THE HOLY SPIRIT

Is being “born again” (Jn. 3:3-8) baptism in the Spirit? Doesn’t Joel’s prophecy promise baptism in the Spirit to all mankind (Ac. 2:16-18)?
John 3:5-8
Some assume this is Holy Spirit baptism (“born of the Spirit”), and then wrongly conclude what it teaches it is mysterious, v8.
Is “baptism in the Holy Spirit” mentioned anywhere in the text?
In v8, does Jesus say being born of the Spirit is like the wind, or that everyone born of the Spirit is like the wind? Note Nicodemus’ problem, v4, and Jesus’ response, v6. (Note: The Greek word pneuma is translated “spirit” twice in v6 and “wind” and “spirit” in v8.)
If “born of the Spirit” here refers to baptism in the Holy Spirit, is one saved if he has not experienced it?
A thread throughout John is “life” (1:4; 3:15,16,36; 4:14,36…etc….20:31). One is “born” into this “life” (1:12-13; 3:3-8). This birth to the new life is dependent on believing (1:12; 3:15-16,36; 5:24…etc….20:30-31). This faith (or, belief) comes through hearing the gospel message (Jn. 1:7-12; 2:22; 3:12; 6:43-47,63 … etc…20:30-31; Rom. 10:17). What part does the Spirit have in all this? (See the lesson on the work, or mission, of the Holy Spirit.)

Acts 2:16-19 (Joel 2:28-30)
Some argue that since the Holy Spirit was to be poured out on “all flesh” (NASB, “all mankind”), Holy Spirit baptism is for everyone, not just the apostles.
This assumes (1) “pour forth” is the same as “baptism” in the Spirit, and it assumes (2) “all flesh” means Christians of all ages.
“pour forth,” “pour out”
According to this idiom, something is said to be “poured out” or “poured forth” when those upon whom it is poured will be affected in some way as a result. What is “poured forth” and what the result is must be determined by the context.
• Ps. 79:6, “Pour out Your wrath upon the nations …” The nations will experience the result or consequences of his wrath.
• Pro. 1:23, “I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. “I will pour out my spirit” connotes “I will make my words known.”

Other examples: Ps. 69:24-25; Eze. 20:13 (also vv8,21); Rom. 5:5-8; Tit. 3:5-7. “Pour out” is the opposite of being held in. Something is given, or released, freely, abundantly, e.g.: wisdom, Pro. 1:23; God’s blessings, Isa. 32:15, 44:3; feelings, thoughts, or requests of the soul, Psa. 42:4, Lam. 2:19; wrath, Psa. 69:24.
• According to the context of Acts 2, how would people be affected when the Spirit was “poured forth” on them, vv17-18?
• Just as “poured forth” and “baptized” do not connote the same action literally, they do not connote the same action figuratively. The apostles power was far more expansive (Mk. 16:17-20) than the three things mentioned in Ac. 2:17-18, and served as “signs of a true apostle” (2Co. 12:12). They were even able to pass on gifts by the laying on of their hands (Ac. 8:14-19). Indeed, they were “baptized” (overwhelmed) in the Spirit’s power (Ac. 1:4-5,8)!
• Whereas the Holy Spirit would be “poured forth on all mankind,” “baptism” in the Holy Spirit was promised to only one group of men—who are they? Ac. 1:1-5
“All flesh” (“all mankind”)
• Does it include animals? (See “flesh” in 1Co. 15:39 - same word).
• Does it include wicked men?
• If one answers, “No,” to the above questions, he admits “all flesh” is limited.

Now the question is limited to whom? How will we decide? Based on the context, who does “all flesh” refer to? (v17b, 18a)
As “this is what was spoken of through Joel” cannot mean that what happened to the apostles on that day was the sum and substance of what Joel prophesied (no “dreams,” no “daughters” prophesying), it must mean either (a) this is the beginning of that, or, (b) this is a case in point of that. If what Joel (and Peter) was referring to were the events preceding and including this day (last 33 years), these would be events known among them (Elizabeth - Lk 1:41-45; Mary - Lk 1:46-55; Zacharias - Lk 1:67f; Simeon - Lk 2:25-35; Anna - Lk 2:36-38; John the Baptist; what they “both saw and heard” that day—people that fall into the category of the prophecy: “your sons and your daughters…your young men…your old men…My bondslaves.”). The purpose of Peter’s sermon was to convince these people they were wrong about Jesus (Jn 16:8) and bring them to believe he was the Christ.

If , as some contend, it refers to the events of that day and the Spirit being poured out later on e.g., Philip’s daughters, the Jews on that day might argue Peter’s application to the events on that day did NOT fulfill the prophesy, for these later events they obviously knew nothing of.

Quick Quiz
Choose all correct answers in the following.

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