BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST, that overwhelming abundance of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit which our Saviour, after his as cension, poured forth upon his disciples.
The basis of this beautiful metaphor is found in the literal signification of baptism, which is to cover one completely with any kind of element, paiticularly water. So the apostles and primitive believers are said to have been not only in a de gree sub;ected to the influence of the Holy Spirit, hut filled with it, immersed in it, as in a new ele ment of existence, life, perception, feeling and action. A measure of the same Divine influence they had received before, but this was a far more copious and ample communication of it, to qualify them for their public labors, as well as to elevate their personal character and to promote their spir itual enjoyment. Nor does this rich donation of spiritual blessings appear to have been restricted to miraculous gifts on the one hand, or to the primitive believers on the other. For it is repre
sented : (I) As the prerogative of Christ's per sonal dignity (Matt. iii:t : Mark i :8; Luke iii :16; John i 32, 33). (2) As the grand distinc tion of his glorious reign (John vii xvi :7. (3) As the special promise of the new covenant (Luke xxiv :49; Acts i :4-8: ii 16-21, 33, 38, 3o: Ileb. viii (4) As the privilege and seal of every believer (Ephes. i:t3, i4; iv:3o; v:t8; Gal. iv:6; v:t6, 25. (5) As the proper object of expectation and prayer (Is. xxxii xliv :3-5: Luke xi:5-13: Phil. i :to). (6) As comprehending gifts and graces, varied in kind and degree to supply the necessities of the church, according to the will and wisdom of the Spirit himself (i Cor. xii :t- t3, 3 t ; xiv ; Ephes, so :9 ; iv :30 ; Rom. viii : 9. 13, 14; xiv:t7; xv:t3)•