BAPTISM AND FULLNESS:

SPIRIT BAPTISM AND FULLNESS:

UNDERSTANDING THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

by Venerable Dr. I. U. Ibeme: http://priscaquila.t35.com

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PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre

The Church has always agreed that the believer at conversion is regenerated and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. However at various ages of the Church the further walk of the believer with the Holy Spirit has been understood in different terms and to varying extents by different groups of Christians. Some had thought the further work of the Holy Spirit should be called perfection, others say it should be sanctification, others Spirit baptism, others Spirit fullness, others still Spirit infilling or Spirit release. Some think it is only for moral growth, others say it is only for manifestation of power. While some think this further work of the Spirit is a continuous work of grace initiated at conversion, others insist it is a second work of grace distinct from conversion grace. Some of these views could be quite difficult to maintain if we are to follow the plain teachings of the Scriptures.

It is better to study the Scriptures rather than the views. Does our fellowship with the Holy Spirit have an INITIATION (Beginning) and a MATURATION (Completion)? If so, to which does each of these belong: New birth, Regeneration, Perfection, Spirit Indwelling, Spirit Baptism/Sealing, and Spirit fullness/infilling/filling? The Scriptures teach that having been saved believers are still being saved (2Cor. 1:10); having been translated (Col. 1:13) believers still need to be transformed (Rom. 12:2); having been born anew believers still need to be mature; having died to sin (Col. 3:3) they still need to mortify sin (Col. 3:5). Note that the initiation experience is past, once, permanent and of same STATUS for all believers (1Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:9; Eph 4:4-7; 1 John 2:27a) but must lead to the maturation experience which is refreshingly continuous, progressive and of variable STATURE, depending on our walk with God (Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; Eph 4:11-16). Baptism means covenant-bond initiation into union with Christ by the Spirit’s presence. To Be Filled means to be replete to overflowing with the Spirit’s power.

In the Scriptures Spirit Fullness is common to both the Old and New Covenants.

O.T. Saints were convicted through the Word, committed to the Law Covenant, believed in God, but were not indwelled by the Holy Spirit, so they were FILLED for Spiritual Gifts, operating from their outside) Exd. 28:3; 31:3; 35:31, 35; Deut. 34:9; Micah 3:8; Luke 1:15,41,67; 2:40; 4:1; 1Sam. 10:6,10; 19:23; 2Sam. 23:2; 2Chron. 15:1; Ezek. 11:5; Notice Num. 11:26-29; also Samson in Jdg. 14:6; and Saul in 1Sam 19:20-24.

N.T. Saints are convicted through the Word, commit to the Gospel Covenant, believe in Christ, and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, so we are FILLED for Spiritual Gifts and Fruit, operating from our inside) Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; 6:3,5,8; 7:55; 9:17; 10:44-46; 11:24; 13:9,52; 15:14; 2Cor. 7:4; Eph. 3:19; 5:18-20; Phil. 1:11; Col. 1:9.

On the other hand, Spirit Baptism is a promise peculiar to the New Covenant alone. (FOR THE SPIRIT’S PERMANENT INDWELLING AND SURE SEAL) Joel 2:28; Ezek. 36:25-27; Jer. 31:31-34; Matt. 3:11,12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; John 14:16-18; Acts 1:4,5; 2:1-3, 17-18, 33, 37-39; 11:15-17; 1Cor. 12:13; Eph 1:13-14; 1John 3:9.

What shall we say then?

(1.) Holy Spirit Baptism (i.e. RESIDENT PRESENCE by His Person) concerns the NEWBIRTH John 3:3, 5; Regeneration Tit 3:5; Separation 1Cor. 6:11; Indwelling for INITIATION into Christ Rom 8:9; Conversion Acts 2:38-39; Union with Christ 1Cor. 12:13; Adoption authority John 1:12; Anointing within 1John 2:20, 27; and Sealing Eph. 1:13. These are works of the Spirit peculiar to the New Covenant.

On the other hand:

(2.) Holy Spirit Fullness (i.e. REPLETE PRESIDENCY by His Power) concerns the NEWLIFE Gal 2:20; Perfection Eph. 4:13; Sanctification 1Thes. 4:7, 8; Life-surge for INVIGORATION John 4:14; 7:38; Consecration Gal 5:24, 25; Communion with Christ Rom 8:16; Manifestation of power (in OT and NT) Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; (Note Jdg. 14:6: 1Sam. 19:20-24); and Leading Rom. 8:14.

