"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel... By which also ye are saved... unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Introduction

Baptism of John

Christ Baptized of John

Christ Begins Baptizing

Christ's Baptism in Death

Believers Baptism
    Baptismal Regeneration?
    Baptism of Noah
    Baptism of Moses

Baptism of the Holy Spirit
    The Mystery Revealed
    To the Jew First
    The Baptism
    Who is He That Baptizes With the Holy Ghost?
    What was Pentecost?
    Should we Tarry for the Spirit?
    Filling of the Spirit

Baptism of Fire

A True Story
 

Introduction

In this article, we would like to investigate this doctrine called baptism. It spans from the Old to the New Testament, and we could say that it finds it way from the Old into the New. Although we do not find the word baptism in the Old Testament, it may be identified with ceremonial washing or cleansing of the Old Testament

The writer of Hebrews tells us that in the first (old) testament, there were "ordinances [ceremonies] of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary" (Heb. 9:1). There was also a priesthood with a High Priest to oversee the ordinances. One of the annual ceremonies involved the High Priest entering into the Holy of Holies, not without blood which he offered for his sins and the sins of the people. This signified that the way into the presence of God was not yet made manifest because the offerings for sin needed to be repeated. These offerings could not purge, or take away the sins of the people, and this was evident, for if the people were purged by these, there would be no need for any more offerings, "because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sin. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year." (Heb. 10:2-3)

These ceremonies involved "meats and drinks, and diverse washings [Gr. baptismos], and carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation" (Heb. 9:10), and are said to be "a figure for the time then present" that "could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience." The writer of Hebrews classifies the "doctrine of baptisms" [Gr. baptismos] (6:1), as the "first principles of the oracles of God" (5:12) and "the principles of the doctrine of Christ". It was elementary and foundational, and not to be laid again, but was to be left, that one might "go on unto perfection". These ceremonies of the law were but a shadow or figure, and were typical of Christ, but were abolished by Him.

The baptisms of the Old Testament which were many, involved the washings of the priests and of the Israelites,  and of sacrifices,  and of garments, and of vessels and other things. In the worldly sanctuary there was a laver filled with water, which was the most used article in the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons, when they were consecrated to the priesthood were bathed with water (Lev. 8:1-6). If they were to serve the Lord in the Tabernacle, they would then have to wash their hands and feet every time before serving in the Tabernacle, lest they die. (Ex. 30:17-21) There were also various manners of defilement, which under the law, required ceremonial cleansing with water. (Lev. 14-15)

The ceremonies of the Old Covenant, at best, could only cleanse the flesh, that is, outwardly (Heb. 9:13), but the blood of Christ, which is applied to the believer through faith, could purge their conscience (internally) (v. 14) from dead works (ceremonial law) to serve the living God. Only Christ could cleanse  the sinner of his guilty stains and provide access to God. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  And having an high priest over the house of God;  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience [by the blood of Christ], and our bodies washed with pure water [by the word, Eph. 5:26]. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised" (Heb. 10:19-23).

In the days of His (Jesus Christ) flesh, there was a sect of religious leaders known as the Scribes and Pharisees. These were, as it appears from the scriptures (Mark 7:1-23), obsessed with washing, which was due to their tradition. They would "wash [Gr. baptismos] their hands" before eating anything, scared that what they touched would be defiled, and in turn defile themselves when eaten. If they would go to "the market, except they wash [Gr. baptizo], they eat not", for they thought they were defiled by their contact with the common people. Likewise, they would wash [Gr. baptismos] their "cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and tables", afraid that their food would be defiled by these vessels, and if eaten, would in turn defile themselves.

Jesus would tell the people "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man." (Mark 7:15) He would explain that foodstuffs do not enter the heart but the belly, and go out into the draught. "But those things which proceed out of the mouth", evil things, they come "from within, out of the heart of men", and they defile the man. Jesus would liken the Pharisees to the cup and the platter saying they could make clean the outside thereof, but "Your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness." (Luke 11:38-39)( Mt. 23:25-28).

Jesus explained to them in no uncertain terms that it was the internal that was in need of cleansing, for the heart of man is wicked. The people were in need of cleansing and they knew not that external washings or baptisms could not wash their defilement away. They were defiled to the very core of their being. To cleanse the inside, this only God could do.

What we would like to do now, from this brief introduction, is to follow the doctrine of baptism, starting with the baptism of John, through to the baptism of fire.

G.N.C.

Baptism of John

Who was John the Baptist? Before his birth his father Zacharias was told by an angel, "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.  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.  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." (Luke 1:15-17) And thus was it told before hand of God by the prophet Malachi "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."  (3:1) And again, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:5-6) Likewise God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah saying, "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. . . And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Isaiah 40:3, 5)

The scribes said that Elijah must come first before the Christ, and Jesus said "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist." (Mt. 17:11-13) Jesus said of John, "there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist" (Luke 7:28)"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mt. 11:13-15)

When John was asked who he was of the Pharisees, he told them he was not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor one of the prophets resurrected, but did testify to the above scriptures (Mt. 1:3, John 1:22-23). He was come in the spirit and power of Elijah, to prepare the way of the Lord, to turn the children of Israel to the Lord, and to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. He said "I am sent before him." (John 3:28) He told the people why he come baptizing "that he [God the Son] should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." (John 1:30-31) And what was John's message? "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. . . Bring forth fruits meet for repentance". (Mt. 3:3, 8) John preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (Mark 1:4)  Notice it is "the baptism which John preached" (Acts 10:37). "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." (Acts 19:4)

This was his message, that they should believe on Christ. "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John." (Luke 7:29) Those who believed the preaching "were all baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." (Mark 1:5) They acknowledged John as a prophet sent by God,  and approved of the counsel of God in sending him, expressing their true sentiments by their obedience to his baptism. These were the ones who were waiting for the consolation of Israel.

There were also those who "rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." (Luke 7:30) And when they come to observe his baptism, he rebuked them saying "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance . . . I say unto you . . . every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Mt. 3:7-10)
 

Christ's Baptism (Water and Spirit)

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mt. 3:13-17)

Why did Christ come to be baptized of John? John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, and those who submitted to the preaching of John came forth confessing their sins, and were baptized with water. Yet Christ had no sins and needed not to repent of anything. John, though he said he knew him not (John 1:31, 33), recognized that he was the spotless Lamb of God, and forbade him. But Jesus replied, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."  Christ submitted to his baptism to show approval to it, that it was from heaven and not of men. Also that John might bear witness that Jesus is the Son of God, for John testified that "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.  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." (John 1:33-34) John said that he came baptizing that Christ should be made manifest to Israel. Now he could most assuredly point to the One whose way he was preparing.

Christ was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (Mt. 5:17) He would also testify that "the law and the prophets were until John" (Luke 16:16). When Aaron and his sons who were to minister in the priest's office, Moses, the prophet of God, was told by the Lord to "wash them with water. . . Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head and anoint him." (Exodus 29:4, 7)  We might say that Christ's baptism and anointing of the Spirit was the prophetic fulfillment of this type, and was an entrance into his public ministry as High Priest and King. For He being about the age of thirty (Luke 3:33, Numb. 4:3), was now washed by the symbolic waters of baptism and anointed of God.

When David became king he was anointed by God's prophet Samuel (1Sam. 16:2-3). Likewise, Jesus Christ was anointed "with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (Heb. 1:9) Jesus could now quote the Prophet Isaiah in saying "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD" (Isaiah 61:1-2) Peter would say "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power" (Acts 10:38). This was the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ.

