Most of us have heard the word ‘Baptism’. As Christian we are baptized, but do we know what baptism is? Roman Catholics are baptized as babies with a little water and anointed with oil. Other Christians get themselves baptized by immersing themselves fully in water.
Which is right and which is wrong?
I knew of only two baptisms before of Water and Spirit, until the Lord disclosed the third one. Let us learn all about this from the Holy Bible.
Mt 3: 4 - 6
4 John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
In the Holy Bible the word Baptism is first associated with the ministry of John the Baptize. John was the cousin of Jesus. His mission was to announce the coming of Christ the savior and prepare the people. His fame had spread far and wide and people in large numbers from all over came to him. He would get them to repent and then performed the ceremony of Baptism in Water.
Mathew 11:7-12
7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
" 'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.' 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
Baptism means ‘to be immersed’. John used to ask them to give up their sinful lives and change, after that he would immerse them in a river baptizing them. John got them to repent and get baptized in very large numbers so much so that, Jesus said “the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Translated in Amplified as
Matthew 11:12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize--a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
The scripture clearly states that by the baptism of water they underwent, the people were claiming a place for themselves in Heaven.
Jesus Himself as He started His ministry at the age of thirty went to John to be baptized.
Mt 3: 13 - 16
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Since John knew who Jesus was, it did not make sense to him that Jesus needed to be baptized. People think Baptism is connected with repentance of sin; if so then the baptizing of Jesus would make Him not free of sin and we land up losing our hope of salvation. Jesus although being free of sin yet got baptized.
It was John’s mission on earth to get people to repent, baptize them and prepare them for the Savior. Jesus even though He was God, He was born as man (completely 100% man) therefore He needed to do all things that man needed to do in the eyes of God. We will understand this as we come to know baptism better.
According to John, the baptism that John performed was only a step because he proclaimed that the Savior will come and will baptize the people with the next levels of Baptism, which are with Holy Spirit and fire.
Mt 3: 11
11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Many of us may have heard about being baptize with water and the Holy Spirit, but what is ‘baptism of fire’? Is it necessary?
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Jesus said to enter into the kingdom of God we need to be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit.
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Being born again and being baptized by water and Spirit, are these two different conditions or are they parts of the same condition by which one can see / enter Heaven?
Baptism of water enables us to claim our place in heaven while baptism of the Holy Spirit enables us to enter heaven. Then why do we need the baptism of ‘fire’? And what does that enable us to?
Mt 3:16
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
Luke 3:21-22
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
When Jesus was baptized in water the Spirit of God descended on Him ‘like a dove’. Luke goes to the extent to reiterate that it looked very much like a dove. When a dove descends it flaps its wings very rapidly and not gracefully like many other birds. So, why the Holy Spirit did chose to imitate the form of a dove?
Did Jesus receive the Holy Spirit then, when He was baptized by John?
We read that Matthew uses the reference ‘Christ’ for Jesus from the start. Even the Angel’s declaration unto Mary before she was conceived with Jesus; that He will be called Emmanuel, which was also prophesied by Isaiah.
Matthew 1:23
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
The word ‘Emmanuel’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘Immanuel’ which is actually two words ‘Immanu’ and ‘El’. Immanu means ‘with’ or ‘hide’ and El refers to ‘God’. Therefore the name literately means ‘with God within’ or ‘on whom is God’ which simply means Christ.
Matthew 1:16
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matthew 16:16
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Even in Matthew 1:23 in the Greek script between the words ‘with us’ and ‘God’ is a Greek word has not been translated. In the Interlinear it has been put with a hyphen.
Luke 2:40
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke tells us that as a child Jesus waxed strong in Spirit and the effects were seen even on his visit to the temple as a child.
So what actually happened when Jesus got baptized? Why did the Holy Spirit manifested on Him after He was baptized in water?
We will come back to baptism of fire later, after we understand the baptism of water and the Spirit.
Before a person is baptized there is a step to be done.
Mark 16:16
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, ….
Mt 28 :19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…"
Jesus said “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...”. That means, before baptizing them we need to make disciples of them and then teach them. Which means, the first step is to give them the ‘Good News’ about ‘the hope of being Saved’; after they accept it, then we baptize them and then teach them the Word of God.
Also why did Jesus use the order Father, Son and Holy Spirit? The Son is not greater than the Holy Spirit. In fact the Son being begotten was declared by the Father, the Spirit of God was with the Father before that.
