Christian rite of admission and adoption, almost invariably with the use of water
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Sunday - all welcome for praise, prayer, fellowship and to hear God's Word. Our scripture this week is Luke 24; 1-8 and Acts 8; 26-40 and John Shepherd will be our speaker. The theme of the talk is "Baptised and rejoicing". Head to our dedicated sermon series page to go deeper: www.ccsurbiton.org/sermons
Tuesday 22 April 2025
In this episode, Pastor Dilip ministers on baptism. Part 15 of the sermon series titled 'Word Became Flesh', preached at Resurrection Sunday Service on 20 April 2025 at Revelation Church.
Today the last 2 chapters of Paul's letter to the Galatians illustrate the sharp contrast between those who put all the emphasis in their living – to observe the Law of Moses and practice circumcision – in contrast to belonging to Christ for “in Christ Jesus”, writes Paul, “neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” [5 v.6]Most of us are not affected by those who advocate keeping the law and circumcision today. But there are there are those who believe it is vital as to which day you come together to worship. In writing to the Colossians Paul advised: “ …. Let no one pass judgement on you in questions of food or drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.” [2 v.16]Our salvation does not depend on us observing rules or days – other than the simplicity – and wonder – of remembering that Christ died for us.. Baptised believers are to meet in remembrance of his death in the way Jesus instituted just before his death. They prayerfully meet to partake of bread and wine (Luke 22 v.14-20) as “the new covenant in my blood” replacing the old covenant under the law of Moses.There is no command as to which day of the week this was to be observed. But initially, after the dramatic events on the day of Pentecost, with about 3,000 being baptised, they met “day by day … breaking bread in their homes” [Acts 2 v.41,46]. Acts 20 v.7 tells us that they met to break bread on “the first day of the week” – but there is no command about this.Paul told the Galatians, be “led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” [5 v18]“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” [v.22-23]Now, to produce good fruit on a tree, much pruning, tending, watering, and protection from predators is needed, varying according to the environment. There is a parallel picture to this in the spiritual realm if we are to produce good spiritual fruit.The next and last verse in the chapter says, “And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” This does not happen automatically, we need to feed on God's word every day and to pray. Paul told the Colossians[Ch. 1 v.9,10]: “we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit …”.
In the first part of our Easter series, we delve into the mystery of Christ and our connection to Him through the practice of baptism. Baptism isn't just a symbol; it's a declaration of our faith, a demonstration of our spiritual rebirth, and an identification with Jesus' death and resurrection. We're challenged to consider: what does it truly mean to be 'in Christ'?
This homily was preached at the first gathering of the Lutheran Mission in Ireland, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cork. Date: 1 March 2025 Sermon title: Baptised into New Life Preacher: Rev. Tapani Simojoki Text: 1 Peter 3:8–22 Duration: 23min 0s
2nd March 2025Find out more about Jesushttps://hillschurch.org.au/jesusFind the answers to life's biggest questions. Try Alpha.https://hillschurch.org.au/alphaCan we pray for you? Request prayer.https://hillschurch.org.au/ and click 'Prayer Request' Button.To give/tithe to the work of Hills Church, follow the link belowhttps://hillschurch.org.au/give#hillschurch #beencouraged #nathanbell #evertonhills #brisbanechurch #brisbane #wesleyanmethodistchurch
You must be baptised in water as Jesus and Peter says in John 3 v5 and Acts 10 v44-48. Anyone who says otherwise is lead by Satan not the holy spirit. Jesus himself was bapisted in water in the book of John and lead by example, so follow his example!
Title: Luke: Gospel of Love – “Love New Baptised” Speaker: Pastor Yuri Hooker, with a reading of Holy Scripture and prayer by Ron Hooker Scripture References: Isaiah 4:2-6 & Luke 3:1-6,15-20 View Text: New International VersionView Text: English Standard Version Length: 35:59 min.MP3 File Size: 16.4 MB Listen to Sermon: Download/Play Sermon MP3
2025 - 02 - 02 - Why Should I Be Baptised- Multiple Verses - Baptism Service -Calvyn Jonker.Ed by Weekly Sermon from Whanganui East Baptist Church
Baptised Believers Matthew 28:19 19 Jan 2025 Philip Deller AM Baptism Testimonies
Islay Baptist Church - Andrew Burnhamfalse00:22:06Luke 3:21-38 - Jesus is baptised
Story for the second week of Epiphany. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 CEV https://bible.com/bible/392/luk.3.22.CEV
Send us a note.The devil will, and has told some of you you can't. I'm here to tell you God says you can!!! Remember none of us are perfect, but God has made away for you to be blessed and it's not that hard. I/We understand that life, is just that, life. Abram did it as you know and so can you. Listen, Learn, and Apply !Support the showYou may have given the world and it's ways 100% of your time. Now, if that has not worked out for you give Jesus 4-6 month commitment and see what he does in your life!! Come to Jesus @inntohisword238
Repent and be Baptised . Acts 2:38 Sunday 17th November PM. Pastor Darren Rogers
Today we started reading the book of Acts. So many things in it are relevant to our efforts to serve Christ today, but it is important that we read it carefully; regrettably some do not. It begins with a summary of the final days of Jesus before he ascended to heaven “after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom he had chosen” [2]; it was a period of 40 days. (v.3) We notice how “he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the father … you will be baptised by the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” [v.5] To whom was he making this promise? These 12 Apostles were now only 11 because of the tragedy of Judas Iscariot, so Peter says (v.21-23) that they must find a replacement “to take the place of this ministry and apostleship” [v.26]. To do this they end up casting lots – and the last verse reads “and the lot fell to Matthias and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.” It becomes evident that only the 12 received the promised Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. When the day came it was just the 12 who were standing up before the people (2 v.14) which some sceptics were accusing of being drunk (v.15). We need to recall last week's reading in John's Gospel where Jesus was promising them the “spirit of truth”, a “helper” would be “sent to you from the father” [Ch.15 v26; 16 v.13]. This Spirit, says Jesus, “will guide you into all the Truth.” It “will declare to you things to come” and will “bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” [14 v.26]. It is obvious that this Divine source of help is specially for the twelve, they are to be “baptised” into it by having the power come upon them. As we read on in Acts 2 we will learn that a “gift” was promised to the converts, but required the presence of one or more of the disciples for it to be given (Acts 8 v.14-17). In today's chapter we see that the disciples were hoping the kingdom would be established right then (v.6); but no, they were to be witnesses, beginning “in Jerusalem … to the end of the earth.” [v.8] This commission to the apostles concluded with the passing of the apostle John, but the Spirit through their written word continues to spread to all parts of the earth even now.
