Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Gospels tell us that the ministry of Jesus began after he was baptized by John and spent forty days in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan. Some scholars question the baptism from John, suggesting the Gospel writers were attempting to appeal to followers of John the Baptist. I relate to these two events on a personal level. The baptism is symbolic of a new birth, a spiritual awakening that sparks a whole new way of understanding. I think of the time in the wilderness as a kind of soul searching, vision quest, time alone to figure out what to do with this new insight. My own spiritual baptism, a mystical experience, was a turning point for me. A few years passed, however, before I knew what I needed to do with it. Like Jesus, after this period, I knew the ministry was the path I needed to take.

When I was in seminary, we were introduced to the five M’s of a religious organization’s development. Since I cannot find my notes from that time, this, I’m sure, will present as a slight variation: The Man, The Message, The Ministry, The Movement, and The Monument. In this discussion, Jesus, of course, is the man. His message was his personal baptism, the revelation of God within himself and all people. Sharing this message as a benefit to the people was his ministry. It is during the movement phase of our five M’s scenario that the transition from the teachings of Jesus to teachings about Jesus occurs. Why? Because the leadership changes from Jesus as authority to the apostles. Jesus taught the kingdom of God is within. The apostles taught that the kingdom of God is a coming event. While the ministry of Jesus focused on the enlightenment of the individual, the ministry of the apostles focused on growing the organization.

“So those who received his [Peter’s] word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:41-42).

The monument grew out of the movement as the multi-faceted, institutionalized religion we know as Christianity.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a very personal spiritual awakening to the presence of God. Those who have the experience are compelled to share with others the truth that they too can experience direct spiritual enlightenment. This baptism of the Holy Spirit is, I believe, what Jesus meant by the truth that would make one free.