Promise of the Father

“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard from Me.’” To participate in the work of expanding the kingdom of God, the help of the Holy Spirit is necessary. The promise of the Holy Spirit had already been taught at the Last Supper (which was 43 days earlier; John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7, 13). This promise was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit descended on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

The baptism by the Holy Spirit

“For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (1) The descent of the Holy Spirit is an event that mark a new epoch. Here, John’s baptism is contrasted with the baptism of the new age. In the new age, the Holy Spirit will give the believers “the baptism by the Holy Spirit.” The ASV translation chose to render as “you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.” This gives a better image of “immersion,” which is the meaning of the word “baptize.” Though not written in the Bible, this is also referred to as the “Spirit baptism.” (2) Through baptism by the Holy Spirit, believers become members of the Church. Since the descent of the Holy Spirit, anyone who believes in Jesus as the Messiah receives the baptism by the Holy Spirit the moment of belief (ref. 1 Cor. 12:13). (3) Luke 3:16-17 states, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The phrase “baptism of fire” does not appear in Acts 1:5. This is because it refers to a baptism of judgment. The “baptism of fire” pertains to a future judgment of God, where all unbelievers will be judged. (4) The disciples would come to experience where the source of power for evangelism lies. The Holy Spirit is the source of power for evangelism. The resurrected Jesus is still working through the Church by the Holy Spirit. There is no need to pray and seek for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as it is already given the moment of believing in Jesus. There is no command in the Bible to “seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” What we should seek is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit refers to being governed by the Holy Spirit. “And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).