WHAT IS THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?

WHAT IS THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?

He gives the Holy Spirit? Miraculous powers today as speaking in tongues or healing of disease?
1. Introduction. *Currently there are many Christian churches whose leaders claim to be able to speak in tongues and miraculous healings to power by receiving the Holy Spirit. They believe that every believer consecrated to God asking you with enough faith can receive the Holy Spirit's miraculous powers that we cited earlier.
I think many people have seen on television or in person at any of these churches, scenes in which the meeting participants reach certain states of consciousness similar to those of people in trance or ecstasy, where they can get to take varied postures, as lie down, and express loudly, varied emotions.
This usually happens after the call, the leader, pastor or evangelist, the congregation, and often these leaders promise to his faithful, if they have true faith, experience the healing of their diseases or miraculous power that will have order, such as speaking in tongues. These supernatural powers supposedly are taught by preachers by laying their hands on the heads of the church members who want it.
The imposition of hands on the head of the believer is the biblical formula or process used by the apostles of Christ to impart the Holy Spirit to believers of the early Christian church of the first century (Acts 8:17: "Then they laid their hands and received the Holy Spirit. ").
Keep in mind that this happened when the church was not yet consolidated, did not have any Scripture that we have today, was in its infancy, and had not spent much time on the day of Pentecost that "... were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "(Acts 2:4).
In the following, we will try to clarify whether the Bible supports the miraculous powers, which were given by the Holy Spirit to a pole-Christian believers, are still given by the Holy Spirit, and therefore susceptible of every believer, that meets certain conditions, can get them, and even, to impart, turn to other Christians who sincerely wish.
2. What is The Holy Spirit?
Although this article does not deal specifically with the Holy Spirit, but of his work, we believe that, at least, we turn to Him, to explain, briefly and with brevity, we understand that God has revealed in His Word, which is in the Bible.
First, we should talk about who the Holy Spirit and not of what is, for the Bible reveals him as a person: the third person of the Trinity.
According to the Bible is one with the Father and the Son, is of the same essence and substance, therefore God.
In the following text of Matthew 28:19, we find three different people who make up the Godhead, in complete unity. Notice that Jesus does not say "baptizing them in the name", but in the name, in the singular, even though three people. There is only one God who has revealed himself as three distinct persons. It has, therefore, the same attributes of God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is the power or energy of God, is a personality that has a mind, an intellect and a will. Then we will just to present some New Testament texts that reveal what man could ever have imagined, for in its finitude and limitation, can not encompass the infinity of the Creator.

 Matthew 28:19.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
2 Cor. 13:14

 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen "
The Holy Spirit is not a force or influence but a person that has all the features that define it as such and attributes of God:
- The Holy Spirit has a will and a mind.
"It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things." (Acts 15:28)
- The Holy Spirit teaches

 "12 because the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say." (Luke 12:12)
- The Holy Spirit speaks:
Acts 8:29 "And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go up and join this chariot."
- The Holy Spirit prohibits

 Hec. 16:6: "6 gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia;"
- The Holy Spirit intercedes in our prayers and help us in our weakness.
Romans 8:26
"26 In the same way the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses as what we should pray for as we do not know, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words."
- The Holy Spirit can be grieved.
Ephesians 4:30:
"30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
- One can sin against the Holy Spirit

 Matthew 12:31
"31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
- You can lie to the Holy Spirit.

 Acts 5:3-4
"3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and of the price of the land? 4 Whiles, did it not remain your own? and sold, was it not in your power? Why have you conceived this thing in thine heart? You have not lied to men but to God. "
The Holy Spirit as God is beyond human comprehension. God has revealed himself in his Word, and only asks us to believe, not that we try to understand everything.
3. Was the Holy Spirit given to the faithful people of Israel before the day of Pentecost quoted in the book of Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:4)? What was his work?We refer to the period covered by the Old Testament, from the beginning of the creation story in Genesis 1, and the New Testament, including the latter, only the portion of time in which the events took place of the four gospels. We will try, therefore, the action of the Holy Spirit through the Old Testament until the day of Pentecost following the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
In the Old Testament, God had established the Day of Pentecost, in which the faithful of Israel had to offer, the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, symbol and figure of what would become the first harvest of believers who were in the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost said.
Pentecost means fiftieth, ie seven weeks plus one day (fifty days), counted from the beginning of the second day of the feast of unleavened bread, until the feast of the weeks became known as Pentecost. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasted seven days, beginning the day after the celebration of Passover (Leviticus 23: 4-16).
In the Jewish calendar, Passover, commemorating the miraculous deliverance of the people of Egypt by God, and in which they sacrificed a lamb, figure and symbol of Jesus Christ, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world", held the fourteenth day of the first month of the year, called Nisan.
Jesus Christ died on the cross, a Friday, the fourteenth of Nisan when the Jewish people celebrate the Passover, possibly, in the thirtieth year of our era. The next day (Saturday, 15 Nisan) began the celebration of the week of Unleavened Bread. The day that Jesus was resurrected, then on Sunday 16th of Nisan, in which the Jewish people gave the priest a sheaf as first of the first fruits of the harvest (Leviticus 23:9-11). Well, fifty days after the Sunday of the resurrection of Jesus, that is, about ten days after his ascension to heaven, came the Pentecost event narrated in Acts 2:3, 4. This marked the beginning of the Christian church, and from that moment the Holy Spirit has been available to all who believe and obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
The question that heads this section comes up the existing statement in the Gospel of John, chapter 7, verses 38 and 39:
John 7: 38, 39:
"38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 This said the Spirit, which they receive that believed in him had not yet come for the Holy Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. "
The Holy Scriptures tell us of the constant action of the Holy Spirit from the beginning of this world until the day of Pentecost following the death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. Therefore, we need to understand, in that sense had not come yet the Holy Spirit in the days of the life of Jesus Christ (see also John 14:16, 17, 26, 15:26, 16:7, 13.).

