Further Reflections on the Baptism of the Spirit (Remastered) – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Michael A

2 weeks ago

The MLJ sermon of this post is his second on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. He clarified things that his congregants did not understand the previous Friday, and he preached a sermon that was rather different than any I have heard. For example, he read from a few books, accounts of Christians like John Flavel and Jonathan Edwards about an experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He also spent time talking about what that baptism is not: it is not like the Spirits work in sanctification, for example.

A point that is not mentioned by MLJTrust, in the points below the video, is that he talked about a split among the Puritans: George Fox went in the direction of emphasizing the experiential aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit, forming Quakerism; and Christians like John Owen went in the direction of emphasizing doctrine.

He called their efforts to be more biblical, extremes: each went to an extreme and bypassed the middle ground. Obviously MLJ saw value in each camp and would have had them come back towards the middle.

MLJ then spoke of men who did find that middle ground, as he described it. Men like Jonathan Edwards and John Flavel; he also mentioned D. L. Moody. Then he noted that Edwards, Flavel and Moody are all very different men, intellectually and in terms of giftedness. But they each reported having a very similar experience that they believed to be “the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

As he described those experiences, I was thinking that they are very unlike the extremes of Pentecostalism, NAR and other wild, slain-in-the-Spirit type performances taking place in charismatic churches today….

This message can stand alone, but it would be better to also hear the preceding sermon on the Baptism of the Spirit, as therein he was preaching the scriptures and clarifying them.

Sermon Description [by MLJTrust]:

Christians can be confused about the role emotions and experiences should play in their faith. Is doctrine the only way through which one learns about God?

In this sermon on the Baptism of the Spirit, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives further thoughts and Scriptural exposition on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and on why it is a mistake to rely too much on either experiences or doctrine when thinking through this aspect of Christian faith.

By pointing to the examples of Jesus’s disciples, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Scripture presents instances of people who believed in Jesus Christ and were saved, yet had not been baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit.

The evidence is added to by the fact that several well-known, established Christians have gone decades (in some cases) before being filled with the Spirit— this list includes men like Jonathan Edwards and D.L. Moody.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that this baptism is available to all Christians, but that many are afraid of being overly-emotional and have cut out all emotion from their walk with Christ. This is an error that is not Scriptural. Those who believe in Christ have received eternal life as a gift— what could possibly cause more joy than that realization? [Sermon points by MLJTrust are below video.]

Sermon Breakdown

Dr. Lloyd-Jones begins by reminding the audience about the previous sermon on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He acknowledges that some found the teaching difficult to understand and aims to provide further clarification.
He emphasizes that he is not talking about regeneration or receiving the Holy Spirit for the first time. The disciples and other Christians already had the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.
He also clarifies that he is not talking about sanctification. Sanctification is an ongoing process, not an experience. This experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from sanctification.
He further clarifies that this experience is not the same as being filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is meant to be a continual experience, whereas this is a unique experience.
He defines this experience as the spiritual manifestation of Jesus Christ to his people. It is beyond assurance of salvation. It is promised by Jesus in John 14:21.
He provides examples of this experience in the lives of John Flavel, Jonathan Edwards, D.L. Moody, and others. It is an overwhelming experience of the love and glory of Christ.
He argues that this experience is meant for all Christians, not just leaders or preachers. Peter promised it to all who repent and believe in Acts 2:38-39.
He describes it as an exceptional outpouring of the Spirit, a unique unveiling of the reality of Christ, and a profound awareness of God’s love unlike any other.
He warns against seeking an experience for its own sake or accepting it by faith alone. It must be sought by seeking Christ himself. When given, it will be unmistakable.
He concludes by praying that God would give the listeners honesty to examine themselves, pour out His love in their hearts, and grant them to truly know Him.