That Christ would unite the office of priest and king, is foretold by the prophet Zechariah, that the One whose name is the BRANCH, "Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." (Zechariah 6:13) We are the temple of the living God, and He is yet building, adding to it lively stones. One day he shall finish it, "he shall bring forth the headstone [last person to say yes to Christ] thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." (Zech. 4:7) He most certainly will bear all the glory of it, and "they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel [type of Christ]" (Zech. 4:10), for it is he who is the builder thereof. He is our High Priest, the King of saints. He is a priest upon His throne.
 

Christ Starts Baptizing

Now after Christ was baptized of John, He was immediately led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil 40 days.  John who was sent to prepare the way before the Lord could now say to his disciples, after hearing Him "this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:29-30) Thus it is with all of God's people who hear his voice, that they put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, and are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

So John, having prepared the way, now pointed to Him whose way he prepared saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world", and John's disciples "followed Jesus" saying "We have found the Messias", "We have found him, of whom in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth". (John 1:37, 41, 45) For John said that "they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." (Acts 19:4) For this was his ministry "to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe." (John 1:7)

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.  And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.  And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him." (John 3:22-26)

After Jesus consented to the baptism of John, acknowledging that his baptism was from heaven, and was right, and that men should repent or perish, Christ then with his disciples began to baptise also, "though Jesus himself baptzed not, but his disciples" and "made and baptized more disciples than John" (John 4:1-3). John's ministry was to come to an end as he would now point to the one who was prefered before him, and Christ began to increase the more, and he went about baptising and manifesting forth his glory.

When some of John's disciples come with a question about purifying [Gr. katharismos], he told them that Christ is the one who was come from heaven, God's own Son, who alone could purge [Heb. 1:3, Gr. katharismos] the sins of mankind, and testified that "He that beleiveth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that beleiveth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36) John bore witness to Christ and the people now began to come to Christ to be baptised.

I do not know if  the disciples of Jesus were baptizing in His name at this time, for he came to call "sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17), as did John the Baptist. Not only did He come to call sinners to repentance, but to forgive the sins of those who would come to him. He would confess, "the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10). And many would angrily cry "Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" (Luke 5:21) And this is true, for we are told "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses" (Dan. 9:9). But they failed to see that Christ was God manifest in the flesh. "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (Psalm 130:3-4)  "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." (Psalm 32:5) "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25)

When Jesus, heard that John was cast into prison, he began to preach from that time saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15) This was the message that John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judaea (Mt. 3:2), as he was preparing the way.

God's Son was come down from heaven to redeem mankind back to himself, to make reconciliation for iniquity through the sacrifice of himself, and to bring in everlasting righteousness. The kingdom was come nigh unto them. Though he came unto his own, his own recieved him not, but as many as recieved him gave he them the power to become the son's of God. He would tell Nicodemus, a Pharisee, "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:14-15)

We do not hear in the gospels again of the disciples of Christ baptizing anyone until after He died for the sins of mankind and rose from the dead. Christ then gave them commission to baptize those who would believe, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  The only other baptism that we hear of in the gospels is when Christ would speak of his own baptism to come.
 

Christ's Baptism (Death)

"I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?   But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" (Luke 12:49-50)

In the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son into this sin cursed world, and He willingly stepped down and out from eternity and the glory of heaven wherein is fullness of joy with the Father and the Spirit. To be brief, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1Tim. 1:15). He came with a mission to fulfill, and to do the work that his Father gave him to do. And in the days of His flesh, he lived a spotless life, a life without sin, and he went about doing good. John spoke aright when he said of Him, I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of his shoe. He was altogether lovely, but sadly to say, in him man found "no beauty that we should desire him.  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:2-3) He came to bring salvation to mankind, but man rejected the grace and loving kindness of God, through Jesus Christ His Son.

Man was told in the law of Moses to "do this, and don't do that", but he disobeyed the righteous law of Moses. Mankind must see that "no man is justified by the law in the sight of God" (Gal. 3:11).  The law could only condemn man, and reveal to him how he has offended an Holy God. The law would tell us "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." (Gal. 3:10) But Christ came to pay the righteous penalty required under the law, being made a curse for us, for transgressions he did not commit. Christ was despised and hated of men to the point that a bloodthirsty mob would cry "Crucify him", the One who was without spot or blemish, the One who was the Beloved of the Father, and in His eye altogether lovely.

God is Light. When He came in the flesh, his Holiness condemned man, and their response to His goodness was to put him away from them. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19-20)

When Christ comes the second time to the earth he will come in judgment "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2Thes. 1:7-9). This is in no way the purpose of His love,  but the effect of His presence, the flaming presence of the Almighty and Holy God who is a consuming fire. Everything contrary to the glad tidings of the gospel is brought under judgment by the glad tidings coming in. Christ was not come to judge the world but to save it, but they, by their rejection of Him, kindled the fire of judgment.

When the Light of God came down from heaven, "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9), it was given to mankind to respond to the Light. The gospel says see what great provision I have provided for you, the long arm of my salvation stretched out to and for you, that you might not spend an eternity alone in Hell. But mans lawless response to his grace is, "I do not want you and I do not care to be reconciled to you." The rejection of God's provision in Christ Jesus had kindled the wrath of God. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). God has revealed himself to mankind in many ways, but now he manifest himself in the person of his Son. Jesus told Philip "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). Mankind is without excuse in their rejection of God and His Christ.

When Christ came to his disciples and he asked of them "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." (Mt. 16:13-14) This spoke of his rejection by his own. "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:10) "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Mt. 16:21) Mankind had grown so far from their Creator that the only thing that they would have to do with him was to nail him to a cruel cross. Christ said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" (Luke 12:50) This was not the baptism of John which he already had. Christ had come to earth to fulfill his Father's will, to become the sacrificial Lamb that would bear away the sins of the world.

"And they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.  And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain." (Acts 13:27-28) Jesus Christ was not ignorant nor unsuspecting of the cross, for he came to pay the debt of mankind's sin, but in his humanity he would say "How am I straightened or troubled till it be accomplished". He would pray, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." But he became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  He knew his mission. He knew he must be lifted up upon that cross. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  This he said, signifying what death he should die." (John 12:32-33) But for the joy that was set before him, in bringing many sons unto glory, he endured the cross, despising the shame.

When two of Christ's disciples were desiring to be his right and left hand men in his kingdom, He asked them, "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with." (Matthew 20:22-23) This is a peculiar saying since we have seen that the baptism Christ was to endure was the cross of Calvary.  How could these two drink of Christ's cup and be baptized with his baptism? Would they too be nailed to the tree for the sins of the world? Nor could they be, for when Christ paid the debt, he paid it in full with nothing left to pay. He paid the full purchase price for our redemption, and there is now no more offering for sin. Just what then did he mean?

First we should state with Peter that "neither is their salvation in any other" (Acts 4:12), that is, in Jesus Christ. And only those who are in Christ Jesus, the ark of salvation shall be saved. When the man of sin wakes up to his true estate  in the sight of an all Holy God, the Holy Spirit will present to him Jesus Christ crucified for sinners, that he may lay hold on Him who is mighty to save. When man is repentant towards God and places his faith in Christ Jesus alone, God miraculously places him in the only means of salvation and safety that He has provided against the impending flood of judgment. He places us in Christ Jesus. The Bible tells us "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1Cor. 12:13), that is the body of Christ. The Bible also tells us "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death" (Romans 6:3-4). And this should we know "that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:6-7)

So, when we were baptized into Christ by the Spirit, we are in the eyes of God said to be "crucified with him". Not only are we crucified with him, but we are "buried with him" also. If we be "dead with him", we shall also "live with Him".  Paul could say "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal 2:20) He would tell Timothy "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him" (2Tim 2:11).

