Further, it is quite clear that while all Christians are baptized by the Spirit, all Christians did not speak in tongues in the early church. The whole concept, therefore, of seeking baptism of the Spirit as a means to an unusual work of God in the life of a Christian is without Scriptural foundation. Even the filling of the Spirit is not manifested in speaking in tongues, but rather in the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. The fact is that the Corinthian Christians spoke in tongues without being filled by the Spirit.

A similar error is advanced which claims that there are two baptisms of the Spirit, one in Acts 2 and the other in 1 Corinthians 12:13. A comparison of the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10-11 with Acts 2 makes clear that what occurred to Cornelius, a Gentile, was exactly the same as what had occurred to the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Peter says in Acts 11:15-17

Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Inasmuch as the baptism of the Spirit places the believer into the body of Christ, it is the same work form Acts 2 throughout the present dispensation.

The baptism of the Spirit is, therefore, important as eing the work of the Spirit which places us in a new union with Christ and our fellow believers, a new position in Christ and a new association in the intimacy of the body of Christ. It is the basis for justification and for all the work of God which ultimately presents the believer perfect in glory.8

Works of the Spirit: The Filling

In contrast with the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation such as regeneration, indwelling, sealing and baptism, the filling of the Spirit is related to the Christian experience, power and service. The works of the Spirit in relation to salvation are once and for all, but the filling of the Spirit is a repeated experience and is mentioned frequently in the Bible.

Starting with Pentecost a new experience was to be available to believers in which the Holy Spirit would work in every believer. Everyone was now indwelt by the Spirit and could be filled with the Spirit if he or she met the conditions. There are numerous verses in Scripture to support this fact (Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; 6:3,5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9,52; Eph 5:18).

The filling of the Spirit may be defined as a spiritual state where the Holy Spirit is fulfilling all that He came to do in the heart and life of the individual believer. It is not a matter of acquiring more of the Spirit, but rather of the Spirit of God acquiring all of the individual.

In the early church, the Spirit of God repeatedly filled those who sought to do the will of God as in the case of Peter (Acts 4:8), the company of Christians who prayed for boldness and the power of God (Acts 4:31), and Paul after his conversion (Acts 9:17). Some are characterized as being in a continual state of being filled with the Spirit as illustrated by first deacons (Acts 6:3), Stephen the martyr (Acts 7:55) and Barabas (Acts 11:24). Paul was repeatedly filled with the Spirit (Acts 13:9) and so were other disciples (Acts 13:52). In each case only Christians yielded to God were filled with the Spirit.9

Christians are commanded to be filled with the Spirit:

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

This is not accomplished by human effort but rather by permitting God to accomplish His work in the life of the individual. It is clear that a Christian may be genuinely saved without being filled with the Spirit and filling of the Spirit is therefore not a part of salvation itself.

Three simple commandes are pointed to as being the conditions for being filled with the Spirit:

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Impressive results come when one is yielded to God and filled with the Spirit:

1. An experience of progressive santification by which the fruit of the Spirit is fulfilled

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2. The edification of the believer about the truth of the Word.

Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

Along with this passage this concept is taught in 1 Cor 2:9 - 1 Cor 3:2.

3. The Holy Spirit is able to guide a Christian and apply the general truths of the Word of God. (Romans 12:2; Gen 24:27; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18)

4. Assurance of salvation (Galatians 4:6; 1 John 3:24; 4:13)

5. True worship and love of God are possible only as one in the Spirit. (John 4:24; Ephesians 5:18+)

6. Effectual and actual prayer fellowship with God (Romans 8:26)

7. Effectual and actual service exercising a believer's spiritual and physical gifts and talents (can be pictured by John 7:38-39)

Conclusion

Hopefully you have seriously considered what has been discussed, tested the spirits and consulted the Word along the way. When considering all of the above we can see that the following is the true course of events.

Upon salvation a believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, sealed by the Holy Spirit and baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ and the body of Christ. These are universal truths than works that impact all Christians upon salvation.

From the aforementioned text we also see that although on occasion a believer can be filled with the Spirit upon being saved this the in fact the exception not the norm as being filled is not required in salvation but something believers should aspire to. This filling of the Spirit is something that can occur over and over again and has many results. The filling of the Spirit is not a result of the work of men, but rather of men allowing God to work through them fully. If a Christian is filled with the Spirit many things can occur, among them is being granted a "gift of the Spirit" but Scripture again points out that is not a universal aspect but an individual one as each person is granted a gift by the will of the Spirit and each may recieve a different gift according to that same will. 1. Major Bible Themes. L.S.Chafer 1974 p. 91
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.