John 1:18
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
The Greek word translated as bosom actually means creek. God is not man, He is Spirit; the Son existed in the Father from the beginning and was declared as an individual latter. His time of existence is same as the Father and He is identical to the Father, yet the Father is God also to Him.
The order of Baptism is according to Who reveals Who. It is the Father Who reveals the Son, and it is the Son who reveals the Holy Spirit.
Luke 10:22
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Luke 10:22 (without the words added for readability)
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and to whom the Son will reveal.
Jesus referred to God the Father as Father as well as the Holy Spirit as Father; since He was born as man by the Spirit of God.
1 John 1:3
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Therefore it is useless to talk to someone about Lord Jesus Christ if that person does not believe in God. We need to first make then believe in God the Father, then His Son and then the Holy Spirit.
Even when Jesus had told to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, yet they baptized in the Name of Lord Jesus. Were they disobeying?
Acts 19:5
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
If you read a line before and a line after, you will see they were people who believed in God; they were told to repent and turn to God; latter were baptized in Lord Jesus and then they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:4-6
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Being baptized in Lord Jesus Christ does not automatically mean one gets baptized in the Holy Spirit. When we get baptized in Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is an assured promise to us. Therefore after being baptized in Lord Jesus Christ one needs to get to the next step of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
When we repent and are baptized in water, we are automatically assured the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is not only for us alone but also for our children and those yet to know God, whom God will call.
Acts 8:15-16
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 1:5
5 For John baptized with [Or in] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
The scriptures does not mention all the Apostles under went the process of being immersed in water, yet they were to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Were they jumping the steps?
Acts 2:1-4
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
On the day of Pentecost the Apostles and others who were present in the upper room were baptized with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended as dove lighting on Him, but on the day of Pentecost the Apostles were baptized by the Holy Spirit in the form of wind and tongues of fire.
It was not on the day of Pentecost that they received the Holy Spirit, because after Jesus’ resurrection He breathe in them and said ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’.
John 20:21-22
21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit….”
So, if the Apostles had already received the Holy Spirit then what actually happened on the day of Pentecost?
Acts 1:44-48
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Here we learn some thing very interesting. The Gentiles even without going through the ceremony of water baptism received the Holy Spirit; Peter got them water baptized later. But in Acts 8:15-16 only those who were baptized in Lord Jesus Christ were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:15-16
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Is there a difference between water baptism and baptism in Lord Jesus Christ?
An interesting thing Paul writes is that, his priority is not to baptize but to preach the message of Salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
So what should our priority be, to get people baptized or to preach the message of salvation to them? Jesus said a person can not enter heaven without being baptized with water and Spirit, so was Paul stopping the people from entering heaven?
Mark 10:38-39
38 "You (James & John) don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, ..”
In the start people used to tell me that Jesus spoke here about the baptism of suffering / sorrow. I do agree Jesus spoke here about His suffering about the ‘cup I drink’ but He says ‘or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’. Here Jesus spoke about the third baptism but that baptism may not be the same of Jesus.
People add to this list of Baptism, Jesus' baptism of sorrow; I could also add Paul' baptism of humility, Abraham' baptism of faith, Moses' baptism of authority, Job' baptism of righteousness etc. to that list. They cannot be classified as baptism. Jesus said ‘the cup I drink or / and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with’.
I have put many questions in your mind by now. Before we get them answered I will put another few questions.
Luke 12:49-53
49 "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Here Jesus says that He has come not to unite but divide. Ironically Jesus came on earth to save mankind so He should unite the people than to divide them! He is the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
This Baptism which Jesus spoke about in Luke at that time was stated as not completed yet.
Till now we read about three baptisms, but in the book of Ephesians, Paul wrote there is only one baptism!
Ephesians 4:4-6
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
In the book of Romans, Paul compares the baptism of water to being baptized into Christ Jesus and unto His death and His resurrection.
Romans 6:3-5
3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
In 1 Peter 3:21; Peter also writes that water is symbolic but we are saved by being immersed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:21
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Was there baptism before John the Baptize?
Baptism in Abraham
Col 2:11-12
11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Here Paul compares baptism to circumcision. Circumcision was cutting off the flesh and baptism in Lord Jesus Christ is cutting off the sinful nature through the death and resurrection of Christ.