 The Holy Spirit before the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:3-4
First we see the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, and secondly his work during the earthly life of Jesus to his ascension in Acts 1:9.
In the Old Testament.
The activity of the Holy Spirit is manifested through the entire Old Testament and throughout the earthly life of Christ. In the beginning of creation and find the Holy Spirit in action: Genesis 1:1: "... the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.".
All Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). The apostle Peter clearly states: "For prophecy never came by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21). Then it is proved that the action of all the true prophets and the entire Old Testament is the Holy Spirit. Later, years after Pentecost Day, the New Testament writers were led into all truth, and reminded of all the things of the life and work of Jesus through inspiration of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
If we take a quick look at the Old Testament, starting from the book of Exodus, we see that the Holy Spirit inspired some faithful of Israel, so that they were able to build the tabernacle and all the vessels of worship. Bezaleel was one of them, of whom God said, "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, in knowledge and all art, ..." (Read Exodus 31:1-11; 35:31 ).
As we move through the Old Testament, we find many performances of the Holy Spirit. We will cite some examples, by no means exhaustive: The seventy elders chosen by Moses at God's command: "... and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease." (Numbers 11:16, 25, 26, 29). The case of Balaam, the prophet of God who apostatized and wanted to sell Israel's enemies to harm the people of God (Numbers 24:2: "... and the Spirit of God came upon him."
The Holy Spirit also performed at the time of the Judges. Wine on the judges, Othniel (Judges 3:9,10: "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel ..."). The victory in the battles of the people of Israel was due to the action of the Holy Spirit. We could go on listing the Holy Spirit, on, Gideon (Judges 6:34), Jephthah (Judges 11:29), Samson (Judges 13:24, 25, 14:6, 15:14), Saul (1 Samuel 10:6, 10, 16:14, 19:23, 24), David (1 Samuel 16:13), messengers of Saul (1 Samuel 19:20), etc., etc.

 The Holy Spirit in the earthly life of Jesus
The first work of the Holy Spirit that begins with the New Testament is fundamental, and is described in Matthew 1:18: "The birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found conceived of the Holy Spirit. "(See also Matthew 1:20).
When Jesus began his ministry the Holy Spirit descended upon him "like a dove" (Matthew 3:16, John 1:32, see also Matthew 4:1: ".. was led by the Spirit into the wilderness ..").
In Luke 1:15 we are told that John the Baptist would be "filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." Also the mother of John the Baptist, Elizabeth "was filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:41) when he heard the salutation of Mary. Similarly, "his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:67), and the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon (Luke 2:25-27).
We conclude that the Holy Spirit has been acting since the beginning of the world, inspiring holy men of God and prophets, training their people to do the work of the Tabernacle, giving miraculous powers of healing, as Elijah and Elisha, interpretation of dreams like Joseph, son of Jacob in Egypt, the prophet Daniel, etc. Likewise, the Holy Spirit spoke clearly throughout the earthly life of Jesus, from his birth to his death and resurrection. John the Baptist and his parents were filled with the Holy Spirit, and also was with the disciples of Jesus, as well as Jesus himself says in John 14:17:
John 14:16,17
"16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Counselor to be with you forever-17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can not receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; He dwells with you and will be in you. "
However, as we saw in John 7:39: "... there was even the Holy Ghost," and in the previous verse John 14:17, the Holy Spirit was still a promise, "will be in you" , although dwelt with them. The other texts of the Gospel of John relapse also something still future, for example, Jesus insists "if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you ..." (John 16:7; Read also John 15:26, 16 13.). Even after his resurrection and before his ascension, Jesus again reiterated his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4
"4 And being assembled together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days. "
So study next baptism of the Holy Spirit of the promise of the Father and of Jesus Christ himself, and that there are differences with the Spirit's work before the day of Pentecost.
4. Where the Bible speaks of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire?.The first time the Bible refers to baptize with the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of Matthew. John the Baptist speaks of baptism in the Spirit as something still future, and would be carried out only by Christ. He states that only baptized with water unto repentance. As we shall see throughout this study, John the Baptist is referring to the next meeting of the Old Testament prophecy found in the book of the prophet Joel 2:28, where God gives the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a way generous special and never before have given.
We will return to the prophecy of Joel 2:28. Now we prefer to start at the beginning of the New Testament, which we know contains the fulfillment of the promises of the Old. Come, then, to read all the texts where this concept first, and also the versions that give the other Gospels:
Matthew 3:11-12
"11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear is mightier than I, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 Whose fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. "
Luke 3:12-17

 "13 He said to them: Collect no more than you are ordered. 14 soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And we, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no one, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages.
15 As the people were in expectation, and all in their hearts John, whether he were the Christ, 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water, but One mightier than I, who am not worthy to untie his shoes he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 Whose fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. "
John 1:31-34 (See also Mark 1:8)
"31 And I knew him not: but that he might be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water said unto me, Upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 34 I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. "
From these texts we learn that:
There is a baptism in the Holy Spirit, not according to John the Baptist manage because only baptized with water unto repentance.The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a future action or event over time that John the Baptist lived, because during his life he was taught or managed.The only one who has the authority and power to impart is Jesus Christ. Later see that no one is baptized with the Holy Spirit during the earthly life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.

4. There is also a baptism of fire, applied by Jesus, associated or attached, apparently, with the baptism in the Holy Spirit, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but not necessarily simultaneous, as the Gospels of Mark and John, they only mention of baptism with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8), which is what interests us in this study.We therefore believe that the baptism of fire is not part of baptism of the Spirit, but they are two different baptisms, and opposite, therefore not compatible, if you receive one, you can not receive the other. Why do we think this? Because fire is usually a symbol of destruction, not salvation. Furthermore, the context, the phrase of John the Baptist, "... He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (3:11 up.), Refers to the use that will fire. Consider this context:
John the Baptist is preaching a baptism of repentance to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus, and come to listen crowd of people, among whom are many of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:7), and to them, especially , as leaders and representatives of the Jewish people, risk prevents them running but changed their behavior, repenting and giving fruits of righteousness. History shows that the rejection of most of the Jewish leaders to Jesus as the Messiah, hardening their hearts, was the cause of the punishment that came in 70 AD, by the army of the Roman general Titus, who laid siege to Jerusalem, destroying it and causing the dispersion of the few Jews who survived this terrible destruction.
Matthew 3:10-12
"10 And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
"11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear is mightier than I, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 Whose fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. "
In general, the Jewish nation, not bear good fruit, was cut off and thrown into the fire, figuratively, with the punishment he suffered in 70, which applies, of course, not only to Jews but to all Gentiles. Moreover, John the Baptist, in verse 12, clearly distinguishes between the destiny that will have the wheat with the chaff to be burned by fire by the fan.
We therefore believe that the baptism in fire, symbolizing the punishment that the wicked will suffer, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit is only given to those who obey the call of God, and accept the gospel of salvation.
5. What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Whenever possible, let the Bible speak for itself, to interpret itself, to prevail not our preconceptions about what it clearly states. Consider the following texts:
Acts 1:1-5