Pastor Tyrone Thomas share the message from our “Going Global” series in the Book of Acts with “The Spirit's Purpose and Power”. Will you commit 100%? What was happening on the day? What was the call? What does it mean to be Baptised? What was Peter saying to them? What is God doing? What is your response?Click to view this week's passages: Acts 2: 37-41, Acts 2: 1-8, 13, 14-19Date: 13.10.24Please send prayer requests to prayer@bridgeman.org.au or on our website: www.bridgeman.org.au/prayer/To contact Bridgeman Baptist Community Church please email hello@bridgeman.org.auIf you would like to give at Bridgeman Baptist Community Church please go to www.bridgeman.org.au/giving/Please view our Sermon List if you would like to order from our back catalogue, please email bridgemedia@bridgeman.org.au
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?' ‘John's baptism,' they replied. Paul said, ‘John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.' On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. (Acts 9.1-9, NIV)
In this third and final part, Rev Dr Malcolm Guite, Life Fellow of Girton College, Cambridge University answers questions about CS Lewis on Narnia, The Pilgrim's Regress and poetry. This is taken from the Q&A after his presentation ‘A Little Incarnation: CS Lewis and the poetry of embodiment', which was given at a CS Lewis symposium called Now We Have Faces, hosted by The CS Lewis Group at Ulster University in coordination with English at Ulster. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world
Message of the Week from 19th May 2024
SHARE this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daily-orthodox-catechesis — LINKS to all our podcasts: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-christian-teaching — E-MAIL: livebyfaith888@gmail.com — ON SPOTIFY: Send a message through the Q&A in the programme notes — SEND A VOICE MESSAGE: SEND A VOICE MESSAGE: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daily-orthodox-catechesis/message — A READING FROM: The Shorter Catechism of the Orthodox Church (St Philaret of Moscow) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daily-orthodox-catechesis/message
Had a great time with Olivia as she shared her "Reversion Story" of coming back to the Catholic Church. Baptised and raised Catholic, Olivia grew bored and drifted away from the Mass like many young people do, attending the Non-Denominational Scene as well as exploring the New Age Movement. It didnt take long for life to start getting her roughed up a bit, but she knew where to return to find her way home!
In 1319 Roger de Stangrave, a Hospitaller knight, and a Jew named Isaac arrived in England. For a ransom of 10,00 gold florins, Isaac had freed Stangrave, a stranger to him, from over 30 years of Mamluk captivity and then accompanied the knight home to be repaid. By 1322, Isaac has converted to Christianity and become Edward of St. John, with King Edward II taking him as godson. What motivated Isaac to ransom a stranger for such an exorbitant cost and leave his native Egypt and end up baptised in England which at the time had expelled all Jews with the decree of Edward I in 1290 (father of Edward II) until it was formally overturned under Oliver Cromwell in 1656? With the backdrop of the Crusades and European antisemitism, to share with us today his investigation of this curious tale is Dr. Rory MacLellan. Dr MacLellan completed his PhD in Medieval History 2019 at St. Andrews and is currently a cataloguer and manuscript researcher at the British Library. He specialises in medieval religious history, especially the crusades and the military-religious orders. His first book, ‘Donations to the Knights Hospitaller in Britain and Ireland', 1291-1400, is published by Routledge. TIMESTAMPS: 02:20 The first records of Jews in England start with William the Conqueror although one can speculate there may have been Jews prior during the Roman occupation. What many viewers may not know is that Jews were officially expelled from England by Edward I in 1290 until it was formally overturned under Oliver Cromwell in 1657. 15:37 The reign of Edward II (1284-1327) coincides with the titular caliphates of Al-Hakim I (1262 - 1302) and Al-Mustakfi I (1302-1340) and the de facto rule of a number of Mamluk sultans starting with Qalawun (1279-1290) and ending with the second reign Nasir ad-Din Muhammad (1299-1309). What was the socio-political context of Edward's reign domestically and abroad, and what was he like as a person? 20:41 He was also cucked by a Frenchman. His wife Isabella shacked up with a Roger Mortimer and declared war on her husband. What happened there? 24:27 And give us also an overview of the Crusades and how that forms the backdrop to our story. 28:43 Before we look at Isaac and his journey to England, tell us first about Stangrave and how he ended up as a prisoner of war. 30:35 Enter Isaac. What do we do know about him? 39:08 And tell us more about the Domus Conversorum: a London hospital for baptised Jews and their relatives. 44:05 Your essay is a really good example of a critical reading of the sources. Tell us what you think really happened and why. 51:30 Comparison of Jewish life in Mamluk Egypt and Christian England 1:00:08 You have also looked at how the so-called 'alt right' can manipulate medieval history for their political agenda. Tell us your views about that. For more on our guest: https://twitter.com/RFMacLellan https://bl.academia.edu/RoryMacLellan SPONSOR: We are sponsored by IHRC bookshop. Listeners get a 15% discount on all purchases online and in-store. Visit IHRC bookshop at shop.ihrc.org and use discount code AHP15 at checkout. Terms and conditions apply. Contact IHRC bookshop for details. IslamicHistory #MedievalHistory #AbbasidHistory #jewishhistory #crusades #baptism #egypt https://linktr.ee/abbasidhistorypodcast
Recorded live at One Heart Church (Port Lincoln) at the 10.30am service on the 11th of February, 2024.