Let’s study further on Circumcision. In the book of Genesis the Lord asked Abraham and all the males in his family to be circumcised. This included all those who called themselves believers of the true God.
Genesis 17:10
10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
Circumcision as you know is chopping off the tip of the skin of the male reproductive organ. In the olden days this was done with a sharp stone. It was such a painful process that a person was not in a position to do anything for even 3 days. It put the life and the future generation of the person at risk. Why did God want that?
Luke 2:21
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
We also see that Jesus as a child was circumcised. People say Jesus was baptized in water even though He was Lord therefore we too need to be baptized. But I have never heard anyone say that Jesus was circumcised therefore we also need to be circumcised. By circumcision He also fulfilled righteousness.
In the Old Testament righteousness was achieved by efforts in the natural, in the New Testament it is achieved by the grace of Lord Christ Jesus.
Being circumcised meant total surrender to God. It actual was symbolic to the circumcision of the heart. Circumcising the body but not the heart is of no relevance. But if one circumcised the heart then circumcising the body is not needed, therefore Paul was instrument in making them aware of the truth on circumcision.
Romans 4:8-13
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
1 Corinthians 7:18-19
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Galatians 5:2-6
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Romans 2:25-29
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Baptism in Moses
1 Cor 10:1-2
1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
Paul writes that the Israelites went through the baptism of sea and cloud. Are these baptisms different form the baptisms of water and Spirit?
The crossing of the Red sea by the Israelites was compared to baptism of water (sea). They had to surrender themselves to God and the sea, because they were crossing a sea that was about 100 feet deep which was split in between. They went in from one side as bondmen and came out from the other side as free people.
1 Corinthians 10:1-2
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
The name of the sea is given as Red Sea which was the Greek name, during the Hebrew period the name was Weed Sea, for names or rivers and seas during those days were according to the vegetation around. Weeds / reeds represent the knowledge or understand of this world, which are not of God’s Kingdom. Baptism through the Red Sea / Weed Sea meant rejecting knowledge and understanding of this world and receiving the hope of salvation through Lord Jesus Christ.
Baptism in water is a symbolic ceremony like circumcision, what is important is dying to Jesus Christ and being resurrected with Him, surrendering ourselves to Him totally by accepting His sacrifice on the cross in our lives with the hope of being resurrected like Him. The water is symbolic, what one needs to be baptized in is the Living water which is the Truth of Jesus Christ.
Therefore we see that Jesus did not give too much importance to the symbolism but more to what happen in the inner-man (soul) and the spirit of the person.
John 4:1-2
1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
God indentifies Himself more with our soul (heart) and spirit not so much with the body. Our body dies but our soul and spirit lives.
Matthew 22:32
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Jesus Christ came as man and was found worthy by His sacrifice, so will sit on the Judgment throne and be the Lord of both the dead and the living. For only a Son of Man who can take this position, since God had given dominion to man over this world when He created it.
Romans 14:9
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Genesis 1:26
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
John 5:26-27
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Paul although did baptize in water but he too did not give too much importance to the symbolism.
Taking the step of immersing in water is symbolically announcing the decision to one self and to the persons who are witness; like exchanging of rings is to Christian marriage.
What Paul did was, spoke to the people about God and about the sacrifice of Jesus that are the first steps which lead to baptism of water. Without believing in the sacrifice of Jesus; what good does the baptism of water hold?
When we get our children baptized in water, it is only a symbolic ceremony, announcing that we want our child to be a follower of Christ. But if we do not let them know about the sacrifice of Christ Jesus and get them to accept it; what good does their symbolic water baptism hold?
Repentance is like the Passover which the Israelites celebrated before the crossing of the Red Sea. They turned to God for they also worshipped other Gods in Egypt. They repented and took protection under the blood of the lamb which was applied on their door post, after that they moved to the hope of salvation (the crossing of the Red Sea – though they did this without knowledge or understanding).
Baptism in Noah
The depth of surrender in baptism can only be understood from the baptism in Noah. When the people with him floated on water for months and when the whole world was immersed under water. Thus in true water baptism for us the whole world dies and we live with a new live and a new world. This world is then seen only through our relationship in Christ.
1 Peter 3:18-21
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 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.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Jesus’ baptism of water was nothing to do with sin but fulfillment of the Word. It was a gesture to the world of His surrendering to God. This happened just before He took on His mission and was led into the desert.
