Baptism with the Holy Spirit or
in the Holy Spirit in
Christian theology is a term describing
baptism (washing or immersion) in or with the
Spirit of God and is frequently associated with the bestowal of
spiritual gifts and empowerment for
Christian ministry. While the phrase "baptism with the Holy Spirit" is found in the
New Testament and all Christian traditions accept it as a theological concept, each tradition has interpreted it in a way consistent with their own beliefs on
ecclesiology and Christian initiation. One view holds that the term refers only to
Pentecost, the "once-for-all" event for the whole
Church described in the second chapter of the
Book of Acts. Another view holds that the term also refers to an experience of the individual believer distinct from salvation and initiation into the Church.