Empowerment of the Church: Understanding Holy Spirit Baptism
Summary
In the Gospel of John, we find a profound exploration of the baptism with the Holy Ghost, a topic that has been the focus of our study for many months. Today, we delve into the timing and relationship of this baptism with other significant events in the life of Jesus, particularly the resurrection and ascension. The common teaching of the past century suggests that the Christian Church was constituted on the day of Pentecost, with the baptism of the Holy Spirit forming the Church as a body. However, this view is at odds with the scriptural account and the historical understanding of the Church.
The modern interpretation often conflates the baptism with the Holy Ghost with regeneration, suggesting it is non-experiential and occurs at the moment of belief. This perspective diminishes the experiential nature of the Holy Spirit's baptism and overlooks the distinct purpose of Pentecost. The scriptural account in John 20:22, where Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost," is not a mere prophetic act but a real impartation of the Spirit, signifying the Church's constitution as a body.
The Greek aorist imperative used in this passage indicates an immediate action, not a future promise. This aligns with the Old Testament parallels, where God's breath brings life, as seen in Genesis and Ezekiel. The Church, therefore, was already in existence before Pentecost, with the day of Pentecost serving as a moment of empowerment rather than formation. The baptism with the Holy Ghost is about receiving power for witness, not the initial constitution of the Church.
The Feast of Pentecost, traditionally a celebration of harvest completion, further supports this understanding. It symbolizes the fulfillment of Christ's work and the empowerment of the Church to carry out its mission. The Church's need today is for this Pentecostal power, a revival that brings assurance, boldness, and the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. As we reflect on these truths, may we seek this power with one accord, praying for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- The baptism with the Holy Ghost is distinct from regeneration and is meant to empower the Church, not to constitute it. This understanding challenges the modern view that conflates the two, emphasizing the experiential nature of the Spirit's baptism. [06:04]
- The Greek aorist imperative in John 20:22 indicates an immediate action, not a future promise, signifying the real impartation of the Holy Spirit to the disciples, thus constituting the Church as a body. [15:12]
- The Feast of Pentecost, traditionally a celebration of harvest completion, symbolizes the fulfillment of Christ's work and the empowerment of the Church, rather than its formation. This aligns with the scriptural narrative of empowerment for witness. [36:53]
- The Church's need today is for the Pentecostal power, a revival that brings assurance, boldness, and the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, enabling us to witness effectively in a world in need. [47:50]
- The relationship between the Old and New Testaments shows that the New Testament fulfills and controls the Old, with the intervals and events in the Old Testament foreshadowing God's eternal plan revealed in the New. [46:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Baptism with the Holy Ghost
- [01:22] - The Timing of the Baptism
- [02:33] - Ascension and Pentecost
- [03:32] - Modern Teaching on Pentecost
- [05:01] - Regeneration and Baptism
- [06:22] - Misunderstandings of Pentecost
- [09:33] - John 20:22 Explained
- [12:25] - Acts 2 and Church Constitution
- [14:54] - Greek Aorist Imperative
- [17:12] - Old Testament Parallels
- [20:59] - The Church's Constitution
- [24:35] - The Great Commission
- [32:26] - Pentecost as Empowerment
- [36:53] - The Feast of Pentecost
- [47:50] - The Need for Pentecostal Power
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 20:22 - "And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost."
