Is baptism in the Holy Spirit necessary for salvation?

The purpose of Holy Spirit baptism was as a sign. In Acts 2, it showed the apostles were speaking the truth and it aided them by allowing them to speak so that people could all hear in their own languages. In Acts 10 & 11 it was a sign that the gentiles could also be saved.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a promise Jesus made to the apostles at a specific time. It was never a command.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was never associated with forgiveness of sins. Holy Spirit baptism is not the baptism Jesus commanded in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16)

It is the baptism Jesus commanded that is associated with the plan of salvation.

To notice this comparison of the Holy Spirit baptism and water baptism, look at Acts 2.

In Acts 1:5 it records that Jesus said, "John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Here is the promise made to a specific group ("you" = the Apostles).

This promise was for a specific time ("not many days from now").

This was accomplished in Acts 2:1-4. The one who performed this baptism was the Holy Spirit.

But later, another baptism was mentioned. In fact it was commanded "in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness (remission) of sins". (Acts 2:38)

"In the name of Jesus Christ" means "by his authority or according to His instructions.

This was the command of the great commission!

Holy Spirit baptism was for the purpose of aiding the apostles in teaching, and confirming the word at a specific time. By the time Ephesians 4:5 was written, there was only "one baptism".

This was the baptism in water, "into Christ" that saves. (Romans 6:3-4, Gal. 3:27, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 10:48)

Pappy,

No, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not necessary for salvation. However, those who are saved/born-again, have this great source of power available to them. Please allow me to explain...

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the empowering for service that takes place in the life of the Christian.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Second encounter with God. The first encounter with God is called as 'conversion' or salvation. Just as the indwelling Spirit reproduces the life of Jesus, the outpoured, or baptizing Spirit reproduces the ministry of Jesus.

To illustrate, if I had a glass of water and took a swallow, then the water would be inside me. If, on the other hand, I went down to the beach and stepped into the ocean, then I would be in the water. We receive, as it were, a drink of the Spirit when we are saved, but when we are baptized in the Spirit, it is as if that initial drink becomes an ocean that completely surrounds us.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a definite experience, not identical with conversion. When the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is received, unknown tongues will follow. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power from on high; to give and to equip him for a practical, efficient, spirit-filled, soul-winning ministry and service. Inasmuch as this is the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, every believer has a right to expect His incoming to be after the same manner as recorded by the Word of God in Bible days.

Luke 24:49; John 14:16; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38-39; 10:44 -48, 19:6

Do not think that I am saying you have to speak in tongues to be saved. I am not. The work of the Lord Jesus Christ and the mercy of God bring salvation and the indwelling Spirit, and that does not involve speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues, from all indications in the New Testament, is the consequence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. There was an initial utterance in tongues, bearing witness that the tongue had been sanctified and empowered by God for His use. But speaking in tongues was not necessary for the salvation of those people.

Hope this helps.

Elder Greg

http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1

I like the answers; Edge is awesome as is Mommy Gladys and some of the others sound okay. There is baptism in water---as Jesus was so He presented this as fulfillment of prophecy---Jesus told John the Baptist that it had to be done for fulfillment; Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a different matter---it is a sign of that alone not a criteria for salvation; for salvation comes through by the blood of Jesus---For no one comes to the Father but through me....in other words. we go to the Father--Jehovah by accepting Jesus as Savior.

The baptism by the Holy Spirit is a sign for us that He has touched us; same as speaking in tongues ( I wish I could speak in tongues but I'll just wait) when we speak in tongues we are speaking with God directly---a secret speech so the devil cannot intercept the message given and received---remember when Daniel was praying and nothing happen? Later an angle appeared and told Daniel that God had heard his prayers but that a battle had prevented God's messenger from delivering the answer to his prayer---Daniel's prayer; the angle then said he had to go back and help Michael whom was fighting with some demons.

The baptism by the Holy Spirit is a gift as is speaking in tongues, faith and several other gifts granted by the Holy Spirit

I am Pentecostal but I guess I am a bit of a weird Pentecostal. I believe in the gifts and speaking in tongues. But I kind of think the baptism coincides with salvation. When you are saved you get the baptism of the Holy Spirit even if you don't speak in tongues. I think the speaking in tongues and things of that nature follow when we open ourselves to the spirit. There really is no where in scripture that says you must speak in tongues to have the baptism of the Holy Spirit. No Pentecostal I know of believe you must speak in tongues to be saved. This being said I think the gift of tongues is a thing to be desired.

It definitely isn't. And if you study on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (which you may have), you will hear that many people start talking in tongues. This is true. But a long, long time ago, it was necessary because so many people were being slaughtered for their faith and they needed a way to pray without being killed. This isn't necessary anymore as we live in a free nation. So, no. It isn't necessary! ; ) Just a titbit of trivia there for you!

The Holy Spirit is sent to believers to help them and to lead them into all truth and he teaches us how to pray. He is a guide, a helper. Baptism simply refers to "receiving" unlike baptism in water.

The Bible shows it many more that two times, but; no it is not necessary for Salvation. It is the next step, subsequent to a clean heart.

~OM~

Once you believe in Jesus you are given the Holy Spirit.

I'm not into these extra things. Don't let anyone dissuade you from knowing you have full rights of a believer if you are one.

Yes, Pappy.. It is very very very important:

MATTHEW 3:

3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

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MATTHEW 4:

23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

It is indeed necessary to be baptized in the Holy Spirit for salvation and for worshipping the Lord.

God bless you Pappy!

No, absolutely not! Many churches teach this doctrine, and it is false doctrine. We are saved by grace through faith, period.