His death becomes our death, His life becomes our life. He bore our sins in his own body on the tree, and through His death, we have been delivered from sin and its consequences. When we believed the Gospel, we were baptized into the body Christ, and the Spirit of Christ came to dwell in us. We are dead with Christ so likewise we shall also be partakers of his resurrection. "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)

All believers are placed or baptized into Christ and are made partaker's of His death and of his resurrection. Our sin was placed on Christ and nailed to the tree, how glorious can this be that He should die for me. More glorious than one can comprehend, for when He rose we rose with Him.
 

Believers Baptism

 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20)

That baptism is an ordinance commanded by our Lord is clear from the scripture above, and should be observed even unto the end of the world. Those who would believe the gospel were to observe all things that were commanded the apostles. We are told that the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and of prayers. His commandments will never become void, for the word of the Lord endureth for ever. The things which they heard and were taught were in turn to be committed unto "faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2Tim 2:2)

That it is not one and the same as the baptism of John is clear, for John never baptized in the name of the Triune Godhead, nor was his baptism focused on the death burial and resurrection of Christ. This is made clear when Paul baptized again those who were disciples of John. "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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.  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19:3-5)

It should be enough that the Lord commanded us to be baptized, to be partakers thereof, but just what is the purpose of such an ordinance, and why have those believers who trusted in Christ gone down to the waters? Baptism is a means of identification.  In short, it is our declaration that we have believed the gospel and are not ashamed to identify with the Lord Jesus Christ. The simple gospel, that Christ died for our sins, and that he was buried, and that he rose again, must now be our song of rejoicing. We are "dead with Christ" (Romans 6:8), "we are buried with him" (Romans 6:4), and we are now "made alive" (1Cor. 15:22) in Christ Jesus. We "are risen with him" (Col. 2:12), and Christ has become "our life" (Col. 3:4). "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together[made alive]  with Christ, by grace ye are saved" (Eph. 2:5).

Christ died for sinners. When the sinner repents and places his faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, he is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. This is expressed externally by the believer through water baptism. Paul would tell the church at Rome, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4) This is why Biblical baptism is by immersion. The waters are symbolic of death and the grave. It is a picture of us dying in Christ and rising again with him. When Christ was buried, our sins were buried with Him, and when he rose, he rose without sin. (Heb. 9:28) Our sins were washed away in the sea of his blood.

Paul would tell the Colossians, "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12) This is the operation of God, for neither is there salvation in any other. Paul would tell Timothy "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him" (2Tim. 2:11). "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5:10)

Perhaps it would do us well to remember what baptism meant to the early church. We should first realize the fact that the early church consisted only of Jews, that is, until Peter preached the gospel to the house of Cornelius, some eight years after Pentecost. So just what did it mean to the Jewish mind to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? In the Jewish scriptures, that is, the Law of Moses, we are told, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal 3:13, Deut. 21:23). What it meant was to identify with the cursed One. It meant to identify with that One whom the unbelieving Jew thought had hanged on that tree for His own sin.  To the Jewish mind, it was thought that their baptismal ceremonies was what cleansed, and purified the individual, and now these Christians were being baptized in the name of Jesus, confessing that He alone was the one who could wash away the guilt of sin.

The believers baptism usually would be met with hostility, and rejection from family and friends, even death. Many a believer was often taken from baptism and killed for apostasy, only to have others go down to the waters of baptism in their place to identify with the only One who could cleanse them from their sin. They realized his great love wherewith he loved us in paying the price for our redemption, in becoming a curse for us. Though the whole world would slay them, they would not deny to identify with him. This is what Paul spoke of when he wrote to the Corinthians, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die." (1Cor. 15:29-32) Their only hope of eternal life lay in the fact of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They knew whom they believed and were persuaded that he was able to keep that which they committed unto Him against that day, that is, the saving of their souls. And they with joy would go down to the water's, rejoicing in their salvation, despite the adverse consequences that might result from identifying with Him.

They could not understand how the Lord of Glory would humble himself, and step down out of eternity, and that He would  identify with the likes of sinful man, except for the loved of his people. Therefore they were not ashamed to identify with the One who was rejected of men, and to walk the same path of suffering and reproach.

The writer to the Hebrews would say  "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." (Heb. 10:31-34) "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." (Heb. 13:13)

They knew what the scriptures said, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:9-11) They knew what could be the consequences of identifying with Christ in baptism, but when those of the early church believed the gospel they immediately submitted to the ordinance of baptism, confessing Jesus Christ crucified for sinners, to the world foolishness, but unto us which are saved, the power of God. They had the hope of eternal life, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5) They were not ashamed of their Lord, and confessed him to the world and to the church in their baptism.

Baptismal Regeneration?

Baptismal Regeneration may be defined as such: By water baptism, the incumbent is said to be cleansed of all his sins, and born again of the Spirit, through which the gift of eternal life imparted. In this portion, we would like to address the false notion that baptism is necessary for salvation. It is a very dangerous notion to add baptism to the finished work of Christ on the cross. His shed blood alone has eternal efficacy that transcends all of eternity. There is only one way to enter into heaven and it is "by the blood of Jesus." (Heb. 10:19) For only the blood of Christ is able to wash away the guilt of him who is stained with sin. Shall we add water baptism, the work of man's hands, to that which is pleasing in Gods eyes, which alone can turn away His wrath. Shall we taint the blood of Christ? Shall we corrupt what only His blood can do? God forbid that one should look to his baptism as a means of satisfying the justice of God. We shall see that it was "the travail of his soul" (Isaiah 53:11) that God was satisfied with.

When the Lord instituted the Passover, which is but a type of "Christ our Passover" (1Cor. 5:7), what did he say that would hold back the angel of death from smiting all the firstborn? "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). Did he add to the blood Baptism? or good works, or the sacraments,  or church membership, or doing the best I can? No! Only the blood of Christ could satisfy God's justice, and cleanse us from our guilty stains. "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." (Rev. 1:5)

The Apostle Paul would say, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified [declared righteous] freely [without cost] by his grace [unmerited favor] through the redemption[purchasing power] that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [an expiatory sacrifice] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26) The precise object of saving faith is the blood of Christ, for "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1John 1:7)

To add anything to the one offering of Christ, would be to say that it was not sufficient to pay the price of our redemption. But when Christ "had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, [He] sat down on the right hand of God". (Heb. 10:12) When Christ sat down, the work was done, and the debt was paid in full. There is nothing left to pay "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Heb. 10:14) For those who put their faith and trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, He can say of them "their sins and iniquities will I remember no more . . . [for] where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." (Heb. 10:17-18)

Paul spoke of the grave danger of perverting the gospel of the grace of Christ. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Gal.1:6-9) This reminds us of the frightful words of Christ "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Mt. 25:41)  To add baptism to the cross work of Christ, would pervert the gospel, and make God's glorious gospel of salvation a false gospel that can not save, but damns one to hell. This is the seriousness of not trusting in Christ ALONE. As the hymn writer would sing, "My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name." This is the gospel that the apostles preached, it is the gospel that saints down through history preached, it is the gospel that we must preach. If one tries to come up some other way, he will surly be found a thief and a robber. (John 10:1)

It is only our sins that will keep us out of heaven, for "your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2) He is of "purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity" (Habukkuk 1:13). There could only be one remedy for our sin, therefore Christ "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. . . Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 4:25, 5:1, 9-11)

