Defining the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.



What is the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”?

John the Baptist told the people whom he was ministering to that the One coming after him would baptize them with the "Holy Spirit and fire". (Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16) When we consider John the Baptist's statements in those first three gospels, it is vital to take those statements and read them in light of a clearer text that was written in the same context. We find such a one in John 1:24-34.  Jesus' role of "baptizing with the Holy Spirit" in John 1:33 is connected to His teaching about the New Birth in John 3:1-6. The meaning of "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is the Spirit's New Covenant ministry of placing a believer into union with Jesus Christ at conversion.



Why Jesus' statements about the Spirit's Ministry are vital in understanding the idea of "Spirit baptism"

John 2 is the vital bridge between John 1 and 3, since the miracle of changing water into wine was designed to reveal the New Covenant ministry of Christ, which would include His sending of the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant ministry's chief work would entail the Holy Spirit leading men, women, boys and girls to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins so as to follow Him as their Lord. (John 16:7-16) In contrast to the Old Covenant, which had the Holy Spirit ministering to God's people from the outside to inside, the New Covenant would be marked by the Holy Spirit working from inside to outside. (please compare Ezekiel 11:17-20 and 2 Corinthians 3) 

Both Old Covenant saints and New Covenant Saints were saved in the same way, by grace through faith. What distinguishes New Covenant Christianity from Old Covenant Judaism is a richer and greater amount of God's presence and power due to Jesus Christ and the sending of the Spirit.  The Spirit's work of uniting the believer in conversion to the New Covenant's central Person - the Lord Jesus Christ, is key to understanding the meaning of Spirit baptism.



Spirit baptism marks the beginning of the Christian life in union with Christ

John's statements about Jesus "Baptizing with the Spirit" centers more on what occurs at salvation, since the Spirit of God brings a person "into union with Christ". 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, our main passage above, confirms this reading. The Holy Spirit's coming in Acts was to usher in the church age, wherein the Spirit's chief work would be to convict sinners of their need for Christ.  Additionally, the Holy Spirit enables believers to live out the Christian life through prayer, scripture and their union with one another in the local church as they carry out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.



Spirit Baptism is another way of describing one's conversion

We read in Ephesians 4:5 "one Lord, one faith, one baptism". What Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 pertains to a person being brought into union with Christ at salvation. This "baptism by the Holy Spirit" is the unseen reality that occurs in the heart at saving faith. Therefore in order for the new convert to testify as to what took place, a re-enactment is in order. Thus Water Baptism, the subject of the past few blogs, is necessary for the new believer's obedience.


How water baptism pictures what took place in Spirit Baptism

Water Baptism is picturing for that new Christian the reality that took place in conversion. The picture, or sign, is identical to what it is signifying - namely when the Holy Spirit "baptized" or "united" that person into Christ at salvation. We are dealing with "one Baptism", wherein Spirit Baptism being the reality and water Baptism being the picture of that reality.

Why does this issue matter to the Christian?

Due to the differences of opinion that exists between genuine believers in Jesus Christ who love and serve the Lord, it is important to know what we believe, why we believe and how we will instruct new converts on their next step. Whatever we hold to in regards to the doctrine of Baptism explains what we hold to in our understanding of the Gospel - since baptism is Christ's ordained picture of it.

Why a Christian must be baptized

Matthew 28:19-20 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”


Two ditches I have witnessed in discussions about water Baptism
Today's blog is going to deal with the specific question concerning the necessity of believer's baptism.  In my time in serving the Lord in ministry, I have witnessed two ditches that can be fell into when it comes to this particular issue.  The first states that all the Bible is concerned about is conversion, and that Baptism is a distant secondary concern.  Some will cite the thief on the cross who trusted in Christ without getting baptized as proof of baptism being optional for the disciple.  The second ditch is where we see baptism being viewed as necessary for one's conversion.  Sometimes appeal to passages such as Acts 2:38, where Peter states "repent and be baptized", are cited as proof that baptism must be connected to saving faith in order for genuine salvation to occur.