 "1 The former treatise, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen; 3 To whom also, having suffered himself alive with many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days. "
Let's focus on verses 4 and 5. In them, Luke reports that Jesus commanded expressly his disciples together in Jerusalem, wait for the promise of the Father because they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days.
What do we learn in addition to what we already knew, that there was a baptism in the Holy Spirit?
First, just read that there is a promise of the Father which is directly related to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the disciples were to receive not many days. Although it seems abundantly clear that the promise of the Father, has to do with the sending of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, will bring some texts in which Jesus refers to it, gives more details, and explains the fundamental condition for This event took place.
In Luke 24:49, Jesus himself says: "Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." From here we find that the promise Father would be sent by Jesus on the disciples, and also receive power from on high, that is, God. It's something that was still in the future, as the apostles had not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit of the promise of the Father.
The following text is Jesus' promise that he would send the Comforter, or the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. When would this happen? Jesus gives the answer clearly: When he leaves, shortly after his ascension and be glorified.John 16: 7, 13
"7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth to your advantage that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send him. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth: for he will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears, and he will show you things to come.
John 7: 38, 39:
"38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 This said the Spirit, which they receive that believed in him had not yet come for the Holy Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. "
John 15:26:
"26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. "
From these texts we conclude, first, that the fulfillment of the promise of the Father and decision to send in the future, the Holy Spirit, Jesus falls to carry it out. Secondly, he clarifies the necessary condition for the Father's promise can be fulfilled: "... for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send him." (John 16: 7). Until Jesus was not glorified in heaven (John 7:39) does not fulfill the promise of the Father.
However, John 20:19-23, relates that the disciples were gathered together, "the doors being shut," Jesus stood among them, and after showing them his hands and his side "said to them again, Peace be unto you . As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. (22) "And having said this he breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit. (23) If you forgive the sins, they are forgiven, and who shall retain, they are retained. "
With a superficial reading, and taking these texts in isolation, without relating them to other verses that refer to the two cases that were treated also by Jesus at different times, may seem or give the impression that there is any contradiction between them regarding at the time of receipt of the Holy Spirit through the apostles (verse 22). Or, on the other hand, to induce us to believe an erroneous doctrine, as it is clear from verse 23, which seems, at first glance, that Jesus gave to his disciples, authority or power to forgive sins to other believers , a power that belongs only to God (See Acts 8:22, 1 Kings 8:39; 46-50, Psalms 32:5, 65:3, 79:9, 103:3, Isaiah 55:7, Matthew 6: 14, 15, 9:2, 9:6, Mark 6:10, Luke 5:21, 7:49, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 2:13, 3:13, Jas. 5:15, 1 John 1 : 9, 2:1, 2:12, etc..).
Although in this study we are not dealing with the issue of forgiveness, we decided to temporarily divert the focus of this study to make a brief comment on the text of John 20:23, because based on this text and also in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18 : 18, the Roman Catholic Church claims the power to forgive sins. Come, then, to explain concisely purpose that priests of the Roman Catholic Church can not forgive sins, nor, of course, no human being. Jesus never gave this power to his disciples. As we have seen, in previous texts, this power belongs only to God who knows the true intentions of the human heart. The sacrament of confession that the said church practices and teaches its faithful not biblical. The forgiveness of sins, that if Bible, refers to what Christ achieved on the cross dying for us (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 9:26-28, 10:12, 14, Romans 3:22-26; etc.).
The atoning sacrifice of Jesus and his death on the cross, made possible the forgiveness of sins is, what is also known as justification. To receive forgiveness of sins, ie be justified before God by the merits of Christ, human beings, are called by God, through the gospel of grace and salvation. When we hear that call, we believe by faith, repent, and confess with our mouth that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37), and decided to obey the gospel and demonstrate our faith by being baptized by immersion, received the forgiveness of sins and salvation are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Now we can understand that the role of Jesus' disciples, evangelists, pastors and teachers, forgive sins was not the way of the Roman church, but their mission is to proclaim the good news of salvation, as stated in Matthew 28: 19, 20: "19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. "Therefore, the way the believer receives forgiveness of sins is not to fulfill the sacrament of confession, but by Serle preached the gospel, repent, obey and be baptized in the name of Jesus (Luke 24:47:" and be preached repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ") Does this have anything to do with the confession of sins to a priest and subsequent implementation of a penance? Not at all. We preach forgiveness of sins to the world because Christ did it, and we get when we accept that he died for our sins (Acts 10:43).
Done this brief interlude, we return to the issue at hand in John 20:22: "(22)" And having said this, he breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit. ". Here, as we see from the context, Jesus had not yet gone to the Father (John 20:17), which means that had not yet been glorified, and thus was pending that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, as we check the words that Jesus himself said, and that includes Luke 24:49: "Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high . ". Maybe this time that Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles was the same in which he spoke the words of John 20:22. To explain this apparent contradiction we only think of two possibilities. The first, in our view unlikely, that Jesus imparted to his disciples, then, a foretaste of the Holy Spirit was not involved because the partial empowerment by the Holy Spirit, which would, in fulfillment of the promise the Father, when they were gathered in Jerusalem. Hence the order that Jesus gives in Luke 24:49: "... tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.".
The second interpretation is that the promise that they would receive the Holy Spirit when, after the ascension of Jesus, meet in Jerusalem, is repeated in imperative form: "Receive the Holy Spirit", not that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon them in that time, but were ordered together waiting to welcome him in Jerusalem. In any case, the promise of the Father to send the Holy Spirit to the early church met on the day of Pentecost.
As we have seen, after Jesus was resurrected and before his ascension, in one of the last times of the forty days he spent talking to the disciples about the kingdom of God, do get instructions to "wait for the promise of the Father , which, saith he, ye have heard of me "(Acts 1:3, 4).
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, announced by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), confirmed by Jesus (Acts 1:5) is the fulfillment of the promise of the Father, which would take place, personally by His Son, Jesus, from the sky, a few days after his ascension, which is consistent with all the texts seen here.
Acts 1:5
"5 For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days."
Fulfilling the promise of the Father is done with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost after Jesus' ascension into heaven. This is the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
On the day of Pentecost is a spill or special coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles first: "(3) and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "(Acts 2:3-4).
The apostle Peter makes it clear that this promise of the Father, was already prophesied in the Old Testament, in the book of the prophet Joel, chapter 2, verse 28 onwards, and is fulfilled in that day, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Consider the testimony of Peter in his first speech in Acts 2:16-18
Acts 2: 16-18
"16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 'In the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days. "
Summary
The promise of the Father, foretold by the prophet Joel in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28), reiterated by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11) and Jesus (John 16:7,13, Acts 1:5) is finally fulfilled, when the glorified Christ sends the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost following his glorious ascension into heaven, in a special way that has never before been produced as a unique event in the history of the world, and from there the whole church receives the benefits of Christ's gift of the Holy Spirit, not a baptism in the Spirit but as seal and guarantee of salvation in their lives (Ephesians 1:13, 14).
6. What impact or benefits obtained the Christian church by baptism in the Holy Spirit that it did not exist before?First of all, to know that had implications for the church of Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, that is, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, of two thousand years, it is necessary, first, find out the purpose, scope and distinctive meaning of this unique event in the history of the world, to the action of the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.
Second, we must distinguish between the gift of the Holy Spirit and the miraculous powers that the Holy Spirit gives according to his will he wants. And thirdly, we find that the primitive church of Christ, which existed while the apostles lived, received miraculous powers of healing, tongues, etc., Which ceased to exist in the successive generations until today, and expose the reasons why today and not lavished on the Church of Christ the miraculous powers above.
Purpose, scope and distinctive meaning of Baptism in the Spirit
Previously we have seen the texts indicate, without doubt, that the baptism with the Holy Spirit was a unique event that can not be fulfilled until the day of Pentecost after Christ's ascension to heaven, and was given, sent and delivered by Jesus Christ Himself in fulfillment of the promise of the Father (Acts 2:3, 4, 16, 17, 33). Here we only quote verse 32 and 33 to confirm that it was Jesus himself who poured the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:32,33
"32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. "
This unique outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost, by "... cloven tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them "(Acts 2:3), was intended, by God, to reveal and manifest visibly, that the Holy Spirit, from that moment and in compliance with the promise foretold in Joel 2:28, and later reiterated by John the Baptist and Christ, would be fully available to all human beings, that henceforth decide to accept by faith God's call through the gospel of his Son, repent , and baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38, 39