Womaniser, Smoker, Drinker....you can't see in Pr Akuila today the man he once was. Why? God changed him. Miraculously. He shares with us how when he was Spirit-filled and Baptised his life changed - not because of his action, but through God's Spirit. He had a new found desire to follow Christ, to understand the gospel, and to learn from the elders of his Church. This ultimately led him to start and lead a church fellowship himself as a pastor. It's an inspiring story. Enjoy. God can change you too! Contact us via podcast@revivalontheairtoday.com or social media, wherever you are in the world (we're on Instagram and Facebook, search for “Revival On The Air Today”). Until next time, God bless.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
God has a mission for us to fulfil. He sends us to preach the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15-20, Matt 28:18-20). His Purpose is to save as many as possible and we must play our part. We need His POWER to be effective in His work of being His witness (Acts 1:8). That's what the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT is about. If you are saved, you have the Spirit WITHIN, but you also need to receive the anointing of His Spirit UPON, like Jesus (Acts 10:38). There are 2 impartations of the Spirit, WITHIN and UPON. In both cases, God only gives us the Spirit when we surrender to Him. First, by faith we surrender to His saving Love and Lordship, and are saved. There is also a 2nd specific surrender to God that needs to happen, when we say: “Lord, I am willing to do whatever you want me to do, but I need your power. So, I dedicate myself to you to be empowered to fulfil my ministry.” When you do that, you are in position to receive the fullness of the Spirit UPON you to accomplish the mission He has for you. Acts 1:8: “You shall receive POWER (dunamis, potential energy) when the HOLY SPIRIT has come UPON you; and you will be My WITNESSES.” So, we have His potential Power upon us, if baptised in the Spirit, but we must ignite it by speaking His words. Once we have His POWER UPON, we must RELEASE it by PRAYING in the Spirit and SPEAKING His words. In Acts 2:3-4 the Spirit filled them (v4) and came upon them (v3), manifesting as fire (v3), as they prayed in tongues (v4). When we speak under the inspiration of the Spirit, we SHINE His LIGHT (2Cor 4:3-6, Matt 5:14,16). As we preach the Gospel, testify, and pray in the Spirit, that fire is ignited. By yielding to the Spirit and speaking His words, they activated His Power upon them, and their light shined forth. The outward evidence of receiving the Spirit UPON is SPEAKING in TONGUES (Acts 2:4, 10:44-48). This is the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Acts 1:5, 11:15-17). A spiritual law is you can't make an UNCLEAN thing HOLY. It must first be CLEANSED by BLOOD, and only then can it be made HOLY, by DEDICATING it to God, for the HOLY SPIRIT to possess it. The Presence of the Holy Spirit in us makes us holy. You can only be BAPTISED in the SPIRIT, if you have first been BORN AGAIN, for you must first be CLEANSED by the BLOOD, before you can be made HOLY by the SPIRIT within and upon. When you receive Christ (1) you are cleansed by His Blood, and born again, and only then does (2) the Spirit come WITHIN you. You must first (1) be BORN AGAIN by the application of OIL of the Spirit, before (2) your spirit can receive the NEW WINE of the Spirit within and upon you (Matthew 9:17). When God poured His Spirit UPON the Gentiles in Acts 10, Peter knew God had fully accepted them, like the Jews, on the basis of their faith in Christ. Acts 15:8-9: “God, (1) who knows the heart (that they were saved), (2) acknowledged them (outwardly, before the Jews), by giving them the Holy Spirit (upon), just as He did to us (the Jews, at Pentecost), and (in this way, proved to us that) He made no distinction between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles) - that (1) He had PURIFIED (cleansed) their hearts by faith.” When you dedicate to God to do His will, He sets you apart to His work, by anointing you with His Spirit UPON. First (1) you are SET APART to God (made HOLY), to belong to Him, by the Spirit WITHIN. Then (2) you are SET APART to do His work by the Spirit UPON (the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT). God had to do 2 things in Isaiah to prepare him to be a prophet: (1) CLEANSE him by BLOOD. Then (2) ANOINT him with the SPIRIT, so his heart and lips were on FIRE with His Spirit. When he saw God's glory, he repented of his unclean heart and lips, and dedicated himself to God (Isaiah 6:5). Then a BURNING COAL from the Altar of Sacrifice was applied to the incense altar of his heart and lips. These COALS, burning from the FIRE of the Sacrifice, had the BLOOD on them, which had paid for his cleansing. They represent the SPIRIT, who communicates the value of the Sacrifice to us, (1) CLEANSING us by the BLOOD, and (2) IMPARTING His holy FIRE, causing the incense of prayer and worship to ascend to God from our burning heart (v6-7). They also represent the ANOINTINGS of God, purchased on the Cross, where Christ shed His Blood for us. So, a burning anointing of God came on Isaiah. His heart was on fire with God's fire, and his lips were on fire, declaring God's truth. This fire of God on him was his anointing to be a prophet. The burning anointing of the coal set his tongue on fire, giving him power to prophesy. Having received this power, he was sent to go forth and speak for God (v8). This is how we receive the Baptism in the Spirit. If born again, you qualify, but you need to dedicate yourself to God and ask Him to FILL you with His SPIRIT, and yield your tongue to His Spirit to speak His words (Acts 2:4). The POWER of the SPIRIT (1) filled their HEART from the inside, and (2) came on their LIPS, to speak His words.
God has a mission for us to fulfil. He sends us to preach the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15-20, Matt 28:18-20). His Purpose is to save as many as possible and we must play our part. We need His POWER to be effective in His work of being His witness (Acts 1:8). That's what the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT is about. If you are saved, you have the Spirit WITHIN, but you also need to receive the anointing of His Spirit UPON, like Jesus (Acts 10:38). There are 2 impartations of the Spirit, WITHIN and UPON. In both cases, God only gives us the Spirit when we surrender to Him. First, by faith we surrender to His saving Love and Lordship, and are saved. There is also a 2nd specific surrender to God that needs to happen, when we say: “Lord, I am willing to do whatever you want me to do, but I need your power. So, I dedicate myself to you to be empowered to fulfil my ministry.” When you do that, you are in position to receive the fullness of the Spirit UPON you to accomplish the mission He has for you. Acts 1:8: “You shall receive POWER (dunamis, potential energy) when the HOLY SPIRIT has come UPON you; and you will be My WITNESSES.” So, we have His potential Power upon us, if baptised in the Spirit, but we must ignite it by speaking His words. Once we have His POWER UPON, we must RELEASE it by PRAYING in the Spirit and SPEAKING His words. In Acts 2:3-4 the Spirit filled them (v4) and came upon them (v3), manifesting as fire (v3), as they prayed in tongues (v4). When we speak under the inspiration of the Spirit, we SHINE His LIGHT (2Cor 4:3-6, Matt 5:14,16). As we preach the Gospel, testify, and pray in the Spirit, that fire is ignited. By yielding to the Spirit and speaking His words, they activated His Power upon them, and their light shined forth. The outward evidence of receiving the Spirit UPON is SPEAKING in TONGUES (Acts 2:4, 10:44-48). This is the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Acts 1:5, 11:15-17). A spiritual law is you can't make an UNCLEAN thing HOLY. It must first be CLEANSED by BLOOD, and only then can it be made HOLY, by DEDICATING it to God, for the HOLY SPIRIT to possess it. The Presence of the Holy Spirit in us makes us holy. You can only be BAPTISED in the SPIRIT, if you have first been BORN AGAIN, for you must first be CLEANSED by the BLOOD, before you can be made HOLY by the SPIRIT within and upon. When you receive Christ (1) you are cleansed by His Blood, and born again, and only then does (2) the Spirit come WITHIN you. You must first (1) be BORN AGAIN by the application of OIL of the Spirit, before (2) your spirit can receive the NEW WINE of the Spirit within and upon you (Matthew 9:17). When God poured His Spirit UPON the Gentiles in Acts 10, Peter knew God had fully accepted them, like the Jews, on the basis of their faith in Christ. Acts 15:8-9: “God, (1) who knows the heart (that they were saved), (2) acknowledged them (outwardly, before the Jews), by giving them the Holy Spirit (upon), just as He did to us (the Jews, at Pentecost), and (in this way, proved to us that) He made no distinction between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles) - that (1) He had PURIFIED (cleansed) their hearts by faith.” When you dedicate to God to do His will, He sets you apart to His work, by anointing you with His Spirit UPON. First (1) you are SET APART to God (made HOLY), to belong to Him, by the Spirit WITHIN. Then (2) you are SET APART to do His work by the Spirit UPON (the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT). God had to do 2 things in Isaiah to prepare him to be a prophet: (1) CLEANSE him by BLOOD. Then (2) ANOINT him with the SPIRIT, so his heart and lips were on FIRE with His Spirit. When he saw God's glory, he repented of his unclean heart and lips, and dedicated himself to God (Isaiah 6:5). Then a BURNING COAL from the Altar of Sacrifice was applied to the incense altar of his heart and lips. These COALS, burning from the FIRE of the Sacrifice, had the BLOOD on them, which had paid for his cleansing. They represent the SPIRIT, who communicates the value of the Sacrifice to us, (1) CLEANSING us by the BLOOD, and (2) IMPARTING His holy FIRE, causing the incense of prayer and worship to ascend to God from our burning heart (v6-7). They also represent the ANOINTINGS of God, purchased on the Cross, where Christ shed His Blood for us. So, a burning anointing of God came on Isaiah. His heart was on fire with God's fire, and his lips were on fire, declaring God's truth. This fire of God on him was his anointing to be a prophet. The burning anointing of the coal set his tongue on fire, giving him power to prophesy. Having received this power, he was sent to go forth and speak for God (v8). This is how we receive the Baptism in the Spirit. If born again, you qualify, but you need to dedicate yourself to God and ask Him to FILL you with His SPIRIT, and yield your tongue to His Spirit to speak His words (Acts 2:4). The POWER of the SPIRIT (1) filled their HEART from the inside, and (2) came on their LIPS, to speak His words.
