SPECIAL TOPIC: BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT

SPECIAL TOPIC: BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT

The first time this phrase is mentioned is in connection to the minnistry of John the Baptist (cf. Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). It is linked with "fire." Jesus' baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire, which denotes

a cleansing process
as well as an empowering process
an acceptance rite

The Messiah will inaugurate the New Age of the Spirit (i.e. "Pour out My Spirit on all mankind," cf. Joel 2:28-32). His baptism will be with (or "in" or "by") the Spirit (i.e. Pentecost, cf. Acts 1:5; 2:1-4).

There has been much discussion among denominations as to what event in the Christian experience this refers.

Some take it to refer to an empowering experience after salvation, a kind of second blessing.
Personally I think it refers to becoming a Christian (i.e. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body," cf. 1 Cor. 12:13; this is theologically parallel to "born of the Spirit" in John 3:5-6; see SPECIAL TOPIC: BORN AGAIN). I do not deny later and repeatable fillings and equippings [cf. Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; Eph. 5:18; see SPECIAL TOPIC: FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT and SPECIAL TOPIC: FILLED), but I believe there is only one initial spiritual baptism into Christ in which believers identify with Jesus' death and resurrection (cf. Rom. 6:3-4; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12).

This initiating work of the Spirit is delineated in John 16:8-11. In my understanding the works of the Holy Spirit are:

convicting of sin
revealing the truth about Christ
leading to acceptance of the gospel
baptizing into Christ
convicting the believer of continuing sin
forming Christlikeness in the believer

It seems to me that the phrase is used of two things.

the beginning of the Spirit-empowered church (Acts 1:5)
the initial slavation of believers, who are empowered for ministry (1 Cor. 12:13)