Two Baptisms?

When we speak about baptism most of the time it refers to water baptism. The word baptism does not appear in the Old Testament in any form--baptism, baptizing, baptized, etc. However, concerning the Spirit we do have statements of God filling individuals (Exodus 28:3; 31:3; 35:31). There are figures of baptism used like Naaman dipping in Jordan seven times. The Old Testament teaches filling.

And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.

We also have some examples in the Old Testament of the Spirit coming upon individuals (1 Samuel 16:16; Ezekiel 11:5; Joel 2:28).

And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man (1 Samuel 10:6).

There's definitely the fact of God filling and having the Spirit come upon individuals in the Old Testament. God has, and will, pour out His Spirit upon men. Keep in mind the actual word baptism was not used in the Old Testament; although, the idea of baptism seams to be cloaked in the washing of the priests in the bronze Sea.

Thou shalt also make a laver [of] brass, and his foot [also of] brass, to wash [withal]: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD (Exodus 30:18-20).

According to most Biblical dictionaries it was 18' in diameter, 7 ½' tall, and held 12,000 gallons which was like a bath; the priests could literally bathe in it! When we come to the New Testament the word baptism, baptisma, meaning to wash, immerse, or submerge. Question, does God baptize, immerse, wash, or submerge individuals in the Spirit? Yes! (Matthew 3:10; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5).

The idea of two baptisms of the spirit--is there one or more baptisms of the Spirit? There is baptism of water and of Spirit would you agree? An example Acts 19:4-6.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

And also in the following (Matthew 3:10; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5).

The phrase came on in Acts 19:4-6 is understood this way. In Greek came means from one place to another. The word on, en, carries several meanings upon, on, in, and so on. This shows two distinct baptisms one of water and one of Spirit. There is also a third baptism which is of affliction. The Lord Jesus spoke of it in the following (Matthew 20:22; Mark 10:39; Luke 12:50).

And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized (Mark 10:39).

Back to the question of two baptisms. Is two baptisms, of the Spirit, two separate times, Biblical? The Scriptures for only one baptism are as follows (Matthew 3:10; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; Mark 16:16). We're told in 1 Corinthians 12:13.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

And in Ephesians 4:4-6.

[There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

In the Old Testament the Lord's Spirit came upon certain individuals at different times, as the example of Samson shows Judges 13:24,25.

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Then again later in Judges 14:5,6.

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson, and others, many times in their life. Men like Samson, Samuel, Saul, and David. This action, of the Lord having His Spirit come upon individuals in the Old Testament, is considered by many as something that was necessary for that time because the Spirit was not yet poured out. In other words, the individuals in the Old Testament only had the Spirit come upon them, and not dwell in them as we do.

It's clear we are baptized in the Spirit one time. And given the Holy Spirit one time. It's also clear that the Holy Spirit come upon believers in the New Testament more than once.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).

Peter and John were there at Pentecost and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). In Acts chapter four there is the confrontation of Peter and John with the Priests and Sadducees, after they left off speaking to them, Peter and John, already being filled with the Holy Spirit, are seen assembled with the others and God fills them again.

And being let go, they [Peter and John] went to their own company (v. 23b).

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).

After being filled with the Spirit in Acts 2:4 they were filled again later on. This seems to be one of maybe two examples in the New Testament, but none the less an example. It's therefore possible that believers can be filled with the Holy Spirit more than once possibly many times, but as far as the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit once is the Biblical doctrine.

Amen!

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