In Acts, we see a consistent pattern when people came to faith in Christ: (1) They were born again and received the Spirit WITHIN. (2) Then later, they received the Spirit UPON, empowering them to fulfil the Great Commission. This separate experience is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts gives the PATTERN for the Church for the whole Church Age, including the 2-stage ministry of the Spirit. We see this 2-stage experience in the life of JESUS, and the APOSTLES: (1) the Spirit WITHIN (John 20:22) and (2) the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Acts 1:4,5,8, 2:1-4). The disciples needed special preparation before receiving this, because it requires a specific surrender to God. We must embrace His Mission (the Great Commission), and dedicate to do His will, asking His Spirit to come UPON us, to empower us to fulfil it. For our personal life with God, we need the Spirit within. But for our ministry (like Jesus), we need the anointing of the Spirit upon us, to be fully effective. The SAMARITANS had a 2-stage reception of the Spirit (Acts 8). They received the Gospel and were baptised (v5-6,12,14). At this point (1) they were SAVED with the Spirit WITHIN (Mark 16:16), but (2) they had not yet received the Spirit UPON (v14-16). So, Peter and John prayed for them to receive the Spirit, for He had not yet fallen UPON them. Then they received the Spirit (v14-17). The apostles knew the Spirit had fallen upon them, for there was outward evidence. Also, Simon SAW the SPIRIT was GIVEN through the laying on hands by the apostles (v18). This was speaking in tongues as in Acts 2:4 & 10:44-46. When Simon offered Peter money for this gift (v19), he replied: “You have neither part nor portion in this MATTER (‘logos' = word or utterance)” (v21). PAUL was saved when Jesus appeared to him (Acts 9:5-6,15-17). Then 3 days later (9:9) Ananias came to him and laid his hands on him, to be FILLED with the SPIRIT (v17), as in Acts 2:4, which he confirmed later in 1Cor 14:18: “I thank my God SPEAKING in TONGUES more than you all.” Paul confirmed these 2 stages when he asked the EPHESIANS: “Did you RECEIVE the HOLY SPIRIT when you BELIEVED” (Acts 19:1-2). When it was clear they were not saved (v3), he preached the Gospel and baptised them (v4-5), so now they were saved, but had not yet received the Baptism in the Spirit, for it was only when he laid hands on them, that the Spirit came UPON them and they SPOKE with TONGUES” (v6). The Gentile Pentecost proves speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Spirit UPON, just as it was at Pentecost (Acts 10:44-47, 2:4). The Baptism in the Spirit includes speaking in tongues, so you have not received the full experience until you have yielded your tongue to the Spirit - only then have you allowed Him to fully come upon you. Acts 11:15: “As I began to speak, the Holy SPIRIT fell UPON them, as UPON us at the Beginning (Pentecost).” This is called being BAPTISED in the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:5, 11:16). Peter interpreted this event in Acts 15:7-9. “So, God (1) who knows the heart (that they were saved), (2) acknowledged them (outwardly, before the Jews), by giving them the Holy Spirit (upon as well as within), just as He did to us (Jews at Pentecost), and (demonstrated to us that) He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts (salvation) by faith” (v8-9). Although in Acts 10 the Gentiles received the Spirit UPON at about the same time they were saved, Peter pointed out it was still a 2-stage experience, for (1) they first received the inner experience of being purified by faith, and then soon after (2) He gave them the Spirit upon, as an outward sign, proving that He had accepted them. There are 3 spiritual STATES: *(1) UNCLEAN (negative) because of sin. *(2) CLEAN (a neutral state - zero), also COMMON. *(3) HOLY (positive). Only BLOOD can cleanse the unclean. A CLEAN thing can only be made HOLY by the HOLY SPIRIT, symbolised by OIL. Thus, anointing with oil makes something holy. Only God's Spirit in us makes us holy. The more we surrender to God, the more His Spirit possesses us, and the holier we become. You can't make something HOLY unless it's first been CLEANSED. (1) It has to be CLEANSED by BLOOD, and then (2) it can be anointed with the OIL of the SPIRIT, and so be made HOLY. (1) BLOOD was applied, cleansing the unclean thing and then (2) OIL sanctifies the common thing. (Ex 29:21, Lev 8:30, 14:17,28, Ezek 16:9). In Acts 15, Peter was saying the fact these Gentiles were anointed with the HOLY SPIRIT upon, was an OUTWARD PROOF that God had CLEANSED their HEARTS, when they put their faith in the BLOOD of Christ. (If they had only received the Spirit WITHIN, there would have been no outward evidence to the Jews that God had saved them). When we believe (1) we are cleansed by the Blood of Christ, and (2) set apart to God, by the Spirit within us, who is manifested outwardly, when He comes upon us. The fact they had the Spirit upon proved they were accepted by God.