 "38 Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call. "
It is clear, therefore, that the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit was not only for the early church but for all believers to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and so says the apostle Peter in previous texts. This does not mean that baptism in the Spirit, the outpouring that was two thousand years ago, to be repeated every Christian to today, nor is repeated sacrifice of Christ on the cross made once for all (Hebrews 9:12 , 25,26).
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marked the inauguration and establishment of the Christian church. The miraculous powers that Jesus promised the apostles (Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit upon you ..."), along with the gift of the Holy Spirit was the signal that the early church authenticated as the true church thereafter, and united in one body by the Spirit in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). From that moment, the Tabernacle Temple happened to be stopped institution ordained by God, and became the church, beginning the dispensation of the Spirit.
What differentiated the Holy Spirit before Pentecost with that after this day?
In section three, we saw it was the Holy Spirit before Pentecost. A certain faithful and leaders of Israel chosen by God the Holy Spirit was given in order to accomplish a special mission according to his will, and to carry out the plan of God for the salvation of mankind. We conclude, therefore, that the Holy Spirit was given on a small number of people with a special purpose. However, after the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is available to "all flesh" (Acts 2:17, 38, 39), ie for all true Christian.
The apostle Peter teaches us how to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: "... Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38). Paul is telling us this doctrine completing two necessary conditions for us to experience more in us the promise fulfilled at Pentecost: "In him [Christ] ye also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. "(Ephesians 1:13, read also Romans 8:9).
The other difference, of the Holy Spirit before Pentecost with that of after the event occurred on that day, is characterized by the form of the Spirit to dwell in people. Previously, the Holy Spirit also inspired, guided and shepherded the people of God, gave miraculous powers of the faithful, but not a permanent abode in them a seal of guarantee or advance salvation and the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven won by Christ for us (Ephesians 1:14).
The following Old Testament texts corroborate that in the future the Holy Spirit would be placed by God in the faithful across the board, ie dwell in them permanently, as it would be available to all through faith in the coming Messiah.
Ezekiel 36: 26-28
"26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and keep My judgments and do them. 28 live in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. "
Ezekiel 37: 14
"14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land and you shall know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord."
Ezekiel 39: 29
"29 Neither will I hide my face from them over for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord."
We believe that this outpouring of the Spirit came first and only time on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two above. The promise of the Spirit, contained in Joel 2:28 is a reiteration and concrete confirmation of the claims of the text we just read. All the Old Testament focuses on the Messiah and the New Covenant in Christ with the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit, that God will change the hearts and bring laws in it (see Jeremiah 31:31-33), and these laws are summarized a: the law of love.
Distinction between the gift of the Holy Spirit and the miraculous powers granted by the Holy Spirit.
In the early Christian church that appears in the New Testament, in order to be consolidated, were to spread more quickly, and confirm its authenticity, it came from God, the Holy Spirit gave gifts or miraculous powers to its members, noted for their spectacular, the gift of speaking in foreign languages ​​unknown to the receivers, and the gift of healing and complete snapshot of any disease or disability, like the miracles Jesus healing those born blind, lame, paralytics, lepers, etc..
We must therefore distinguish between the gift of the Holy Spirit, with all faithful Christians are sealed (Ephesians 1:13: "... you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit"), which is the Holy Spirit himself , as well as the apostle Peter says in Acts 2:38: "... and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit", see also verse 39), and the miraculous powers gave the Holy Spirit according to His will.
Indeed, the promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, comprised two distinct actions. The first and foremost was that Christ being glorified, sent on his apostles, the Holy Spirit of the promise of the Father, as we saw earlier. The second action, which was to give them power, depended on the Holy Spirit, as it was for taking those miraculous powers as speaking in foreign languages, and to heal all kinds of diseases. Now, in the following text, as the Word of God distinguishes between the power of the Holy Spirit and the gift of the Holy Spirit Himself.
Acts 1:8
"8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. "
That is, Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit was followed by another that was that the Holy Spirit would give them power. These miraculous powers became apparent, not only the day of Pentecost in which the apostles were able to communicate in the language, possibly, of Jews who came from other nations as quoted Acts 2:9: "Parthians and Medes and Elamites ... ", but soon after, in Chapter 3 of the Acts of the Apostles tells of the healing of a lame (Acts 3:7-9:" (9) And all the people saw him walking and praise God. ").
Later we found that the miraculous powers given by the Holy Spirit to the apostles on the day of Pentecost, were transmitted by the apostles to other Christian faithful, by imposing their hands upon them. An example of this that we say we have in Acts 6:5-6. Well, on the occasion of the appointment of seven deacons, one of them named Philip, who, also, the apostles laid their hands, I found out later preaching the gospel in Samaria (Acts 8:5) and doing great miracles of healing as described Acts 8:7: "For many who had unclean spirits went out with a loud voice, and many paralytics and cripples were healed"
There is evidence in the Word of God, we suggest that only the apostles of Jesus were able to transmit the power, once received at Pentecost, other true Christians. Philip, who was preaching the gospel in Samaria with great miraculous signs and wonders, and even got Simon the magician believed and was baptized because "seeing signs and great miracles taking place, he was stunned." (Acts 8: 13), was not able to convey these miraculous powers of anyone who baptized in Samaria.
It was necessary that the apostles in Jerusalem to Samaria sent Peter and John (Acts 8:14-19) so that new Christians recibiesen not the gift of the Holy Spirit, which had probably been to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus, but the power of the Holy Spirit. First read the texts cited to see what we base our claim that the Word of God refers here, not the gift of the Holy Spirit every Christian gets to be baptized as a seal of salvation (see Acts 2:38, 39, Ephesians 1 : 13) but, rather, the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-19
"14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John: 15 Who, when they come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit. "
