Few issues are as confusing and divisive among believers in Christ as our present subject: the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. The leading cause for confusion is in assuming the word “baptize” is synonymous with water. Yet, in most instances where the word “baptize” is used, it has nothing to do with water. Perhaps, it will help to clarify the issue by understanding there are two distinct ideas set forth in Scripture as regards baptism. They are, firstly, what we will call “ritual baptism”. This does involve the use of water…H2O, however one applies it, whether by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. The subject has water applied in some manner. It’s called “ritual baptism” because it is a rite… r-i-t-e. John, the Baptist, made his ritual baptism quite clear when he stated, “I, indeed, baptize you with water, but one comes after me who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” This is Matthew 3, Luke 3, Mark 1, and John 1.
In this singular statement by John, the Baptist, he refers to the rite of baptism, which he performed upon all who came to him and embraced his message. He, then, clearly contrasted his water baptism with another kind of baptism that the Messiah coming after him would provide. His baptism would not be with water but with the Holy Spirit. This we would label “spirit baptism”, as opposed to “water baptism”. One is wholly immaterial and non-physical…that of the Spirit, the other is very material and physical…water. The water rite of baptism is that which a human subject, whether a pastor, priest, or rabbi performs upon the recipient. The Spirit baptism is a spiritual operation performed upon the recipient without the agency of any other human. The Agency performing it is the Deity Himself.
John, the Baptist, said He, the Messiah Jesus, would be the Agent administering this baptism, and it would consist of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Further, it appears that receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned by Peter in his Pentecostal message in Acts 2, is synonymous with being baptized with the Spirit. In the epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 12, the Apostle Paul also refers to baptism and the Holy Spirit, but there is a difference that should not be ignored. In the four gospels, Christ is the baptizing Agent who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, but, in the epistles, it is the Holy Spirit who is the baptizing Agent, and He baptizes believers into the spiritual body of Christ. It would appear that both are accompanied with the spiritual regeneration of the person being baptized, and both are devoid of water. Why there should be this difference is related to there being a difference in the programs under which they were functioning. In the gospels and early Acts with Israel, the nation, at the center, Christ was the baptizer with the Holy Spirit. But, in the epistles, the church, which is the spiritual body of Christ at the forefront, the Holy Spirit does the baptizing, and He baptizes believers into the body of Christ, whether Jew or Gentile.
CC-07-16
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