The first ditch takes water Baptism too lightly - making it an option, a "nice thing to do for Jesus, but not required".  The thief on the cross did not need Baptism to gain entry into paradise - that much we know - for Jesus told Him "Today you will be with me in paradise".  If that thief would had been under different circumstances, following His trust in Christ he would had sought to follow the Lord in obedience into believer's baptism - since obedience is the chief way we express our love to the Lord. (John 14:15,21-23).  The second ditch misplaces baptism, making it a "means of salvation" or going as far as to say that the baptismal act itself confers the miracle of salvation.  In attempting to take seriously the command to be baptized, the second view goes too far.

Why Baptism is not optional, but essential for obedience
In the passage above, Jesus did not call us to merely make "converts", but disciples, meaning that those who by grace through faith believe on Him as a result of hearing the Gospel will want to be like their Lord.  Now verse 20 has Jesus telling His disciples to teach "all that I command you".  The question is: what has He commanded?  Answer: begin by reading verse 19.  As you look at verse 19, you find among the things commanded by Christ the command to be baptized.

When one became a disciple, they did so by heeding the call of Christ issued to them by faith. By denying themselves and taking up their cross so to speak, they followed Jesus Christ.  (Luke 9:23-24)  But now what public act was necessary for them to declare their faith in Jesus Christ?  Believer's Baptism!  Now a genuine Christian will want to get baptized, just as a baby who has been born will want to walk.  Though both are distinct events, yet it is what the baby was born to do.  This is why the "new birth" language of Jesus in John 3:6 aids our understanding of the relationship of "conversion by faith" with that of "obedience in believer's baptism".

Jesus teaches in John 14:15, as well as John 14:21 and 23, that all those who love Him "will obey His commands".  Thus when I counsel a new Christian to get Baptized, it is an area where they don't have to go home and pray to God about His will for them, since He has plainly made know His will on that matter. 

Why baptism is so important for the New Christian
1. It encourages the New Christian in their faith
Baptism sets the tone for the Christian.  It helps that new believer, and those around them, to witness with physical eyes a reinactment of the change the Spirit of God performed on the day of saving faith prior to that Baptism. 

2. It reminds the believer of the sweetness of their prior faith commitment
Furthermore, in Baptism the Lord affirms to that Christian their identity.  By grace through faith they have put on Jesus Christ, exchanging their former lost condition for Him.  The picture of baptism is used by God to communicate to that person the work He did already when they had trusted in Him. 

3. It pictures the Christian wanting to operate under an open heaven of the Spirit's leading
Additionally, just as the heavens opened when Jesus was Baptized in the Jordon River in the openings of all four gospels, conveying to Him further illumination and insight by the Holy Spirit, the Christian's obedience in believer's baptism communicates their desire to operate under an open heaven.  When I as a Christian allign myself with God's Word, I'm indicating the desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and to walk in the light as He is in the light. (1 John 1:6-8; Ephesians 4:1)

Baptism is not entered into in order to become a Christian, rather because one has become a Christian they desire to be baptized.  The human heart is changed by the Spirit in the presence of the explanation of God's word as that person receives Christ by faith.  All Baptism does is reenact that blessed reality and bring to light to physical eyes what invisible work the Spirit of God did the day He called, convicted and convinced that person to believe on Jesus Christ. 

Though Baptism is not essential for conversion, it is essential for obedience.  Though baptism does not convert people into the Kingdom, yet those who have been converted by faith will want to get baptized. 

Defining Baptism as an ordinance

Matthew 28:19  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

What is an ordinance?
Baptism will sometimes be referred to as an "ordinance".  Why? The word "ordinance" comes from the Latin term ordinis that refers to a statement of order, law or decree from an authority.  An ordinance entails three characteristics: First, the practice must have been taught by Christ in the Gospels, practiced or preached in the Book of Acts and practiced or preached in the New Testament Letters.  The second trait of an ordinance is that it pictures the Gospel.  In the New Testament there are two such practices that fit this definition: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.  Then finally, an ordinance, being a decree, is issued from Christ to His church. 
Baptism is an ordinance because it is practiced and preached throughout the New Testament
In the opening of all four Gospels, Jesus is Baptized (immersed) by John the Baptist in the Jordon River.  John then spoke of how Jesus would later on baptize believers with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4,8).  Baptism's primary meaning is that of immerse, with its secondary meaning being that of "brought into connection or indentification with someone".  Thus John was speaking of the Holy Spirit's ministry of uniting believers with Jesus Christ in the New Covenant reality of the church. (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

As we come to the Book of Acts, Baptism is practiced and taught throughout the early church.  In passages such as Acts 2:41; 16:33; 18:8 and 22:16, we see believers, new converts, being baptized and then received into membership in the local church. 

