Understanding the Baptism of the Holy Spirit According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

What is the primary difference between John's baptism and Jesus' baptism according to John 1:26-33?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on John 1:26-33, the fundamental difference is that "whereas John baptized with water, our Lord would baptize with the Holy Ghost." This distinction is crucial to understanding the unique ministry of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist himself made this clear when he said, "I baptized with water, but there standeth one among you whom ye know not" and "The same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." This baptism with the Holy Spirit is what makes Christ's ministry superior and transformative.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is different from regeneration?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones clearly teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from regeneration based on several scriptural reasons. He states, "a man can be a Christian without having received this baptism of the spirit. We do not identify it with regeneration." He further elaborates that this baptism is "something additional" to salvation - it's an experience that many Christians have not had, despite being truly regenerated believers. He points to examples in scripture where people were clearly Christians before experiencing this baptism, and to the Corinthian church where people had experienced this baptism yet still had moral issues, showing it's not primarily about sanctification.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

The primary purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is "to enable us to be witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ and to his great salvation." He emphasizes this repeatedly, stating that "the primary purpose and function of the baptism with the spirit is to enable us to be witnesses." He cites Luke 24 and Acts 1:8 where Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the promised Holy Spirit who would give them power to be witnesses. Lloyd-Jones explains that this baptism makes us "powerful witnesses" by giving us an assurance and authority that transforms our testimony from merely being "advocates" (presenting good arguments) to being true "witnesses" who speak with certainty and conviction.

What are the subjective experiences that accompany the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to the sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the subjective experiences that accompany the baptism of the Holy Spirit include:

1. "A sense of the glory of God, an unusual sense of the presence of God" - making real what was previously only believed by faith
2. "A sense of awe" - being overwhelmed by God's presence and glory
3. "A sense of being humble" - feeling one's unworthiness in contrast to God's holiness
4. "An assurance of the love of God to us in Jesus Christ" - which Lloyd-Jones calls "the greatest and most essential characteristic"
5. The highest form of assurance - not deduced from Scripture but directly given by the Spirit's witness to our spirit

He cites examples from Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Charles Edwards, D.L. Moody, George Whitefield, and others who experienced these profound subjective realities that went beyond ordinary Christian experience.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the three types of Christian assurance?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines three types of Christian assurance:

1. The lowest form: Assurance by deduction from Scripture - where you believe you're saved because you believe what the Bible says about salvation. "If you believe the scriptures, you've got to believe them. And they say that because you believe, you're not condemned, you're saved."

2. The second form: Assurance by evidence in your life - as described in 1 John, where you can know you're saved because you love the brethren, find God's commandments not grievous, etc. These are tests you can apply to yourself.

3. The highest form: Direct assurance from the Holy Spirit Himself - "not anything that we do. It is not any deduction that we draw. It is an assurance that is given to us by the blessed Spirit himself." This refers to Romans 8:16, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." This creates an absolute certainty that God loves you personally.

Lloyd-Jones illustrates this third type with Thomas Goodwin's story of a father walking with his son - the son knows he's loved, but when the father suddenly picks him up, embraces and kisses him, this extraordinary demonstration represents the Spirit's direct witness.