Resurrection Life of Jesus Church
A STUDY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
PART 2: THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
RLJ-2017
JOHN S. TORELL
JUNE 1, 2025
Demon oppression is the term used for a Christian who is controlled by demonic forces.
There are also examples of Holy Spirit possession, although it is more commonly described as “being filled with the Holy Spirit.”
1. Elizabeth and Zechariah – John the Baptist’s parents (Luke 1:41, 67)
2. John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
3. Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)
4. Peter preaching boldly (Acts 2:14-41; 4:8)
5. The early believers (Acts 4:31; 13:52)
6. Stephen (Acts 6:3, 8-10, 7:55)
7. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) filled with the Spirit (Acts 9:17-18; 13:9)
A Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation; that is the not the same as being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Possession by the Holy Spirit is positive and voluntary because it lines up with God’s purpose; it is never controlling in a harmful way compared to demonic possession. The truth of the matter is that humans can be possessed by spirits, of which there are two types – holy and unholy.
◦ The Spirit of God, Holy Ghost, and the Holy Spirit
◦ The Kingdom of Satan is filled with fallen angels; chief among them is Lucifer, with devils, demons, and unclean spirits in the lower ranks. Fallen angels do not possess people.
The following chart shows the differences that occur with demon possession compared to “being filled with” or “indwelt by” the Holy Spirit.
| Aspect | Demon Possession | Holy Spirit Indwelling |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Evil spirits, demons, unclean spirits | The Holy Spirit (third person of the Godhead) |
| Nature | Invasive, controlling, tormenting | Empowering, guiding, transforming |
| Consent | Typically involuntary; usually comes about through sin | Voluntary (through faith and surrender) |
| Effects on Person | Physical harm, mental distress, isolation, loss of control | Peace, joy, boldness, wisdom, spiritual gifts |
| Speech | Often causes muteness, screaming, or blasphemy | Results in prophecy, preaching, speaking in tongues |
| Behavior | Self-destructive, violent, antisocial | Loving, self-controlled, courageous, compassionate |
| Purpose | Destruction, deception, opposition to God | To glorify Christ, build up the church, transform lives |
| End Result | Misery, bondage, death | Freedom, transformation |
| Deliverance or Fulfillment | Requires casting out by Jesus or believer in Christ | Comes through faith in Christ and prayer |
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
After the resurrection, but prior to the Day of Pentecost, Jesus referred to a baptism that was far different than the water baptism introduced by John the Baptist. It was a baptism that involved the third person of the Godhead. The disciples were clueless as to what it entailed, but they were about to find out.
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:4-5, 8)
On the day of Pentecost, a Jewish holiday which marked the 50th day after the Passover, the apostles, the 70 others and the 39 women were assembled in the upper room in Jerusalem. The squabbling about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God was gone as they finally reached the point of total agreement and then the Holy Spirit arrived in power!
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
Unless you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, it is difficult to understand what takes place when the Holy Spirit surges through your body, soul, and spirit, taking complete control of you.
The Holy Spirit effortlessly took control of the part of the brain that controls speech; a foreign language was downloaded, and then each person began to speak in a language with which they were not familiar.
Everyone left the upper room and began to walk around Jerusalem, speaking loudly without fear of reproach in a language none of them understood. There was no human organization or guidance as they were directed by the Holy Spirit.
Since this was a Jewish feast day, Jerusalem was filled with Jews from other nations who had come to take part in the temple services. This particular day was chosen in eternity past, long before the earth was created, because 3,000 Jewish men from different nations were convicted of the sin and received Christ as their Messiah. They were the first missionaries as they returned to their respective nations.
“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” (Acts 2:5-12)
MODERN EXPERIENCE
Was the fiery baptism of the Holy Spirit a one-time event? There are no such further recorded events in the Book of Acts, but I have personally heard of such events. There was a Full Gospel Business Men’s International Fellowship (FGBMIF) convention in Spokane, Washington, sometime in the early 1970s. Among the attendees was a Jewish businessman who had been invited to attend. After some time, he decided that he was wasting his time and left. He did not know the convention was being carried live on a local radio station. He turned on the radio driving away, and to his amazement, he heard what was going on in the meeting he had just left. Angrily, he reached out his hand to change the station, when he was astonished to hear a man speak in Hebrew.
“I saw you angrily get up and walk away from the convention. I am Jesus. I am calling you to come to me and accept me as your Messiah.”
The Jewish man was shaken, wondering how people were speaking Hebrew at the convention and how did the voice on the radio know so much about him? The businessman returned to the convention and repeated what he had heard on the radio, then asked for prayer to receive Jesus as his Messiah.
This story was published in the FGBMIF magazine “VOICE,” which was published monthly. I read the testimony and saw the picture of the Jewish businessman in the magazine.
There have been numerous missionaries who came to a nation without knowing the language, and through the Holy Spirit, were given the ability to preach in an unknown language.
The miraculous event of Pentecost was not repeated in the Book of Acts, but the action of the Holy Spirit has been repeated down through the centuries with each generation of believers. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide Christians.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:7-15)
The supernatural action on the day of Pentecost will continue to be repeated until Jesus returns a second time because the Son of God is faithful and will not go back on His promise.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus stated that He was going to oversee the church until the Second Coming.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
In promising to send the Holy Spirit, Jesus never indicated it was only for a certain time period (i.e. the early church). It was a far-reaching promise that the Holy Spirit would remain on earth until the second return of the God-man.
Becoming a follower of Jesus does not mean operating solo with your talents, abilities, and resources. The resources of heaven are available to every Christian as the Holy Spirit empowers believers with various spiritual gifts that are distributed sovereignly with the intent to advance the Kingdom of God.
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are unique tools given to Christians to serve others, strengthen the church, and convey the power of God despite the best efforts of the Kingdom of Satan to oppose God’s agenda. They reflect the diversity and unity of the decentralized body of Christ, where each member plays a vital role, as they are led by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, it’s not so important how you begin your life after salvation, but how you finish it!
Do you have an ear to hear with?
