here is as much confusion and disagreement on the subject of Holy Spirit baptism (also called “Holy Ghost baptism”), as there is on the subject of water baptism. Many sincere people believe that—either as a part of the salvation experience or subsequent to it—they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. But what does the Bible teach? May anyone living today rightly expect a baptism with the Holy Spirit, whether during or following the salvation experience?

ohn the Baptist made the initial promise (see Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:4-8, Luke 3:1-17 and John 1:28-33). Notice that in only two of these passages is John the Baptist recorded as saying anything about anyone being baptized by fire (Matthew 3:10-12; Luke 3:7-17). Both passages mention his using fire as figurative of condemnation before and after his reference to a baptism in fire. Therefore, baptism in the Holy Spirit and baptism in fire are not to be understood as one experience, but as two. Some of those whom John addressed would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and others of them would be baptized in fire. The context of John’s sermon shows that the impenitent would be baptized in fire (see also Matt. 18:8-9; 25:41).

esus, on the day of His ascension, repeated this promise to the apostles, telling them it would be fulfilled, “not many days hence” (Acts 1:1-9). At some point during the next ten days, Matthias was chosen to replace Judas, who “by transgression fell” (see Acts 1:15-26). The selection of Matthias brought the number of the apostles back to twelve. “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” (Acts 2:1-2).

his was not “a rushing mighty wind,” but “a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind.” That’s what it sounded like! This sound “filled all the house where they were sitting.” Thus, they were baptized in, or overwhelmed by this sound.

ince they were told they would be baptized “not many days hence” with the Holy Spirit, and they were baptized “not many days hence” in “a sound from heaven,” the “sound from heaven” must have been an audible, miraculous manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

nd 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 2:3-4).

hese were not cloven (divided) tongues of fire, but “cloven tongues like as of fire.” That’s what they looked like! Jesus had told the apostles that they would receive power after the Holy Ghost came upon them (Acts 1:8). Among other things, they would be able to “speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17-20). Therefore, the “cloven tongues [that] sat upon each of them” were miraculous, visible evidence that they had received the power Jesus had promised them.

t is sometimes argued that all 120 disciples of Acts 1:15 were baptized in the Holy Spirit. But consider the following facts. (1) Those who were baptized in the Holy Spirit spoke with other tongues (Acts 2:2-4). (2) Those who spoke in tongues were accused of being “full of new wine,” or drunk (Acts 2:12-13). (3) Peter defended only himself and the other apostles against this charge (Acts 2:14-15). Therefore, (1) only the apostles were accused of being “full of new wine,” (2) only the apostles were speaking in tongues, and (3) only the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

hen they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42).

nd fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43).

nd with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33).

hese and other passages clearly show that the apostles possessed unique powers—“the signs of an apostle” (2 Cor. 12:12). Among other things, they had “all truth” revealed to them by the Holy Spirit (see John 16:12-13), and they could lay their hands on other individuals and impart miraculous power to them (see Acts 8:14-19; 19:1-6; 2 Timothy 1:6). Indeed, there is no record of anyone other than the apostles performing miracles until Acts 6:8, where we read, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” When and how did he obtain this power? While we are not told, in so many words, He must have received it when the apostles laid their hands on him and six others, to set them apart for the work of ministering unto the Grecian widows who had been neglected in the daily care (see Acts 6:1-6).

hilip, one of the other six, could heal the sick and cast out demons after having apostolic hands laid on him (see Acts 8:5-13). But Philip could not pass on this power to others. Peter and John were sent to Samaria for this purpose (Acts 8:14-19).

he only other incident in the New Testament even similar to the one in Acts 2:1-4 is the falling of the Holy Spirit upon Gentiles in the home of Cornelius. While what happened there was similar to what happened on Pentecost, it does not seem to be an identical event. For example, there is no suggestion that “a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind” filled the house on this occasion. Nor is it suggested that, “there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

he apostles never promised such an experience to anyone else! When Paul later referred back to the preaching John the Baptist, he omitted the promise of Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 13:25). It was clearly given to the apostles only!

hus, even if what happened in the home of Cornelius were a second baptism in the Holy Spirit, it was not in fulfillment of any promise! And Peter still commanded them to be baptized in water (Acts 10:47-48), which is the only thing they were told to do (see Acts 10:1-6). The command to be baptized in water must have been the words whereby Cornelius and his house would be saved (see Acts 11:13-14).

hus, their reception of the Holy Spirit was neither a salvation experience nor a post-salvation experience. It was clearly a pre-salvation experience to teach the apostles that Gentiles did not have to become Jewish converts, by submitting to physical circumcision, before obeying the gospel (see Acts 11:17,18).

hus, Holy Spirit baptism was never promised to anyone but the apostles. Therefore, it is not promised to anyone living today. But water baptism is commanded to everyone living today, for “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). &