Differences between the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and the Infilling with the Holy Spirit?
Q: Dr. Mike, during your Saturday seminars and general teachings, I’ve heard YOU say that, being “baptized with the Holy Spirit” and being “filled with the Holy Spirit” are different: can you share a little knowledge with us?
A: That’s a really good question. Whenever and wherever I’m teaching one of the 15 Saturday seminars, I try to stay consistent with my theological explanations, regardless of the denomination that I’m conducting the seminar(s). The reason that I made this statement, is because some ministries equate the baptism of the Spirit or the infilling of the Holy Spirit, with ‘Speaking in Tongues.” So, for my brothers and sisters that take that approach, I normally start the answer with: I believe that EVERY born again believer has what’s called “Devotional Tongues” as a gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit and some, God has given the gift, referred to in 1 Corinthians 12 as “The Gift of Tongues” (which is the ability to speak in different kinds of languages you had not known before).
Throughout the New Testament, the phrases, baptized in the Spirit or filled with the Spirit, are sometimes used interchangeably, that they refer to the same phenomenon. However, at other times in sacred Scripture, there’s some critical distinction that is made.
So, with that in mind: let’s go back to the original question asked. The term, “baptized in the Holy Spirit,” mainly refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, when He regenerates us – which means to change the disposition of our hearts, and our standing with Him, then, He joins us to a body of believers – the (‘ekklesia’ – the called out from the world group). When we’re baptized or immersed with this special assembly of believers, He then endows each believer with the power necessary to carry out their mission and vocation as a Christian.
The term, “filled with the Holy Spirit” is used throughout sacred Scripture as being filled with the presence of the Lord, or the joy of the Lord, etc. The best example that I can give is to have you picture a child of God that truly loves Him, and spends quality time daily studying His word, fasting and praying, witnessing to the lost, and when it comes to the local church, he/she is found investing the three-Ts (time/talent/tithe). This individual is simply controlled by the Holy Spirit: they have a keen awareness and consciousness of the supernatural presence of the Spirit of God.
Comments (2)
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Denver baber
Acts 2-38-39 or Mathew 28.18-19 or it dose not matter
Paul A. Moye
Bleshya Dr. Mike- trusting all is well and I commend you for using your gifts and talents to the max of the measure given to you. Pray that I would do the same. Just to add to what you shared I often share the difference between the 2 Holy Ghost experiences by comparing John 4:14 with John 7:37. I contrast John 4:14 as the well within or indWELLing experience as salvation and the John 7:37 as the river experience which can happen at salvation or subsequent to. The well is mainly for personal edification and the river mainly for corporate or community ministry.