Is Holy Spirit Baptism the Baptism that Jesus Commanded?
No, but sometimes, our religious friends will claim to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. They will interpret all passages that talk about “baptism” to mean Holy Spirit baptism. What does the Bible say about that? The baptism of the Holy Spirit was only something that Jesus Himself did. Mark 1:8 makes this clear. John the Baptizer said, “I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The “He” here is Jesus. In Acts 1:5, Jesus said, “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” When it happened, Peter rightfully attributed it to Jesus Himself: “He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). The “He” is Jesus. The only other example of baptism in the Holy Spirit is in Acts 10:44-46, (11:16). Peter was not expecting it because only Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus commanded men to baptize other men (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16). What baptism did He command? He did not command a baptism that only He could do, but that all His disciples could do, namely, water baptism. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). To be born of water and the Spirit is to be baptized in water according to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12-13 says Philip baptized those who heard and believed the word in water. They did not receive the Holy Spirit, however, until John and Peter came later (Acts 8:16). Acts 8:36 says the Eunuch was baptized in water (Acts 8:38-39). Only Jesus could perform Holy Spirit baptism, but He commanded water baptism. We obey what Jesus commanded.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley