Seeking Baptism in the Spirit (1)
A Sermon on John 1:26-33
Originally preached May 9, 1965
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
What does it mean to thirst after righteousness? Does one achieve righteousness on their own or does God help them? In this sermon titled “Seeking Baptism in the Spirit (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from John 1:26–33 to tell of the free gift of God: His Spirit. When the Christian repents of their sins and trusts in Christ, they instantly qualify to share in the inheritance of the saints. Christ has accomplished this good for His people. What then must the Christian do once they are saved? Dr. Lloyd-Jones helpfully explains that they should seek to please God. If the Christian loves God, they will seek to please Him by obeying Him. The Christian’s righteousness is not achieved by them, but by the Spirit’s work. They are not to grieve the Spirit by persisting in something if they feel conviction regarding it. Additionally, God’s children are not to quench the Spirit by not following the general direction God is giving their lives. God is willing to bestow Himself upon anyone who asks, and this is truly the greatest gift in the universe. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that the Christian must let God know the desires of their heart. If the desires are right and God is sought in them, He will graciously give all things.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on the baptism of the Holy Spirit based on John 1:26 and 33. Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes this is an urgent matter for Christians today.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that Christians today do not match the New Testament pattern of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Revivals in church history were a result of the Spirit being poured out.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones says Christians should seek to be baptized in the Holy Spirit based on Luke 11:13 and the pattern of the early church.
- In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit often fell upon people suddenly. The apostles could also impart the Spirit through the laying on of hands. The conversion of Paul shows even non-apostles could do this at times. However, this gift seems mainly limited to apostles and those with a special commission.
- Throughout church history, the Holy Spirit has usually fallen upon people suddenly rather than through the laying on of hands. There are some exceptions, but people should be very careful about claiming the ability to impart the Spirit through laying on of hands.
- The word “receive” is often misinterpreted as implying people can actively take the baptism of the Holy Spirit by faith whenever they want. However, in the New Testament, people were passive recipients of the Spirit, not active takers. The Spirit is given by God, not taken by people.
- Teachings that imply people can mechanically take the Spirit, e.g. by breathing in deeply, are unbiblical and dangerous. The baptism of the Spirit is given by God's sovereign will, not human activity.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by asking if people have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by a deep love for God, intimacy with God, and unspeakable joy in Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Teaching on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Questions and Answers
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience from conversion or regeneration. He describes it as a powerful endowment that enables Christians to witness effectively and experience a deeper relationship with God. In his sermon, he states: "The early church turned the world upside down as the result of this baptism, and without it we shall avail nothing." This baptism is characterized by a special outpouring of God's power upon believers, similar to what happened at Pentecost, and is given by Christ himself.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is urgent for today's church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones considers this topic "the most urgent matter that should be on the minds of all Christian people at this present hour" because of the desperate state of the church. He observes that despite being highly organized and busy with activities, literature, campaigns, and publicity methods, the church's position continues to deteriorate. He states: "There is nothing that is going to meet this situation except a mighty revival of religion, a great outpouring of the spirit of God," noting that "the church has been kept alive by a series of great revivals" throughout history.
Were all the early Christians baptized with the Holy Spirit?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses this question by explaining that while not every early Christian was necessarily baptized with the Holy Spirit, it appears that the majority were. He states: "It seems to me that the vast majority of the early Christians had received the baptism with the Holy Ghost." This explains why the apostles, when writing their letters, could assume this was the norm. He explains that the New Testament Church began with the powerful outpouring at Pentecost, creating a church where this experience was common, unlike today's church situation.
How is the baptism of the Holy Spirit received according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is passive, not active. He strongly disagrees with the teaching that one can "take it by faith" whenever desired. He explains: "You and I, my friends, can do nothing about receiving this gift, nothing at all. It is the prerogative of the Lord and it is in his sovereign will." The normal pattern in Scripture and church history is that "the spirit fell upon them" rather than people actively taking the Spirit. He states, "When this happens, it's unmistakable and a man knows that it's happened."
What are the evidences of having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several evidences of having received this baptism: - The love of God being "shed abroad in your heart" - Knowing how to cry "Abba, Father" with assurance - Having the Spirit directly and immediately bear witness with your spirit that you are a child of God - Rejoicing in Christ "with a joy unspeakable and full of glory" - A transformation evident to others, as seen in the household of Cornelius where "there was evidence" of their baptism
Should Christians seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones firmly believes that Christians should seek this baptism. He states: "Of course you should seek it." He bases this on several arguments: 1. We should desire to attain the normal Christian life described in Scripture 2. We shouldn't be content with less than what the New Testament portrays as the standard 3. Luke 11:13 encourages asking for the Holy Spirit 4. The promises of the Spirit are "to you and to your children and to as many as are afar off" 5. Nothing in Scripture limits this experience to the early church only
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish between true and counterfeit spiritual experiences?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges the danger of counterfeits, noting that evil spirits or psychological factors can produce experiences that seem similar to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He warns against methods that rely on psychology or suggestion, such as "breathing in the Spirit" or mechanical approaches to receiving the baptism. He emphasizes that genuine baptism with the Holy Spirit is unmistakable, produces clear evidence in the believer's life, and comes by God's sovereign will rather than human techniques. The true experience transforms a believer and makes them more effective witnesses for Christ.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the laying on of hands to receive the Spirit?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that the New Testament shows the apostles had the ability to transmit the baptism of the Holy Spirit through laying on of hands. He also notes the case of Ananias (who was not an apostle) laying hands on Paul. However, he observes that in church history since then, most revivals and individual experiences of the Spirit's baptism occurred without the laying on of hands—the Spirit simply fell on people. He cautions: "No man should venture to lay his hands upon another unless he has received a definite and a special commission to do so," especially given the psychological dangers and power of suggestion.
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.