The Baptism of the Spirit Is the New Birth

It is an understatement to say that confusion and controversy exist among Christians concerning the baptism of the holy Spirit. Traditionally, Pentecostal Christians have taught that one is born again before receiving the baptism of the holy Ghost and that when a person receives that baptism, he will speak in tongues. Non-Pentecostal Christians, on the other hand, teach that to be born again means that one has received the baptism of the Spirit, but they deny that a sound from the Spirit always accompanies it. They disregard, with various degrees of confidence, the testimonies of the Pentecostal community about speaking in tongues when one is baptized with the Spirit. In spite of the differences, however, there is truth in both camps.

In the New Testament, the new birth experience is described in various ways, such as “conversion”, “sanctification”, “redemption”, being “born of the Spirit”, etc. And contrary to thetraditional Pentecostalstance, the new birth is also referred to as the baptism of the Spirit. Paul consistently taught that we are baptized by the Spirit into Christ (Rom. 6:3; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27), and in Christ, we become a“new creature”(2Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15), a“new man, who in God’s likeness is created in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24) and walks“in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4b). Beyond all question, to enter into Christ is to be born again, andin Christ, we find grace and salvation (2Tim. 2:1, 10), righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1Cor. 1:30), and are given the promise of eternal life (2Tim. 1:1). Everything we need in order to obtain eternal life is there, in him, which is why Paul told the saints that “you are complete in him” (Col. 2:10). Thetraditional Pentecostalposition, that the new birth is a separate experience from the baptism of the Spirit, just does not hold up to careful scrutiny.That the baptism of the Spirit is the new birth is clearly true.

“Initial Evidence”

Until fairly recently, Pentecostal denominations unshakably held that speaking in tongues is the“initial evidence” of the baptism of the holy Ghost. Historically, that doctrine is what set Pentecostal groups apart from other Christian sects, but in recent decades, among Pentecostals, there has been some movement away from that position. Many who are called“Charismatics” (the modern version of Pentecostals) disagree with the old-line Pentecostal position. Instead, they teach that while the Spirit may move one to make a d