BAPTISMS
WATER BAPTISM – HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
Chapter 7
In this chapter we will introduce you to a commandment and also to a promised gift. Water Baptism is a commandment to all believers and the Holy Spirit Baptism is the promise given
for power and opening new spiritual perspective.
You will find the Bible talks about baptisms in the plural, meaning that there are more than one. In fact, you will find that there are three baptisms mentioned. (Hebrews 6:1-2; Matthew 3:11; Acts 11:16)
A. Water Baptism
Our great example, Jesus, was baptized in water. (Matthew 3:13-17)
Question – “Before I became a Christian, or while I was a baby, I was baptized. Is that good enough?”
Answer – No. The Scripture is clear in teaching that repentance from sin precedes or comes before you are baptized. (Acts 2:38) Therefore, you should understand what you are doing. When you are a baby or small child, you do not understand the meaning of water baptism.
1. Sprinkled or Immersed?
When you are baptized in water you will want to follow scriptural teaching. The Bible is very clear that baptism should be by immersion, or burial. The Greek word for baptism is “baptizen” and it means “to immerse, wash, to be buried”. There is no biblical record of sprinkling as a mode of baptizing. All words and variations of baptism mean “burial”.
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.”
(Romans 6:3-4)
“Buried with Him in baptism in which you also were raised with Him
through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
(Colossians 2:12)
2. What formula should be used?
What words should the minister or person doing the baptizing use?
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to
Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.”
(Matthew 28:18-19)
Some teach that the formula should be in Jesus’ name only. (Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5; Acts 2:38)
We do not believe one formula is superior to another. For example, you may have twenty-five cents. It does not matter if you have twenty-five pennies, two dimes and a nickel or five nickels, they all equal twenty-five cents. The value is the same.
The reason we use the Trinity is because our sins were against God and He brought us to Christ through His Holy Spirit. All three Persons of the Godhead were active in our redemption from sin.
Baptism is a type of the resurrection also. We are buried and raised with Christ. In Christ’s resurrection, He was raised up by God through the Spirit, so all three are active in that part of baptism.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies,
through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)
“Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified
of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up – if in fact the
dead do not rise.” (I Corinthians 15:15)
The outward symbolism of water baptism is described in Colossians 2:12:
“Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him
through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
Baptism should be done as soon as possible after you’ve received Christ.
3. After water baptism?
Follow the guidelines of Colossians 3:1-10. Note the lists below taken from these verses:
THINGS TO DO THINGS TO PUT OFF
a. Seek those things above
b. Set your affections on things above... ...not on things on earth
c. Mortify (put to death) your members... ...fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affections,
evil concupiscence, covetousness (idolatry)
d. Also put off these... ...anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication, lie not
e. New man is renewed in knowledge
(God’s knowledge – His Word)
As you set your affections on God and His Word and renew your mind daily in His Word and make an effort (faith in action) to kill or put off the list to the right, you will find most of them die of their own accord because of your new desires and Godly affection. You are now starving one nature and feeding the other.
Here is a list that helps us grow....increase it from time to time:
- Read at least one chapter in the Bible daily.
- Pray at least five minutes each day.
- Go to church every time you can.
This will help you focus on God in your life. The desires of the flesh (list on right) will begin to die. Your Godly desires will grow because you are feeding your spiritual desires and starving your fleshly desires.
B. The Holy Spirit Baptism
1. What is the outward physical sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism?
- Isaiah 28:11-12
- Acts 2:4
- Acts 8:15-19
- Acts 9:17 (see also I Corinthians 14:18)
- Acts 10:44-46
- Acts 15:7-8
- Acts 19:1-6
2. The tongue is the most unruly member of our body. (James 3:2-8)
Therefore, God picks it as a sign that He is in control and speaks through us in a tongue we’ve never learned.
3. We seek the Giver of the gifts (Jesus) and not tongues.
When you buy a pair of shoes, the tongues come with the shoes; you don’t ask for a pair of tongues.
4. Praying in tongues edifies or builds you up.
- Jude 20
- I Corinthians 12:10,28
- I Corinthians 14:26
- I Corinthians 12:7 (It benefits – doesn’t destroy – God gives good gifts)
5. Tongues are a sign to the unbeliever.
- I Corinthians 14:15,16,22
6. Should tongues be used in a church service?
Yes, but with guidelines.
- I Corinthians 14:12-19
- I Corinthians 14:23
- I Corinthians 12:26-28
Paul is definite that if a tongue is used in public meetings, it should be interpreted so the whole body may be edified. Otherwise, it only edifies the one who speaks and should be done in private devotions. (Jude 20)
However, please note that Paul instructs that tongues should not be forbidden in public meetings – interpreted, but not forbidden, and to covet prophecy. (I Corinthians 14:39)
7. The Holy Spirit is much more than a tongue.
The tongue is only the outward evidence of the third Person of the Godhead’s occupancy of your life. The scriptures listed below give us an idea of His help in our lives.
- Romans 8:26-27
- John 14:16
- John 16:8,13
- Acts 1:8
- I Corinthians 2:12-13
- I Corinthians 2:16
- John 15:26
- II Corinthians 4:13-14
8. Do you make up words or repeat words after somebody or talk in baby babblings to start with?
NO! The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit will give you utterance of speech. Note: There was no one present on the day of Pentecost to teach them how to talk. (Acts 19) There was no one teaching them how to talk twenty-five years later at Ephesus. (Acts 2:4)
9. How do I receive the Holy Spirit Baptism?
a. Repent of your sins. (Acts 2:37-39)
b. Have faith to receive, just as you did for salvation. (Acts 8:14-17)
c. He is the promised Gift to be received. You don’t have to beg or plead
for a gift, just receive it. (Luke 11:9-13) Note: Acts 2:39 says the gift is for everyone.
d. Be obedient to God’s Word. (Acts 5:32)
e. Supply the air and vocal chords, just as you do to speak English or
any other language. You won’t understand the words but give expression to them.
f. He will stimulate your lips to speak. (Isaiah 28:11; I Corinthians 14:21)
10. The Holy Spirit also renews your mind.
Remember God doesn’t give any bad gifts, only gifts that edify or build up.
- II Timothy 1:7
- Romans 12:2
- II Corinthians 4:16
- Ephesians 4:23
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