Then in terms of the New Testament Letters (Epistles), we see Paul refer to Baptism in his writings (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:11).  Peter too mentions Baptism in 1 Peter 3:18-21.  These texts are the main places I take new converts to in explaining the practice and meaning of Baptism.

Baptism is an ordinance because it proclaims the Gospel in picture form
When Christ was setting the foundations for the New Testament Church, he designated the Gospel to be proclaimed verbally through preaching and teaching, and pictured by means of the ordinances of Baptism and Lord's Supper.  For example, Baptism pictures the "putting away of the life, and putting on the new life".  (Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:11-12)  Jesus speaks of the New Birth experience in John 3:3-6.  Also too, the Apostle Paul shows how Baptism pictures our prior identification with Christ in His Death, Burial and Resurrection, something of which occupies over 30% of the content of the four Gospels. (Romans 6:4-11)  The Apostle Peter speaks of Baptism picturing the pledge of a good conscience and the removal of dirt from the conscience. (1 Peter 3:18-21)  Hebrews 9:14 tells us that the Blood of Christ at salvation cleanses the conscience. 

We must understand that Baptism is "picturing" that supernatural change that occurs at salvation, rather than it being part of the actual salvation experience itself.  Baptism does not bring about salvation, rather it is an essential picture of that inward reality.  Baptism is an ordinance, a sign, signifiying externally a prior invisible reality that occurs by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Baptism is an ordinance because Christ gave it to His church
In all of the passages cited above, not one of them occur apart from connection with or practice of Baptism in the local church.  Christ issued forth, "ordained" baptism to be administered through the agency of the local church.  The Apostles and later leaders in the  church administered the rite.  Even though Baptism is commonly administered by ordained Pastors, the focus is not so much on who is Baptizing.  On occassion I've heard of Deacons, or Elders, or even rarer fathers Baptizing their converted children.  The chief emphasis of our point here is: under what context is the Baptism being administered?  As long as Baptism is performed in conjunction with the local church, the Lord's purposes for this practice are being kept. 

The meaning and mode of baptism

Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."

            In yesterday's blog we explored the meaning of Baptism as taught in the New Testament.  We noted that three terms can be used to summarize its meaning: participation, obedience and identification.  If we were to consdense what was written yesterday, it would be this: Although baptism is not essential for conversion to faith in Christ, yet it is essential to obedience to Christfollowing one's conversion".  With that said, today we want to explore the "mode" of baptism.

The original meaning of the word "baptism" or "baptize"

            In over 100 New Testament passages we find reference to baptism.  The Greek words associated with this word comes from the Greek word “baptizo”, from whence derives our English word “baptism”. In all standard Greek Dictionaries (The New Testament of course was originally written in Greek), without exception, "baptizo" has the primary meaning of “to dip, to immerse”.  When one digs back into ancient Greek sources, we discover this word was used to describe the sinking of ships in naval battles or the dipping of various foods in honey.  Clearly the meaning of the word alone tells us that the mode of baptism is dipping, immersion or submersion.

          A secondary, but still important meaning of this word is that of "identification" or "to be brought into connection or union with someone".  For instance, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-3 we read of the people of Israel being "baptized into Moses, in the cloud and in the sea".  Now we know that the people cross the Red Sea on dry ground, and that the "cloud" was the pillar of cloud that led them - being God Himself.  Many of those who oppose believer's baptism by immersion will cite this text, however the secondary meaning of "brought into connection or union" aids us in making sense of the meaning here.  As always, context is the chief aid in determining the dictionary meaning of the word. 

          What we would advocate is that in all instances where the practice of New Testament water Baptism occurs, the primary mode of "immersion" fits the context of those passages.

