Baptized in Holy Spirit? *
What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
I thought it was the moment you decided to give your life to Christ (John 1:29-34).
However, I heard someone ask another "if they have been baptized in the Holy Spirit" KNOWING they already had gave their life to Christ, and that threw me off.
A: A secondary filling or empowering is a false teaching, due to misunderstanding Scripture, and false preachers use it to try to push some special thing to gain followers, and decieve people. Avoid anyone who holds that belief, they are decieved and deceiving others, act superior and self righteous. Attention seekers who 99% are not Christian. This new belief began in 1906 and intentionally uses an incorrect interpretation of Scripture. I would say it was started by a cult leader. It isnt biblical nor does it manifest as from God. Scripture says test the spirits, and use discernment.
To be baptized in the Holy Spirit means to be immersed, filled, and empowered by the Spirit of God—brought into the body of Christ at salvation and continually strengthened to live a holy, fruitful, God-glorifying life.
God says we are all indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit when we are saved. This is called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
▫️"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
▫️"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14
Scripture references: Matt 3:11, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 5:18.
You can look into this and other false charismatic movement beliefs, (from here), to help prevent you from falling into their deception. This question in particular gives clarity within that link. It is very important to understand these truths since theres many false doctrines of demons out there today, even claiming to be within Christiandom. Remember, God calls us to not fellowship with those who claim to know Christ but live purposely sinfully. Those who lie about the Holy Spirit should be avoided.
Matthew 7:17–23 :
"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 👉Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you who work iniquity."
Once you're more mature in the Faith and Scripture, you'll come to understand what they really teach, & you could carefully try to reach those folk with the truth and Gospel. Most will reject the truth, but at least you tried. Some may listen and turn from it, esp the ones disillusioned.
You will find a lot of these folk online pushing false things, so be aware. They'll persecute and slander you so be prepared for that, it is spiritual warfare. For others who got tangled up in that, God will pull them out of it as he teaches them and they grow, and move them to biblical churches. Just pray for them.
Not everyone who professes Christ is saved. There are false beliefs people hold about God, (even the world has varied false Jesus), and it is always for deception. It is idolatry. So too within so called Christandom are false jesuses. Many churches and people masqurade as Christian. Jesus will seperate the true believers from the false, not just on that Last Day, but at death too. This, Scripture shows true.
Do your best to know Scripture well, and be faithful to proclaim its truths accurately, and share the Gospel correctly. Living to serve, please and glorify God.
God bless
Related verses & clarity
1 Corinthians 5:11 — Do not associate with an unrepentant believer
Paul writes:
> “…not to keep company with anyone who is called a brother who is sexually immoral, or covetous, an idolater, a reviler, a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”
This is very direct. It does not mean avoiding unbelievers (1 Cor 5:9–10), but specifically those who "claim to be" believers yet live in open, ongoing sin without repentance.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 — Keep away from disorderly believers
> “Withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks disorderly…”
Again, this refers to someone called a “brother”—a professing Christian.
Romans 16:17 — Avoid those who cause spiritual harm
> “…mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine… and avoid them.”
Ephesians 5:11 — No fellowship with the works of darkness
> “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
=====
Scripture absolutely speaks about exposing false or deceptive professions of faith, with the goal of leading the person to true repentance and salvation.
Here are the clearest verses:
Ephesians 5:11 — Expose the deeds of darkness
This is the verse you’re thinking of:
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them.”
This means:
• Don’t participate in sinful behavior
• Don’t pretend it’s okay
• Expose it — not to shame, but to bring truth and correction
Jude 22–23 — Rescue those who are deceived
“And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire…”
This shows that when someone is in spiritual danger, Christians should:
• Warn them
• Confront them
• Try to rescue them spiritually
2 Timothy 2:25–26 — Correct them so God may grant repentance
“…in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance…”
Educate them so they may come to true salvation.
Galatians 6:1 — Restore the one caught in sin
“…restore such a one in the spirit of meekness…”
The aim is never humiliation — it’s restoration.
Titus 1:13–14 — Rebuke sharply so they may be sound in the faith
“…rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”
Again, rebuke with a purpose: to bring them back to truth.
Matthew 7:20 — You will know them by their fruits
Jesus teaches discernment.
You can identify a false convert by their life pattern.
Not to condemn, but to help them come to true faith.
✔️ So what should we do?
According to Scripture:
1. Expose the sinful behavior or false profession
(Ephesians 5:11)
2. Do it gently and lovingly
(Galatians 6:1)
3. Teach them the truth of the gospel
(2 Timothy 2:25)
4. The goal is always real repentance and salvation
(Jude 23)
=========
Scripture teaches Christians are not called to judge unbelievers (1 Cor 5:12–13), but we are called to judge righteously those who claim Christ.
Here are the key biblical passages:
1. John 7:24 — Judge righteous judgment
Jesus Himself commands:
> “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
This means:
○not hypocritically
○not superficially
○but with truth, discernment, and fairness
2. 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 — Judge those inside the church
Paul says:
> “For what have I to do with judging outsiders?
Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”
If someone claims Christ, their life should show it (Matt 7:20).
If they openly live in sin, believers must lovingly confront it.
3. Matthew 7:1–5 — Remove the log, then you can judge rightly
People often quote “judge not,” but Jesus’ full teaching is:
1. First remove your own sin
2. Then you can see clearly to help your brother, in righteousness & truth.
Jesus wasn’t forbidding judgment —
He was forbidding hypocritical judgment.
4. Galatians 6:1 — Correct believers caught in sin
> “…restore such a one in the spirit of meekness…”
Restoration requires discernment — which is judgment.
5. Ephesians 5:11 — Expose sin
> “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather expose them.”
You can’t expose sin without judging that the sin is sin.
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 — Test all things
> “Test all things; hold fast that which is good.”
Testing people’s teachings and actions is righteous judgment.
✔️ Summary: What the Bible teaches
We are NOT to judge:
Unbelievers (1 Cor 5:12–13)
Hypocritically (Matt 7:1–5)
By appearances (John 7:24)
We ARE commanded to judge:
Those who profess Christ (1 Cor 5:12)
Righteously (John 7:24)
With humility (Gal 6:1)
For restoration (Matt 18:15)
To protect the church (Titus 1:13; Rom 16:17)
