BAPTISM: PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL!

PHYSICAL BAPTISM IN WATER:  

A PUBLIC STATEMENT OF REPENTANCE FROM SIN!

[All Scripture is presented as I understand it.]

Matthew 3:1-6 - In those days (when Jesus was about thirty years old - Luke 3:1-23), John "the Baptizer," was preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent (Greek:  metanoeo - have a change of mind about one's life choices):  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight (Isaiah 40:3).  And this John wore a garment of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food consisted of locusts and wild honey.  Many of those living in Jerusalem, and Judaea, and in the region of the Jordan River, went to hear his message; and after they had confessed that they were sinners, they were baptized (Greek:  baptizo - a public, ceremonial cleansing to signify one's repentance; to be immersed in water similar to the washing of one's clothing or dishes) by John in the Jordan.

Luke 7:29-30 - And all the people that heard John, including the publicans (hated Jewish tax collectors who worked for Rome), justified God (Greek:  dikaioo - declared God to be just), by being baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, refusing to be baptized by him.

John 4:1-3 - When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples (Greek:  mathetes - a follower of a teacher), than John, (Though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but his disciples did), He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

Note:  Even though Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordon River (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34), it was not because Jesus needed to repent from sin; Jesus never sinned (Daniel 9:26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; etc.)!  It was necessary to fulfill Scripture; it was how John would recognize "the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29, 36)! 

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST:

BELIEVERS BEING BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST!

Matthew 3:11 - John said, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:  but He Who comes 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 (See Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 14:17; Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4)!

John 3:1-8 - There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God:  for no man can do these miracles that You do, except God be with him.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus said unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water (a physical human birth) 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.  Do not marvel that I said unto you, You must be born again.  The wind blows where it wants, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes, and where it will go:  it is just like every one who is born of the Spirit.

John 14:16-17 - I will pray for you to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter (in addition to Me), that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of Truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it can not see Him, neither does it know of Him:  but you know of Him; for He dwells with you, and shall dwell in you.

Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4 - And, Jesus being assembled together with them, commanded that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, of Whom I told you.  For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. - - - And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Note:  "Tongues" is a sign gift (1 Corinthians 14:22 - their manifestation was to produce faith in unbelieving Jews; it was the Jews who required a sign - 1 Corinthians 1:22), the miraculous ability to speak the Gospel message in foreign languages (Acts 2:5-12)!

SPIRIT BAPTISM OCCURS AT SALVATION:

BELIEVERS ARE "BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST!

Romans 3:20-24 - Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no one be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God apart from the Law is manifest, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all those who believe:  for there is no difference:  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (being like God - see Genesis 1:26; 1 John 3:2); but we have been justified freely by His grace (unmerited favor) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus!

Romans 8:9-11 - But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also make alive again your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells within you.

Galatians 3:26-28 - For you 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 Gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:14 - Greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26) and with love.  Peace be with you all who are in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

THE HOLY SPIRIT SEALS THE BELIEVER IN CHRIST!

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - Now He Who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; Who has also sealed us, and given the evidence of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30 - In Whom you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation:  in Whom also, after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, believers, unto the praise of His glory. - - - And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom you are sealed unto the day of redemption.