Baptism in the Spirit (3)
A Sermon on John 1:26-33
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.
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.