LESSON 103: BAPTISMS

  LOGOS BIBLE STUDY

LESSON 103 BAPTISMS: Overwhelming Experiences For Believers

I. PLURAL USE OF THE WORD REVEALS MULTIPLE BAPTISMS.

   A. Seven baptisms are listed in scripture.

1. John's baptism in water for repentance - Luke 3:2-3

2. Christ's baptism in water - Matthew 3:15-16

3. Baptism of suffering - Luke 12:50.

4. Israel's baptism in the cloud & sea - 1 Corinthians 10:2

5. Baptism into Christ - Galatians 3:27

6. Believers baptism in water - Matthew 28:19

7. Baptism in the Holy Spirit - Matthew 3:11.

   B. Three baptisms for believers during the church age.

1. Baptism into Christ upon accepting Him - Gal. 3:27.

a. Immersed in a new life – spiritual life.

i.What was lost in the Garden in Eden is restored – redeemed.

  2. Baptism of repentance in water - Acts 8:35-36.

a. Symbolized change of life - repent from living your own selfish way to a new selfless way - Romans 6:4-5.

i. Repent means change - the old is put off, the new is put on – Ephesians 4:22-24 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:5; Acts 10:44-46 and Acts 19:2-6.

             a. Empowerment to live as an ambassador of God's Kingdom.

i. As a living witness to the new life in Christ – Acts 1:8.

II. WHAT IS BAPTISM?

    A. Greek word translated into "baptize" is bapto = to dip.

1. Used in reference to dipping an item into water as in lowering a jar or into a well, to dip it in.

2. Used also in dying cloth; submerging the garment into the dye to change it.

3. Use in the N.T. means to "immerse in".

a. To totally overwhelm or wash over.

b. It implies a "ceremonial" washing or cleansing - Acts 22:16.

i. "Ceremonial" means a representation of and not a literal washing or cleansing that has occurred by another means.

ii. Ceremonial cleansing is representative of repentance; changing life.

B. History of the word "Baptize" - There was no such word in English until translators of the King James Bible made it up.

1. The translators had to work with "bapto" meaning to immerse in.

2. At that time the Church of England "sprinkled" to baptize.

a. Translators did not want to create a dispute with the church which would brand them as heretics.

i. Penalties for heresy or opposing religious traditions were extreme in those days.

          b. They coined a new word that could be understood to mean sprinkle; the word is "baptize or baptism".

III. BAPTISM INTO CHRIST - Romans 6:3.

     A. This is identifying with Christ - Colossians 2:12.

1. Being overwhelmed with Him.

2. Being hidden (buried or immersed) in Him - Col. 3:3.

a. It represents being clothed with His divine nature, the "new man" – Ephesians 4:24 and Romans 13:14.

B. The Spirit of Christ is the agent who baptizes one into Christ (new birth), and into His Body (the church) -
1 Corinthians 12:13.

1. We are to lose our identity and take on His identity - Galatians 2:20.

a. Death to self - old nature put away and buried; His new nature received and   reproduced in you.

IV. BAPTISM IN WATER FOR REPENTANCE - Acts 8:35-39.

A. How is scriptural baptism to be performed?

1. By immersing the body completely in water.

a. Overwhelm it with water so it is completely washed over; as though it were being buried.

b. Thoroughly saturated as dying a garment so that it is changed when it comes out of the water.

B. Baptism in water represents a "repented" (changed) life.

1. Baptism is symbolic of death, burial and resurrection - Romans 6:4-5.

a. Death of, and cessation to, the old sinful, selfish way of living, putting it off – Colossians 3:8-10.

  b. Burial - putting the sinful nature in the grave.

i. Disappearing under the water - buried in it.

c. Resurrection - a changed person rising up out of the water and into a new way of living – with His life evident in you.

i. Rising up in the new nature - Ephesians 4:24.