Now, while we want to clearly expound to the lost the necessity of faith alone in Christ, and that the ordinances of the Lord have nothing to do with salvation, we want to be careful that we do not dispel them in the process, as though they were not important. But they do need to be given their proper place. While baptism has nothing to do with salvation, the Lord did say, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21) And again, "If a man love me, he will keep my words" (v. 23). The apostle John would say, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (1John 5:1-3) And this is the commandment of Jesus Christ that he gave his apostles, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations [or make disciples of all nations through the preaching of the gospel (Mk. 16:15)], baptizing them [those who have believed the gospel] in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Mt. 28:19-20) Notice the order, first comes conversion. It would be in vain to baptize the unconverted, or an infant. Then comes baptism. Then comes discipling, that is, teaching them to observe all things that Christ commanded. That is the order which should be carried out till He comes. The apostle Paul observed this command, and told Timothy, "the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2Tim. 2:2)

As we have said, Baptism is a means of identification. We are not ashamed to identify with the crucified and risen One. "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:11) Paul would say "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). Paul's mission was first and foremost to preach the gospel, not to baptize, as he said, "Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel" (1Cor. 1:17) If baptism was necessary for salvation, you can be sure that Paul would be baptizing everyone, but he would tell the Corinthian church, "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other." (1Cor. 1:14-16)

Does this mean that Paul ignored the ordinance of the Lord in Baptism? Not at all, for after his conversion he immediately was baptized. He was told by Ananias, the one who was sent that he might receive his sight, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16) Was it his baptism that washed away his sins, or his calling upon the name of the Lord? Did he receive his sight when he believed or when he was baptized? "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." (Acts 9:18) Some will say that baptism washes away sins. That is not true! Only the blood of Christ can wash away sins, and they who "call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) When Paul became a believer, he called upon the name of the Lord and his sins were washed away by the blood of Christ, he recieved his sight, then he arose and was baptized. From then he began to preach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

On the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached Jesus Christ crucified for sinners and risen from the dead, the people were pricked in the heart of the Holy Ghost, and they asked what shall we do? Peters reply was, "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. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-41)  Some will foolishly pervert the gospel of Christ using this scripture to say that something that YOU do will save you, such as being baptized, but it is repentance and faith that is linked with the forgiveness of sins, not baptism. Paul would preach, "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21) Some 3000 souls believed Peters message on the day of Pentecost were baptized.

When Peter preached Jesus Christ to the house of Cornelius, he said "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." (Acts 10:43-44) They received the promise of the Holy Ghost through faith, not yet being baptized. "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8). And "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). The house of Cornelius believed the word of God and recieved the forgiveness of sins, the gift of eternal life, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. THEN Peter said, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:47-48) This is the pattern that we see again and again in the Bible. They did not receive the Holy Ghost when they were baptized but when they believed, and when they believed the gospel they were immediately baptized.

There was always a condition for baptism as we may see when we look to the example of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Eunuch was reading from the prophet Isaiah and chapter fifty-three, and Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch did not understand, and asked Philip if he knew who Isaiah was speaking of, himself, or some other man.  Philip took the opportunity and preached to him Jesus Christ from Isaiah: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our grief's, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (v. 3-12) Then "as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:36-38) Believe and thou mayest, and not before, for why would an unbeliever who is not saved be baptized?

Some will foolishly preach out of context, without regard for the whole counsel of God, using the following verse, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark16:16) They will say you must "believe and be baptized" to be saved, failing to recognize that it is only believers who get baptized in the proper fashion. The latter part of that same verse says "he that believeth not shall be damned", with no mention of baptism. There are many scriptures that simply state, believe and you shall be saved. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. . . .He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:14-16, 36) If you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you will not perish, but have everlasting life. If you believe not the Son, you will not see life, but the wrath of God. Can you hear what blessing awaits the believer, and great condemnation for those who will not believe. Wake up oh sinner and Christ shall give thee life. Put your faith in Him, and you shall be saved.

Consider the Philippian jailer and his household, and how they were led to be baptized. Paul said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." (Acts 16:31-33) Only after they heard the word of the Lord, that there is salvation in none other than Jesus Christ, they gladly would identify with their Saviour in baptism. Some would speculate that the jailers household included infants that were baptized. But the scriptures are clear that the jailer "rejoiced, believing in God with all his house." An infant could not comprehend the gospel never mind believe in God. And those who believed, that same hour were baptized straightway, or immediately. They did not tarry, or waver regarding the command to be baptized. Never do we see babies being baptized in the Bible,  only believers, as in Samaria. "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8:12) Only those who could understand the gospel and believe were baptized.

False brethren who have crept in unawares, would also use the following scripture to pervert the only blessed gospel of our God, and use John 3:5 to say that baptism is a condition for salvation. "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.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John3:5-7) These verses have no mention of baptism, but many will say that the water here refers to baptism. In the context, the emphasis is on being born again, of the Spirit, which is contrasted with natural birth. But if we will take the whole counsel of God, it cannot mean that water, in this verse, means baptism. Let us look to the whole counsel of God to see if we can gather what the proper interpretation might be. You may say, "Well that is your interpretation", but I think we will benefit the more if we let scripture interpret scripture.
     "Being born again, not of corruptible seed [flesh], but of incorruptible [Spirit], by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1Peter 1:23) Peter says we are born again of the Spirit by the word of God. Paul said, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:25-27) James says we are born of God with the word. "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:18) Jesus prayed to His Father,  "Sanctify [cleanse] them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17)He would tell His disciples, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3)  Paul would say to the Thessalonians, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance" (1Thes. 1:5). He would tell the Corinthian church, "I have begotten you through the gospel." (1Cor. 4:15)  I think from these scriptures we can understand  clearly that the means of salvation is through faith in the finished work of Christ alone, and this we hear from the word of God, as we are convicted by the Spirit of God . Salvation comes purely by the grace of God. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7)

Baptism of Noah

In the Old Testament scriptures, we have many types and examples which are for our learning. Peter spoke of baptism, and related it to Noah and the ark saying that it was a "like figure". "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. 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" (1Peter 3:20-21). Some have used this verse to pervert the gospel. They will place their emphasis on the phrase "saved by water", but the word "by" (Gr. dia) is also translated 88 times as "through", and is not hard to understand how they were "saved through the water".

Their folly shall be easily dismissed upon close examination of such scriptures. First of all, we will find in the scriptures that the vehicle of salvation for Noah and his house was the ark. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." (Heb. 11:7) The ark I believe, is a type of Christ. Only in Christ might the repentant sinner find refuge and safety from the wrath which is to come. If one is in Christ, he is safe and secure from the flood of God's judgment which is to come upon this present evil world. The water did not save Noah and his family, it was used to destroy the ungodly. Peter would write in his second epistle that "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (2Peter 3:6). Also, God "spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly" (2Peter 2:5).

The showers of God's wrath rained down upon the ark, but those inside did not perish. They were saved because they were in the ark. What a lovely picture of those who are in Christ. The wrath of God was poured out on the ark, that is to say Christ, and all those who were not in the ark. But those who were in the ark were safe and secure, shielded as it were from the storm. Now, we must say, that the ark was not a sinking ship, for even "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18) It was pitched within and without (Gen. 6:14), and when the rains came down, the flood came up, and the ark was raised up from the flood of God's wrath. Only those who were in the ark rose above the floodwaters. All others perished.