In Acts, we see a consistent pattern when people came to faith in Christ: (1) They were born again and received the Spirit WITHIN. (2) Then later, they received the Spirit UPON, empowering them to fulfil the Great Commission. This separate experience is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts gives the PATTERN for the Church for the whole Church Age, including the 2-stage ministry of the Spirit. We see this 2-stage experience in the life of JESUS, and the APOSTLES: (1) the Spirit WITHIN (John 20:22) and (2) the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Acts 1:4,5,8, 2:1-4). The disciples needed special preparation before receiving this, because it requires a specific surrender to God. We must embrace His Mission (the Great Commission), and dedicate to do His will, asking His Spirit to come UPON us, to empower us to fulfil it. For our personal life with God, we need the Spirit within. But for our ministry (like Jesus), we need the anointing of the Spirit upon us, to be fully effective. The SAMARITANS had a 2-stage reception of the Spirit (Acts 8). They received the Gospel and were baptised (v5-6,12,14). At this point (1) they were SAVED with the Spirit WITHIN (Mark 16:16), but (2) they had not yet received the Spirit UPON (v14-16). So, Peter and John prayed for them to receive the Spirit, for He had not yet fallen UPON them. Then they received the Spirit (v14-17). The apostles knew the Spirit had fallen upon them, for there was outward evidence. Also, Simon SAW the SPIRIT was GIVEN through the laying on hands by the apostles (v18). This was speaking in tongues as in Acts 2:4 & 10:44-46. When Simon offered Peter money for this gift (v19), he replied: “You have neither part nor portion in this MATTER (‘logos' = word or utterance)” (v21). PAUL was saved when Jesus appeared to him (Acts 9:5-6,15-17). Then 3 days later (9:9) Ananias came to him and laid his hands on him, to be FILLED with the SPIRIT (v17), as in Acts 2:4, which he confirmed later in 1Cor 14:18: “I thank my God SPEAKING in TONGUES more than you all.” Paul confirmed these 2 stages when he asked the EPHESIANS: “Did you RECEIVE the HOLY SPIRIT when you BELIEVED” (Acts 19:1-2). When it was clear they were not saved (v3), he preached the Gospel and baptised them (v4-5), so now they were saved, but had not yet received the Baptism in the Spirit, for it was only when he laid hands on them, that the Spirit came UPON them and they SPOKE with TONGUES” (v6). The Gentile Pentecost proves speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Spirit UPON, just as it was at Pentecost (Acts 10:44-47, 2:4). The Baptism in the Spirit includes speaking in tongues, so you have not received the full experience until you have yielded your tongue to the Spirit - only then have you allowed Him to fully come upon you. Acts 11:15: “As I began to speak, the Holy SPIRIT fell UPON them, as UPON us at the Beginning (Pentecost).” This is called being BAPTISED in the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:5, 11:16). Peter interpreted this event in Acts 15:7-9. “So, God (1) who knows the heart (that they were saved), (2) acknowledged them (outwardly, before the Jews), by giving them the Holy Spirit (upon as well as within), just as He did to us (Jews at Pentecost), and (demonstrated to us that) He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts (salvation) by faith” (v8-9). Although in Acts 10 the Gentiles received the Spirit UPON at about the same time they were saved, Peter pointed out it was still a 2-stage experience, for (1) they first received the inner experience of being purified by faith, and then soon after (2) He gave them the Spirit upon, as an outward sign, proving that He had accepted them. There are 3 spiritual STATES: *(1) UNCLEAN (negative) because of sin. *(2) CLEAN (a neutral state - zero), also COMMON. *(3) HOLY (positive). Only BLOOD can cleanse the unclean. A CLEAN thing can only be made HOLY by the HOLY SPIRIT, symbolised by OIL. Thus, anointing with oil makes something holy. Only God's Spirit in us makes us holy. The more we surrender to God, the more His Spirit possesses us, and the holier we become. You can't make something HOLY unless it's first been CLEANSED. (1) It has to be CLEANSED by BLOOD, and then (2) it can be anointed with the OIL of the SPIRIT, and so be made HOLY. (1) BLOOD was applied, cleansing the unclean thing and then (2) OIL sanctifies the common thing. (Ex 29:21, Lev 8:30, 14:17,28, Ezek 16:9). In Acts 15, Peter was saying the fact these Gentiles were anointed with the HOLY SPIRIT upon, was an OUTWARD PROOF that God had CLEANSED their HEARTS, when they put their faith in the BLOOD of Christ. (If they had only received the Spirit WITHIN, there would have been no outward evidence to the Jews that God had saved them). When we believe (1) we are cleansed by the Blood of Christ, and (2) set apart to God, by the Spirit within us, who is manifested outwardly, when He comes upon us. The fact they had the Spirit upon proved they were accepted by God.
Maggie Wheeler was not a Springsteen fan. If she was going to give her love to a working class local hero, it was John Mellencamp all the way. In 2012, Maggie married Ray (who was a huge Bruce Fan) and like many mixed marriages, they found other common ground. Then something happened. I won't spoil it here, please listen to the podcast and then go read her story - https://www.letterstoyou.net/post/baptized-by-bruce-a-brand-new-springsteen-fan-shares-her-experience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Maggie Wheeler was not a Springsteen fan. If she was going to give her love to a working class local hero, it was John Mellencamp all the way. In 2012, Maggie married Ray (who was a huge Bruce Fan) and like many mixed marriages, they found other common ground. Then something happened. I won't spoil it here, please listen to the podcast and then go read her story - https://www.letterstoyou.net/post/baptized-by-bruce-a-brand-new-springsteen-fan-shares-her-experience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
DTMW Podcast - Episode 31 w/ Ken & Junior Topics:- Ken Vs Church- Different Aspects Of Fatherhood- Can Your Friend Smack Your Child- Dilemma's 00:00 - Intro11:00 - What Did My Wife Do This Week14:55 - Baby Developments18:25 - Aspects Of Fatherhood28:20 - Can Your Friend Smack Your Child50:15 - My Mother In-Law Baptised Our Son Without Our PermissionJoin Ken & Junior as they share their experiences of navigating marriage and fatherhood in their twenties. Email: DTMWPod@gmail.com Instagram: DTMWPod Twitter: DTMWPod Youtube: DontTellMyWifePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the “crown jewel” of Pentecostal spirituality. Spirit baptism is not a baptism into tongues, power, or missions; it is a baptism into divine love, coming into union with the Triune God in their loving embrace. Love is at the centre of Spirit baptism—it is all about being filled, transformed and overflowing with divine love!
Message of the Week from Sunday the 26th of November 2023
Hennie Swart
Whether you were baptized last week or 50 years ago, we all have a lot to learn from the baptismal covenant. In today's episode, Annie & Kate break down the baptism piece-by-piece, discussing in depth what the covenant means to us. Reciting the baptismal covenant as a congregation reminds us of the path we're on, and who we strive to be. In this episode, we talk about the difference between a covenant and a contract, the role of community in baptism, and why "we will, with God's help". Stay tuned until the end for our spicy new segment, "Kate's Controversial Questions", where we discuss infant baptism and more! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.
