Holy Spirit Baptism

by Anthony A. Hoekema

Book by Anthony A. Hoekema

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Anthony A. Hoekema (1913-1988) was a Christian theologian of the Dutch Reformed tradition who served as professor of Systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary for twenty-one years.

Hoekema was born in the Netherlands but immigrated to the United States in 1923. He attended Calvin College (A.B.), the University of Michigan (M.A.), Calvin Theological Seminary (Th.B.) and Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.D., 1953). After pastoring several Christian Reformed churches (1944-56), he became Associate Professor of Bible at Calvin College (1956-58). From 1958 to 1979, when he retired, he was Professor of Systematic Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Reviews

[Zach Hollifield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to his On Tongues-Speaking. Although he changed his view on what is happening in Acts 8. Again, a great rejection of the Pentecostal view of a second Spirit-baptism and subsequent gift of tongues. But I do part ways with him over the complete cessation of the “sign gifts.”

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Hoekema is known for doing Reformed theology in a clear, concise manner. This volume is no different. Read it alongside the Gaffin volume I reviewed earlier this year.

The point of this book is to combat the idea, rampant in charismatic and Pentecostal circles today, that one needs a "second blessing" of the Holy Spirit in order to be a truly mature Christian.

Hoekema puts this idea to bed. He teaches clearly the Biblical teaching on what baptism of the spirit is (it's not a second blessing), and why we shouldn't pursue the speaking of tongues today.

Alternatively, Hoekema teaches, we ought to pursue the fruit of the Spirit and the fullness of the Spirit (see, for example, Eph. 5:18).

There's nothing groundbreaking here. It's a good review of what you (ought to) believe and why. Would of course be helpful if you came in contact regularly with charismatics.

[Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I am inclined toward Hoekema's position on this issue, this book is riddled with problems. He engages in not a little question-begging, makes assertions without backing them up properly, and abuses words like "clearly" and "obviously" in such a way as to give the impression he'd proved something he hadn't. Even the organization of the argument is problematic, as he "proves" the Pentecostal teachings about spirit-baptism are unbiblical BEFORE he exegetes all the relevant texts. This book simply isn't beneficial to the overall discussion

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with much on Hoekema's argument against Neo-Pentecostal teaching, although I disagree with a few points also. I did find that some of Hoekema's arguments were quite weak, both in things I agreed and disagreed with. It serves as a helpful pointer in a contentious argument nonetheless.