Spirit Baptism and Scripture
A Sermon on John 1:26-33
Originally preached April 11, 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 is so important about the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Why does it matter for Christians whether it is a one-time event or not? In this sermon on John 1:16–33 titled “Spirit Baptism and Scripture,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the difficult issue of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He says that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not experienced by all believers, and ought to be distinguished from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Examples of what it means to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be seen in the apostles after Pentecost –– they went from being frightened to bold ambassadors for the gospel of Jesus Christ. While not all Christians receive this baptism, all who believe in the gospel are saved and can know the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Believing the gospel is of most importance. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that one can live and die without ever receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and enter the kingdom of God. Yet if one does not believe in the gospel, they will not be saved.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that it is distinct from and subsequent to regeneration.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones begins by examining Luke 11:13 and argues that the "asking" referred to implies importunity and earnest seeking, not a casual request. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that God does not always grant requests immediately, for various reasons.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones then examines Acts 2:38-39, arguing that the promise of the Spirit is conditional, not automatic. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the verse does not teach all Christians receive the baptism of the Spirit automatically.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones then examines 1 Corinthians 12:13, arguing that it refers to regeneration, not the baptism of the Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues the verse refers to the Spirit placing all believers into the body of Christ, not empowering them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues the baptism of the Spirit is done by Jesus, not the Spirit.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the purpose of the baptism of the Spirit is to empower believers to be witnesses, not simply to regenerate them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues 1 Corinthians 12:13 is referring to the common experience of regeneration that all Christians share, not a special endowment of power.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by asking if listeners know Christ's love, power and the meaning of His death. Dr. Lloyd-Jones implies these come through the baptism of the Spirit.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Teaching on the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
What is the biblical basis for understanding the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the biblical basis comes from several key passages, including John 1:26-33 where John the Baptist states, "I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you whom ye know not... The same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." This distinguishes between water baptism and the Spirit baptism that Christ would perform. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this baptism is evidenced throughout Acts and is what transformed the disciples after Pentecost, giving them power and understanding they previously lacked.
How does the baptism with the Holy Spirit differ from regeneration or becoming a Christian?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is distinct from regeneration. He points to examples in Acts where people believed and were baptized but had not yet received the Holy Spirit until the apostles laid hands on them. He states, "They were already regenerate, as the apostles themselves were before the day of Pentecost, but they had not been baptized with the Holy Ghost." This indicates that being born again does not automatically include the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret 1 Corinthians 12:13 in relation to the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
Lloyd-Jones argues that 1 Corinthians 12:13 ("For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body") does not refer to the baptism with the Holy Spirit as taught elsewhere in Scripture. He explains that this verse describes the Spirit placing believers into Christ's body at regeneration. He states: "It has no reference whatsoever to the doctrine of the baptism with the Spirit or the blessing which comes to those who have been baptized with the Spirit." He notes that in all references to the baptism with the Spirit, Christ is the baptizer, whereas in this verse, the Spirit is doing the baptizing into Christ's body.
What conditions does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify for receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that asking for the baptism requires more than a casual request. He points to Luke 11:9-13, highlighting the progression: "Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you." This indicates persistence and increasing urgency. He states, "In true asking, there is a kind of urgency. There is a refusal to be content with anything less than the answer." He cites examples of believers who sought this blessing for years with "importunity" before receiving it.
What is the purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
The main purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is to give believers power for witness and a deeper understanding of spiritual truth. Lloyd-Jones states: "The whole object...of the baptism with the Spirit is to give us such an assurance and to fill us with such power that we become living witnesses and testifiers to the truth as it is in Christ Jesus." He cites Jesus' words in Acts 1:8, "Tarry ye at Jerusalem, until ye shall have received power," explaining that this empowerment transforms believers into effective witnesses for Christ.
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.