“Two-Stage” Spirit Reception in the Writings of Paul

What is it about?

It is often said that the Pauline epistles do not bear witness to a baptism of the Spirit as a (potentially) post-conversion experience. Robert Menzies used 2 Tim 1:6–7 and Rom 1:11 to show that his writings actually do teach such a "two-stage" Spirit reception, as he calls it. This article builds on his work and adds additional Pauline passages to the list of ones that point to such a Spirit reception. Further, the intertextuality of the Lukan and Pauline writings is explored as crucial to a right understanding of this issue. 1 Corinthians 12:13 is examined, since for many this proves Paul does not affirm subsequence. Yet, this passage is shown to be speaking to another issue entirely and is not in conflict with a "two-stage" Spirit reception. The article closes with a series of observations that summarize the findings. The conclusion is that both Paul and Luke speak to a similar Spirit reception, and a definition for this reception needs to be adopted that encompasses both—one that allows for a distinct and dynamic Spirit baptism but with a variety of possible evidences (those found in the Pauline epistles like assurance of God's love and sonship, joy, a pronounced increase of spiritual gifts, etc.) is the one that best meets this criteria.

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Photo by Sean Sinclair on Unsplash

Photo by Sean Sinclair on Unsplash