Anna McGahan is an Australian actress and storyteller who found God in the most radical of ways. Baptised into the Pentecostal tradition, she gave up everything to follow Jesus only to find that life in the church wasn't quite what it seemed. In this episode we discuss: meeting God and meeting the church, it's not the same finding agency in celibacy losing queerness to find God recovering a sense of equilibrium and self Partner with us to hear The Jess & Devi Show and our take on the 1999 romcom She's All That (spoiler: it's not all that). Join for $3/month (USD). Anna McGahan is an actor, author, screenwriter, playwright and poet. Anna's work prioritises a defiant female gaze to explore experiences of embodiment, motherhood, sexuality and spirituality. She is the author of the Vogel Prize-winning novel, Immaculate, a book of poetry about motherhood, Skin, and the memoir, Metanoia. She lives in Meanjin (Brisbane), with her two young daughters. Subscribe to her Substack here.
The Baptism in the Spirit is when we receive the Spirit upon us, clothing us with His power to witness. 'Baptism means immersion, so to be Baptised in the Spirit means to be immersed in the Spirit (the Spirit upon us). There is a 2-fold ministry of the Spirit in Scripture for us to receive: (1) the Spirit WITHIN, at salvation, for our own blessing, holiness and life with God, and later (2) the Spirit UPON, at our Baptism in the Spirit. To be baptised in the Spirit, we must first be born again and receive the Spirit within (Matt 9:17), then we can receive the Spirit upon. Jesus Himself (1) had the Spirit within from conception, and then later (2) received the Spirit upon, when He received power for His ministry. At salvation, we were BAPTISED into CHRIST and received the Spirit WITHIN (1Cor 12:13). This is the ONE Baptism ALL believers have (Eph 4:4-5). In the Baptism in the Spirit, the Spirit within us also comes UPON us. The PURPOSE of the Baptism in the Spirit is POWER for ministry, for fulfilling the Great Commission. At our Baptism into Christ, we received the blessing for ourselves through the Spirit within, who connects us to God and His life. Next we need to surrender ourselves to God, to receive His power upon us, to be a blessing to others: “You shall receive POWER when the HOLY SPIRIT has come UPON you; and you shall be My WITNESSES” (Acts 1:8). The same Spirit we receive WITHIN us at salvation, wants to also come UPON us to clothe us with power. Both these ministries of the Spirit (the Spirit WITHIN and UPON) are available for ALL believers, and were prophesied in the Old Testament, as coming to pass through the New Covenant of Messiah. Jesus called this promised 2-fold Blessing of the Spirit: ‘the Promise of the Father', which includes the Baptism in the Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4,5). At Pentecost, Peter announced the Promise of the Father had now been received by the exalted Jesus on our behalf, and was now fully poured out and freely given to us (Acts 2:33,38-39). The Father's Promise of the Spirit in both (1) His indwelling through the New Birth and (2) the Baptism in the Spirit is for all believers. The Old Testament Prophecies point to a 2-fold Promise to all believers: (1) The Spirit WITHIN through the New Birth, enabling us to live a holy life (Ezek 36:26-27), and (2) the Spirit UPON to empower us (Isa 59:21, Joel 2:28-32). This New Covenant Ministry of the Spirit is different from what was available before: (1) Before, no one had the New Birth or Spirit WITHIN them, but Ezekiel prophesied in the New Covenant all God's people would have the Spirit WITHIN. (2) Before, although prophets, priests and kings were anointed with the Spirit UPON, generally God's people did not have this, but Joel prophesied in the New Covenant the Spirit would be poured out UPON ALL flesh (the answer to Moses' prayer in Num 11:29). So it was promised that in the New Covenant: (1) ALL God's people would receive the Spirit WITHIN, and (2) the Spirit UPON would be available to ALL believers. This promised double Blessing of the Spirit was only made available through Christ's death and resurrection (Gal 3:13-14). This Promise is also called the Blessing of Abraham (Gal 3:14), which was 2-fold: “(1) I will BLESS you (through the SPIRIT WITHIN), and (2) you will be a BLESSING (to others – through the SPIRIT UPON)” (Gen 12:2). This is parallel to God's 2-fold BLESSING of Adam: (1) He blessed Adam by putting His Spirit within him (Gen 2:7). (2) Then He blessed him by empowering him to impart the blessing of life to others (Gen 1:28). Jesus is our perfect example. His life confirms the Spirit (1) WITHIN and (2) UPON are 2 distinct aspects of God's provision for man of the Spirit: (1) He had the Spirit WITHIN from conception (Luke 1:35), and later (2) He received the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32-33). In the New Covenant, He makes the same 2-fold provision of the Spirit available to us. But just because (1) we are born again and have the indwelling Spirit, it does not mean we are (2) baptised in the Spirit and have the Spirit UPON, for it is a distinct experience, coming after the New Birth. The Baptism in the Spirit is compared to Baptism (immersion) in Water (Matt 3:11). Just as a baptised man is covered in water, so in the Baptism in the Spirit, He comes upon us and covers us. “(1) UPON whom you see the SPIRIT descending, and remaining UPON Him, (2) this is He who BAPTISES with the HOLY SPIRIT” (John 1:33). (1) Jesus first received from God the Baptism in the Spirit, which (2) enabled Him to baptise us in the Spirit, according to the same pattern. His Baptism in the Spirit is the BLUEPRINT for our Baptism in the Spirit (except He has the Spirit without measure - John 3:34). If we are born again, Jesus wants to immerse us in His Spirit, so that the Spirit comes and remains upon us, clothing us with His power, just as He came upon Jesus.