2. Acts 2:1-4 - The account of the Holy Spirit descending on the day of Pentecost.
3. Ezekiel 37:5-10 - The vision of the valley of dry bones and the breath of life.
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 20:22, what action does Jesus perform, and what does he say to the disciples? How does this relate to the concept of the Church's constitution? [10:23]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Greek aorist imperative used in John 20:22? How does this grammatical detail impact the interpretation of the passage? [15:12]
3. What does the Feast of Pentecost traditionally celebrate, and how does this align with the sermon’s interpretation of Pentecost as a moment of empowerment rather than formation? [36:53]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, particularly in terms of foreshadowing and fulfillment? [46:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon challenge the modern view that conflates the baptism with the Holy Ghost with regeneration? What implications does this have for understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church? [06:04]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Church was already in existence before Pentecost? How does this perspective change the understanding of the Church's mission and empowerment? [20:59]
3. How does the sermon interpret the act of Jesus breathing on the disciples in John 20:22 in light of Old Testament parallels, such as the creation of man in Genesis and the vision in Ezekiel? [17:12]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the need for Pentecostal power in the Church today, and how does this relate to the concept of revival and assurance? [47:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the distinction between regeneration and the baptism with the Holy Ghost as presented in the sermon. How does this understanding affect your personal experience of faith and empowerment? [06:04]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for Pentecostal power in the Church today. What steps can you take individually and as a group to seek this empowerment in your community? [47:50]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to experiencing the Holy Spirit's power and guidance in your daily activities and decisions? [33:12]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of unity and being of one accord. How can you foster a spirit of unity and cooperation within your small group or church community? [29:00]
5. Reflect on the Old Testament parallels discussed in the sermon. How do these stories of God's breath bringing life inspire you to seek a deeper relationship with God? [17:12]
6. The sermon challenges the modern interpretation of Pentecost. How does this new understanding influence your view of the Church's mission and your role in it? [32:26]
7. How can you apply the sermon’s insights on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments to your personal Bible study and understanding of God's eternal plan? [46:20]
Devotional
Day 1: The Empowering Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism with the Holy Ghost is distinct from regeneration and is meant to empower the Church, not to constitute it. This understanding challenges the modern view that conflates the two, emphasizing the experiential nature of the Spirit's baptism. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an empowering experience that equips believers for their mission in the world. It is not merely a theological concept but a transformative encounter that enables Christians to live out their faith with boldness and conviction. This empowerment is crucial for the Church to fulfill its calling to be a witness to the world, demonstrating the love and power of God in tangible ways. [06:04]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to be a more effective witness for Christ today?
Day 2: Immediate Action of the Holy Spirit
The Greek aorist imperative in John 20:22 indicates an immediate action, not a future promise, signifying the real impartation of the Holy Spirit to the disciples, thus constituting the Church as a body. This moment was not a symbolic gesture but a real and immediate impartation of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of the Church's mission. The disciples received the Holy Spirit as a present reality, empowering them to carry out the work that Jesus had commissioned them to do. This understanding challenges the notion that the Church was formed at Pentecost, highlighting instead the ongoing work of the Spirit in the life of the Church. [15:12]
John 20:22-23 (ESV): "And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.'"
Reflection: How can you be more aware of the Holy Spirit's immediate presence and action in your life today?
Day 3: Pentecost as Empowerment, Not Formation
The Feast of Pentecost, traditionally a celebration of harvest completion, symbolizes the fulfillment of Christ's work and the empowerment of the Church, rather than its formation. This aligns with the scriptural narrative of empowerment for witness. Pentecost is a powerful reminder of the Church's mission to be a light in the world, equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of Christ. It is a celebration of the completion of Christ's redemptive work and the beginning of the Church's mission to spread the Gospel to all nations. [36:53]
Joel 2:28-29 (ESV): "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the mission of the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, in your community today?
Day 4: The Church's Need for Pentecostal Power
The Church's need today is for the Pentecostal power, a revival that brings assurance, boldness, and the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, enabling us to witness effectively in a world in need. This power is not just for the early Church but is available to believers today, equipping them to live out their faith with confidence and courage. The Holy Spirit's presence brings a deep assurance of God's love and a boldness to share that love with others, transforming lives and communities. [47:50]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What steps can you take to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit's power in your life and church today?
