Baptism(s)
I found there are several baptisms named in the Bible, but I'm only going to cover two of them: Water Baptism and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Water Baptism follows salvation and is a step of faith to those who believe. It's full emersion in water, not a sprinkle. It represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We partake in his death and resurrection to new life by being Baptized, making a proclamation of our new birth in Christ. It's like going into the womb again and coming out a new. There are three things going on here: Baptism of repentance for the remission of sins - prior to Jesus coming on the scene. Baptism with the Holy Ghost, by Jesus, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Each scripture below addresses these three areas. Before Jesus: Mark 1:4 "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." At the time of Jesus: Matthew 3:11 " I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." After Jesus: Acts 2:38 " Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Mark 1:4 talks about those who were baptized before Jesus came. And because of that, they would then need to "receive" the Holy Ghost. Acts 19:2 "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." For us today, if you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have the Holy Ghost because He bears witness in your heart, you know something happened. You see things differently, you may even feel differently. (Romans 8:16). Jesus said that we will be sent the comforter upon "believing" in Him. We don't need to again receive the Holy Ghost, what we need to do is be baptized "In" the Holy Ghost. Remember the Holy Ghost alighted on Jesus when He came out of the water (Luke 3:22) and after that was when He began His ministry. Many people are out there doing a bunch of stuff and trying to work the works of God but have never been water baptized nor "received" the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism in water or of the Holy Ghost was not necessary for Salvation, because if we look at the cross, the thief next to Jesus went with Him to paradise the minute he died (Luke 24:43). He didn't need the "power" of the Holy Ghost to live out his life, because he didn't have a life to live out. He didn't have to get down off the cross and be baptized to be saved. He was saved when he believed! But for those who want to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to be baptized in water AND in the Holy Ghost. John 20:21-22 "Then said Jesus to them again, "Peace be to you, as My Father has sent me, even so send I you; And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and says to them, "Receive you the Holy Ghost." This passage of scripture was written AFTER Jesus rose from the dead and was dwelling among them for many days before is final ascention to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. As a matter of fact, this same chapter says that Jesus did so many things that there wouldn't be enough books to contain all He did. But what I want to focus on is that Jesus said, "Receive you the Holy Ghost." He imparted the Holy Ghost upon his disciples. They didn't have the comforter yet! So Jesus filled them with the Holy Ghost. This is the FIRST phase of the work of the Holy Ghost. For salvation. To seal those who are God's. Acts 1:4 "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem (Jesus said) but wait for the promise of the Father, which says you have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now." This has proved to me that there are three things going on. First, be baptized in Water, signifying our belief, then Jesus gave the comforter, and thirdly to get the power to follow Him and "do" those things which we saw Him "do." To be witnesses of Him. To teach, preach, prophesy in His Name and for His glory. To lead people to repentance. To introduce them to the Father through Jesus Christ. To be bold, courageous, and fearless. To walk in love and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. In order to do this, we need to be equipped. Acts 1:5-9 "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." There are several gifts of the Holy Ghost. One of them is speaking in tongues. The reason that gift came first was the situation they were in, they needed that gift. When they came out of the upper room among a crowd of people, there were many tongues and languages. So when they spoke in tongues, those that were there they heard them say wonderful things God had done and blessing God in their own language! They didn't need the gift of faith at that moment, they needed the gift of tongues. The Holy Ghost will give the gift according as He wills. Not that one person will only get tongues, or one of the other gifts as a life-long gift, but depending on the situation they are in, the Holy Ghost will give to you what you need for that situation, and you may operate in all the gifts from time to time. So don't be stuck that you don't "speak in tongues" after you have been baptized in the Holy Ghost, it's only ONE evidence. And how do you get Baptized? Remember, you have "received' the Holy Ghost when you were saved. Now have someone pray over you and lay hands on you to be Baptized in the Holy Ghost. It WILL happen, whether you feel like it or not. This comes by faith. I have to say here that I believe Jesus was Baptized in the Holy Ghost when He was Baptized in Water. That's my take on it. Because a dove came upon Him like the Holy Ghost, and from that time on was when he started his ministry, and his first one was a miracle! What is the evidence that you have been Baptized in the Holy Ghost? See in Acts 1 - last part of vs. 9 that when they receive the Holy Ghost they will be given power to be a witness? Are you sharing your faith with others? Are you excited about reading the