Why do our English Bibles have the word "baptize" rather than "Immerse"

            When the first English translations began to appear in the 14 century, men such as John Wycliff and William Tyndale led the way in translating the first English Bibles.  When the church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic church in the late 16 century, it retained much of the Catholic church's viewpoints - among which was the teaching of infant baptism and the mode of sprinkling.  When the English translations were produced in the 16th century, the translators who knew the original languages were aware that if they translated the term "baptizo" as "immerse", it would get them into trouble with the King and the powers that be in the Church of England. 

            Thus they "transliterated" the term, meaning they took the Greek letters of "baptizo" and transferred them over into English as "baptize".  All English Bibles to this day follow this method.  In attempting to be "safe", the refusal to translate the word has created in no small measure an uncertainty as to baptism's mode.  For this blogger, if the word were translated, rather than "transliterated", the confusion over the meaning of baptism might very well lessen, since the mode and meaning are so inter-linked.

The picture communicated by Baptism

            With the mode established, the biblical picture which Baptism conveys show the close connection between the mode and the meaning.  Romans 6:1-4 states:  "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ² May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? ³Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  ⁴Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Notice how Paul uses the concepts of “burial” and “raised”.  Clearly this picture cannot be accomplished through sprinkling nor pouring, but through only one mode – immersion. 

          In all four gospel accounts of Jesus' baptism we see record of him coming straight up out of the water and the Holy Spirit coming down upon Him.  In John 3:23 we see this statement – “John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized”.   Clearly the only proper way these people could be baptized is if there is a place where much water is available.  There is no doubt on the mode of baptism – dipping, immersion or submersion under water.

Baptism - a matter of participation

Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism


We continue today with our exploration of the meaning of New Testament Baptism.  Yesterday we mentioned three terms: identification, obedience and participation.  The first two terms were our main focus, with the third being the primary one in today's blog. 
Participation

When a Christian becomes baptized, they not only are communicating prior identification and a lifestyle of obedience to Christ, but also that of participation in Christ. In Romans 6:4 Paul states: "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Being that Baptism is a picture of the believer's prior conversion experience, the idea of the Christian walking with God goes hand in hand.

The idea of "walking with God" is the first description the Bible gives of the believer's relationship with the Lord. Being found some 50 times in the Bible, we read for instance in Genesis 3:8 that God was "walking in the cool of the evening", looking for Adam. Evidently God had created Adam for covenant and communion with Him. We read of Enoch in Genesis 5:22 that he "walked with God for 300 years". Baptism pictures for us the Christian's desire to walk with the Lord all of the days of their life. Clearly participation is in view.

Why baptism is connected to local church membership

Baptism is an act that follows faith in Christ by the pattern in the New Testament. Acts 2:40-41 tells us that as many as had received the word (i.e received the message of salvation by grace through faith) were baptized. Following the baptism, the text states then that 3,000 souls were added to the church. This tells us that saving faith came first, followed by baptism, then church membership.

When a baptized believer joins a local church, they are indicating that they do not merely want to be a spectator, but a participator. Jesus tells us in John 14:15 that all of those who love Him will obey His commands. Being that baptism is commanded in Acts and the Epistles, and since it is modeled by Christ Himself in the Gospels, clearly then Baptism centers on participation following one’s commitment of faith.

Relating identification, obedience and participation in Baptism
Romans 6:1-4 and Galatians 3:27 define baptism in terms of how one walks with the Lord. Submission to Christ’s Lordship is the primary fruit of the Christian walk. Acknowledging Him as Savior and Lord is central to saving faith and becoming a disciple of Christ (compare Luke 9:23-24 and 14:25-35).

I sometimes refer to Baptism as the “Christian’s first major step of Christian obedience”. It indicates that the disciple is publicly identifying  the reality of His otherwise personal new birth experience. Scripture uses the language of new birth to describe salvation (please compare John 3:1-5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). We can liken baptism to a toddler's first steps, since baptism follows the new birth as a toddler's first steps comes after their natural birth. Obviously a baby has to be born first before they can walk. Likewise before an adult (or child reaching the age of accountability) can be baptized, they have to be first born again by grace alone through faith alone (please compare Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

Baptism, as the Christian's act of identification and obedience is again, their way of setting a lifetime pattern of participation.  Peter states in 1 Peter 3:21 - "Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ". The KJV brings out the rendering "answer of a good conscience", which brings us closer to the original text. The idea Peter is describing is an already converted heart coming to the baptismal waters to publicly declare before Christ and his people their aim to grow in grace from a good conscience. Clearly this allows no room for spectator Christianity.   