We have seen, in Acts 2:38, 39 and Ephesians 1:13, that the requirements for receiving the Holy Spirit are hear and believe the good news of salvation, repent, confess our faith in Jesus (Acts 8:37) and baptism in water in his name. Therefore, if new Christians of Samaria had been baptized by Philip, and had the Holy Spirit of promise, a seal and guarantee of salvation, the only thing they lacked was the power of the Holy Spirit, that only the apostles of Jesus, with the imposition of hands and prayer, were trained by God to transmit. This power was also claiming Simon: "Give me also this power .." (Acts 8:19). It is therefore evident in this context, that what is transmitted through the apostles to Christians of Samaria, is the power of the Holy Spirit, in the same way that it had obtained before Philip (Acts 6:5,6 )
Let's see some examples below in which also the power of the Holy Spirit is given through the laying on of hands of an apostle of Jesus Christ:
In this case it was a few believers in Ephesus who had received only the baptism of John, and that on that occasion are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, "And when Paul had laid his hands, came upon them the Holy Spirit, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. "(Acts 19:6).
These are the gifts or powers that the Holy Spirit gives as he wants, sometimes, through the apostles, and sometimes directly, but always and only on members of the early church of the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 12 :8-11). As the church grew and consolidated, when the New Testament was completed, it was no longer necessary as the prodigious work of the Holy Spirit. Since no one but the apostles could communicate the power of the Holy Spirit, when the last apostle died term is also possible to transmit these powers of the Holy Spirit more Christians.
This is evident when Paul himself was no longer able to heal Timothy of a simple stomach ailment (1 Timothy 5:23), and heal himself (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
In the following we see that the apostles really had the power of the Holy Spirit, by which healed or spoke in tongues when the situation required.
Acts 28:8
"8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery Paul went in to see him, and after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him."
This rite of laying on of hands by the apostles used to convey a gift, power, charisma or grace, the gesture was also used by Jesus for his healing (Mark 6:5, Mark 16:18, etc..) Or simply express blessing (Matthew 19:13,15, Mark 10:16). In addition, therefore, to be the means to transfer a gift of the Holy Spirit to the early Christians (Acts 19:6), also used to consecrate a believer for a mission or function (Acts 13:3).
In 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6 speaks of laying hands on Timothy from Paul for giving a gift. However, 1 Timothy 5:22 suggests that the imposition of hands, had become a regular event for possibly consecrate or ordain elders, deacons or pastors.
Today, in my opinion, this act of laying on hands, which itself does not have any magical or miraculous power, used to describe a person who has been chosen to play a role as mentioned before, and by this rite or act called for in prayer for God's blessing, and confirmed the consecration of that person, which is separate from that time or set aside for this special mission. Of course, that people who lay hands, must be people very devoted and dedicated to God, they must get to know him, who will perform such an act, especially if you qualify for a servant of God (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-16).
7. Was there a second baptism in the Holy Spirit to Cornelius and his household? Is the gift of the Holy Spirit is given before being baptized in water?The case of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10, is very interesting and requires careful study. First, because Cornelius does not belong to the Jewish people, but a gentle, "centurion of the band called the Italian" (Acts 10:1). Second, the Bible presents him as pious and fearing God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. "(Acts 10:2). So Cornelius is a good believer, to the extent that God sends an angel to put you in touch with the apostle Peter, who will preach the gospel of salvation in Jesus (Acts 10:34-43).
Third, we are very interested in what relates Acts 10:44: "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word." We must emphasize, first of all, that "the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word "without which the apostle Peter had to intervene, laying his hands, so that listeners receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Rather, it was a direct action of the Holy Spirit giving the power, in this case, speaking in tongues, Cornelius and all others of his house, Gentiles as himself.
Second, this outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurs immediately that Peter preaches the heart and meaning of the gospel in verse 43 "To him [Christ] give all the prophets witness, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins" , and before being baptized in water, as we will see in the verses cited below:
Acts 10:45-48
"45 And they of the circumcision who had come with Peter were amazed that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. 47 Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. "
Making use of these texts, some believers say that the reception of the Holy Spirit is not dependent on water baptism, then, the Word says about Cornelius and his household "the Holy Spirit fell" (44) before they were baptized in water ( 47-48), which make the only baptism rite and a symbolic way of presenting or others testify spiritual regeneration that the Holy Spirit has made within the Christian.
On the other hand, based on the similarity of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the related in Acts 2, other Christians have believed that it is a second baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:15,16). Or, a continuation of that event, which we have discussed extensively in this study, and that was the fulfillment of the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised his apostles.
In our opinion, which "fell" on Cornelius, and all the house of him who heard Peter's speech was not the same Holy Spirit given to all true Christians after baptism in water, and that is the seal and guarantee of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13), but a visible manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues.
What basis do we make such a statement? We are founded on the one hand, that the apostle Peter in Acts 2:38 quotes baptized in water as one of the conditions for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is a visible demonstration of our faith in the atoning work of Christ, which we accept and we have obtained the forgiveness of our sins past, present and future. It is therefore a work of obedience to the gospel of grace, by which we demonstrate our faith and belief in the power of God and Christ, which requires from us a clear action of our will, and decision making to meet the revealed will of God. It is a work of faith as advocated by the apostle James in chapter 2 verse 24, by which we are justified is, declared righteous by God through the merits of our Lord Jesus (see also 1 Peter 3:21, Titus 3: 5).
So, which "fell" on Peter's discourse listeners might not be the promised Holy Spirit Acts 2:38, 39 and Ephesians 1:13 but simply granting a gift or power of the Holy Ghost as was the gift of tongues, with the purpose of making clear and visible to "the faithful of the circumcision" (Acts 10:45) and Peter himself, that God was no respecter of persons between Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10: 34, 11:18), and that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were for them. That is, God's intention is obviously eliminating prejudices that still held much of the Jewish people, who still considered themselves as the only people chosen by God, and therefore the only heirs of the promises of salvation revealed in the Old Testament.