C. Why was Jesus baptized?   To show a changed life, (remember, repent means changed).

1. He repented of His old life putting it behind Him - Matthew 3:11-15.

a. As son of Joseph and Mary, His earthly parents.

b. Served as a carpenter with His father Joseph.

c. Served as the head of the family replacing Joseph.

i. Joseph's absence indicates he died.

ii. Mary's dependence on Him as the first born as she followed him about.

d. Jesus' concern for Mary to be cared for by John upon His crucifixion – John 19:25-27.

NOTE: Jesus refers to Mary as "woman" and not "mother". Mary is not the Mother of God as the Catholic Church declares. Mary gave birth to a man-child, not to God.

2. Jesus did not need to repent of sin, he was sinless.

3. Repent means change; what man needs to change is his sinful nature and sinful life.

i. Jesus did not have the sinful nature that is passed on through the seed of man.

ii. Jesus was born of the seed of God, implanted by the Holy Spirit.

4. John the Baptist did not understand this until Jesus told him He had to fulfill His calling.

                  i. Thus fulling God's plan of righteousness - Matthew 3:13-15.

ii. Jesus was baptized, symbolically putting away his previous manner of life.

5. A new life now began for Jesus.

a. Now as Son of God instead of son of Joseph - Matthew 3:17.

i. Even acknowledged from heaven by His Father.

b. Now to serve His Heavenly Father in His divine work.

i. Rather than in the trade of his earthly father, Joseph.

c. Now to serve as Head of a new family, the Church - Colossians 1:18.

i. Rather than being family head of Mary and brothers and sisters - Mark 6:3.

ii. Church consisting of all who are baptized into Him through faith in His atonement.

NOTE: Having laid aside His earthly life (role), He is now ready to be empowered by the Holy Spirit (baptism) to equip Him for the new life (role) - Luke 3:21-22.

6. Jesus demonstrated how baptism in water is done - Matthew 3:16 & Mark 1:9-10, (up out of the water).

V. REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED - Acts 2:38

Note: Nearly all denominational church organizations teach and observe baptism. There are different reasons and forms that each has for baptism. Few seem to really understand what Peter spoke of.

A. Peter told the new believers to repent (change) and be baptized.

1. Being "pricked in their hearts" is when they accepted and believed his message and were saved -
  Acts 2:36-37.

2. Once they accepted, they asked what to do next which Peter explained.

B. Baptism is ONLY for believers, after accepting Christ.

1. In response to their question of what to do next:

a. Die to selfish, fleshly pursuits imposed by the sinful nature.

2. Bury that old why and the preoccupation with self and the world.

3. Rise up to serve God and take your place in the Body of Christ and function there.

C. When should a person be baptized and what are the requirements for water baptism?

1. After believing and receiving Christ and making a decision to change your ways to follow his ways -
Acts 8:36-38.

a. Baptism DOES NOT bring salvation as practiced in some churches.

i. Baptism is not required for salvation - as in the case of the thief crucified with Christ - Luke 23:39-43.

ii. Baptism is needed to live the repented changed life; (the thief was not going to live any longer).

b. Baptism is open acknowledgement of the desire and will to change (repent).

i. There is a spiritual significance to baptism.

ii   Our Heavenly Father receives and acknowledges our commitment and begins to assist us by applying the convictions of the Holy Spirit in our consciousness.

a. Such heavenly care seems to be lacking in those who are not consciously baptized in water for repentance.

        2. A person can be baptized when he is ready to embark on a new life.

a. This may occur when he accepts Christ as Savoir or at some later time; (best if done right away).

i. Baptism is not to be done for infants since it requires the persons "will" to change.

b. It is a life yielded to the Lordship of Jesus Christ who will be master and director of your affairs through the Holy Spirit.

i. He does not practice sin and self-indulgence anymore.

ii. He desires to please God more than himself.

iii. He obeys the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit - divine guidance.

