What about Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

At the turn of the 20th century, Baptism in the Spirit was a hot topic – and more than that, it was a fiery experience. Hundreds of thousands would come into this experience and this stream of refreshing would spread around the globe. In the 60s and 70s the charismatic renewal brought a fresh emphasis on the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Mainstream Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians and Baptists came into the experience they once rejected. Fast-forward to just before the turn of the 20th century, baptism of the Spirit was still something that would be spoken of – at least in the circles that I was moving in. Yet –only 20 years into the new millennium, it seems as if we barely hear a peep on the topic. Has the Holy Spirit left the building?

The new millennium has fast-forwarded us into a melting-pot of subjectivity. Dogma has been replaced with dialogue, revelation submits to relativism, and theological boundaries have dissolved in the swirling cocktail of contemporary Christian ecumenicalism. Of course, this isn’t all bad. The church in the past has often been too polemical, too sectarian, and too divided over secondary issues. Yet we need to ask if perhaps we have thrown the bath out along with the baby and the bathwater?  

In other words, is there a connection between the lack of New Testament power in our churches and the lack of teaching and experience of the Holy Spirit?

Just now, I just want to throw the question out there. In order to help us think theologically, I’d like to share some quotes from significant church leaders from the past in order to get a snapshot of their views on the topic.

Here goes…

“You can be a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and still not be baptized with the Holy Spirit; that incident proves it twice over. The important point is that: There is a difference, or a distinction between believing and being baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Martyn Lloyd Jones

“The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit separate and distinct from His regenerating work. To be regenerated by the Holy Spirit is one thing, to be baptised With the Holy Spirit is something different, some thing further. This is evident from Acts i: 5. There Jesus said: "Ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.'' They were not then as yet "baptised with the Holy Ghost." But they were already regenerated. Jesus Himself had already pronounced them so.” R.A. Torrey

Other significant and historic church leaders could be quoted to further illustrate this issue. I’ve intentionally not quoted Pentecostal leaders to demonstrate that this is not just a Pentecostal perspective. Throughout history in various church contexts the recognition of the need for the Spirit’s empowering presence has been recognised amongst individuals who understand their lack and who can see the Biblical standard that calls us beyond the status quo of a nominal evangelical faith.