What Does the Bible Say About Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit?

The Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist and Jesus all testified that Jesus’ disciples will be baptized in the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The purpose of the baptism of the Spirit is to be empowered to be a witness of Jesus. “Baptism” means to be washed clean, to be completely embraced, and to have a new beginning. Everyone who believes in Jesus and belongs to him has received the Holy Spirit, but those who are Spirit-baptized also receive the power of the Spirit in a very powerful way, often leading to a greater boldness in witnessing to Jesus, spiritual gifts of grace, and a closer relationship with God. The believer is also encouraged to continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Bible Verses

“²⁸“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. ²⁹Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” (Joe 2:28–29)

“¹⁶John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Lk 3:16)

“⁴And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; ⁵for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”” (Ac 1:4–5)

“⁴⁹And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”” (Lk 24:49)

“³⁹Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (Jn 7:39)

“⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (Ac 1:8)

“²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Ac 2:2–4)

“⁶And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.” (Ac 19:6)

“⁴⁴While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”” (Ac 10:44–47)

“³⁸And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”” (Ac 2:38–39)

“¹⁸And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” (Eph 5:18–19)

“³¹And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Ac 4:31)

Study Questions

1. What is God’s purpose with baptizing believers in the Holy Spirit?
2. How do you become baptized in the Spirit?
3. Do you have any experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit?
4. Do you always start speaking in tongues when you are baptized in the Spirit?
5. What does the baptism in the Holy Spirit mean for the Christian life?
6. Is there a difference between being baptized in the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit?
7. How does one go about being filled with the Holy Spirit on a regular basis?
8. Why is it called a “baptism” in the Holy Spirit?

Additional Bible Verses

Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, Isa 44:3, Ezek 36:25-26, John 1:33, Acts 8:15-17, Gal 3:2-5, 1 Cor 12:13, Acts 2:33