The BAPTISM in the SPIRIT is to receive the Spirit UPON. In Acts, new believers normally received this Baptism soon after their salvation. The PURPOSE of the Baptism in the Spirit is to EMPOWER us to fulfil the Great Commission (Acts 1:8). As well as (1) having the Spirit WITHIN for our own blessing and walk with God (HOLINESS), we also need (2) the POWER of His Spirit, through His Spirit UPON us, to communicate His life and blessing to others. This 2-fold BLESSING of the SPIRIT corresponds to the 2-fold BLESSING of Abraham (Gen 12:2). The Baptism in the Spirit empowers us to be a blessing to others, especially by sharing the Gospel with them, so they can be saved. This 2-fold ministry of the SPIRIT in the New Covenant was prophesied in the Old Testament (Ezek 36:26-27, Joel 2:28-29). The promise of the Baptism in the Spirit (Matt 3:11) came to pass on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:5). The life of Jesus, our example and representative reveals this 2-fold experience of the Spirit: (1) He had the Spirit WITHIN Him from birth, and lived a perfectly holy life, even before (2) He was BAPTISED in the Spirit at 30, when He received the Spirit UPON to supernaturally EMPOWER Him for His ministry to others (Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32-33, 2:11, 4:18). When we are born again, we have the SPIRIT WITHIN, but we also need to receive the SPIRIT UPON to empower us to witness and minister to others. Jesus baptises us in the Spirit - the Spirit UPON us (John 1:33). In His teaching, He described these 2 experiences of the Spirit in terms of living water: (1) A Fountain of living water within (John 4:10-14), and (2) Rivers of living water flowing out of us (John 7:37-39). The apostles also had this 2-fold experience (receiving) of the Spirit: (1) They were BORN AGAIN and received the SPIRIT WITHIN on the day of the resurrection (John 20:22, Gen 2:7). Then Christ prepared them to receive the Baptism in the Spirit (Luke 24:48-49, Acts 1:4-5,8). Then (2) they were baptised in the Spirit at Pentecost, when He came UPON them (Acts 2:1-4). There were 2 aspects to their experience of being baptised in the Spirit: (1) The Spirit came UPON them (v3), and (2) He filled their souls from within (v4). To be filled with the Spirit and so receive the Spirit UPON, we must surrender our soul and body to God to do His will and fulfil His mission. Moreover, God wants us to stay continually filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). By surrendering our souls to God and yielding our bodies to Him (by speaking out the words the Spirit gives us), we allow the Spirit to fill our souls from within, and to come UPON us. The outward evidence the Spirit has filled us and has now come upon us, is that we have yielded our tongue to His control by speaking in tongues (v4). Acts 2:4 describes the first time believers received the Baptism in the Spirit, and so it is the prototype description, God's blueprint for all New Covenant believers. In Acts 11, Peter confirms what they received at Pentecost was the Baptism in the Spirit, because he says what the Gentiles received, when the Spirit came upon them in Acts 10, was the same experience the Jews had ‘at the Beginning' (Pentecost), which he then described as the Baptism in the Spirit (Acts 11:15-16). Acts 8 describes the 2-stage experience of the Samaritans. They heard the Gospel and were baptised in water, so they were saved (v14,16), but they had not yet received the Spirit upon them (v15-16). When the apostles laid hands on them they received the Spirit upon (v17), which was manifested outwardly in a supernatural way (v18-19), namely by them speaking in tongues (v20). The 2-Stage experience of the Paul is in Acts 9: (1) He was SAVED when he saw the risen Christ and called him ‘Lord' (Acts 9:5-6). (2) He was FILLED with the SPIRIT, when Ananias prayed for him 3 days later (Acts 9:9-18), and he spoke in tongues (1Cor 4:18). The Gentile Pentecost is described in Acts 10:44-48 as the Spirit coming upon them, and in 11:15-16 as the Baptism in the Spirit. Just as at Pentecost, the outward evidence of the Baptism was speaking in tongues. This was the only proof the apostles looked for and accepted. Finally, we study the 2-stage experience of the Ephesians in Acts 19. Paul's question in v2 shows that receiving the Baptism in the Spirit is not automatic, when you believe in Christ for salvation. The Ephesians (1) believed the Gospel, that Paul preached to them and were saved (v5a), then they were baptised (v5b), and then (2) "when Paul laid hands on them, the HOLY SPIRIT came UPON them, and they SPOKE with TONGUES and prophesied” (v5c). So, they were BAPTISED in the SPIRIT subsequent to their SALVATION, as a distinct experience. Consistently in Acts, it was normal for Christians to receive the Baptism in the Spirit as a separate experience soon after salvation, and the outward evidence of this Baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues.
There is a 2-fold RECEIVING of the SPIRIT: (1) WITHIN, at the New Birth (Romans 8:9), and then (2) UPON - the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT. (1) The Spirit WITHIN is for our personal holiness. (2) The Spirit UPON is to EMPOWER us to fulfil the Great Commission. It is a separate experience that comes after salvation. Old Testament Prophecy said when Messiah comes and brings in a New Covenant, it would include a greater ministry of the Spirit for all believers - the 2-fold Promise of the Father: (1) The Spirit WITHIN for their blessing and holiness (Ezekiel 36:26-27), and (2) the Spirit UPON, to empower them to be a blessing to others (Joel 2:28-29). John announced the Messiah as the One who will bring this Promise to fulfilment. He was the first to use the phrase ‘Baptism in the Spirit', so his description is definitive. He compared it to Baptism in Water: “I BAPTISED you IN WATER but He will BAPTISE you IN the HOLY SPIRIT” (Mark 1:8). When a man is BAPTISED (immersed) IN WATER, the water covers (envelops) him, so it is UPON him. Likewise, when Jesus BAPTISES us IN the HOLY SPIRIT, we are immersed in the Spirit, so we are covered and clothed with the Spirit UPON us. We see this 2-fold experience of the SPIRIT in the life of Jesus, our example: (1) He was conceived of the Spirit, and had the Spirit WITHIN, enabling Him to live a perfect human life, (2) He was BAPTISED in the SPIRIT, when the SPIRIT came UPON Him to supernaturally EMPOWER Him for His ministry (Luke 3:21-22, 4:18). Only after the Spirit came upon Him did He start preaching, healing and working miracles (John 2:11). The same Jesus, who was BAPTISED in the Spirit also BAPTISES us in the SPIRIT (John 1:32-33). Thus, He was BAPTISED in the Spirit as our representative (receiving the Spirit on our behalf), so He could then BAPTISE us in the Spirit The apostles also had a 2-stage experience of the Spirit, as (1) on the day of the resurrection, He imparted the Spirit into His disciples. This was their new Birth, when He gave them the Spirit WITHIN (John 20:22, Gen 2:7). Then He started to prepare them to also (2) receive the Spirit UPON, to be His witnesses, 50 days later at Pentecost (Luke 24:46-49). He gave them the same instructions 40 days later in Acts 1:3-5,8. Although they had already received the Spirit WITHIN, they had not yet received the SPIRIT UPON (Luke 24:49), called the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Acts 1:5). So, what they experienced at Pentecost, when the Spirit came UPON (Acts 2:1-3), was the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT. The Spirit came UPON them (v3) and “they were all FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT" (v4). In the New Covenant, anyone who receives the Spirit UPON has previously received the Spirit WITHIN, so He must come upon us from within, and so fills us from the inside (v4). When we dedicate to do God's will and fulfil His mission, we receive His Spirit to come UPON us by FILLING our SOULS and taking control of our tongues, the control centre of our body (Jas 3:3-4). So: “they were all FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT, and began to SPEAK with TONGUES, as the SPIRIT gave them UTTERANCE (the words)” (Acts 2:4). When we pray in tongues, we YIELD our TONGUE to God, speaking the words the Spirit gives us. In this way, we submit our body to the Spirit, and allow Him to come upon us. Then as we continue to pray in tongues, we maintain and deepen that surrender, keeping the Spirit active upon us. Acts 2:4 is a key verse describing the Baptism in the Spirit. Speaking in tongues was the outward evidence and sign the Spirit had FILLED them and was now UPON them in POWER. What the disciples received at Pentecost was the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (Acts 1:5), and this is confirmed by the Gentile Pentecost in Acts 10-11, when Peter explained the SPIRIT had come UPON the Gentiles, just as He had come UPON the Jews at the Beginning (Pentecost), and that both events were fulfilments of the Lord's prophecy in Acts 1:5 of the BAPTISM in the SPIRIT (11:15-17). We also see this 2-stage experience of the Spirit with the Samaritans in Acts 8, who had received the Gospel and were born again (v14,16), but had not yet RECEIVED the HOLY SPIRIT, in that, He had not come upon UPON them (v15-16). But later when the apostles laid hands on them, they RECEIVED the HOLY SPIRIT upon them (v17), which was manifested outwardly (v18-19), even tongues. Their experience proves the Baptism in the Spirit is different from and subsequent to salvation. They had received salvation through the Gospel, but had not yet received the Spirit upon, for there was no outward evidence (tongues), until the apostles prayed for them. So, to receive the Baptism in the Spirit, we must (1) be born again with the Spirit within. Then (2) we must surrender to God to fulfil His mission, which allows His Spirit within to fill us and come upon us with power, so as we obey Him His Spirit flows out through us as rivers of life (John 7:37-39).