To be sure, what is commonly called ‘Baptism of the Spirit’ today, when believers manifest the Spirit’s power, fits better with what the Scriptures call ‘Fullness of the Spirit’ both in OT and NT. At Spirit baptism Christ used the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to regenerate/INITIATE us into His own Body (1Cor 12:13) and seal us for redemption (Eph 1:13-14). In the subsequent fullness of the Spirit, He moves us by His power-surge to INVIGORATE us to serve God and demonstrate our union with Christ. The seed is planted at Spirit baptism but the fruit is born through being filled. At Spirit Baptism the believer gets all of the Holy Spirit; but during the Spirit Fullness the Holy Spirit gets all of the believer. Spirit Baptism binds us to Christ; Spirit Fullness builds us up in Christ. Today when the Spirit comes/falls on us, we receive Him for Baptism and/or Fullness.

The Scriptures remind all true believers that they have been baptised/sealed/indwelled with the Spirit into Christ (Rom 8:9-11; 1Cor. 3:16; 12:13; Eph. 1:13). On the basis of this, believers are warned not to grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:30) but are expected to be LED by the Spirit (Rom 8:14; Gal 5:16-18) and urged to BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Eph. 5:18-20). So every believer must always be led and necessarily be filled.

How could those indwelled be continually filled?

(1.) By thirsting earnestly for the fire and fullness of the Holy Spirit, 1Cor 12:31; Eph 5:18; Php 3:10-14; 2Tim 1:6;

(2.) Through praying for one’s self, Acts 4:29-31; Luke 11:13;

(3.) Through imbibing the Word of God, Col 3:16;

(4.) Through being prayed for, Col. 1:9-12; Eph. 3:14-19; 1Tim 4:14;

(5.) By yielding to the move of the Holy Spirit in us, Acts 2:4; 4:8; Mark 13:11; 2Pet 1:21.

How does one know he/she is filled?

(1.) Manifestation of the Gifts, Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 13:9-11; Col. 1:9;

(2.) Demonstration of the Fruit, Acts 13:52; Col. 1:10;

(3.) Experience of the Power, Acts 4:31; Col. 1:11.

(4.) Conformity to the Word, 1John 2:27; 3:24.

Always, BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Afresh, More and More. (Eph 5:18)

COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF SPIRIT BAPTISM AND FULLNESS

In this tabular study, we shall compare and contrast the meaning and effect of Spirit Baptism versus Spirit Fullness. It is hoped that such comparison would widen our understanding and enable us take fuller advantage of the grace of God through the work of the Holy Sprit.

SPIRIT BAPTISM (I Cor. 12:13)	SPIRIT FULLNESS (Eph. 5:18)
1. Become ONE WITH CHRIST (Rom 8:9)	1. Become MORE LIKE CHRIST (Eph. 3:16-19)
2. JOINED IN UNION with Christ (Eph. 1:13-14)	2. ENJOY COMMUNION in Christ (Eph. 1:15-21).
3. Initiation INTO Christ (Gal. 3:27)	3. Invigoration IN Christ (Phil. 1:9-11)
4. Once for all at Conversion or Newbirth Eph. 4:5)	4. Repeated on and on after conversion (Acts 4:8,31)
5. Associated with Regeneration or Newbirth (John 3:3-6)	5. Associated with Sanctification or New life (Rom 8:12-14)
6. Beginning/Commencement of Relationship with God (Acts 2:2-3)	6. Blooming/Continuation of experience of God’s Power (Acts 2:4)
7. New spiritual STATUS (Col. 1:13)	7. Growing spiritual STATURE (Eph. 4:13)
8. Requires faith in Christ as Saviour (Gal. 3:2)	8. Requires surrender to the Spirit as Helper (Rom. 12:1)
9. Equal and same for all Believers at all times (I Cor. 12:13)	9. Different and variable in person and situation (Acts 4:8; 7:55)
10. INDWELLED by the Spirit (Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 3:16)	10. PROPELLED by the Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21)
11. Sealed unto Eternal life (Eph. 4:30)	11. Controlled to lead the New life (Gal. 5:22ff).
12. Cleansing from sin (Acts 15:8-9)	12. Strengthening above/against sin (Col. 1:9-14)

Last Updated July 31, 2009

By Venerable Dr I. U. Ibeme

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PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre