Cessationism: Episode 9, the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptized in the Spirit?

Our next Episode in the cessationism series.

Additional Episodes:

• Episode 1, the Perfect.
• Episode 2, the apostles.
• Episode 3, prophecy.
• Episode 4, the closed canon.
• Episode 5, extra biblical reasons.
• Episode 6, only the apostles had all truth.
• Episode 7, there were only limited periods of miracles.
• Episode 8, tongues.
• Episode 9, the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Episode 10, does God speak only through the Scriptures?
• Episode 11, what about impressions?
• Episode 12, what is discernment? 
• Episode 13, the sufficiency of Scripture.
• Episode 14, Was the purpose of miracles restricted to the authentication of the apostles?
• Episode 15, Is revival excluded because of apostasy?
• Episode 16, is prophecy subjective?
• Episode 17, Could only the apostles confer miraculous powers or gifts?
• Episode 18, are charismatics functional cessationists?

Our criteria for the cessationism debate is that the argument must

1. be from the Bible
2. Not appeal to contemporary expressions of charismata
3. Not appeal to silence
4. Not appeal to events or practices of history

That is, any defense of cessationism must be Sola Scriptura.
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Introduction

A cessationist is a Christian who believes that the "supernatural" gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy, tongues, words of knowledge, as well as signs and wonders, did not continue after the death of the last apostle. This is contrasted with a charismatic, or perhaps, a continuationist, who is a Christian who believes the Bible's descriptions of the "supernatural" gifts of the Spirit apply to today's church and should be embraced.

Cessationists also believe that the supernatural existed largely or solely to validate the apostle's ministries, so that their teaching, eventually contained in the NT, would be attested to. With the completed canon of the Bible, there would be no longer a need for these supernatural validations, and thus these things ceased. The reason, they say, is that since signs and wonders had the sole purpose of validating the ministries of the apostles, they are no longer needed because the apostles are gone and we have the completed Bible.

From this they conclude that the Bible is the complete and final revelation of God, and thus He speaks only through the Scriptures today.

Part of the reason they make this claim is if they can restrict the supernatural only to the apostles' ministry, they can invalidate the idea that the supernatural persists to present day.

This series will examine these and other claims.

The Controversial Holy Spirit

There are many things the Holy Spirit does, but we will restrict today's discussion to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer and how that comes about, including any subsequent experiences.

It is unfortunate indeed that the Holy Spirit has become such a controversial part of the Trinity. We have observed the acrimony between believers, as accusations of grieving the Holy Spirit, heresy, and malicious intent are cast about by cessationists and charismatics alike.

Unfortunately, there are excesses in the Church. Charismatics too often get kooky in their activities, while many cessationists deny any expression as being of the flesh or the demonic, thus throwing out the baby with the bath water.

It is therefore our hope to achieve a measure of clarity regarding this issue.

Our first stop is Pentecost.

Pentecost

Pentecost, with the inaugural outpouring of the Spirit, was a unique historical event, told to us in Acts chapter 2. Peter's speech is recorded here, in which he explained the odd manifestations they experienced and a large crowd witnessed.

Peter appealed to Joel chapter 2 as evidence that this was a move of God. Acts 2:17-21:

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

These manifestations had never been seen before. There was no template, no precedent for what happened here. He poured out this which you now see and hear. (Ac. 2:33) "Now." This "pouring out" is brand new, something that hadn't happened before. It was happening right before their eyes.

We would do well to not reject a move of God simply because we have not seen it before. 

Pentecost marked the fulfillment of a promise made by God that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21, Rom. 10:13) It also marked the beginning of a New Covenant, a new era identified as the Last Days. 

This is a period of time persisting to present day.

We are still in the Last Days. Therefore, we yet await more manifestations of wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below. We all should be expecting what Joel says as a result of the poured out Spirit, for "all people" means "all people," both at the moment of Pentecost 2000 years ago as well as every succeeding generation of Christians. 

These promised supernatural manifestations, like dreams, visions, and prophecy, should be widespread in the church. The poured out Spirit is upon all people. Each generation, each born again believer, will personally experience Pentecost.