Just as Noah and his family were saved when they were lifted up, or raised above the floodwaters, Peter says that baptism also is "the like figure". The ark was proven to be a worthy vessel, for the flood could not hold it down, but rose victoriously above the waters of God's judgment, which is typical of Christ. As Noah's ark and the flood are said to be figures, so too is baptism a figure, in fact it is the "like figure". Peter makes it clear, that it is not the water of baptism that saves. He says "Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh", or in other words, the outward washing with water, "But the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ". Christ was risen for our justification. Our conscience has been purged from dead works by the Holy Spirit, that we might trust only in the finished work of Christ on Calvary's cross. As the fountains of the great deep broke up and the windows of heaven opened, the Ark was immersed with water from above and below, and those inside were buried as it were, or hid therein which is a fitting a type of baptism. "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col. 3:3) When we believed the gospel, we were placed in Christ, therefore we were buried with him, likewise, when he rose from the dead we were raised with him also. And when he ascended up on high, he "made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus". (Eph. 2:6) Oh that we might know "what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places". (Eph. 1:19-20)

The Baptism of Moses

"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;  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea". (1Cor. 10:1-2)

In describing some of the events that happen in the Old Testament, the apostle Paul would tell the Corinthian church "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [or figures]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1Cor 10:11) Let us consider this event that happen to the fathers of Israel when they were delivered from the bondage of Egypt by Moses. And how was this nation delivered? By their leader Moses who was but an instrument in the mighty hand of God, and through the Red Sea, by which they were said to have been baptized unto Moses. Moses undoubtedly was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, for even he would point the children of Israel ahead to the one who would come. He told the children of Israel that  "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me" (Deut. 18:15). Egypt would represent the world and the lust thereof, and Pharoah, the god of this world, the devil.

Now the people of Israel followed Moses their leader through the sea on dry land. They took regard to him and acknowledged him by going down into the waters and through them, expressing their allegiance to him as their guide, their leader, and Saviour. It was a profession of their faith in him. The one who would redeem them from the bondage of Egypt. As Pharaoh sought to destroy the people Israel, Moses would cry aloud, "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD . . . The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:13) Salvation is of the Lord, they could only stand still and behold his salvation. Likewise, our Lord Jesus would cry outside the camp, "It is finished" (John 19:30), and we can hold our peace for in Christ Jesus we have the victory.  The children of Israel had one of two choices, they could choose to follow Moses through the watery grave, or be destroyed by Pharaoh.

As Pharaoh chased them into that watery grave, it became his own destruction. Pharaoh knew not that Moses was going to lead his people to victory, and it must be through that watery grave, likewise Christ, "that through death he might destroy him that had the power over death, that is the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb. 2:14-15) The wisdom of this mystery was hidden, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Had the princes of this world known this they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Israel was totally immersed in the cloud and in the sea, the cloud being over them and the sea around them. They became dead to Egypt and were given a new life on the other side of the Red Sea. When they rose up out of the sea, they safe and secure, for their enemy was left behind and destroyed in the watery grave, which is a figure of our baptism, for our own sins are buried and drowned in the sea of His blood. There was now a great gulf between Egypt and them through which none could pass. The old life forever put behind, with the promise of Canaan to look forward to.

The people Israel could now sing in triumph "The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. . . Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. . . The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. . . Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever." (Exodus 15:2, 6, 9-13, 17-18)
 

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

In the book of Ephesians we are told of the sevenfold unity of the Spirit. One body, one Spirit, one hope, One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all. We are clearly told that there is only "one baptism", and yet, within the scriptures we find references to different types of baptisms which are not one and the same. If there be only one baptism it must be the baptism of the Holy Spirit, to which all others are but a reflection. If there is a baptism that is not just a figure or a type, but is real, that effects the believers position before God, it is the Baptism of the Spirit. Although it is not observable to the eye of man, its end result is a new creature, created in Christ Jesus. We are told in the epistle to the Corinthians "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) All our hope of salvation rests in our position we have in Christ Jesus our Lord, and it is via the baptism of the Spirit that we are placed in Christ. This was something altogether new, that both Jew (who were accustomed to viewing themselves as the chosen nation) and Gentile would be united together in one body. We are told "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) When our faith is placed in Christ, we are baptized of the Spirit into his body, where we are blessed with all spiritual blessings. This was a mystery that was hid in God, in ages past, but now the manifold wisdom of God is made manifest by the church. This we would now like to look into in greater depth.

The Mystery Revealed

 
"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:26-28)
 

Here we will examine the greatest mystery, a mystery that has been hidden in ages and generations past but is now made manifest to the saints, in this, "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:2)  which is called the "mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4). The "dispensation of grace" might otherwise be known as the church age, where God is now visiting the Gentiles to take out a people for his name. And they who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, whether they be Jew or Gentile, are placed into the "body of Christ" which is the church. Not only is the believer placed in Christ, but Christ comes to dwell in the believer.

Paul said that "the revelation of the mystery . . . was kept secret since the world began"  (Romans 16:25), but is now made manifest by the Spirit through the gospel (Eph. 3:5-6). When one believes the gospel, they receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. They are then said to be new creatures, created in Christ Jesus,  and are born of God.

How important it is to know that you are in Christ and Christ in you! The Apostle Paul said,  "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."  (Romans 8:10) He told the Corinthians to "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor. 13:5) This word reprobates means castaway, rejected,  and not approved. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and it is Him alone who is holy and righteous, without sin and accepted of the Father. It is only in Christ that we can find acceptance of the Father. Unless you are in Christ Jesus you are reprobate, you are rejected of God. Listen to the Word of God.
 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace". (Ephesians 1:3-7)

If you have come to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, believing that He died for your sins and rose again, and have recieved Him as your Lord and Saviour, your sins have been washed away. You are clean every wit, and have been imputed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. You are now in Christ and are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. You are  holy and without blame before him in love. You are made accepted in the beloved, and have received the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. You will only be accepted of God in Christ Jesus.

All that we are or have is due to our position in Christ Jesus. And this we have in Christ Jesus, Redemption (Romans 3:24), no condemnation (Romans 8:1), sanctified (1Cor. 1:2), we are made perfect (Col. 1:28), we are a new creation (2Cor. 5:17), we are made alive in Christ Jesus (1Cor. 15:22), our hope is in Christ (1Cor. 15:19), we have the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7), and are accepted in the beloved (Eph. 1:6), we are partakers of Gods promises in Christ (Eph. 3:6), we are reconciled (2Cor. 5:20), complete (Col. 2:10), have liberty (Gal. 2:4), are blessed (Eph. 1:3), risen (Eph. 2:6), created (Eph. 2:10), made nigh to God (Eph. 2:13), made the righteousness of God in Him (2Cor. 5:21), chosen (Eph. 1:4), and in Him we have obtained an inheritance  (Eph. 1:11). "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."  My friends, the short of it is this, If you have Jesus, you have it all. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)

This is the will of our Lord, that you be found in Christ Jesus. Listen to His prayer to the Father when he prayed for the apostles and those who would believe through their word.
 

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:20-23)

Moses desired that the Lord would put his Spirit upon all of His people (Num. 11:29), and now Christ, in His High Priestly prayer to the Father, prays that we may be one in Christ, and that he might dwell in us. May I ask, are you in Christ? Does he dwell in you? Have you been made one in Christ Jesus? If you have, how did this come about? The answer, It came about through the Baptizing work of the Holy Spirit.

