Acts 1-9, Baptism of the Holy Spirit -- what does the bible really say?

Acts 2:1-6 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

• This is the first instance of speaking in tongues. This day ties to a very specific feast in Israel. Jesus told his disciple to wait for this day. Since this is the first time believers are given the HS, it is different from their time of belief. Its usage is as a sign, the beginning of the church. The audience is entirely Jewish. The tongues are all known languages (vs 6)

Acts 2:37-39 (NIV) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."

• Peter promises them that will receive the gift of the upon believing (vs 38). There is no recorded information that they spoke in tongues nor any discussion of a second baptism

Acts 3:2-3, 6-8 (NIV) Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. . . .

6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

• The crippled is healed and apparently saved (he is praising God, vs 7) and there is no mention of speaking in tongues. Additionally, there is no discussion about a need for a second baptism

Acts 4:23-24, 29-31 (NIV) On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. . . . 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

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.

• After standing up to the Sanhedrin, Peter and John go back to the disciples and pray. After praying, they are filled with the Holy Spirit. It says nothing about speaking in tongues, but rather they spoke the word of God boldly (the common sense hermeneutic would be in their own native language)

• "Filling with the Holy Spirit" here occurs among the disciples, some who were already at Pentecost (like the Apostles). Therefore the filling is not a "second baptism" but a regularly repeated lifetime event, otherwise Peter and John would not need to be filled (vs 31 says "and they were all filled …")

Acts 7:54-60 (NIV) When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

• In this passage, being filled with the Holy Spirit (7:55) has nothing to do with speaking of tongues. Rather, it is the unbelievers who are yelling at the top of their voices. Stephen simply prays in the common language (56, 59-60)

• It says that Stephen is filled with the HS even though one would have expected that had already happened to him (under the second baptism argument), therefore this fits with the previous passage showing that the filling of the Holy Spirit is a regularly repeated even for every believer

Acts 8:14-17 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

• Apparently, these are the same individual that Philip shared the gospel with but have not received the Holy Spirit. This is one of only two stories in scripture where the giving of the Spirit is separated from belief. In this case, this is the first time that non-Jews (actually half-Jews) believe. It is a significant event because Jesus said (Acts 1:8) the gospel would move from Jerusalem and Judea (Jews) to Samaria (half-Jews) to the entire world (non-Jews or Gentiles).
• The giving of the Spirit at the hands of the apostles signifies that they are equal to Jews. Tongues is a sign that Samaritans received the Spirit just as Jews did

Acts 8:34-39 (NIV) The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"  38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

• This eunuch would actually be Jewish (proselytized) because he is reading the Jewish scriptures. The scrolls are very expensive and the common person did not have copies laying around

• Philip shares the gospel and baptizes the Eunuch. There is no mention of the Eunuch speaking in tongues, just rejoicing, indicating a new birth

Acts 9:17-19 (NIV) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

• It really is not clear when Paul believes. For three days he doesn't eat or drink

• He is still blind when Ananias visits him

• He does receive the Spirit by the laying on of a hands, but Paul is also called to be an Apostle of the Gentiles and so there may be some significance in that fact

• He does not speak in tongues upon believing, although we do know from his own statement to the Corinthians that he does have the gift

Acts 9:40-43 (NIV) Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

• Many people believe after Peter's miracle with Tabitha. There is no mention of speaking in tongues