There is a difference in being “born of the Spirit” and “Baptized of the Spirit”.  At Salvation we are born of the Spirit.  We are Baptized into the death of Jesus, buried with Him in the likeness of His death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  Being justified freely through the Blood of Jesus Christ, we are freed from sin.  Sin has no more dominion over us. (Romans 6:1-23).

“⁴ And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father, which, said He, you have heard of Me. ⁵ For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5

The last commandment Jesus gave to His followers and disciples was that they be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8.

To be clear, Jesus did not suggest that His disciples be baptized with the Holy Spirit; He commanded them to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and they would receive power to witness.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴ 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

The Day of Pentecost portrays the Promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit, John 14:16-17) coming in a new dimension.  The baptism with the Holy Spirit comes after  Salvation.  This mighty Baptism is not a condition of Salvation but it is certainly a commandment of Jesus and is available for all Believers. Again, to receive power to witness, one must be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  That’s not this writers opinion but the Word of God (Acts 1:8).  The initial evidence of being Baptized with the Holy Spirit is always and without exception speaking with other tongues.

Below are 5 occasions in Scripture of Believers being Baptized with the Holy Spirit.  Three of these times the Scripture specifically states the Believer spoke with other tongues, while the other two speaking in tongues is heavily implied.

• Acts 2:1-4 we have already dealt with above as the Day of Pentecost ushered in a whole new dimension for the Disciples and followers of Christ to be “…filled with the Holy Ghost..” and they spoke with other tongues.  There is no where in the Scriptures telling us this outpouring of the Holy Spirit has ceased. God forbid NO!
• Acts 8:14-17 gives the occasion of Philip preaching a revival in Samaria and they Samarians “…received the Word of God,“, meaning many had been saved.  However, none were Baptized in the Holy Spirit.  Thus the reason for Peter and John to go and pray for them that they […might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)] If the Samaritans had been saved, baptized in the Name of Jesus and received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit at their initial Salvation, why then would Peter and John be praying for them to believe?

In Acts 8:20-21, Simon the Sorcerer offered Peter and John money to receive this power and Peter replied, “…your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. ²¹ You have neither part nor lot in this matter:…”.  In the Greek the word ‘matter’ is ‘logos’ which means word or speech.  Simon the Sorcerer had no part nor lot in this word/speech…in this utterance the Samarians were speaking. 

• Acts 9:1-17, the story of Saul (the Apostle Paul), who was saved on the road to Damascus and “…filled with the Holy Ghost.” three days later at the home of Ananias.  Later the Apostle Paul would write in 1 Corinthians 4:18, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all.“

• Acts 10:44-47, speaks of the conversion of Cornelius and his household when “…the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word.”  and they spoke with other tongues and magnified God.

• Acts 19:1-6, The Apostle Paul asked the Ephesian disciples “…Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?..”.  The Apostle then “…laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.“

Tongues and Interpretation are both Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) which which are given for the church.  However, praying in tongues as one’s personal prayer language, edifies the Believer (1 Corinthians 14:4) and is a sign to them who believe not (1 Corinthians 14:22).

“¹¹ For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. ¹² To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”  Isaiah 28:11-12

There is indeed a difference in being “born of the Spirit” and being “Baptized of the Spirit”.  There is a rest; a refreshing which edifies the Believer while praying in other tongues.  The Believer receives power to witness with the mighty Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not all may understand this commandment given by the Lord Jesus Christ, nonetheless it is for whosoever will believe.

For those of us who have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues, no one can convince us this power to witness and refreshing is not true, for we know differently.  If you are interested in learning more regarding the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I invite you to visit https://livinginthespirit.net/baptism-of-the-holy-spirit/.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren.