Baptism in Buffalo Bayou, University of Houston Digital Library, Circa 1900
Jesus was a Palestinian Jew, born under the reign of Herod the Great which was controlled by the Roman Empire under the Procurator Pontius Pilate. There were many unusual occurrences surrounding Jesus’ birth and childhood. Most of which was to fulfill the Old Testament scriptural Prophesies. Jesus’ ministry didn’t really start until after His baptism by John the Baptist and subsequent temptation by the devil in the wilderness. During Jesus’ ministry He taught basic scriptural truths, cutting across Jewish teachings and traditions of the day. This causes many of the religious leaders and rulers angry with Jesus, because they were deceiving the Jewish community for their own purposes and gain.
During this period of time, the Holy Scriptures weren’t available to all the public. Only portions of the Old Testament scriptures were available at different Synagogues. Depending on the wealth of the Synagogue determined the amount of scriptural scrolls they held. But yet Jesus had a complete working knowledge of them all. He is the Son of God, having knowledge of what God had said and meant through the holy prophets. It is those scriptures that Jesus quoted during His ministry that has led to the Christian’s acceptance and canonization of the Old Testament books of the Holy Bible. As Jesus ministered; He performed many wonders and miracles, healing the sick, casting out demons, and forgiving sins, which only God the Father had power to do. Therefore it was by these signs and wonders that God openly gave Jesus His approval and authority.
Matt.9:6
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, then saith he to the sick of the palsy, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”
Mk.2:9
“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?”
Lk.5:23
“Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?”
Just before Jesus’ death on the cross, He forgave one of the two malefactors which were being crucified with him, forgiveness; once again showing us that Jesus had the power to forgive sins. Again this forgiveness was mixed with faith for the malefactor whom saw Jesus’ heavenly commission, acknowledging that Jesus was the king of the Jews. This happened when he asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His Kingdom. Many Christian misunderstand what actually had taken place and the period of time when it took place. It was still under the Old Testament covenant, the Law of Moses. The resurrection of Jesus Christ had not yet taken place. It is under the Old Testament concepts that the term Paradise, also was known as Abraham’s bosom, part of the spiritual grave, Sheol. Their understanding was that the spiritual grave, sheol was divided into two places, Paradise the place for the faithful, Old Testament saints and Hell is a place of torment, for those that were faithless and lived ungodly lives. This all changed after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ushering in the New Testament and the kingdom of God on earth, the church; the body of Christ.
The New Testament scriptures indicate that Christians fall asleep and go to be with Jesus Christ. Whether this state is in a conscious one or a blissful sleep, I am not sure, but it is different than it was for the Old Testament saints. This new state is only for the true Christian that has made a faith decision to commit their live over to God the Father, and became disciples of Jesus Christ, by being baptism in water in His name and being filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit). This idea of a death bed conversion is a mockery to those Christians that have lived a faithful life and to those that were martyred for the faith. This concept is not Biblical, but is something man has devised to ease the conscience of family members. For these individuals failed to come to Christ while they had their health, and right mind. We have a short memory about what Jesus had said to us, even those in the faith. Don’t call me Lord, Lord and don’t do as I say. There was an occurrence that happened after Jesus’ resurrection that indicates that those Old Testament saints who were in the grave, paradise went to a different place with Jesus when He rose from the dead because the graves were opened.
Luke 23:41-43
“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord; remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Matt.27:52, 53
“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
Within the parallel Gospels, Matthew’ Mark, and Luke I couldn’t find any reference of Jesus or His disciples baptizing anyone; even though the act of water baptism was used and understood as a commitment of discipleship. John the Baptist came preaching repentance for the kingdom of God is at hand, and made disciples to himself, baptizing them as they confessed their sins. Peter, Andrew, James and John were the first disciples of John the Baptist, but he points out, Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. They turned and followed Jesus. As for Jesus and his disciples and their need for water baptism is verified in the Gospel of John. In the third chapter of John we see that Jesus did baptize His disciples. I am going to review some of those relevant scriptures with you.
Mk. 1:4,5
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”
Jn. 3:3-6
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith 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, 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.”