This mystery goes back to the covenant that God made with Abraham, who is the father of Israel after the flesh, and the father of the faithful, when He called him out of Ur of the Chaldees and promised Abraham, "in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed". (Genesis 26:4) All the nations of the earth were to be blessed in Abraham's seed and that seed is Christ. Paul explains in Galatians 3:16. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." So all the promises were made to Abraham and Christ, and all nations are said to be "partakers of his[Gods] promise in Christ by the gospel". (Eph. 3:6)

Now God made promise, which is the great promise of the covenant, also called the promise of the Spirit, which is the gift of grace through Christ. These promises, and all others, are in Christ, yea and amen, safe and secure. And it is through being in Christ that any come to partake of them, and that, by the means of the gospel. Paul asked,
 

"Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? . . . And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham . . . That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:2, 8-9, 14)

 It is when one hears the gospel, and puts their faith in Jesus Christ, that they receive the promise of the Spirit, which is, Christ in you, the hope of glory. The Apostle Paul also told the church in Galatia:
 

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29) (See also Romans 12:4-5)

The promises were to Abraham (the first Jew) and his seed, which seed is Christ, and if we be in Christ we are fellowheirs with the Jews, of all the blessings of grace, of salvation, and of eternal life. We are said to be heirs of God,  and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. And heirs we are by being Christ's,  and on account of our special adoption through him,  and our justification by his righteousness. There is neither Jew nor Greek, as we become one in Christ's body. When we put our faith in Christ Jesus, we become children of God and are baptized by the Spirit into Christ.  Paul spoke the same to the church at Corinth. "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:12-13) So it is through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that we are made one in the body of Christ.

When did this Body come into Existence?

The body of Christ was non existent before the day of Pentecost for the Spirit was not yet given. Jesus cried out on the last day of the great Feast of Tabernacles, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39) Christ was not yet gone to the Father, but he told his disciples: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Holy Ghost, John 14:26] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7)

After Christ's death, burial and resurrection, He showed himself alive for 40 days by many infallible proofs, but before He ascended into heaven He "commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5)(Luke 24:49) Throughout the Old Testament we find that there was the promise of the Spirit, called the promise of the Father, and this would come through the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

This is what happened on the day of Pentecost, they were all Baptized with the Holy Ghost. Those who were believers before the day of Pentecost were now united in one body which is Christ's (Acts 5:14, 11:22-24), and were filled with the Holy Ghost. It was the beginning of something entirely new called the Church, which is Christ's body. Today, one can not be filled with the Holy Ghost until he has been Baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ. On the day of Pentecost, 3000 souls were saved as Peter preached "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved . . . This same Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. . . Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:21, 32-33, 36)

In the Old Testament economy, God did work according to His purpose through various people without reference to their character, such as Gideon, David, Joshua, Moses, Daniel, Saul, Balaam, and Samson etc. His Spirit came upon these individuals not because they were good men, but on account of their official position, to enable them to perform the specific task given them by God. With few exceptions did the Holy Spirit abide on men for any length of time. Although God did not put his Spirit upon all His people, this was the hope of Moses that he expressed to Joshua, "would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!" (Num. 11:29) This then became a promise from the Lord through His various prophets, that he would send his Spirit upon all flesh. Such was spoken by the prophet Joel.
 

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." (Joel 2:28-29)

The Apostle Peter quoted the above verse on the day of Pentecost saying that what they were witnessing was like that which the prophet Joel spoke of (Acts 2:16). The prophet Isaiah also spoke of the promise of the Spirit saying "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" (Isaiah 44:3) He would say "with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3)
 
The prophet Ezekiel spoke of this promise. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

In short we may summarize by saying that in the Old Testament economy, God dwelt with his people, but in the New Testament economy, Christ dwells in his people.

To The Jew First

Before we go on we should understand that the promise of the Spirit was to the Jew, yet the scriptures foretold that Christ was also to be a light unto the Gentiles. (Isaiah 49:6) Now on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, it was to the Jews. (Acts 2:5, 36) It was not until approximately seven or eight years later that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius. (Acts 10) Paul said "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs [with the Jews], and of the same body". The Gentiles were added to the one body, to which the believing Jews were made member seven years earlier.

Shortly after Pentecost Peter preached to the children of Israel again saying, "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.  Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:25-26)

Paul also preached that it was to the Jew first. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) Even when Christ was among the disciples he spoke, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 10:5-7)

The gospel was to the Jew first, but because of the hard heartedness and blindness of the nation Israel, the Lord turned to be a light unto the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul spoke well on this. "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." (Acts 13:46-48)

It was to the Jew first then unto the Gentile, but we must remember what is spoken in regards to Israel, that "blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25) This blindness is only temporary, until the fullness of the Gentiles come in, then God is going to turn again to the nation Israel. This was pointed out when the Apostles got together for council at Jerusalem where James stated, "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.  And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:  That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things." (Acts 15:14-17)

Salvation is of the Jews and was unto them first. (John 10:16) They had been given the oracles of God and were told of the Messiah to come, and unto them He manifest himself in the flesh. He came out of them being a Jew, the offspring of David. He came unto his own but his own received him not. Christ came to them first and the kingdom was offered to them in the person of God's Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. But the nation of Israel claimed no king but Caesar. And they chose to set the vile criminal Barabbas free rather than Christ, when given the opportunity. The Jews ultimately killed their Messiah (Acts 2:22-23, 3:12-15, 5:30, 10:39), but He was not holden to the grave, but was raised up triumphantly on the third day, thereby declared to be the Son of God with power.

Now there was yet a remnant of the Jews who believed, and it was they who were first put into that new organism called the body of Christ, this being on the day of Pentecost. It was to the Jew first, but now, the Gentiles who were strangers from the covenants of promise, without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world, are now made nigh through the blood of Christ. Christ has reconciled both unto God in one body by the cross. This mystery which hath been hid in ages gone by, is indeed a fantastic mystery to the Gentile. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33)
 

"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Eph. 2:11-18)

Having now laid some of the groundwork, we will move on to the subject at hand which I believe will clearly answer the question as to how we are made one in Christ, and it is through:

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

 
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13)

This is the one scripture in the New Testament that explains the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. We are all baptized by one Spirit into one body.  What body were we baptized into? "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Cor. 12:27). The Bible tells us that Christ is "the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:22,23) Here we have it. The Church is the body of Christ, that invisible entity, or mystical entity if you will, which consists of all true believers in this age who are born again of the Spirit of God. We become a member of the Church through the Baptism of the Spirit. The Baptism of the Spirit is not something that happens subsequent to your receiving Christ as Savior. When you received Christ, you were not only regenerated (Titus 3:5-7), but you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:12-14), the Spirit of Christ now indwells you (Romans 8:9, 1 John 4:13), and when you believed the gospel, you were Baptized by the Spirit and made a member of His Body, the Church. There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. We become a member of the church by receiving Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour by faith alone. That is the grace of God. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12,13) This is why Jesus told Nicodemus "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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."  (John 3:5,6) It is through Christ that we "have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Ephesians 2:18) In this age there is no salvation outside of the body of Christ. You will either be baptized with the water of the Spirit, or you will be baptized with fire of judgment.

Who is He that baptizes with the Holy Ghost?

John the Baptist said to a multitude of people which included the Pharisees and the Sadducees, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire".  (Matthew 3:11) "And John bear record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode on him. 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. And I saw, and bear record that this is the Son of God." (John 1:32-34) "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him" (Mt. 3:16).

The scriptures are clear that it is Jesus Christ alone who Baptizes with the Holy Ghost, and all receive the baptism of the Spirit when we say that wonderful yes to Him.  The evidence of this is found in the book of Acts, for "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). Jesus said, "I will build my church". (Mt. 16:18) At the moment one receives Christ, the believer is instantaneously made a member of his body. Christ adds them to His body, which is the church. This baptizing work of the Spirit is still going on today, as in the beginning of the church when "believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." (Acts 5:14) And again, when "much people was added unto the Lord." (Acts 11:24) Today this work continues, the Lord adding to his body such as would be saved.

