THE HOLY SPIRIT

Doesn’t “by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1Co. 12:13) refer to Holy Spirit baptism that all in the body of Christ receive?
Pentecostalism’s position: This verse refers to Holy Spirit baptism, just as in the gospels and Ac 2. Thus, Holy Spirit baptism was experienced by all believers, and can be experienced today by believers.
Not all spoke with tongues

Tongues are considered the evidence of Holy Spirit baptism by Pentecostalism. Did ALL the Corinthian believers speak in tongues? What in each of the following verses gives the answer?
• 12:4-10
• 12:29-30
• 14:5
If all the Corinthians could not speak in tongues, and if tongues are evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit, then v13 CANNOT refer to baptism in the Holy Spirit, for v13 says, “we were ALL baptized into one body.” (See also vv. 12,27.)

Pentecostal answer:
There is a difference in the “initial” sign and the “gift.” The “gift” would enable people to continue to speak in tongues. 1Co. 12:13 refers to the “initial sign,” and all the Corinthians had experienced the “initial” sign, but had not received the “gift.”
This is an ARBITRARY DISTINCTION
This distinction between the “initial act” and the “gift” cannot be proven with Scripture.
• “Initial sign” is never used in reference to tongue speaking in reference to the Corinthians (or anywhere in Scripture). It is assumed.
• In the cases Pentecostalism says are Holy Spirit baptism (Ac. 2:4; 10:46; 19:6)—thus experiencing an “initial act” as opposed to a continuing “gift”—it cannot be proven these people did not continue to speak in tongues as a result of what they received.
One must assume this distinction and the only reason to is to support one’s presuppositions.

This makes the “GIFT” have MORE POWER THAN “BAPTISM”
“Baptism” connotes an “overwhelming,” but this position has the “gift” (12:4) imparting more power than the “baptism” (Ac. 1:8). Those with the “gift” would be able to continue to speak in tongues, whereas those “baptized” might speak in tongues only initially.
The fact is that those “baptized” with the Holy Spirit—the apostles—had all the “gifts.”
Baptized into the body of Christ
This “baptism” put them into the body of Christ - vv12,13,27.

But, according to Pentecostalism, a man is justified first, then receives Holy Spirit baptism in order to aid him to “sanctification.” This would have a man justified BEFORE HE WAS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. See Eph. 2:16, 5:23 for the essentiality of being in the “body” to be justified.

One baptism
When discussing the unity of the Spirit, Paul lists a number of things common to ALL believers, Eph. 4:4-7. How many baptisms are experienced by ALL believers?
If “all” believers should expect to experience Holy Spirit baptism, this makes TWO.
What baptism is commanded of ALL men? Mt. 28:19, Ac. 8:35-38, 10:47
IF Holy Spirit baptism to give “power for life and service” – it FAILED
Pentecostals erroneously make baptism in the Holy Spirit a “power for life and service.”
IF all the Corinthians received Holy Spirit baptism and if Holy Spirit baptism is a “second work of grace” to give “power for life and service” it seemed to FAIL in the Corinthians case! See ch 1-6, 2Co. ch 10-13.
The power imparted by Holy Spirit baptism was to equip the apostles to fulfill their mission. See lesson above on Holy Spirit baptism.
“By” or “in” one Spirit - instrumentality
“By (instrumentality; ASV = “in,” in connection with) the revelation of one Spirit we were all baptized into one body”
Read Ac. 18:8-11 - Their (the Corinthians) case.
How did they learn the necessity of baptism and what motivated them to submit to it?
Who had the Spirit at that time: the apostle...or the hearers? See Jn. 14:26; 16:13; 1Co. 2:2-4...12,13.

Compare:
• Mt. 28:19 - “go make disciples....baptizing them”
• Mk. 16:15,16 - “preach....baptism.”
• Ac. 2:41 - “those who had received his word...baptized”
• Ac. 8:12 - “preaching...being baptized”
• Ac. 8:35-36 - “preached...`What prevents..being baptized?’”
• Ac. 16:14-15 - “listening..to the things spoken by Paul....baptized”
• Ac. 16:32-33 - “spoke the word of the Lord...baptized”
• Ac. 18:8 - “when they heard...baptized” (Corinthians!)

In every case, what motivated and guided these people to be baptized?
One thing for sure: none of these people - including the Corinthians - would have been baptized were it not for the revelation of the Holy Spirit. NOR WOULD WE!

Note: A contractor is said to “build a house” though he never cuts a board or drives a nail. He is the motivating and guiding “cause.” Compare also Jn. 4:1-2. Likewise, can it not be said “by one Spirit we were baptized into one body” in view of the fact that it is the one gospel He revealed and confirmed that motivated and guided us to that act that brought us into the body of Christ?
This explanation is at least in harmony with the rest that the Spirit revealed about Holy Spirit baptism. Any interpretation MUST MEET THIS CRITERIA.
Thank God for that one Spirit, sent by the one God, who revealed the one faith concerning the one Lord, and guided us to the one baptism whereby we became part of the one body and enjoy the one hope. (Eph. 4:4-5). And is this not the main point in 1Co. 12...? The various gifts God gave those Christians were to be understood and used in view of the common bond that believers share, and not for selfish and divisive ends. So should it be today!

Quick Quiz
Choose all correct answers in the following.
1. “By one Spirit we were all baptized” (1Co. 12:13) means
a. Through the teaching and motivation of the Word of God revealed by the Spirit of God they were baptized into Christ
b. The Corinthians experienced Holy Spirit baptism and spoke in tongues
c. All Christians should seek Holy Spirit baptism
d. None of the above