Baptism in the Spirit (3)
A Sermon on John 1:26-33
Originally preached Nov. 29, 1964
Scripture
26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where …
Sermon Description
Consider regeneration, assurance, baptism, and revival in this troubled age and listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones engages them these as he addresses the second general principle of the baptism of the Spirit from John 1:26-33. In this sermon titled “Baptism in the Spirit (3),” he asks if this baptism is something that happens to the believer. Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls for a revival of the church that first starts with seeing one’s own need for personal revival, so that they may know the blessings of salvation and be effective witnesses in an age of trouble and confusion. “Anyone who is satisfied with the church as it is today seems to be blind to the New Testament,” says Dr. Lloyd-Jones as he focuses in on the experimental nature of this baptism through various examples from the New Testament. There is not immediacy for all who believe, but definiteness for those who “receive” the Spirit and this is a given element, never the result of human work. The listener is encouraged to trace the mysterious act of regeneration in the depths of one’s soul alongside the obvious outworking of the Spirit and consider how revivals and the authority of the Spirit are obvious to those on the outside. Listen closely as the glory of Christ is boldly proclaimed – a benefit added to those in Christ, for the sake of His name.
Sermon Breakdown
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The baptism of the Holy Spirit is something that happens to believers now. It is not something that happens automatically when someone becomes a Christian. There is a distinction between becoming a Christian and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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The baptism of the Holy Spirit is always something clear and unmistakable that can be recognized by the person receiving it and by others observing them. It is not a quiet or unsensational experience.
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The foreshadowings of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and the Gospels indicate it would be an obvious and manifest experience. The experiences of Elizabeth and Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit were not quiet or unobtrusive.
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The accounts of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts indicate it was a plain, clear, obvious, and evident experience. At Pentecost, the disciples spoke in tongues and people were amazed. The building shook when the disciples were filled again. Simon the sorcerer saw that people received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
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The baptism of the Holy Spirit is always associated with revival and is a clear and recognizable experience. People can tell if someone else has experienced revival or been filled with the Spirit.
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The experiences of John Wesley, Henry Venn, and Charles Simeon indicate the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a conscious, inner experience resulting in outward manifestations and expressions of joy. It is not appreciated or understood by those who have not experienced it.
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The baptism of the Holy Spirit is usually not received at the moment of first believing in Christ. It is reserved for those who have believed and maintained a close walk with God. Unbelievers cannot receive it.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Baptism with the Holy Spirit: Questions and Answers
What is the baptism with the Holy Spirit according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience separate from conversion or regeneration. He states clearly that it is "something that happens to us" after we become believers. He differentiates it from regeneration, which is "non-experimental" and unconscious, whereas the baptism with the Holy Spirit is conscious, experiential, and evident both to the recipient and to others. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, "The very essence of this is that it is conscious, that it's experimental, that it's obvious, that it's plain, that it's clear not only to the recipient, but also to those who are familiar with him."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones prove that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is different from regeneration?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several biblical proofs: 1. The case of Jesus himself, who did none of his ministry work until "he had been anointed with the Holy Ghost" at his baptism 2. Multiple instances in Acts where believers received the Holy Spirit after conversion 3. Paul's question in Acts 19 to the Ephesians: "Did you receive the Holy Ghost when you believed?" 4. Galatians 3:2,5 where Paul asks if they "received the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith" 5. The examples of the Samaritans in Acts 8 who believed but received the Spirit later through the apostles' ministry
Can believers control when they receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones firmly rejects the notion that we can control or manipulate receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit. He states: "I don't find a single instance of that in the New Testament. It seems to me to be entirely wrong teaching. So we mustn't say that we can receive the Spirit in this sense of baptism whenever we like." He emphasizes that it is Christ's sovereign action: "It is he who is the giver. It is he who is the baptizer. He does so in his own way. He does so in his own time." Lloyd-Jones criticizes mechanical approaches to receiving this baptism, saying "any mechanical notions that are introduced into this matter are, it seems to me, a contradiction of what is plain, obvious teaching."
What is the relationship between revival and the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "The difference between baptism of the Holy Spirit and a revival is simply one of the number of people affected." He defines revival as "a large number, a group of people being baptized by the Holy Ghost at the same time, or the Holy Ghost falling upon, coming upon a number of people assembled together." He states that "every revival of religion is but a repetition of Pentecost," and that revivals demonstrate the sovereignty of Christ, as "you cannot get a revival whenever you like. You cannot work up a revival."
How is the baptism with the Holy Spirit manifested according to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is always "something clear and unmistakable" - not quiet or unobtrusive. From biblical evidence in Acts, he notes that when people received the Spirit: 1. They spoke with boldness and authority 2. Sometimes they spoke in tongues 3. Their behavior was so transformed that onlookers were amazed 4. They exhibited great joy and power 5. It was obvious enough that others could observe it happening
He quotes examples from church history, including John Wesley's experience when "the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground," and describes how during revivals people would say of someone, "he's had the revival," because the change was so evident.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.