Now I believe that we need to distinguish between the Baptism of the Spirit and the filling of the Spirit. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to be Baptized in the Spirit. You are called to believe the gospel. The baptism of the Spirit happens only once when a person receives Christ as Saviour, and is expressed by the believer once through water baptism.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not subsequent to salvation but happens at salvation, and is ministered not by man or the laying on of hands, but by Christ himself, who alone can look into the heart of man, and discern the thoughts and the intents thereof. We are commanded, however, to be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18) Today, nobody can be filled without first being Baptized of the Spirit. We need to distinguish between these two by looking into the account of Pentecost.

What was Pentecost?

Pentecost was one of the feast days given to the people Israel, but was also the fulfillment of a typical prophecy. In the Old Testament there were seven feasts which God gave to his people and they were all typical of something in the New Testament. Paul told the Colossians, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday,[feast day] or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." (Col. 2:16-17)  Paul says these holy days or feast days were shadows of things to come. They are known as Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles, and they were all a shadow of things to come.

The first feast, which is Passover, speaks of Christ's death. The scriptures tell us, "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7). He is the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) The second feast is the feast of Unleavened Bread. Leaven is symbolic of sin or false doctrine (Mt. 13:33, 16:6-12, Gal. 5:9), and we cannot have communion with Christ until we come to Him confessing our sins and receive Him as our Lord Saviour. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Cor. 5:7-8) This feast represents the walk of the believer who is now in Christ.

Now the third feast was the feast of Firstfruits. This speaks of the resurrection of Christ, and those who are his own at his coming. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Cor. 15:22-23) Fourth we have the feast of Pentecost. Now in the book of Acts we read, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Acts 2:1) What does it mean, Pentecost was fully come, or literally, Pentecost was fulfilled? What was fulfilled that was typical in the Old Testament?

Listen carefully. On the feast of Firstfruits, which is also known as the feast of Harvest, the nation of Israel was to bring in the first of the firstfruits of their labor's into the house of the Lord. (Exodus 23:16, 19) At this time the nation Israel brought an interesting offering to the Lord. "Ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it."  (Leviticus 23:10-11) So Israel brought grain tied in a sheaf as an offering to the Lord. Now this offering was brought on the day after the Sabbath which would be our Sunday, the first day of the week. This is when Christ rose from the dead.

Now fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits (Resurrection of Christ) was Pentecost. This Feast also landed on Sunday, the first day of the week. It is interesting to note that the church began on the first day of the week. On the Feast of Pentecost, the nation Israel brought an unusual offering. "Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves" . (Lev. 23:16-17)  Now the nation of Israel rather than bringing a sheaf of grain, brought two loaves of bread which were made out of grain. Pentecost speaks of the church, which is all together something new, which consists of Jew and Gentile (Two loaves). It speaks of the unity of the body of Christ. The many grains (believers) are brought together and made into one bread (Christ).

In the 13th chapter of Matthew, we learn in the parable of the sower that the seed (grain) is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). As Matthew goes on in that chapter, he is very careful to say that those who have received the Word of God have themselves become seed (Mt. 13:38). Now they who have received the Word and become seed (believers) are now made into bread. They are ground together and mixed with the water of the Spirit and baked together into one loaf. They have become one in Christ. Thus Pentecost speaks of the church. Those who were believers before the day of Pentecost are now made one, even as Christ had prayed (John 17:20-23). This is the meaning of Pentecost, and this is made very clear in the New Testament. Listen to the language of Paul,
 

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." (1 Cor. 10:16-17)

On the day of Pentecost bread was offered, and Paul says that we who are many have been brought together, baptized into the body of Christ, and are one bread.  For we being many are one bread, and one body.  Now how did this unity come about? It came about by the Baptizing work of the Holy Spirit.
 

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

Unity comes through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph. 4:4-6) On the day of Pentecost, Christ sent the Holy Spirit to baptize, or join together and identify all true believers in something new which was the body of Christ, the Church, which was non-existent before the day of Pentecost.
 

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Acts 2:1)

Now back to distinguishing the Baptism of the Spirit from the filling of the Spirit. Let us look to the book of Acts as it records the Day of Pentecost. "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."  (Acts 2:2) Do you notice that it was "as of a rushing mighty wind". It was not a wind, but it must have got their attention, as the Lord told Nicodemus, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and wither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)

They must have known that the Holy Spirit had come. Then we are told that "there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." (Acts 2:3) Notice that it was tongues "like as of fire", it was not fire. The baptism of fire has not happened yet. That is judgment (Read Mt. 3:11-12), which comes at the end of the age. On the day of Pentecost they were Baptized with the Holy Ghost. Now we are told what happened.
 

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 1:4)

They were filled with the Holy Ghost. It does not say they were baptized with the Holy Ghost. Were they not baptized with the Holy Ghost? Yes they were. Jesus clearly gave them commandment saying, "John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:5) (Note there was no mention of fire).  Today the filling of the Holy Ghost cannot take place until all four ministries of the Holy Ghost have taken place. Now, these were already "regenerated" by the Spirit, they were "indwelt" by the Spirit, they were "sealed" by the Holy Spirit, and they were "baptized" with the Holy Spirit. And Luke is being very accurate here when he says that they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Spirit is not an experiential thing, but the filling of the Spirit is, and one can not be filled with the Spirit until he is born again, sealed, indwelt and baptized by the Spirit into the one body which is Christ's.  Do you remember what Christ said to his disciples before he ascended into heaven?
 

"But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Today we need the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we need to be "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49), that we might be the witnesses the Lord would have us to be. The moment you received Christ as Saviour you were baptized with the Spirit. You were not only baptized with the Spirit, but He regenerated you, He sealed you, and He now indwells you. These things all happened the moment you said that wonderful yes to Jesus Christ. It was the filling of the Spirit that gave those disciples power to preach with boldness (Acts 4:29-31), and to speak in other tongues. And might I say that these were not "unknown tongues",  or some incoherent gibberish, but intelligent languages. "Every man heard them speak in his own language." (Acts 2:6) God gave the tongue for communication. The gospel is for the whole world. What happened here was counter to what happened at Babel. (Genesis 11:1-9) Babel was a curse. Pentecost was a blessing.

Should we Tarry for the Spirit?

This may be a valid question for Jesus told his apostles "that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5)

First of all we would like to say, that if you want to heed this command you need to jump on a plane and head for Jerusalem for this is where our Lord commanded the apostles to wait. Secondly, he did not tell you or me this. It was to his apostles that he gave this command. One of the common doctrinal errors of the day, is that, the Christian is to have a two-stage experience in his Christian walk. This experience is largely based on the book of the "Acts of the Apostles", which we can clearly see as a transitional book from law to grace, from the legal dispensation of the Law, to the Church dispensation under grace. The first of the two-stage experience is said to be that of being saved, and the second is that, sooner or later if at all, he will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This view disregards the following:

1.  In the Old Testament, all believers did not receive the Holy Spirit and were not indwelt by Him as we Christians now are in the church age (1 Cor. 6:19- 20). Old Testament believers coming into the church in Acts were not experiencing a "second blessing" but actually the "first" as far as the Church or the Body of Christ was concerned. They were not making an advance in the old Body but were entering the new Body, the Church.

2.  The normal Church age experience of salvation involves receiving the Holy Spirit at the moment of believing on Christ. Until a person has received the Holy Spirit he or she does not belong to Christ and to His Body (Romans 8:9).