Jn. 3:22
“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. For John was not yet cast into prison. 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.”
Jn. 4:1
“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea and departed again into Galilee.”
These scriptures are evidence showing that Jesus was using the rite of baptism to make disciples in His Name. And that His earthly ministry was very effective throughout Palestine, for he baptized more than John the Baptist. Also this brings more light on the New Testament scripture where in the book of Acts the Apostle Paul ministered to those disciples of John in Ephesus. Which indicates a need to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, becoming His disciple and then the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Spirit) with the evidence of speaking in tongues and prophesying?
Acts 19:2-6
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 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 that, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
I am convinced that all of the followers and disciples of Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry had repentance toward God, and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of their sins. The only thing that was lacking in their experience was the promise of God the Father, the gift of the Holy Ghost (Spirit).In which the Holy Ghost (Spirit) would come and dwell with and in them. This couldn’t occur until Jesus’ earthly ministry was completed; by his death on the cross, resurrection and ascension to God the Father. Jesus gave His disciples insight to his impending death, resurrection and ascension into Heaven and being seated at the right-hand of God the Father, establishing the Kingdom of God under the authority of His Son Jesus. But they didn’t fully understand this fact, until the day of Pentecost came when they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues.
Luke 24:45-49
“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
Jn.7:38, 39
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall rivers of living water. (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was yet glorified.)”
Jn.14:26
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Jn. 16:7
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
After Jesus’ death and resurrection He spent time with His disciples and just before His ascension He gave them “The Great Commission”. Jesus gave them clear instruction as recorded in the last chapter of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.
Matt.28:18-20
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mark 16:15-16
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
What confounds me the most about many clergy is; we have the very words of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet many refuse to follow His words as written. The act of water baptism has been theorized away by some, to be nothing more than a vain ritual or symbolism. The words of Jesus in Gospels aren’t really necessary. So we just sprinkle a little water on babies and children, calling it baptism and say that they are cleansed from sins. Others say that any type of Christian ritual is not of God and isn’t necessary. Something must be completely wrong with their thinking.
First of all, baptism or purification has always been an adult process both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. It was never meant for babies or children. When it comes to Christian Baptism, it was the preaching of the Gospel of Christ that was supposed to convert people to become Disciples of Christ Jesus. This is indicated by baptism and the filling of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and a life of service to the doctrines and teachings of Jesus Christ. Here we see in Mark 16:15-18 that the true Christian life and ministry is to be manifested by the power of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) with signs and wonders. If you would take the time to read through the book of Acts, you will see that the Power of God was evident wherever His disciples went or preached. What has happened to the power filled lives and ministry of the Christian Church today, I don’t know?
In the early part of the twentieth century; in 1904 we saw a taste of the New Testament power filled ministry, with the Azusa St. Mission revival in Los Angeles, Ca. This was the start of the Pentecostal movement that spread all over the world during the early twentieth century. Since then the power of the Spirit has waned even in the Pentecostal Church. The power filled ministry seems to be the exception, not the rule. I have to ask, could the problem be, that we are not preaching the true Gospel of Christ as it was intended to be preached? Have we explained away the power of Christian water baptism for the remission of sins in Jesus’ name for a more convenient message? And what about the signs and wonders that were to follow, healings, casting out demons, speaking in tongues and prophesying, are they all a result of unbelief? Some have taken Mark 16:16 and explained it away, by disregarding the first half of the sentence, and substituting it with the second half of the sentence. They say that if by unbelief you are damned; the therefore, by belief alone you are saved, water baptism isn’t necessary. These so call theologians and Bible teachers need to first learn how to read the English language. The first part of the sentence clearly says “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;” And the second half of the sentence “but he that believeth not shall be dammed.” What it is really saying, is that the condition for being baptized is faith. And in a Christian context that faith is in Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. Water baptism is what leads to our entrance into the body of Christ which is the Christian Church; then upon being separated from this world, and into the Kingdom of God under the reign of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Once Jesus Christ was glorified by God the Father, He ascended into Heaven to be seated at the right hand of the God the Father. Then the comforter, the Holy Ghost (Spirit) was made available to the believers starting at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost with His disciples. You can see the outcome of the Pentecostal power of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) in their lives, all one needs to do is turn to the book of Acts and read it.