Jesus by his baptism also testified to John (who was his own cousin and still did not know Him till then) and to us Who He was.
John 1:32-34
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
His baptism in river Jordan also has its purpose. The word ‘Jordan’ in Hebrew means ‘inheritance’. It was by the crossing of the river Jordan that the Israelites entered their promise land. It is by our baptism in Water and Spirit that we enter into our promise land - Heaven.
Therefore those who get baptized in the body are not truly baptized but those who are baptized in heart and spirit are. When we die our body may go to dust from where it came but our soul and spirit lives. We need to be born again not in body but in spirit.
John 3:5-6
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Jesus and Paul were very clear about baptism. They gave importance more to the baptism of the soul (heart) and spirit and not so much to the symbolism of immersing in water. They did object it, Jesus Okayed his disciples baptizing in water, there are records that Paul too did baptize but both had their focus very clear. In case of circumcision Paul did away with the symbolism for people focused only of the bodily symbolism. They considered themselves Jews by the traditions they followed not by their faith.
Romans 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
We may immerse a person bodily in water but is that person immersed in the truth of Lord Jesus Christ? If not then have we done baptism or giving a wash to that person?
1 Peter 3:21
21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
If you read Acts there were people who were immersed in water (baptized) as per John but they were still not baptized in Jesus Christ. It was only after they believed in message of Lord Jesus Christ they were baptized in the name of Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:1-5
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
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.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
With regards to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, what is baptism of Holy Spirit? Where do we immerse ourselves?
The Israelites through out their journey in the wilderness were lead by the Lord in form of a pillar of cloud. This was compared to the baptism of the Spirit.
Being lead by the Holy Spirit is called the baptism of the Spirit. Unless we do not surrender and ask the Lord to lead us we will not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without being baptized in the Holy Spirit we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only when we are baptized by the Holy Spirit, living a life of righteousness is easier and possible.
It was the Holy Spirit as a pillar of cloud that guided them to their inheritance (the Promise Land). And it is the Holy Spirit Who guides us to our Promise Land – the Heavens.
When Jesus breathed into the Apostles and said ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’, they did receive the Holy Spirit, but they were scared and did not surrender. On the day of Pentecost what happened was that the power of the Holy Spirit manifested on them and thereafter they were led by the Holy Spirit. The anointing came on them; the same anointing that was on Jesus and they became like little Christ.
Receiving of Holy Spirit can be done by breathing on the person, laying of hands, while hearing the Word etc…
Acts 8:14-21
14 Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
16 for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Thus one may have received the Holy Spirit long back but may not have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Baptism will happen the day the person surrenders unto the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God writes the Law in their hearts.
You will understand what happens in the background when you see it with the book of Moses.
When God called Moses to come up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments the second time, it was a few days before the feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is the harvest feast and was celebrated from the time of Moses. As you know the first time the Ten Commandments were given to the people, they did not receive it for the tablets on which were written, were destroyed by Moses because the people sinned against God.
The second time God called Moses to come up to the mountain with two tablets. God wrote on the tablets with His own Finger like before, but this time the tablets were made by man not by God, and this happened during the feast of Pentecost.
Deuteronomy 9:10
10 The LORD gave me two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God. On them were all the commandments the LORD proclaimed to you on the mountain out of the fire, on the day of the assembly.
Exodus 34:1-2
1 The LORD said to Moses, "Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain.
Deuteronomy 10:4
4 The LORD wrote on these tablets what he had written before, the Ten Commandments he had proclaimed to you on the mountain, out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me.
The Holy Spirit of God is also addressed as the 'Finger of God'.
Luke 11:20
20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
You know the shape that we draw to indicate the heart/love, the shape is no coincident. If you take the two tablets and merging the two bottoms at 90 degree angle, you will get the heart shape. The two tablets, one represented God and the other man. In the beginning they were separate, but after the death of Jesus on the cross, God dwells in man, the two tablets became one.
What happened at the day of Pentecost is what happens when we are baptized; the Finger of God writes his Commandments / Law in our hearts which we prepare for Him.
2 Corinthians 3:3
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
The first time God gave Moses a ready table but due to the sins of the Israelites it was destroyed, but second time Moses needed to prepare the tablets himself for God to write on it.