3.  The four group receptions of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts (chapters 2, 8, 10, and 19) involve the first Church age experience of receiving the Holy Spirit to indwell the Church and the individual believer and not a second, for before Pentecost the Holy Spirit was not yet given (See John. 7:37-39).

The Filling or Fullness of the Spirit.

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit". (Ephesians 1:18)

Spirit baptism is referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:13 as placing us into the Body of Christ, the Church. There we read: "For by one Spirit are [or were] we all baptized into one body." This was a once-and-for-all event not to be repeated, and takes place at conversion. But the filling with the Holy Spirit is not a once-for-all event but can be repeated over and over. See Acts 4:8 where Peter is said to be filled with the Holy Spirit, though he was filled at Pentecost in Acts 2. In Acts 4:31 we see the whole church group filled again.

This fullness of the Holy Spirit is spoken of in Ephesians 5:18, where we are told: "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." Greek scholars inform us that the phrase "be filled with the Spirit" actually means "be constantly under the control of the Spirit." The filling or fullness, then, is not just a once-for-all experience, but a constant, daily life yielded to the control of the Holy Spirit, so that the words, filled or fullness take on the meaning of "full control by the Holy Spirit." "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God" (Romans 6:13).

On the other hand, the baptism is a once-for-all placing into the Body of Christ, not to be repeated. We cannot say that these two ministries of the Holy Spirit are identical. A person may be baptized with the Spirit but not filled; but he cannot be filled without being baptized with the Spirit.

Some also teach that there are two Spirit baptisms, one into Christ at conversion, and a second into the Holy Spirit as a subsequent experience. But this teaching is in direct contradiction of Paul's clear declaration that there is only one Spirit baptism in Ephesians 4:5. Consider the following:

1. Nowhere in the New Testament do we read of any Christian experiencing Spirit baptism more than once, but regarding the fullness, yes! In other words, the baptism is not repeatable but the fullness is.

2. There is no command anywhere in the Epistles that Christians should seek the baptism, but there is for the fullness (Eph. 5:18).

3. If the baptism of the Spirit is an experience subsequent to conversion and is as important as some insist that it is, then is it not strange that there is no reference anywhere in the Epistles to seek the baptism?

Another unsound teaching of some that should be mentioned here is that Tongues-speaking is the INITIAL EVIDENCE of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Note the phrase, the "initial evidence". They teach that all Christians should experience the second blessing of the baptism or filling with the accompanying evidence of speaking with tongues. But this does not square with Paul's question, "Do all speak with tongues?" in 1 Corinthians 12:30, where obviously the answer is "No." To get around this they have had to invent the "initial evidence" teaching, which again is based on a questionable interpretation of events in the Book of Acts and is entirely without support from the Epistles.

There is not one clear reference in Scripture upon which they can build this particular teaching. And yet it is so basic to their whole system of belief and practice.
 

Baptism of Fire

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Mt. 3:11-12)

John the Baptist spoke not only of the Baptism of the Spirit, but also the baptism of fire. He said that it would be Jesus Christ who would administer both.  The Old Testament prophets had much to say on this matter. The prophet Malachi said, "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Malachi 4:1) Jesus said "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (Mt. 15:13) "And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Mt. 3:10)

We find that there is a day coming when this will take place. When the Lord comes to sit upon the throne of His glory, he will thoroughly purge his floor and will divide the sheep from the goats.  "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels . . . And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Mt. 25:41, 46) The Psalmist has written that the ungodly "are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1:4-6)

The prophet Isaiah said "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.  And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited." (Isaiah 24:21-22) Job said, "That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath." (Job 21:30)  They will be set aside for the great white throne judgment. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:11-15)

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev. 21:8) "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Rev. 20:6)

Today every individual is in one of two places. Either you are in Christ, or you are not. Either you have been placed in this ark of salvation, when you changed your mind about your sinful ways and placed your trust in Jesus, or you are outside the ark. The storm clouds are forming, and there is a great storm on the horizon. What are you going to do. Will you be a fool, and think you can ride out the storm of God's wrath? Do you think that you can swim that great gulf to which God has said none can pass? My friend if you are not yet in Christ, if you have not yet been baptized into the Body of Christ, and you die in your sins, you will be baptized with fire and will surely perish.

"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment", Likewise "the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." (2Peter 2:4, 3:7) "Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;  Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." (Acts 13:40-41) Be not found in the company of them of whom it is spoken "clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;  Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." (Jude 12-13) Flee from the wrath to come while there is yet time. "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6)."For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:12-13)

A True Story

It was 3:59 p.m., January 13th 1982, when an Air Florida Boeing 737, Flight 90, departed the Washington National Airport. There was a snowstorm brewing at the time, but the passengers were bound for the warmth and sunshine of Tampa, Florida, most likely anticipating abandoning the cold, gray Washington weather for a more tropical climate. There were 79 people on board. All but five never realized that they would never see another day. As the airliner descended into the stormy Washington sky, the pilots soon realized that they would not clear the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River. As the pilots frantically tried to keep their plummeting aircraft aloft, it slammed into the four lane bridge, shearing off the top of one car and crushing four others before crashing into the icy waters of the Potomac River, descending to the pitch black, freezing water.

Five passengers and one  flight attendant made their way out of the submerged wreckage and to the surface. Clinging to a  small section of the tail that remained afloat, they waited for help to arrive. First to arrive on the scene was a National Park Service helicopter. Hovering dangerously close to the water, a  ring-shaped lifeline was lowered to each of the victims.
 
Among the first of the survivors reached was a man described as "in his 50's, balding and with  an extravagant mustache." Each time the lifeline was dropped to him, he passed it off to someone  else. Finally, he passed the lifeline to the last remaining survivor. Hurrying the victim to shore and  turning around as quickly as possible, the pilot returned to pick up the final survivor. When they  arrived, however, he was gone. He had slipped beneath the surface and into the darkness of the Potomac.

The helicopter quickly descended to another of the survivors and passed her the lifeline. Her name was Priscilla Tirado. She had been temporarily blinded by the jet fuel and terribly weakened by the numbing waters. The helicopter dropped the ring in front of her but she was too weak to hang on. She was screaming "Would somebody please help me!" Just when she seemed to be drowning, as her head sank below the surface of the river, 28 year old Lenny Skutnik, who was drawn to the crash after crossing the bridge on his way home from work, flung himself from the bank into the waters. He was a stranger to her, but ignoring the deadly cold, and his own life, he swam out to her, pulled her back to the surface and delivered her to waiting crews on the shore.

As I watched this on national television, I could not help being moved by such an act of selfless sacrifice. An article in Time Magazine decribing the accident, described him as "the man in the water" who had the ability to "hand life over to a stranger."

The helicopter crew could not save Priscilla Tirado, and she had no strength of her own to save her self. If it were not for the "man in the water" she would have surely perished. I could not help but think how Christ plunged into the waters of death for us. When Christ hung on the cross, he was our "man in the water".

There is nothing that man can do to save himself from hell which he so justly deserves. But the Bible tells us that "when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6) We can only do as Priscilla Tirado, cry unto the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, for the scriptures say "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Christ could have saved himself, as those at the foot of the cross mockingly denied, but instead he passed the lifeline to us when we were drowning in the sea of iniquity. And when we had all been saved, he himself sunk below the waters of death. But our "man in the water" did not remain below. He conquered death and hell when he rose up from the darkness to bring us eternal life.

The prophet Jonah would say concerning Christ, "For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight . . . The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about . . . I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God." (Jonah 2:3-6)