The Differences Between Holy Spirit Baptism and Great Commission Baptism (part #2)
Below is a continuation of last week’s article highlighting some of the differences between Holy Spirit baptism and the baptism of the great commission.
- HSB is not required for all believers, whereas GCB is required
Nowhere in scripture was anyone required to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, God simply did it to/for those for whom He wanted it. Jesus’ great commission, however, enjoins baptism on all who believe in Him. Peter is clear that being baptized saves us by the power of Jesus’ resurrection, 1st Peter 3:21. This agrees with Peter’s teaching in Acts 2:38 that sins are removed at baptism.
- HSB does not put one into Christ, but GCB does put one into Christ
The apostle Paul used the phrase “into Christ” to describe what GCB baptism did for the saints in Rome (Romans 6:3) and for the saints of Galatia (Galatians 3:27). There is no other teaching in the New Testament that expresses how we come to be in Christ. This is surely why Peter commanded Cornelius and his family to be baptized according to Jesus’ commission even after they had received Holy Spirit baptism, Acts 10:48.
- HSB is not necessary for salvation, but GCB is a condition of salvation
Jesus’ New Testament clearly teaches that GCB is in order to receive the remission of sin and receive the indwelling of God‘s Spirit, Acts 2:38, to come “into Christ”, Romans 6:3 & Galatians 3:27, to have “newness of life”, Romans 6:4, and in Peter’s words, to be saved, 1st Peter 3:21. None of these things are the result of HSB as it was for a completely different purpose as noted previously.
- HSB was not intended, nor was it understood to be the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5, whereas GCB is certainly suited to be such
HSB can only be shown to have occurred twice in the New Testament (Acts 2 & 10), and it fulfilled its purpose perfectly. GCB on the other hand, is seen being taught and practiced over and over in Acts, and is taught, described and explained in several other New Testament letters. When Jesus commissioned the apostles with its practice, He enjoined it “to the end of the age”, Matthew 28:18-20. Therefore, if there is only one baptism, GCB must certainly be it.
- HSB was done without water, while GCB is immersion in water
It is obvious from the recorded accounts of the apostles and Cornelius’ family receiving Holy Spirit baptism in Acts 2 & 10 that water was not involved. Water is specifically mentioned, however, with regard to GCB in Acts 8:36-39, 10:47 and 1st Peter 3:21 and is certainly alluded to in other passages such as Ephesians 5:26 and Hebrews 10:22.
For your personal study I offer a number of additional differences between the two
- HSB is a means to receive miraculous spiritual gifts, GCB is not
- Visible changes are evident at HSB but not with GCB
- HSB was only observed in the first century, while GCB has been taught and practiced ever since the first century
- HSB was prophesied and fulfilled and therefore ended, but GCB has never been rescinded or limited