The word BAPTISE means IMMERSE. There are 3 foundational Christian BAPTISMS: (1) Baptism into Christ, (2) Baptism into Water, and (3) Baptism into the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Although we received the Spirit WITHIN at salvation, we also need to receive the Spirit UPON to empower us to be a witness (the Baptism in the Spirit). The PURPOSE of this Baptism is to RECEIVE POWER to fulfil the great commission. After salvation, the next step is to embrace Christ's mission, and surrender our soul and body to God to receive His supernatural power to be His witness. This fulfils of the 2nd part of the Blessing of Abraham: “I will (1) BLESS you (salvation), and (2) you will be a (channel of) BLESSING (to others)” (Gen 12:2). This 2-fold BLESSING of the new creation follows the same pattern as man's original creation (see Genesis 1:27, 2:7 and Genesis 1:28). Likewise, (1) God first BLESSES us with His Spirit WITHIN (at our New Birth), then (2) He wants to BLESS (empower) us to be a BLESSING by His Spirit UPON, so we can go forth and multiply ourselves by fulfilling the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18, Matt 28:18-20). He promised to give us the POWER of the SPIRIT to do that (Luke 24:48-49, Acts 1:8). This Baptism is God's empowerment (blessing) upon us to be a blessing, to communicate His life and blessing to others through the Gospel. God released and communicated the BLESSING by speaking WORDS of life (Genesis 1:28). Likewise, having received His power through this Baptism, we transmit the BLESSING of the SPIRIT to others through our WORDS. As in physical multiplication, we MULTIPLY ourselves spiritually by the transmission of blessing (life) through the SOWING of SEED (God's words). God wants us to be filled with His Spirit (Eph 5:18), for we can't (1) live the Christian life, and (2) be a witness in our own strength. This Baptism is God's POWER upon us for the PURPOSE of fulfilling God's mission for our life, that is centred on the great commission. There is a 2-fold RECEIVING of the SPIRIT, as seen in Acts: We receive (1) the SPIRIT WITHIN at salvation, and then (2) the SPIRIT UPON at the Baptism in the Spirit. The same Spirit we receive at salvation wants to come upon us and clothe us with His power. So there is an experience subsequent to salvation of being baptised in the Spirit. *1. Old Testament Prophets gave a 2-fold promise of the Spirit, called the Promise of the Father, that would be fulfilled in the New Covenant: (1) The New Birth and Spirit WITHIN all believers, for our personal connection with God, blessing and holiness (Ezekiel 36:26-27). (2) The Spirit UPON all believers, to empower them to be a blessing to others (Joel 2:28-29). In the Old Testament, although some prophets, priests and kings had an anointing of the Spirit UPON, no believer had the Spirit WITHIN, and so, even for those with the Spirit UPON, this was not necessarily permanent. The prophecies say in the New Covenant established by Christ, (1) all believers will have the Spirit WITHIN, and also (2) the SPIRIT UPON will be available to all. *2. John the Baptist announced Christ as the One who will bring this Promise of the Spirit to fulfilment. He is the first to use the phrase: ‘Baptism in the Spirit' and so these verses are definitive as to its meaning. He used the analogy of Baptism in WATER to describe the Baptism in the SPIRIT: “I indeed BAPTISED (immerse) you IN WATER, but He will BAPTISE you IN the HOLY SPIRIT” (Mark 1:8, Matt 3:11, Luke 3:16). This tells us JESUS is the Baptiser (Agent), who baptises us in the MEDIUM of the HOLY SPIRIT. So just as John immersed men in water, so the water covered them, so when Christ baptises us in the Spirit, we will be immersed (covered) in the Spirit. Thus, this Baptism is the Spirit UPON. Likewise, Jesus said in Acts 1:5: “John truly BAPTISED IN WATER, but you shall be BAPTISED (immersed) IN the HOLY SPIRIT not many days from now.” *3. Jesus was baptised in the Spirit when He was baptised in water. He did this as our example, representative and pioneer, showing what He wants to do for us: “the HOLY SPIRIT descended in bodily form like a dove UPON Him” (Luke 3:22). His experience proves there is a 2-fold experience of the HOLY SPIRIT: (1) He already had the SPIRIT WITHIN Him from His conception, but (2) only when He was baptised did He receive the SPIRIT UPON Him, clothing Him with the supernatural power He needed to fulfil His ministry. John 1:32-33: “John bore witness, saying: “He who sent me to BAPTISE with WATER said to me: ‘UPON whom you see the SPIRIT descending, and remaining UPON Him, this is He who BAPTISES IN the HOLY SPIRIT.” The same Jesus, who received the Spirit UPON Him, baptises us in the Spirit. Thus, as the Father baptised Jesus in the Spirit, so Jesus baptises us in the Spirit. He described the result of His BAPTISM in the SPIRIT in Luke 4:18: “The SPIRIT of the Lord is UPON ME, for He has ANOINTED Me to PREACH the Gospel to the poor; He has SENT Me to HEAL...”
The Rodcast, Bible & Leadership Conversations with Ps Rod Plummer
Join us today for a new episode of the Rodcast 'What does it mean to be baptised in the Holy Spirit?'We would love to hear how The Podcast is helping you. Please take the time to comment and review the show where ever you listen to this content.We would love to hear how The Rodcast is helping you, please take the time to rate and review the show where ever you listen to this content.Connect with Ps Rod:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodplummer/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rodplummerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PsRodPlummer/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpyaKZXv_9rmAcz09FvdgQWant to know more about Ps Rod?https://rodplummer.com/about-rod/Want to know more about Lifehouse International Church?https://mylifehouse.com/about/
Alma, Chapters 4-7
Why be baptized? The most important reason for a believer to be baptized in water is because Jesus commanded it. In His “Great Commission” Jesus instructed that all who became His disciples are to be baptized (Mt 28:19). Since every true believer chooses to obey Jesus as “Lord” no better reason can be given. If He wants me to be baptized then I will gladly be baptized.