In the beginning when God made man (Adam and Eve) they were complete and their hearts were perfect, made by God but due to sin it was totally destroyed. So now to make it perfect again we need to prepare our hearts ourselves and let the Holy Spirit write the Law on it.
In the Old Testament to enter the Tabernacle of God, the person needed to wash himself (hands and feet) and only if he was a priest or a High priest was he allowed to enter the most Holy Place. Jesus is ‘Christ’ the ‘anointed one’, He is the ‘High Priest’, when baptized with water in our true water baptism, we are washed and made clean by the blood sacrifice of Jesus and the anointing that is on Jesus comes upon us and we too become like Christ.
Hebrew 5:8-10
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest….
Hebrew 7:24-25
24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him….
1 Peter 2:4-5,9
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Revelation 1:6
6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Unlike baptism in Lord Jesus Christ (baptism in water), baptism in the Holy Spirit is a continuous process. It starts and we need to keep it increasing.
Jeremiah 5:24
24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Hosea 6:3
3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
Joel 2:23
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
The purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit is to do with the Harvest (Pentecost – Harvest feast).
As we see in Joel 2:23 the word ‘month’ as been added for readability, so the scripture without it is.
Joel 2:23
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first.
The ‘first’ being Lord Jesus Christ thus we get the Latter Rain from Him.
Another thing to note is the Former Rain was moderate but there is no limit to the Latter Rain.
Now coming to the reason why the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove when Jesus was baptized in water by John. To understand this we need to go back to the Ark which Noah built and was floating for many months even after the rain stopped.
Genesis 8:5-12
5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
If we carefully notice even before the dove was sent on the task there was this raven which was doing the same task. If you ask anyone about ravens, they are much bigger and clever birds then doves. Not many birds can beat the cleverness of a raven to survive in the wilderness. Even when it comes to flying the raven stands a better chance compared to a dove. Yet we find that Noah has his eyes totally on the dove although he did not stop the raven. And it was this keen interest on the dove that paid off, for it was the dove that bought the good news.
When the Lord was teaching me about the gift of tongues, He showed me two doves in love flying at close distance kissing each other, always close to each other even when flying. If you hear the noise call of a dove and the initial gift of tongues a person receives you would find a lot similarity in them. The Holy Spirit could have come as an eagle but chose to come as a dove. An eagle represents grace and a dove a spiritual tongue.
Each animal symbolically has spiritual meaning and this can be seen even in the dreams and visions the men of God had in the Bible.
When Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit manifested in the pure spiritual image of the tongue, but in the case of the Apostles He manifested in the form of a physical tongue of fire. Fire symbolizes spiritual cleansing and this was required for the Apostles but not in the case of Jesus.
If you see the scriptures all those who were baptized in the Holy Spirit manifested with the spiritual tongue. Jesus with the spiritual tongue (dove), Apostles with tongues of fire and the people with the gift of tongues.
Mark 1:10
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44-46
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word.
45 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 Spirit.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 11:15
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
What we see is that when the people were baptized in Holy Spirit, although there was no symbolism in this baptism, yet they knew and were sure if they were baptized in the Holy Spirit or not. This was because the baptism manifested with gift of tongues or gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gift of Tongues in gifts of the Holy Spirit in its advanced form can be interpreted by someone who has the gift of interpretation. The gift of interpretation allows us to hear and understand what the spirit speaks even while the mouth makes audible sounds. In its most advanced stage it takes shape like what happened with Peter at Pentecost. Wherein Peter spoke and different people from different languages heard him in their own language at the same time. It was not in the audio that came from Peter’s mouth that came in different languages but his spirit that spoke which was audible unto others in their own languages although they did not have the gift of interpretation.
Acts 2:4-11
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
For the spirit to manifest with gift of tongues we need to suppress the body and mind and this happens by the non-logical and gibberish words which come out spontaneously when under anointing.
The other gifts like prophesy did not manifest every time they were baptized.
To learn about baptism in water and Spirit in a simple way we need to reflect on the parable which Jesus gave of the wine bottle.
Before I go to the parable let me tell you why Jesus uses wine as in the example.
Wine comes from grapes. Grapes are a watery fruit but are best grown in places where the climate is extreme and lacks water. You will find the sweetest grapes coming from these regions. People knowing to grow grapes will never put extra water to the plant so as to get a good a sweet fruit; else you land up getting watery but not so sweet grapes.