Our thesis would be that Every Christian receives this baptism of the Holy Spirit, once. This is the event of salvation.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Charismatics and many cessationists alike believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many cessationists, though reluctant at times to discuss it, believe this occurs at the moment of salvation, while many charismatics believe it is an event subsequent to salvation which should be sought out.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a semantics problem that makes the divide between the two camps even wider.

Charismatics believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a "second blessing," but they in fact are describing something else. The second blessing is actually being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). The charismatic use of this language to describe their beliefs is impeding understanding.

We believe that receiving new life is a work of the Holy Spirit at salvation, so we shall refer to this one-time event as the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" in agreement with the cessationist perspective. All believers receive the Holy Spirit at this time. It's the regenerative act, the moment we are born again (Jn. 3:5, 1Pe. 1:23). Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there is no baptism. Without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, there is no salvation.

We read in Ac. 19:2-5:

"'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They answered, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' 3 So Paul asked, 'Then what baptism did you receive?' 'John’s baptism,' they replied. 4 Paul said, 'John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.' 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus."

Take careful note of the profound connection Paul makes. He asks them if they received the Holy Spirit, and they say "no." He then asks them, "Then what BAPTISM did you receive?" He equates the Holy Spirit with baptism! Note also how Paul views John the Baptist's water baptism as inadequate. Paul believed and taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was critical to be saved. 

Paul also describes the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1Co. 12:13: 

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." 

There is the one baptism... One Lord, one faith, one baptism, and, one Spirit. Our baptism is a baptism into the Body. It's the event of salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. A primary part of salvation is made up of dying and living again, the picture of baptism. We must first die in order to be reborn. The old man, the sin nature, is put to death at the cross, Ph. 3:10: 

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...

We died at the cross and received new life because of the resurrection. Col. 3:3:

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

We put on the new man with this baptism. Ga. 3:27:

...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Thus we conclude that this new life is the result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is the moment when we are born again. Lk. 3:16:

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

1Co. 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free...

Filled With the Spirit

This baptism of the Holy Spirit made us alive in Christ, but it does not automatically mean the fullness of the Holy Spirit is received, or subsequently retained, at salvation. We believe Scripture is very clear that each Christian can appropriate an increasing measure/quantity/influence/fullness of the Holy Spirit, and that Scripture clearly commands us to seek more of Him.

We find the biblical admonition to seek and have more of the Holy Spirit, which we would not describe as being baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is actually being "filled with the Holy Spirit (Ac. 4:31, Ac. 13:9, Ep. 3:19, Ep. 5:18)." This is the actual second blessing (or even third or more), the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to the already-saved believer. 

Let's start with the testimony of Jesus. Lk. 11:13:

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Jesus is clear, we are to persistently ask/seek/knock to receive more of the good gift of the Holy Spirit. 

We find evidence all over the NT that more Holy Spirit is available. For example, Ac. 4:31:

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

This was a prayer meeting that included Peter and John (Ac. 4:23). They were all Christians who had certainly received the Holy Spirit by virtue of their salvation. Yet here the Bible specifically says they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They had the Holy Spirit before, but yet they were filled (again).

Another example, Ac. 6:3:

Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

It is interesting that the Twelve had a requirement that among the brothers (i.e., saved men), those chosen must be full of the Holy Spirit, which implies that other brothers among them might not be.

Ac. 9:17:

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord — Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here  — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Here we see that Ananais' ministry to Paul included him being filled with the Holy Spirit. The text isn't entirely clear, but it seems that Paul was actually saved during his encounter on the road to Damascus. So this event is subsequent to Paul's salvation. And Luke records that once Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, scales fell off his eyes, and then he was baptized.

Interestingly, when we read Ac. 13:9, a few chapters later, we find that Paul was again filled with the Holy Spirit:

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said...

This means there were times when even Paul was not always filled with the Holy Spirit.

Now Ac. 13:52:

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Same thing with the disciples. There apparently were times when the Holy Spirit filled them more than other times.

And finally, Ep. 5:18:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Here's a plain statement from Paul. How can this be interpreted any other way than a command to have more of the Holy Spirit? We conclude that being filled with the Holy Spirit is something subsequent to salvation, indeed, often needing repeating.