On the other hand, if you compare Acts 19:6, which refers to the Christians of Ephesus, which "... when Paul had laid his hands, came upon them the Holy Spirit, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" with the text we are studying Acts 10:46: "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God", we find that, in both cases the Ephesians quoted, as the group of Cornelius and his household, receive same gift or power of the Holy Spirit, the gift of tongues, with the only difference that in the case of the Ephesians, this gift is given through the laying on of hands of the Apostle Paul, and in the second case, that of Cornelius, the gift of speaking in tongues is given directly by the Holy Spirit without human mediation.
To avoid errors in the interpretation of the doctrine before us on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is therefore necessary to make a clear distinction between the gift of the Holy Spirit given to all true Christian when he is baptized in water (John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 39, Ephesians 1:13, etc..), which is the product of the work of redemption, which is part of the baptism of the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost, with the powers the Spirit Holy granted at will and whom he wanted and only the early Christian church of the New Testament.
Now we can better understand what Acts 8:17 says: "Then they laid their hands and they received the Holy Spirit.". This text refers to the work they were called to Peter and John in Samaria when they were in Jerusalem (Acts 8:14). Before that time, Philip had been preaching Christ in this city (verse 5) with great signs and wonders, as well as being expelled unclean spirits of many of the Samaritans, "... many paralyzed and lame were healed "(verse 7). Verse 12 states that men and women were baptized when they believed the message of the gospel: "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.".
Since the Samaritans had been baptized by Philip and believed in Jesus, therefore, met all the requirements for obtaining the Holy Spirit as we have seen, why was it necessary to bring Peter and John to lay hands them to receive again the Holy Spirit, which were already supposed to have?
We know from the revealed Word, and also by our daily experience that Christians following the time of the New Testament Christian Church, continued to be baptized in the name of Jesus, and have not required the imposition of hands of the Apostles or successors of the them to receive the Holy Spirit, that is, that of the promise fulfilled in Acts 2, which is the seal of salvation (Ephesians 1:13), and without which we can not be of Christ (Romans 8:9). No grants or gives us the Holy Spirit to become children of God, but "... Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of your hearts, your Son, crying, Abba, Father "(Galatians 4:6).
A very different is that, once consolidated the early Christian church, and completed the canon of Scripture, the Holy Spirit continues to pour on Christian believers their gifts or miraculous powers, consistent with each other, in speaking in tongues or do miraculous healings. This power was granted only to the church of the New Testament with a specific purpose, we have already noted, and circumstances such as those experienced by the nascent Church of Christ, which was not yet available to the whole revelation of God, now have. Which is not diminished the power of God but, at this time, He has seen fit, that our faith is not based on miracles but only visible in his revealed word.
Therefore we conclude, first, that the belief that the gift of the Holy Spirit as a seal of salvation (Ephesians 1:13, Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6), is received before baptism, is not supported by the Bible, which clearly states that the requirement is, according to Acts 2:38, in previously baptized.
Second, understand that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household narrated in Acts 10:44, refers only to the grant of a visible gift, as the gift of tongues, with the purpose of eliminating prejudices that prevented, "the faithful of the circumcision" that is, Jewish Christians accept that God does not show partiality by (34), gave the same powers as the Holy Spirit gave the apostles in the Baptism of the Spirit that was in Pentecost. So when Peter informs the Jerusalem church says "... Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning. (16) Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. "(Acts 11:15,16).
There was no difference in receiving the Holy Spirit and the same gift of tongues. Peter remembered, then, the baptism in the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus and the apostles was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. As we have seen, this event was unique in the history of the Christian church, and inaugurated, from that time, the availability of the Holy Spirit to every believer. The episode of Cornelius and his household showed that the benefits of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were available to any believer of either circumcision or Gentile.
8. Errors or Pentecostal Charismatic Movement.In general, the charismatic movements argue that true Christians today can receive the Holy Spirit, the same miraculous powers that received the church of the New Testament, especially the gift of tongues and healing.
The errors are caused, first, of an incorrect interpretation of the baptism of the Holy Spirit poured out upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost, whose visible property or supernatural manifestation was the power to speak in tongues. So they pretend that every believer should experience their own particular "Pentecost", in order to obtain the same gift or health, as a clear confirmation of the authenticity of their faith.
However, the gift of tongues at Pentecost and later given to other Christians of the New Testament church, was primarily intended to extend and could be convey strength and power of God, the gospel message in language understandable to the listeners. Furthermore, in the case of Cornelius and his household, possibly, the intention of the Holy Spirit was to make clear to the Jewish believers that the Gentiles were granted, like the apostles, the same Holy Ghost, without respect of people by God.
Moreover, the alleged gift of tongues obtained by some charismatic, is speaking in tongues that usually do not correspond to any of the languages ​​or dialects, historical, or that currently exist in this world. It is therefore a gibberish that makes no sense, that is, that no one can understand, not even the very people who speak it. What is the purpose? Who or what built? In the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the problems that existed in the early church about speaking in tongues. He sets out, among other things, that "he who speaks in a tongue builds himself; ... "(1 Corinthians 14:4). He adds in verses 27.28: "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two or at most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret. (28) And if there is no interpreter, silent in church and speak to himself and to God. "
We should note that the New Testament church did not yet have the whole Bible, Old and New Testament, as we have it today. Only a few Christians had the Old Testament. His faith came from the powerful testimony of the apostles and disciples of Jesus, who, at first, was accompanied by healing miracles, supernatural signs and wonders, as described in the book of Acts.
As soon introduce two examples show, first, the work of Philip, one of the first deacons, that Jesus preached in Samaria, with great miraculous manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit: "... And many paralyzed and lame were healed. "(Acts 8:7). Second, the work of Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, which Acts 14:3 tells us: "Therefore, they stopped there long, talking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, granting to be done by the hands of signs and wonders. "