Baptism - a matter of identification and obedience

Ephesians 4:5 "one Lord, one faith, one baptism"

          In today's blog we want to explore the meaning of believer's baptism.  When I am counseling new Christian converts, I sometimes will use three terms to help them understand what the Bible has to say about this important subject: Identification, Obedience and Participation.  We will look at those first two ideas in today's blog, with attention being placed upon the third term tomorrow.  

Public Identification

            When John began baptizing the Jews at the beginning of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the meaning was that of identification with the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ.  Another passage which speaks of Baptism is 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, where the Israelites were “baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea”.  The Israelites identified with Moses and ultimately the Lord, who was the One who delivered them out of Egypt. 

          This is why both the Apostle Paul (Romans 6:1-11) and the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 3:18-21) describe baptism as taking one's prior private committment of faith and making it a public "identification" in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In other words, Baptism functions as an "I.D" badge that tells everyone of an internal reality that occurred prior to the baptism - namely by grace through faith that person experience death to the old life and was raised to new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Baptism enables the Christian to not be ashamed
          Luke 9:23-26 states:   "23And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."  Verses 23-25 speak of the commitment of faith that occurs when by grace through faith the sinner confesses Jesus as Savior and Lord.  Verse 26 tells us that the true believer in Christ will want to tell everyone that they're Christ's disciple.  Thus Baptism gives them that chance.  This is why, especially in Baptist churches, baptism is called one's "public profession of faith".

  

Obedience - The Christian's proof that they love Jesus

          Along with identification we find the second central thought of Baptism’s meaning – obedience.  Matthew 28:19-20, The Great Commission of Christ to His Church, states – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Notice how the underlined words are commands.  Baptism is a command that a believer obeys following their trust and faith in Jesus Christ.  Though Baptism is not essential to salvation, it is essential to obedience.

          

In Baptism, I'm showing my following of Jesus Christ to be not an "I have to", but rather an "I want to" lifestyle 
         Baptism sets the pattern before everybody that the Christian life, as much as it is entered into by faith alone, is nonetheless to be lived out with a faith that is not alone.  True faith, following conversion, is characterized by works of obedience. (James 2:14-18).  Jesus teaches that all those who love Him will obey His commandments. (John 14:15, 23)  Conversely, those who aim to keep Christ's commandments are those who demonstrate genuine love for Him. (John 14:21)  Truly then a person does not get baptized in order to become a Christian, rather they get baptized because they have already become a Christian.

         

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in salvation

John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

So what roles do God's Sovereignty and human responsibility play in the realm of salvation?  John chapter 3 is an amazing chapter, since it lays out before us the role each plays in the realm of salvation.  Divine Sovereignty and human responsibility are both taught in scripture.  Today we will lay out scriptures from this chapter that show God's Sovereign role and man's responsibility in salvation.  Remarkably, both these truths occur often in one verse!   

1. God in grace grants the gift of the new birth or eternal life, man by grace through faith receives the gift 
God's Sovereignty in Salvation: John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again (or "born from above", original Greek, KJV) he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Man is responsible to believe in Christ: John 3:15 "so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life."

God's Sovereignty in the New Birth: John 3:6-8 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Whosever believes has eternal life: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.


2. God gets the credit for anyone who believes and receives the gospel, man is to blame for rejecting and not believing the gospel
God sent Christ, since no one seeks Him John 3:13 “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
Unbelief is the reason for condemnation John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Responsibility: Although people choose to come to the light of truth. John 3:21a “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light...."
Sovereignty: Yet people can only choose to come to the light of the truth because of God. John 3:21b ".....so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

3. Faith is the Divine gifting wherein people can decide to choose Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure
Responsible to receive salvation: John 3:27a "John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing....."
Sovereignty makes it possible to receive salvation: John 3:27b ..."unless it has been given him from heaven."

God is Sovereign over everything, including salvation: John 3:35“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand."
Man is responsible to receive salvation: John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”