The Spirit baptism which every believer in Jesus experiences when Christ is received by faith is that same Spirit baptism which was promised.


For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." - Acts 1:5 (NIV)


The scripture speaking of being baptized "by" the Holy Spirit or "with" the Holy Spirit is referring to the same experience: Holy Spirit immersion into Christ.


Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society . Used by permission.

Raised fonts used in some passages used for emphasis. (For those who prefer scripture readings in other translations of the Holy Bible please refer to the original greek language for clarification.)

It is the one Spirit baptism which immerses all believers into Christ.


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. - Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)


You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST have clothed yourselves with Christ. - Galatians 3:26-27 (NIV)

Ephesians were Holy Spirit baptized into Christ when they received Him by faith. This was before the Holy Spirit came on them to fill them.


Acts 19:1-7 (NIV): While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were BAPTIZED INTO THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Samaritans were Holy Spirit baptized into Christ when they received Him by faith. This was before they received Holy Spirit filling.


Acts 8:14-17 (NIV): When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been BAPTIZED INTO THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

It is understood that the household of Cornelius was Holy Spirit baptized into Christ and received Holy Spirit filling when they received Him. Afterwards they were water baptized.


Acts 10:44-48 (NIV): While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.


Notice that they were to be "baptized IN the name of Jesus Christ" not "baptized INTO..." This is because water was the element of baptism which Peter was speaking in the authority of Jesus Christ to be performed.


Acts 11:15-18 (NIV): "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.' So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."


Just as when Peter preached the gospel to the Gentiles, it is to those whom God grants repentance unto eternal life that the gift of Holy Spirit baptism is given. It is witnessed that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is received at the initial repentance of those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Holy Spirit filling has given boldness to believers to testify of the word of God and of Jesus.


Acts 4:8-10 (NIV): Then Peter, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.


Acts 4:31 (NIV): After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Those in the Upper Room were filled with the Spirit when they were Holy Spirit baptized into Christ on Pentecost.


Acts 1:5 (NIV): For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.


Acts 2:1-4 (NIV): When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and FILLED the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

The Apostle Paul was Holy Spirit baptized into Christ when he received Jesus by faith on the road to Damascus. It was later that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit.


Acts 9:17-18 (NIV): Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be FILLED with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,


Although Paul could and did speak in tongues at a later time, note that there is no mention of Paul speaking in tongues here at this time nor prior.

Therefore, speaking in tongues is not always evidenced in Spirit baptism as seen in many passages of Scripture. Nor is tongue speaking always witnessed when Spirit filling is received as these verses demonstrate.

The initial evidence of Paul's receiving his first filling with the Holy Spirit was that his vision was healed.

All these Scriptures show the Biblical pattern for Spirit baptism and receiving Spirit filling which has not changed at all since the early days of the Apostles. The description of Holy Spirit baptism in the New Testament epistles matches the experiences viewed in the book of Acts.

The one Holy Spirit baptism is received upon acceptance of Christ. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit begins at that time. There has never been any exception to this.


Various times of being filled with the Holy Spirit are possible to occur during or after the receiving Christ as Savior. Spirit filling should be sought for and encouraged among believers.


The first time someone is filled with the Spirit is frequently referred to as having received the Holy Spirit. Care should be taken not to confuse the receiving of Holy Spirit filling as being the baptism of the Holy Spirit.


Although receiving Holy Spirit filling may be a separate experience subsequential to salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit has never been. The speaking in tongues is not necessarily the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit nor of Spirit filling.