The plant being a vine does not stand by its self, it has to be supported from above. The farmer makes a frame and hangs the vine by the frame. As the plant grows, he takes the branches and via strings pulls and ties it in all directions. He does not pull it too hard so as to break it, but does this so as to enable the vine to grow in all directions.
The wine (grape juice) represents the testimony of Christ and us in Christ.
Mt 9:17
17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
In the olden days the people carried wine in bottles made of skin. The leather bags had a narrow opening on the top, they were designed to hold liquid. Wine as you know is made by putting yeast in grape juice. Yeast breaks the sugar in the juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Over the days as the yeast works on the sugar, the wine becomes stronger and stronger as its alcoholic contents increase.
As the days pass the wine hardened the leather bottle. If new wine is put into it then the bottle would burst. To prevent this, the bottle needed to be soaked in water and softened. After that, oil was applied to the inside of bottle. Without soaking the bottle in water; applying oil did not make any good.
The worldly knowledge, teachings and the way of life before we accepted the Lord, hardens our spirit. When we are baptized in water, we die to the world as we surrender to Christ Jesus in his death and resurrection. We are only then in a position to receive the new wine. We discard the knowledge and understanding of this world and hope in salvation through Jesus Christ. For the world His death on the Cross was a defeat, but for those of faith He became a sacrifice for our sins and by His resurrection a hope of victory.
This new wine after we are born again gets poured into us and is without the yeast of this world. To hold this new wine we need to be anointed by the applying of oil on the inside (not on the outside). Only when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit are we in a position to hold the testimony of the Jesus Christ and the understanding of the Word of God.
Just a few days back a sister in the Lord was sharing with me about a relative who went to a Church where she was baptized by immersion in water. She was an active person in her church. She suddenly died as a young age due to asthmatic attack. Her husband was asking this sister, why did God do this? Show me a scripture why this happened? This sister kept quiet although to her mind, came events where this woman did not treat her own relatives well.
The Word of God says we are worst than unbelievers if we do not look after our own. She may have been immersed in water but did she immerse herself in Lord Jesus Christ?
Being baptized in water and Spirit is the same as being baptized in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and this is also the same as being Born Again.
Now about the baptism of Fire / Power:
Acts 10:37-38
37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Jesus came to baptize with Holy Spirit and Fire / Power. He Himself was also baptized with the Holy Spirit and Power. We learnt why the baptism of Water and Holy Spirit is required; now let us learn about the baptism of Power.
When Lord spoke through Zechariah He said ‘not by My power but by My Spirit’, so is the baptism of fire or power required?
Zechariah 4:6
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
When Jesus spoke of John the Baptist He spoke of Spirit and Power of Elias.
Luke 1:15-17
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
There is a good example of baptism of Power in Paul.
1 Corinthians 2:4
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
It was not that Paul was a great orator, for there was an incident where a person fell down from the balcony dozing to Paul’s preaching.
Acts 20:9
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
We even find Paul getting angry with the people of Corinth because they considered others to be a better evangelist (preacher) than him.
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Which Paul in his letter to Timothy latter consents to the power in the calling and guides him to be a better evangelist (preacher).
1 Timothy 2:7
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
2 Timothy 4:5
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Paul’s power baptism was not as an evangelist but as an Apostle, although he could do all things but the true Power showed in his calling as Apostle.
For Jesus baptism of Power manifested with the Voice of God being audible to human ears. In the case of the Apostles it manifested was a wind.
I remember the day I was baptized in Power; I did not understand what was happening to me. My body was like it was dead I could not feel any part of my body except my eyes which could see and my mouth which was nonstop worshiping and praising God and was now nonstop groaning. Soon afterwards this incident I found my life change completely. After this incident my teaching in the Lord started. I would get visions and manifestation as I meditated on scriptures and this was all connected to my calling as a teacher. My relationship with the Lord increased manifold.
Rom 8:26
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:22-27
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Baptism of ‘Power’ is not directly for the redemption of man but is to give the workers in the vineyard of the Lord the power in their calling. It helps us to reach a high place in Heaven.
Like baptism in Holy Spirit, it is also a continuous process which grows as we grow in Spirit, Fruit and The Cause.
At the end baptism in short is just one ‘Surrendering to God by accepting the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross, living with a new hope. Being lead by the Holy Spirit of God, letting God work in us and through us’.
-: God Bless :-