Acts 1:8
“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 Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-5
“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. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.”
Yes, indeed the Holy Ghost (Spirit) was sent by God, as Jesus Christ had promised. All of the disciples, about 120 of them, were filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit) that day. This filling of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) was accompanied by unusual phenomenon, a mighty wind, cloven tongues of fire on their heads, and they spoke in unknown tongues. The whole neighborhood was awoken for it was early in the morning. Then they heard the words of the Apostle Peter and the others, as he told them that they had crucified Jesus, but God had raised Him from the dead, and made Him both Lord and Christ, fulfilling the Law and Prophets.
Acts 2:37-41
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them 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. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
We see the reaction of the devout Jews, who had kept the Law of Moses all their lives; you see it’s not by works that we are saved, but through faith in Jesus Christ. It is water baptism that is synonymous with our faith in Jesus Christ. They gladly received the words of salvation through Jesus Christ and were baptized for the remission of their sins. Their response was positive, because they had true conviction in their hearts. Our problem is that we haven’t been pricked in our hearts, and we think that we know more than the Apostles did. We have the written word before us, to read and analysis, and in many cases to our own demise. We have more confidence in the teachings of today’s Church Leaders, Theologians, and Scholars; many of them unknowledgeable about the experience of the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Spirit), and the evidence of speaking in tongues, as per the teaching of the Apostles. We forget that Peter and the others were face to face with Jesus Christ, before and after His death and resurrection. It was them that stood and watched Jesus ascend into Heaven on a cloud. If there is to be any hope for the Church today we need to turn back to the simple truths, about faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as taught by His Apostles, and recorded for us in the New Testament. We all need to you have the same conviction in our heart for our sins as those devout Jews had when they first believed in the name of Jesus Christ.
It is the responsibility of each individual to read and know the word of God and come under the same influencing power as recorded in the New Testament scriptures. If you are too busy or lazy, leaving the question of your salvation up to someone else, it might not turn out right for your soul in the end. Hell is an awful place to spend eternity. Like Jesus once said, Matt.6:23 “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” And also, Matt. 15:14 “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Many make claims to be Christians, having their own opinion on how to get saved, born again, and what a real Christian should or shouldn’t be. But, if their teachings don’t line up with New Testament scriptures, they are the blind leading the blind and can’t see the truth. Continuing on in the Book of Acts, we see the growth of the 1st. century Church continuing by those filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit) like Philip, the evangelist; one of the first Deacons in the Church. He went up into Samaria and preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Acts 8:12-17
“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. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:” (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”
Let’s analyze what has taken place. Philip preached the message of the kingdom of God to the Samarians and they believed and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women. It appears that as soon as a person had faith towards Jesus Christ; being converted, they were baptized without delay. They didn’t wait around for weeks, months, or years, until it was convenient for the ministers were able to baptizing them. To me, when this happens, it just shows their disdain for the truth of the New Testament. Also along with Phillip’s preaching, miracles and signs and wonders followed. Just like that this is sighted in the Gospel of Mark 16:16-18.Then Peter and John came to the Samaritan’s, they immediately prayed for those that were baptized to receive the Holy Ghost (Spirit), because it hadn’t fallen upon them as yet. This is evidence to me that along with Christian water baptism is the filling of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and that there had to be some sort of evidence that would indicate that they were filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit), signs and wonders, speaking in tongues and prophesying; what say you? It was the Apostles belief and experience that all those that were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ name would be filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit).
After this moving of God in Samaria, Philip was told by an angel of the Lord to go down into the desert. It is here where he meets an Ethiopian eunuch (a black man of great authority), which was studying the scriptures. The Ethiopian eunuch must have been a Jew going back to the Queen of Sheba; a proselyte to Judaism and was studying the scriptures which were required by the Jews. The Ethiopian eunuch didn’t understand that portion of scriptures he was reading. Philip opened the scriptures to him and explained that it was a prophecy about Jesus Christ, therefore he preached Christ to him, and this was the results.