Bible and learning of God? Are you convicted when you sin? Do you want to help others learn of God? Do you have a desire to go to the nations with the Word of God? Then this is evidence you have the "Power" of the Holy Ghost. Also, Acts 2:38 says when we repent and are baptized, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." It doesn't say "gifts" - it says gift. The Holy Spirit Himself is the gift. So, it's very clear here that when you receive Jesus Christ - you are saved - and are baptized - you also receive the power of the Holy Spirit. How else can you be led? It's the spirit within you leading and guiding you in all truth. You see very clearly when you sin, because the Holy Spirit is within you shining a light on that sin to help it be exposed so you can be cleansed. If that's not happening in your life, then I would assure salvation and then follow the Lord in baptism, even if you have been baptized before. John 16:7 " Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."I indeed will send you the comforter after they were baptized." John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The disciples didn't have access to the comforter - yet. They had repented and were baptized, but there was no Holy Ghost to alight upon them and seal them until redemption. That is why Jesus breathed on them in John 20:22 and said, "Receive you the Holy Ghost." Because they had to be "sealed" as believers. And couldn't be sealed until Jesus went to be with the Lord. Acts 19:2 - He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Have you received since you believed should be asked for someone who never put their faith in Christ. I have had several experiences where this was true and had the opportunity to lead them to Christ. They thought they were Christians. They attended church faithfully, they even sang in the choir, they read their Bible and even helped at church services. They walked the walk, and talked the talk, but they knew something was missing. Inside they were confused and unsure and full of doubt and fear and just couldn't "do" what they saw in the Bible to do. In one case, after ministering for some time I came to the conclusion that this person may not be saved. So I asked, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" He wasn't sure what I meant. Then I asked, "Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?" He replied, "I've always been a Christian." Then I asked, "Can you tell me of your conversion experience?" He was unable to. But He said, "I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe in God." I asked Him again, "But have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" He paused for a moment and said, "No." After ministering to him along these lines he agreed to pray with me for salvation and baptism of the Holy Ghost. In these cases, after they prayed with me, they would tell me that they felt different. They knew something happened, yet all those years no one helped them come to Christ. They were given tasks and jobs and work to do but no one asked them, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" See, even the devils believe (James 2:19), but they can't receive!!!! We as humans can and have every opportunity to do so until we take our last breath on this earth. Once we have received the Holy Ghost through salvation, we are now able to lead others to the Lord and baptize others. Yes, you! It doesn't have to be a preacher or a teacher or minister. It can be anyone who is a believer and has followed the Lord in full-emersion water Baptism. How do I know this? Because the scriptures say that we are to "go" and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Who are we? All of us. Mark 16:15-19 "And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye (all of us) into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." I am greatly disturbed by religious beliefs that evidence of having the Holy Spirit is that you have to speak in tongues. This is totally false and puts so many in doubt, fear and unbelief because they think they are less than. They think that God has some how left out of this part for them and so they begin wondering if God really loves them as much as they love those. I would like to put that to rest and say, speaking in tongues is a gift, but not the only gift. And it's evidence that you have the Holy Spirit of power when you have a desire to follow the Lord. When you want to share your faith. When you want to live for God. See, I know many who speak in tongues but their lives are a wreck. I know many who don't speak in tongues, and they have such peace. But the problem is, because of those that speak in tongues they make those feel bad who don't. We need to stop all that and love... In Closing: If you feel that you don't have the "power" to live as a believer, perhaps you have not received since you believed. If you want to be water baptized, find someone who is a believer and has been baptized in water to baptize you. Simply have them say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost - amen." Then dunk you. As you are put under remember that this signifies Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Acknowledge that as you go down, and when you come up, open your heart up to receiving the Fire and Power of the Holy Spirit. These things should all be done at the same time. When you do this, you are now equipped to lay hands on the sick, and they recover, to cast out devils, to speak with new tongues. And by the way, it's not just speaking "tongues" it's speaking with a new attitude behind the words you speak. Your conversation changes. You begin speaking through the power of the Holy Ghost. You will understand what it means when the Lord said, "Don't take thought of what you are going to say, the Holy Ghost will say it through you" (Matthew 10:19). |