Day 5: The Fulfillment of God's Eternal Plan
The relationship between the Old and New Testaments shows that the New Testament fulfills and controls the Old, with the intervals and events in the Old Testament foreshadowing God's eternal plan revealed in the New. This understanding highlights the continuity of God's redemptive work throughout history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The events of the Old Testament are not isolated incidents but are part of a larger narrative that points to the fulfillment of God's promises in the New Testament. [46:20]
Hebrews 10:1 (ESV): "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near."
Reflection: How does understanding the fulfillment of God's eternal plan in the New Testament impact your view of the Old Testament and your faith journey today?
Quotes
The common popular teaching during this present Century has been something like this: it regards what happened on the day of Pentecost as the constitution of the Christian Church. The teaching has been that the Christian Church began on the day of Pentecost, but there was no church as such before that, but that the whole object and purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was to form the church as a body and as an organism and enable it to function. [00:04:06]
The explanation that this was a prophetic breathing, something symbolic and suggestive, that they didn't receive the spirit then, but that our Lord was only saying, now in some such manner as this, you are going to receive the Holy Ghost, so that nothing really happened here. It was a kind of picture, it was a kind of dramatic enactment in order to encourage them and to assure them that this was going to happen to them. [00:11:03]
The first comment therefore that I would make upon this whole outlook and teaching is this: that in connection with Acts 2, there is not a single word said in the scripture about the constitution of the church or about the formation of a body or of an organism. Not a single word. It's just not mentioned at all, and therefore you see this is something that is imported into the scripture. [00:12:38]
The Greek aorist imperative never has a future meaning. Now, I'm not saying that this is purely a technical point, but it's a very important one. So many of our friends who take the other teaching that we are criticizing do so in terms of the Greek and the original. Very well, let's meet them on their own ground here, and again, I defy you to find a single exception. [00:15:16]
The very word that is used here when our Lord breathed on them and said, receive ye the Holy Ghost, this same word breath here in the Greek is the word that was used in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament in two most important instances. The first is Genesis 2:7, which reads like this: and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. [00:16:54]
The church was already in being. Now here, of course, we have the other side, as it were, of what you can read in our Lord's High Priestly prayer as it is recorded in the 17th chapter of this Gospel According to St John. Our Lord says to his father, as thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world, and for their sakes I sanctify myself. [00:24:41]
The baptism with the Holy Ghost is a baptism of power. It was never designed to constitute the church. Its object and purpose was to give power to the church that is already constituted. As if our Lord was saying to them, all right, you are already my body, but you must have this power in addition, so stay where you are in Jerusalem until you have received the power. [00:32:43]
The Feast of Pentecost was not to celebrate any beginning; it was to celebrate an end, the end of the harvest. The celebration of the harvest began at the beginning, and that was 50 days before when they waved their sheaf, but this is the end, not the beginning. In other words, surely it's fairly clear as to what this all represents. [00:36:53]
The relationship between the Old and New Testaments shows that the New Testament fulfills and controls the Old, with the intervals and events in the Old Testament foreshadowing God's eternal plan revealed in the New. You see, in the old, God has got his plan from eternity. Now in the old, he gives a foreshadowing of it in these pictures, yes, but he's giving a foreshadowing of what he has already determined and decided is going to happen. [00:46:20]
You can be a Christian, you can be a member of the Body of Christ, you can be a part of this organism without having received this baptism of power, without knowing this highest form of assurance, without having this overwhelming experience of the love of God shed abroad in your heart and finding yourself rejoicing with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. [00:47:50]
The Church's need today is for the Pentecostal power, a revival that brings assurance, boldness, and the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, enabling us to witness effectively in a world in need. Shall we not with one accord, one mind, one Spirit during these coming days wait upon him and pray that again he may open the windows of Heaven and shower down upon us, send down upon us the Holy Spirit in mighty reviving power? [00:50:05]
May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the love of God, the fellowship and the communion of the Holy Spirit abide and continue with us now throughout the remainder of this our short and certain earthly life and pilgrimage, and until we shall see him face to face, be made like unto him in the glory everlasting. [00:54:27]
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