All this was necessary, not only for the nascent Christian church from spreading hard and fast, but also to authenticate that the new faith from God, ensuring that it was the true religion. It thus has much meaning and purpose cited in the beginning of the church, the Holy Spirit gave various gifts as described in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11: "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for advantage. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 10 To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. "
Another case is very different from our time. We now have all the necessary revelation of God for the salvation of mankind. The Bible is full. Nothing can remove or add (Revelation 22:18,19). We should not expect new revelations of God, as St. Paul says: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel, let him be accursed, (9) As we said before, so now I say again: if any preaches any other gospel than that ye have received, let him be accursed. "(Galatians 1:8, 9).
The following error Pentecostals or charismatics, we noted then, is that they believe that the promise made by Jesus to his disciples, gathered in the Gospel of Mark chapter 16 and verse 17, is applicable also to the present day.
Mark 16:15-18:
(15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons, speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; upon the sick lay their hands, and they shall recover.
Verses 15 and 16 contain the great commission that Christ did his followers, requesting the spread of the gospel message to all nations, that "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." It is clear that Jesus' command, which also includes the Gospel of Matthew in chapter 28 and verses 19 and 20, is a must. Well, disclosure, subsequent acceptance of the gospel and baptism of believers, depends the salvation of the people, and we must fulfill it until Christ comes a second time to take his church to heaven.
Instead, verses 17 and 18 refer to the miraculous signs "follow them that believe" among those cited, speaking in tongues, and others regarding instant healings and supernatural: "on the sick lay their hands, and they shall recover. " These texts, however, do not explain how they were going to get or receive those powers.
Throughout this study, we found that the miraculous powers that Christ promised this time (Mark 16: 17,18) were not Christians simply by believing and being baptized in water. First Christ gave to his apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit upon you ..."). We also found that this miraculous power given by the Holy Spirit was transmitted usually by the apostles to other believers, through the imposition of hands (Acts 6:6, 8:17, 19:6, if Felipe, and the Ephesians to which Paul laid hands), except, occasionally, as described in Acts 10 concerning the centurion Cornelius and his household, in which the powers were given directly by the Holy Spirit.
The fulfillment of the promise made by Christ in Mark 16: 17,18: ".... speak with new tongues ... on the sick lay their hands, and they shall recover", is evident in the texts cited Acts apostles. We now understand what took place, who gave these powers, who were given these miraculous powers first, and who could, in turn, pass them on to other believers. We found that only the nascent Christian church were granted these miraculous powers for the reasons already mentioned.
We should note that Philip, who had received the aforementioned supernatural powers by the imposition of hands of the apostles (Acts 6:6) and that used lavishly in Samaria (Acts 8:7), however, was not able to transmit turn, believers who believed by his preaching of Christ, but it was necessary that they should bring to Peter and John to imposing their hands overstep the baptized in Samaria (Acts 8:14).
We conclude, therefore, that many Christians were, by laying on of hands of the apostles, the aforementioned miraculous powers of healing, but in no way were able to transmit, in turn, to others, as in the case of Felipe. Therefore, when the last apostle died, and no one else was able to transmit those gifts. Even we think that once consolidated and entrenched the New Testament church, and even experiencing some of the apostles, the Holy Spirit stopped providing the powers described above (see 1 Timothy 5:23, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
The healing miracles performed by Jesus, the apostles and the early Christians were fully verifiable, clear, instant and complete. None of them ever failed. However, trying to impart healing Pentecostals and charismatics are never demonstrable nor obvious. Nor are permanent and complete, even miraculous.
Charismatic Christians do not recognize that the Holy Spirit imparts no miraculous powers to the faithful believers in Christ as did the Christian church of the first century of our era for the reasons already mentioned. However, God wants us to trust Him fully and ask you for help, comfort, wisdom to always do his will, and also healing our diseases and any disease or condition that afflicts us. It is not by the action of miraculous powers but by the prayer of faith. The Apostle James advises us what to do in all cases, and especially when we are sick and afflicted.
James 5:13-18:
"13 Is any among you suffering? Make prayer. Is anyone happy? Sing praises. 14 Is any sick among you? Call for the elders of the church to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up and if he have committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
The emphasis of these texts are placed on the power of believing prayer of a just man, and not speak at all, the power of the Holy Spirit, or miraculous powers or gifts given by Him not now not have the same power I had then but now is not his will that his church grow by prodigious signs. God willing, as we have all his revealed word, sanctify us daily and we grow, renewed in Christ Jesus through the study of His Word is His will for us.
9. ConclusionThe Holy Spirit has spoken in this world from the beginning of creation. We found the first reference to him in Genesis 1:2: "... And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. ". Since the beginning of the creation of this world, the Holy Spirit, has been helping, comforting, and inspiring the children of God to victory over evil, and the achievement of the Plan of Salvation.
However, it is necessary to distinguish between the Holy Spirit before Pentecost after Christ's ascension to heaven and from performing that day. Before that day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, lived only a few people chosen by God for a special mission. We find, for example, in Exodus 31:1-8 that the Holy Spirit formed Bezalel, along with others, giving wisdom, intelligence, science and art to be able to design "(7) the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that was on it, and all the vessels of the tabernacle. "
If we move forward in the Old Testament, we realize that the Holy Spirit intervened inspiring leaders determined to perform specific tasks in a sporadic and not permanent. For example: the seventy elders of Numbers 11:17,25; Balaam, who was allowed to buy by the enemies of Israel, to curse the people of God (No. 23, 24); judges: Othniel, Gideon, Samson, Jephthah, etc.; kings: Saul, David, and so on. etc. In the New Testament: John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), his parents (Luke 1:41; 1:67), Simeon (Luke 2:25), the miraculous conception of Mary, mother of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18, 20, Luke. 1:35), which also fell on the same Jesus as a dove (Mt 3:16).
In John 14:17, Jesus during his earthly ministry, makes an important qualification regarding the way in which dwelt the Holy Spirit before Pentecost: "the Spirit of truth, whom the world can not receive, because you see, or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. "). That is, Jesus confirms that even lived with the disciples, was still in the future the way, permanent and final, in which dwell in the hearts of believers, when Christ was glorified. This is consistent with repeated promises by God to His chosen people Israel:
Ezekiel 36: 26-28 (See also Ezekiel 37: 14, 39:29)

