Why do some believe that to be used of God, one must receive baptism of the Holy Spirit as a definable experience?

on Nov 10, 2025

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Why do some people believe that to be used of God, a person must receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a definable experience? I was saved in a Crusade, and I never heard this mentioned. – H.F.

A: A preacher once asked a young man if he had been baptized with the Holy Spirit. The young man replied yes. The preacher asked, “When?” The young man replied, “The moment I received Jesus Christ as my Savior.”

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is in the life of every believer, and that takes place at the moment of conversion. This baptism was initiated at Pentecost, and all who come to know Jesus Christ carry within them the Holy Spirit of God.

The Bible says, “By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NKJV). The original Greek of this passage makes it clear that this baptism of the Spirit is a completed past action.

Two things stand out in that verse: the baptism with the Spirit is a collective operation of the Spirit of God, and second, it includes every believer. When we’re saved, we abide in Him, and He abides in us. When we come to Christ, He puts His Spirit within us. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we always follow His Spirit in obedience, but His Spirit is present. This precious gift, the Holy Spirit, not only convicts of sin but also convinces men that Jesus is the righteousness of God. He shows sinners that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Those who know Christ don’t need to beg for the Holy Spirit to come – He’s already there. We must be careful not to confuse the Holy Spirit with an emotional feeling or a particular type of spiritual experience.

========

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)