VI. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. Being immersed into and overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit, overflowing with, and under the influence of, as if drunk - Ephesians 5:14; under the influence of the Holy Spirit (the presence) of God.

1. A definite experience of an endowment of special abilities (gifts) given by God equipping us to be witnesses of Christ - Acts 1:8.

a. It also gives the ability to live the Christ-like life as we should – Galatians 5:22-23.

2. This provides ability to prove the supernatural message of the gospel by supernatural demonstrations -
  1 Corinthians 2:4-5.

a. The gospel message is supernatural (beyond natural), therefore, proof is offered - Acts 4:33.

3. The Holy Spirit does not dominate, compel or force anything on the believer.

a. He only operates as we yield ourselves to His inspiration, leading, prompting and guidance.

i. He will not violate your own will.

4. He will fill to overflowing as you avail yourself as a vessel to show God’s love to others –
2 Timothy 2:20-21.

a. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the same experience Jesus had, and for the same reason - divine ability to minister to others.

i. Revealing God's loving care and concern to them.

B. Jesus' experience is listed in Luke 3:21-22.

1. Christ did no miracles until after the Holy Spirit came upon him to equip him - John 2:11.

a. Although He was divine, He abandoned all His divine powers to become a man.

b. As a man, He needed to be supernaturally equipped; this is the purpose of this baptism.

C. The Holy Spirit comes upon all who believe and are willing to receive – Acts 2:38-39.

1. The Holy Spirit does not indwell the believer; it is the Spirit of Christ that indwells the believer which is what brings salvation to the soul.

aa. Jesus breathed His Spirit (life) into his disciples which is when they were born again, or born of the spirit – John 20:22.

i. Just as when God breathed His Spirit (life) into Adam and he became a living soul – Genesis 2:7.

aa. Jesus restored thatspiritalu quality of life that was lost in the garden of Eden.

D. The Holy Spirit comes upon believers for the same purpose as He came     upon Jesus - John 14:12.

1. This experience is so important that Jesus made it a command, not an option – Luke 24:49.

2. Believers need the Holy Spirit's ability to minister to others, just as Jesus did – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and Acts 8:5-7.

3. Being a witness becomes a flowing way of life after one receives and properly applies this ability - John 7:37-38.

a. It is the releasing of the resources that Christ has placed in your spirit.

4. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the enablement to apply these supernatural spiritual qualities.

a. A river of ZOE, (which is SPIRIT LIFE), is released to flood out upon others.

i. This river is a demonstration of the reality of the Kingdom (or realm) of    God - Matthew 10:7-8.

E. Jesus does the baptizing; the Holy Spirit is the one we are immersed into and overwhelmed with coming upon us - Matthew 3:11.

1. The fire of purifying, (and sometimes persecution) also accompanies this experience - Malachi 3:1-3.

a. Why purifying - to be made a vessel qualified to contain and reveal His nature, our own nature (self) must be burned away.

2. Why persecution? False doctrines; Christians who are under false doctrines (carnally minded) oppose this experience as being of god - I Corinthians 2:14.

a. They prefer the success and prosperity doctrine of the devil and deny that any unpleasantness comes to true saints of God.

b. Persecution also comes from the world because of its aversion to righteousness proclaimed.

c. It draws the fire of criticism from those who have no or little faith, and from those who depend on their own natural abilities, understanding and education - 1 Corinthians 2:4-11.

3. This baptism is NOT regeneration, which occurs at the salvation experience.

a. The Spirit received at salvation is the Spirit of Christ - Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians. 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:11 and Philippians 1:19.

i. You ask Jesus into your heart (spirit), and He comes - not His body, but HIS Spirit (which is Holy) - Isaiah 63:10.

aa. This is "HIS" same Spirit that He yielded up when He died on the cross.

bb. The Spirit of Christ is an extension of the Spirit of God –1 Corinthians 3:16 and
   1 Thessalonians 4:8.

