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By Hank Walker | Pastor at Peach City Fellowship

The baptism of the Holy Spirit represents a foundational work of God where believers are united with Christ and fellow believers at the moment of salvation. This spiritual baptism was prophesied by both John the Baptist (Mark 1:8) and Jesus himself (Acts 1:5). The fulfillment of this promise occurred dramatically on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), marking a pivotal moment when believers became permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit and establishing the beginning of the church.

The Apostle Paul provides the clearest teaching on Spirit baptism in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, emphasizing its universality among believers: “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.” This passage, along with Romans 6:1-4, reveals that Spirit baptism is not an exclusive experience for select believers—at some time separate or apart from the moment of regeneration—but rather an integral part of salvation itself, uniting believers with Christ’s death and resurrection. For those who argue in favor of a “second-blessing”—with the evidence of tongues or other miraculous signs—Paul gives a definitive correction to this biblical error: “ANYONE who does not have the Spirit of Christ DOES NOT belong to him” (Rom. 8:9). Do you see it? If you have not been baptized by the Holy Spirit, YOU ARE NOT SAVED AT ALL!

Several key points reinforce this understanding: First, the inclusive language in 1 Corinthians 12:13 confirms that all believers receive Spirit baptism. Second, Scripture never instructs believers to seek or pursue Spirit baptism or accompanying signs, suggesting it occurs automatically at salvation. Third, Ephesians 4:5 references “one baptism,” indicating Spirit baptism as a universal reality for all believers, parallel to the “one faith” and “one Father” mentioned in the same context.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit accomplishes two primary purposes: it incorporates believers into Christ’s body and actualizes their co-crucifixion with Christ (Gal. 2:20). This spiritual reality enables believers to live in newness of life (Romans 6:4), exercise their spiritual gifts for the church’s edification (1 Corinthians 12), maintain church unity (Ephesians 4:5), and experience victory over sin through their identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-10; Colossians 2:12).

Grace and peace, y’all. Soli Deo Gloria