 "26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and keep My judgments and do them. 28 live in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. "
However, until the day of Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus to heaven is not fulfilled the promise of the Father to send the Holy Spirit "upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17). This is the baptism in the Holy Spirit foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16, John 1:33). Confirmed and ratified by Jesus Christ (Luke 24:49: "Behold, I send the promise of my Father ...", Acts 1:4, 5, John 7: 39: "... it was not yet come the Holy Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. "), John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, 16:13. Recognized by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2 and 11:16.
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit is poured, opening, authenticating, and giving power of God to the nascent Christian church. This is the baptism in the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the promise of the Father and of Jesus himself, which begins the season of the Church of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, which is available, since that time, for whoever believes in the good news of salvation in Christ, repent, confess their faith in Jesus as the Son of God and be baptized (Acts 2:38, 39, Acts 8:37, Ephesians 1:13, Romans 8:9 ). This event is unique, because like Christ died once for the sins of many (Hebrews 9:26-28, 10:12), and on the day of Pentecost, baptism occurs in the Holy Spirit, which , thereafter, are beneficiaries all believers and is available to those who exercise their faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
The mistake of many, including Pentecostals and Charismatics is that no distinction between the gift of the Holy Spirit and power or miraculous gifts that the Holy Spirit according to his will gave to the early church in order to be recognized as coming from God and be extended and be consolidated worldwide widely known at the time that the New Testament develops.
They believe that being filled with the Holy Spirit is power speaking in tongues and healing miracles or supernatural perform. Jesus promised the apostles, the Holy Spirit and also power (Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit upon you ..."). It also promises to give, not only to the apostles but also "those who believe" because of the preaching of those (Mark 16:17, 18: "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons , speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents and drink deadly poison, it will not hurt, on the sick lay their hands, and they shall recover. "). All this we saw that was met extensively with the miracles performed by some Christians of the New Testament church described in the book of Acts, as we have shown (See eg Acts 8: 5-22, 19: 1-6).
We also find that the miraculous powers, given by the Holy Spirit to the apostles, with some exceptions such as Cornelius and his household in which power came to them by direct action of the Holy Spirit, were transferred to other believers, only through the imposition of hands of the apostles (Acts 6:5-6, 8:5, 7, 14, 17, 19:6, etc.). We saw that Philip (Acts 8:7) had the same power to heal miraculously ("many paralytics and cripples were healed") that the apostles, because that power had received from them, and therefore could not pass it on to anyone else, and shows that they had to call Peter and John (8:14) to impose their hands upon baptized believers in Samaria (Acts 8:17).
With the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was made possible for every believer can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as Paul himself says in Ephesians 1:13: "In whom [Christ] also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. "(Read also Acts 2:38,39, Romans 8:9).
Christians, therefore, do not receive the powers of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit Himself as "... the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the position, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 13:14). Paul reiterates in Ephesians 4:20: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father and of Jesus Christ that was already accomplished on the day of Pentecost, and from which we benefit all believers, then, from that moment, the Holy Spirit is available to all who accept Jesus as their personal Savior. This was stated by St. Peter in Acts 2: 38.39: "38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call. "
Note that the promise is the gift of the Holy Spirit, not the power of the Holy Spirit, and that is not to produce new baptisms in the Holy Spirit. Upon fulfilling the promise of the Father (Joel 2:28, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4,5), on the day of Pentecost, there is only water baptism that Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16 : 16, that they might receive all who believe in Him (Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Mark 16 : 16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned."). Which was confirmed by Peter in Acts 2:38 and 1 Peter 3:21.
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:5 confirms that one baptism "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and in all.". Are you saying that St. Paul here, perhaps, there are, at once, a baptism in water and baptism in the Holy Spirit? The Word of God clearly refers to one baptism, which is done when the believer is immersed in water. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a promise kept. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and since then can dwell with the heart and spirit of each believer through faith in Christ.
What kind of baptism received the Ethiopian by Philip, when he came from Jerusalem to Gaza, sitting in his car? (See Acts 8:26-39).
Was it, perhaps, the baptism in the Holy Spirit or baptism by immersion in water? Let's see what God's Word says: "And as he journeyed, came to some water and the eunuch said, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptized? (37) Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. Answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (38) And he commanded the chariot, and down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (39) When the water rose, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. "(Acts 8:36-39). Therefore, our entry into the body of Christ which is the church, is by baptism by immersion in water (1 Corinthians 12: 13: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and we were all made to drink into one Spirit. ").
Note that water baptism is a commandment to obey applicable to all believers that we are in the New Covenant. It is a test of our faith in the atoning work of Jesus and redemption on the cross. It is a work of faith, demonstrating our faith, which requires obedience, make a decision and take action. We are justified by grace alone apart from works of the law (Romans 3:28, 5:1, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8, 9, etc..). Faith is perfected by works (James 2:22). It is no use saying that you have faith, if it proves to work according to the will of God. (James 2:24). Water baptism is a work that shows that we believe in the Word of God.
However, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a commandment, but a promise of the Father and of Jesus, which was fulfilled at Pentecost, and since then, believers by faith partake of its benefits. Which consist of the same Holy Spirit dwells in us, but it has nothing to do with receiving miraculous powers of speaking in tongues and healing of diseases. Nor is it to be filled with the Holy Spirit, since this also happened before Pentecost, as we happened to John the Baptist, and his parents (Luke 1:15, 41, 67). However, the way they were filled with the Holy Spirit is different to how it will be conducted, after Pentecost, and it presents Paul in Ephesians 5:18. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit "... even from the womb" (Luke 1:15), because God decided that it were so, it will not intervene in that. His parents also were filled with the Holy Spirit of God to receive revelations that were necessary at the time.
Many confuse the baptism in the Holy Spirit to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Believers receive, as we have shown, the gift of the Holy Spirit, when we are converted to the Christian faith, then being "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). Another thing is to be filled with the Holy Spirit that is something that depends on our commitment to God and the degree of holiness which have reached our lives, and, moreover, is an experience that can be obtained repeatedly over the life of each believer.
St. Paul exhorts us to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18: "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.". It is our duty, therefore, persevere in means of grace that God has given us to be ever more filled with the Holy Spirit. fundamentally consist of reading, studying and meditating the Bible daily, pray unceasingly to God (1 Thessalonians 5:17), maintaining a constant communion with Him , obey and practice what the Holy Scripture commands us, according to the will of God, and meet other Christian faithful to learn more about God and His Word, and grow in love and fellowship with fellow believers .
The blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit is given to us when we ask God in prayer, and the need to bear witness to our faith with others able to receive the message of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Also to learn more of his Word, and his will to help us overcome our physical and spiritual weaknesses.
We also have examples in the early church, as is the case when the first believers in Jesus being asked gathered in prayer, trust and courage to face the dangers that threatened them with hatred that they had the Jewish leaders of Jesus' day (Acts 4:31: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Read, please, all of chapter 4.). Here it is clear, that the faithful gathered had prayed, and needed to be especially full of the Spirit for not flinching before the Jews, and to boldly preach the Word of God.
Acts 7 tells the tremendous experience of Stephen, the first martyr of the church of Christ, which was also filled with the Holy Spirit in order to face a terrible situation in which not only gave a powerful testimony of their faith in Jesus but came to give his life, suffering martyrdom in his flesh. God comforted him, especially, in those bitter moments, providing a heavenly vision: "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ( 56) and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. "(Acts 7:55, 56).
Having the gift of the Holy Spirit or being filled with the Holy Spirit are absolutely essential experiences that have to be accompanied by strange or exaggerated feelings or situations of loss of control of consciousness. No equivalent to falling into trance or something similar like experiencing an ecstasy, which governs our understanding not mind. Of course, neither is associated with miraculous sign of speaking in tongues or other similar expressions. By contrast, when one is filled with the Holy Spirit, your mind becomes more lucid and understanding of the things of God increases, it is wiser, and better able to cope with difficult situations or perhaps consciously limit.
Every true Christian, who has the gift of the Holy Spirit, whatever that is more or less filled with the Spirit, if authentic, must necessarily do miracles, but rather to show the fruits of the Holy Spirit: "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. "(Galatians 5:22-24).
From the day of Pentecost, which fulfilled the promise of the Father and of Jesus Baptism in the Holy Spirit, He is available to "all flesh" (Acts 2:17, 38-39), and every sincere Christian receives the gift the Holy Spirit, when converted and baptized in water. From that moment the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and our body and entire being is the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
"16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him, for the temple of God, and you are that is holy. "
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"19 Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. "
2 Corinthians 6:16-18
"16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God, as God said:
Dwell and walk among them, and be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;And I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. "