NOTE: Your spirit is awakened, made alive unto God; "reborn" with the ZOE (life of) God when the Spirit of Christ is received.

F. This experience began at Pentecost (feast of Israel) and has been repeated over and over since then throughout the church age - Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-19; 10:44-46; 19:1-6; and promised as such in Acts 2:39.

1. This ability is needed until Christ returns completing this age - 1 Corinthians 1:7 and 13:8.

aa. That which is perfect (complete) is the completion of this age of grace, this period of time where salvation is by faith.

G. Jesus said HE would build HIS church - Matthew 16:18.

1. However, He left earth to go be with the Father and is not here to build it! So how will it be done?

a. He sent the Holy Spirit as His agent in charge to guide us in building it just as He started it -
  John 14:12-27.

2. Those who reject the Holy Spirit, His power and His leading, are left to their own natural means to build the church.

a. This is the church man is building, it’s not Christ's, but a counterfeit.

3. The finished building reflects the character of the architect/designer.

a. Christ's church reflects His image (character, nature and personality).

b. Man's church reflects man's image (character, nature and personality).

4. His building is not of organic construction or human organization, but of spiritual substance: Acts 17:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19; Ephesians 2:20-22; and 1 Peter 2:3-5.

a. For this reason, the Holy Spirit is needed to guide in its construction – John 14:26; 15:26, John 16:12-14.

5. Man produces a counterfeit, an imitation, a look-alike that lacks the true substance - Psalm 127:1.

a. Jesus, as a man, is not omnipresent, but the Holy Spirit can be everywhere at all times to all people, (to each as a building stone).

b. He has the ability to work with each believer separately and simultaneously.

6. The Holy Spirit gives the ability to minister God's way rather than relying on limited human ability -
  1 Corinthians 2:1, 4-5; and Zechariah 4:6.

VI. BENEFITS OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

     A. Reveals Christ in greater depth - John 15:26 and 1 John 5:5-9.

1. The Holy Spirit makes Christ more real, personal & precious by giving a greater understanding of Him.

a. This causes a higher level of praise and worship to rise within the one baptized in the Spirit (as compared to a believer not Holy Ghost baptized - Ephesians 5:18-19.

B. Revels the Word in all of its truth - John 14:16-17, 26; and John 16:13-14.

1. Since the Holy Spirit inspired the scriptures, He helps us to understand it – Ephesians 1:17-19.

     C. Revealing the spirit realm - Romans 8:5-6.

       1. He gives us a "spirit" awareness - 2 Kings 6:17.

a Discernment - this is a sensitivity to the things in the spirit realm, like opening eyes to see angels or spiritual truths.

2. Allows us to hear the Lord speak and to know His mind and His will in matters – Acts 16:6-7.

a. Since demons operate in the spirit realm (being spirits), those who are Spirit baptized are often able to detect and identify (discern) them – 1 Corinthians 12:10-11 -a gift of the Spirit.

i. This sensitivity allows us to discern the motivation behind the actions (spirits) of men.

3. It also takes spiritual maturity to recognize what is of God and what is not – Hebrews 5:14.

a. This maturity comes from knowledge (revelation) of the Word and walking in it by the Spirit.

     D. Allows us to worship God in spirit (from our spirit) and in truth (revealed) – John 4:23-24.

1. Not only because of revelation of Him, but because of the Holy Spirit's testimony of Him to ourselves, and to be seen in and of us by others.

NOTE: Being filled, or full of the spirit, is when the Holy Spirit that is upon a person draws out the spirit of Christ that is within to manifest or become evident. The self (flesh part of that person) is thus diminished and that person is now manifesting the fullness of the spirit – being filled to or overflowing of the inner, Christ like man.

VII. EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. Initial evidence as listed in the Book of Acts is speaking in Unknown Tongues – Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-48; 19:2-6.

