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.
Acts 2:38
Water Baptism
There are two words used with respect to baptism. They are both
recognized in Matthew 20:22 “But Jesus answered and said, “Ye know
not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of,
and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” The
first is “baptized (Greek baptizo)”. The second is “baptism
(Greek baptisma)”. Let’s take a look at the definition of both as
recognized by Strong’s Concordance.
907 baptizo {bap-tid'-zo} from a derivative of 911; TDNT - 1:529,92;
verb AV - baptize (76), wash 2, baptist 1, baptized + 2258 1; 80 1) to
dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2) to cleanse
by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash
one's self, bathe 3) to overwhelm ++++ Not to be confused with 911,
bapto.
(The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from
the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a
recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words.
Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first
be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in
the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in
a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising
the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New
Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification
with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. 'He that
believes and is baptised shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere
intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a
real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! Bible Study Magazine,
James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.)
908 baptisma {bap'-tis-mah} from 907; TDNT - 1:545,92; n n AV - baptism
22; 22 1) immersion, submersion 1a) of calamities and afflictions with
which one is quite overwhelmed 1b) of John's baptism, that purification
rite by which men on confessing their sins were bound to spiritual
reformation, obtained the pardon of their past sins and became qualified
for the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom soon to be set up. This was
valid Christian baptism, as this was the only baptism the apostles
received and it is not recorded anywhere that they were ever re-baptised
after Pentecost. 1c) of Christian baptism; a rite of immersion in water
as commanded by Christ, by which one after confessing his sins and
professing his faith in Christ, having been born again by the Holy
Spirit unto a new life, identifies publicly with the fellowship of
Christ and the church. ++++ In Rom. 6:3 Paul states we are "baptised
unto death" meaning that we are not only dead to our former ways, but
they are buried. To return to them is as unthinkable for a Christian as
for one to dig up a dead corpse! In Moslem countries a new believer has
little trouble with Moslems until he is publicly baptised. It is then,
that the Moslems' know he means business, and then the persecution
starts.
Why should we be baptized?
Jesus did it.
After these things came Jesus
and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with
them, and baptized. John 3:22
Jesus commanded it.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
The Apostles taught it.
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. Acts 2:38
The new converts did it.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12
The new church taught it.
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 8:35-38
What it represents
A departure from the past and death to the old man.
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 1Corinthians 10:2
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 1 Peter 3:20
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4
And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Romans 6:3
Newness of life and future hope.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
I indeed have baptized you with water:
but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Mark 1:8
What is it?
Throughout church history there has been much debate towards the topic
of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Some, recognized as
dispensationalists, believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and
therefore the baptism of the Holy Spirit, are not for today. This
developed thought is spurned on by the abuses of some claiming to
exercise their gifts. Abandoning what Jesus commanded due to the
negligent activity of some is not the correct response. There is no
teaching in scripture that would draw me to believe that the baptism of
the Holy Spirit is not for today. That being stated, what is the baptism
of the Holy Spirit.
It was promised.
And, behold, I send the
promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49
And, being assembled together with
them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of
me. Acts 1:4
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:5
It is a gift
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. Acts 2:38
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:44, 45
It creates unity.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13
He provides power.
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49
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 Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel,
why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by
our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? Acts 3:12
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles
among the people. Acts 6:8
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1Corinthians 2:4, 5
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God
given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Ephesians 3:7
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we
were among you for your sake. 1Thesselonians 1:5
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind. 2Timothy 1:7
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away. 2Timothy 3:5
He brings intimacy to our relationship with Jesus.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13-15
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16
Abide in me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more
can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you? 1Corinthians 3:16
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1Corinthians
6:19
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Corinthians 6:16
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye
need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you
of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught
you, ye shall abide in him. 1John 2:27
You can receive it by asking.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:11-13
In Conclusion
The act of water baptism is one of obedience towards God’s commandment for us. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an act of loving grace of our Father towards us.
Discussion Questions
What have you learned regarding baptism that you may not have already known?
Knowing we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, what level of intimacy do you believe is expressed that our Father desires to have with us?
Can you think of a time of intimacy you have shared with your heavenly Father?
Have been water baptized?
If yes, did your baptism experience provide you insight to your calling?
Please let us know if you have not been baptized and would like to be.