The 120 or the 12? (Adapted and revised)

One of the more popular doctrines of our time is the belief in “Holy Spirit baptism.” It is extremely popular among the various charismatic groups. Much of the basis for such a doctrine comes from a misunderstanding of Acts chapters one and two.

In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus told the apostles, “...wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Here the promise was clearly made to the apostles. But advocates of Holy Spirit baptism want us to note that in Acts 1:13-15, about 120 disciples assembled with the 11 apostles. They want us to believe that in Acts 2:1; the pronoun they refers to the apostles and the 120 disciples; thus teaching that the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 as well as the 12 (Acts 2:1-4). However, as we have already noted, the promise was made to the apostles. Further, when they selected a 12th apostle, the Bible says, “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Note that the first chapter closes with a noun, “apostles.”)

There is a rule in English that we should all understand, that the antecedent of any pronoun is found by referring back to the nearest noun or pronoun which agrees in number, etc. In this case the pronoun they refers back to the nearest noun, which we have already noted as being the “apostles.”

If one tries to say that the pronoun in Acts 2:1 refers back to 1:15 to the 120, then they make a serious grammatical error. Such an error will lead to an improper interpretation of scripture, and therefore a wrongful conclusion.

Common sense also tells us that the Holy Spirit baptism applied only to the apostles in this text since they alone were promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13; Acts 1:4-5).

Also observe that when it was time to address the multitude on Pentecost, the scripture is silent as to the 120. “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice...” (Acts 2:14).

There is no basis for teaching Holy Spirit baptism today. The argument of the 120 does not stand the test. There is only one baptism that we must teach, and it is in water for the remission of sins (Eph. 4:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16).

What hinders you today from being baptized (Acts 8:36)?

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