1. Three purposes of using heavenly language.

a. Praying (in the spirit) – Jude 20; and 1 Corinthians 12:14-15.

b. Singing praise and worshipping God – (verse 15).

c. Inspired speaking in a group – 1 Corinthians 14:1821-22, 27-28.

B. A secondary evidence is Prophesy – Inspired speaking -Acts 20:6; and 1 Corinthians 12:23-26.

1. Prophesy is speaking by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Words that come from the Spirit of God.

a. Prophecy is rarely telling future events, but may include such.

i. Preaching under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, called the anointing, is also prophesying.

C. The supernatural ability called the “9 Gifts of the Spirit” are used to minister the love and grace of God to others as His witnesses – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

1. Word of Wisdom
2. Word of Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of Healing
5. Working of Miracles (supernatural abilities)
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of spirits (evil or unclean, including men’s spirits - what is motivating them)
8. Different kinds of Tongues (languages)
9. Interpretation of Tongues (spoken languages)

Note: More on the Holy Spirit in Lesson 112 - God: The Holy Spirit

VIII. OPPOSITION OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND TONGUES – a commentary

Praying in the spirit is actually praying in an unknown language referred to as a “tongue”. Praying in tongues, or speaking in tongues is vehemently opposed by some non-Pentecostal churches. Those churches that hold to the Calvinist doctrine show an extreme hatred toward the speaking or praying in tongues. This writer knows this personally because I was raised in a church that held to the Calvinist beliefs, even though they did not understand what Calvinism really is.
          After later being baptized in the Holy Spirit, which included being gifted with speaking and praying in tongues, I began to research why those under the doctrine of Calvinism were so opposed to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. My research led me to investigate the life of John Calvin from which the Calvinist doctrine originated. What I discovered was a shocking discovery of the cause of this hatred and opposition to this Pentecostal experience.
          To briefly share what I learned from history, John Calvin had a vehement hatred toward those that rejected and opposed his doctrine; so much so that he had his principal opponent burned at the stake. Calvin had him murdered! This hatred by Calvin was demonic and Satan inspired. I then realized it was that same evil demonic spirit from Calvin that is carried on by those that embrace John Calvin’s doctrine. This was evident in the way many Calvinists continue to oppose “tongues” and the Pentecostal experience. They claim that it is not for today. However, for them to say this is to deny scripture and the teaching of the apostles Peter and Paul. On the day of Pentecost Peter declared:

Acts 2:38-39 – 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.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. This means this experience is valid right up through today.

The Pentecostal experience began on the Day of Pentecost and continues until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul specifically addresses this in his first letter to the Church at Corinth in which he goes on to identify the supernatural empowerment by the nine Gifts of the Spirit, in 1 Corinthians 12, and then also address the use of tongues in and by the saints in Chapter 14.

1 Corinthians 1:7 – so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

          I will address praying in the spirit shortly, but first I need to address why the strong, and vehement hatred of tongues. I asked the question, Why is tongues so opposed? After recognizing that the severe opposition comes from Satan, then it became clear why the devil hates tongues and fights against it so strongly. When I pray in tongues, Satan has no idea what I am praying about; therefore he has no means of opposing the response coming back from my Heavenly Father. By praying in tongues, my prayers bypass Satan’s knowledge. The apostle Paul identifies this explicitly:

1 Corinthians 14:2 – For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

          Praying in the spirit is speaking to God in mysteries that neither man, nor Satan, can know or understand. Satan hates that!

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 – For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful.  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

          When praying in the spirit it is the Spirit of the Lord within you that is praying. This is of great benefit because there are times that you do not know what to pray for, or how to pray, in certain situations. Therefore you allow the Spirit to pray for you in languages that you do not know or understand.

Romans 8:26-27 – 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.  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.

          Being able to pray in the spirit is becoming more and more important in these last days as conditions in this world deteriorate as Jesus foretold. This is especially important when you or your family members are under attack by the spiritual wickedness that is increasing in the world.