spirit baptism
Definition
Spirit baptism (also: baptism by the Holy Spirit) is the second of three distinct baptisms in Noordzij’s soteriological schema. It is the actual work of salvation: the exalted Lord baptizes the believer with his Spirit and fire (Matt. 3:11), effecting inward cleansing and ongoing transformation. While water baptism is symbolic and human, spirit baptism is divine and real — the direct action of God’s power upon the inner life of the believer.
Usage in the Corpus
Cees Noordzij
Noordzij describes spirit baptism as the core of the soteriological process:
Baptism by God’s Spirit and “fire” (cleansing) is performed by the exalted Lord, who grants his power for continuous transformation from “old” to “new” (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Spirit baptism is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality: the Spirit cleanses, forms, and builds up the believer into the image of Christ. Paul’s letters concentrate on this — the “influence and transformation of the Spirit” enabling spiritual maturity in Christ (Eph. 4:12–13). [Noordzij, What Is Baptism?, b10]
This baptism is pneumatologically grounded: it is the Holy Spirit who incorporates the believer into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Spirit baptism builds Christ’s body — not as an institution but as a living community of transformed persons.