We also would suggest from the biblical record that being filled with the Holy Spirit does not mean supernatural displays are required, though they can happen. Therefore, there is no requirement to speak in Tongues to be filled (or baptized) with the Spirit. In fact, Paul tells us the opposite by asking a series of rhetorical questions with the implied answer being "no:"

1Co. 12:30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

See our discussion of tongues in Episode 8, Tongues.

The "Amount" of Holy Spirit Can Vary

This might be an imprecise way of describing the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. Perhaps it is better described as how much we allow the Holy Spirit to work, or how much we have yielded to the Holy Spirit, or even the manner in which God circumstantially apportions the Holy Spirit.

Regardless, certainly the degree or quantity or our yieldedness can change. There are things that diminish His influence and power in us. We have an active part in this. For example, the Holy Spirit can be

• Grieved. Ep. 4:30:

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

• Quenched. 1Th. 5:19:

Do not put out the Spirit’s fire...

• Resisted. Ac. 7:51

You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

• Insulted. He. 10:29: 

How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

• Ignored. He. 2:3-4: 

...how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

• Tested: Ac. 5:9 

Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

• Rejected: 1Th. 4:8 

Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

 There is no limit to the "amount" of the Holy Spirit we can have:

Jn. 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

It seems clear that the individual believer ought to seek more of the Holy Spirit. In fact, as we mentioned before, Jesus commanded this:

Lk. 11:11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

This is a direct command to ask, seek, and knock, for more of the Holy Spirit.

"Slain in the Spirit"

We would not claim that every (or even any) experience is from or because of God, whether it be prophecy, Tongues, healing, trembling/shaking, impressions, or something known as "slain in the Spirit." We would suggest that this uncertainty is part of the reason cessationists reject these things. Cessationists seem to have a pronounced desire to know things for certain. In addition, the excesses of some charismatics justifiably leads cessationists to question these manifestations.

Therefore, we are going to discuss "slain in the Spirit" not to affirm that every, or even any, instance claimed as being from God is true. Rather, our intent is to establish the idea that such occurrences are not outside the bounds of Scripture.

As we noted above, the event of Pentecost was unprecedented. While this does not give us license to deem any and every unusual occurrence as being of God, it does suggest that we ought to be a bit more circumspect about rejecting something out of hand simply because we haven't seen it before, or because such an occurrence might not have Scriptural precedent. Certainly the events of Pentecost had no Scriptural precedent.

Trembling or falling down in the presence of the Glory of the LORD is scriptural.

• Old Testament examples

Ge. 15:12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.

Ez. 1:26-28 ...and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Ez. 3:23 So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the LORD was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell face down.

Ez. 43:3-4 The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell face down. 4 The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east.

Ez. 44:4 Then the man brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling the temple of the LORD, and I fell face down.

Da. 8:17-18 As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” 18 While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.

Da. 10:8-9 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

Ex. 3:4-6 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Jo. 5:13-14 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

Is. 41:4-5 Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD — with the first of them and with the last — I am he.” 5 The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble.

Ge. 17:1-3 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3 Abram fell face down...

Habk. 3:16 I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.

Is. 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

Je. 5:22 Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence?"

• New Testament Examples

Re. 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

Mt. 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified.

Mk. 5:33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.

Lk. 5:8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

Ac. 10:10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

Ac. 16:29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

Ac. 22:17-18 When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking.

Again, we do not advocate for these or any other manifestations, we simply acknowledge their possibility because there is a scriptural basis for them.

Conclusion

It makes one wonder if we've lost something with our staid, somber church services done in the name of "reverence," which simply means sitting in a church pew with our hands on our laps as though we were at a funeral.

This is a cultural expression of church, not a biblical one. Unfortunately, it is the template we use to force things into an explanation when we don't understand something and need to it dismiss it. Our doctrines can be this way as well. They become a template to force things into, whether those things actually fit or not. Frequently we rely on what we're told without investigating for ourselves. Thus our doctrines become confirmation bias.

It is by independent study we have obtained our perspective as presented in our cessationism series (links at the top). We do not find it by reading authors we agree with, or listening to our favorite preacher, or by going to church.

Along with the Bereans we search out the Scriptures for ourselves.