Holy Spirit Baptism
Baptism Comparison Logic Table
By Dr. John Wagner
This logic table was originally presented by a professor of mine at Central Bible College. The table compares three "baptisms" mentioned in the New Testament: water baptism, the baptism by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ at salvation, and the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the table is to show, graphically, that each baptism, because of the differences in clearly stated specifics, is a different and distinct event.
The items we will compare are:
- Who is doing the baptizing
- The element the baptizer is using to perform the baptism
- The physical evidence of the baptism having been completed
After the presentation of the table applicable passages of scripture are presented with a summary of observations.
 |
Salvation |
Water Baptism |
Holy Spirit Baptism |
Baptizer |
Holy Spirit 1 Cor 12:13 |
Pastor/Minister Acts 8:35-38 |
Jesus Christ John 1:32-34 |
Element |
Body of Christ 1 Cor 12:13 |
Water (H2O) Acts 8:35-38 |
Holy Spirit John 1:32-34 |
Evidence |
Changed Life 2 Cor 5:17 |
Getting Wet Acts 8:35-38 |
Speaking In Tongues Acts 2:4 |
Salvation
1 Corinthians 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."
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Observations:
At the moment of salvation the new believer is baptized "by" the Holy Spirit "into" the Body of Christ. The "evidence" of salvation is a changed life.
Water Baptism
Acts 8:35-38
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." KJV
Observations:
At water baptism the believer is baptized "by" a pastor, minister, or priest, "in" water. The "evidence" of water baptism is obviously, getting wet.
Holy Spirit Baptism
John 1:32-34
"Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
Acts 2:3-4
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Observations:
At the baptism in the Holy Spirit the believer is baptized "by" Jesus Christ "in" the Holy Spirit. The "evidence" of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, and Acts 19:6, is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
Summary:
When the specifics of the Scriptures are considered, it becomes obvious that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not the baptism which takes place at a person's salvation. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is as distinct and different an event in a believer's life as salvation and water baptism are. The distinctives of these three occurrances must be understood and clearly delineated and practiced.