Acts 8:35-39
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And 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 Phillip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
The Lord went to a lot of trouble to see to it that this Ethiopian eunuch received the gospel of Christ Jesus, the word of salvation and to be baptized into the body of Christ. From this event alone, it creates clarity, that water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is an essential part of the faith in Jesus Christ? Just think about it, Philip was sent into the desert to minister to this one man, the Ethiopian eunuch. Then they found water in the desert by which he could be baptized. Doesn’t this very fact make water baptism of some significance in relationship to the faith in Jesus Christ? Well he wasn’t the only one that the Lord went out of His way to save.
Once again God intervenes in the ministry of the Gospel, with the apostle Peter. Peter was at a Christian friend’s house waiting for supper, as recorded in the 10th chapter of Acts. The scripture opens with a Caesarean man called Cornelius; Italian Centurion and devout man of God. He had been as many others during this time a proselyte; a practice of the Jews for those desiring to follow Judaism.
To become a proselyte, first a sponsor would receive the price of a sacrifice to be made in that person’s name, and then after the sacrifice was made he would be Baptized (Purified) asking God to forgive his sins of Idolatry. Once this occurred, he would be considered born anew; a Jew, and circumcised on the eight day. This is why in the early Christian Church regarding the question of circumcision arose by some Jewish Christians.
Cornelius received a vision from God that he should go and retrieve Simon, surname Peter at Joppa. Simultaneously, Peter was receiving a vision also from God. God Says; what is clean is clean indeed. However proselytes had converted to Judaism, they were still not completely accepted as Jews or fellowship with them. Cornelius had sent his servants to fetch Peter and bring him to his house. Cornelius went ahead and prepared this man of God, Peter and invites the neighbors to join us. When Peter and fellow Jewish Christians arrived at Cornelius’s house and received Peter by bowing down and worshipping him. What occurred next; as Peter t the Gospel to all that were there; the Holy Ghost (Spirit) fell upon them just as the Day of Pentecost after which Peter commanded them all to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:44-48
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell upon all of them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was pour out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 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. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Be advised; those whom would say that you are a Christian and believe in God and Jesus Christ you better take the proper steps and become water baptized in his name.
There we have the great Apostle Paul which was the once called Saul, whom was persecuting the Church. We have his testimony of what occurred after our Lord appeared to Saul, blinding him on the road to Damascus, forcing him to wait at Damascus until a Christian Ananias came and ministered to him. Then we have the Apostle Paul’s own testimony when he spoke in Hebrew to the Jews at Jerusalem, when Ananias came to minister to him. Paul tells us that he was baptized for the washing away of his sins calling on the name of the Lord. This statement closes the question where one is to call upon the name of the Lord, and that is during water baptism. Just a reminder if you haven’t noticed, that in all cases, they were only dealing with adults, not children, nor infants with their parents; just adults. In fact you will not find in the New Testament one case when a child was preached or asked to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. You must be able to comprehend the words of the gospel and be able to make your own decisions.
Acts 9:15-18
“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou comest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
Acts 22; 12-16 (Paul’s Testimony)
“And one Ananius, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there. Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Some try to say that Saul had been saved on the road to Damascus. But if that was so, why did our Lord blind Saul? Preventing him from going anywhere except where He had told him to go. There he waited fasting and praying. Then God send a Christian believer, Ananias to minister to him. The reason being is that it takes a believer to minister the rite of water baptized and the gift of the Holy Spirit if necessary. After looking at these scripture in the book of Acts we can see that the early Christian Faith was accompanied by a deep spiritual religious experience, with supernatural occurrences, signs and wonders, which caused the world to take notice of the power of God. It is this that ultimately changed the known world at that time. It wasn’t some philosophical concept or intellectual ascent, but a spiritual experience, linking the believer with the True and Living God and His Son Jesus Christ. If you leave behind the true spiritual aspect of Christianity, all you have left is vain humanism, void of any true relationship with God the Father or His Son Jesus Christ. Unfortunately that is exactly where we find most of the Christian Churches of today, they are no more than modified Jews. This grieves my soul deeply, because the purposes of God are being unfulfilled and the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ is in some degree has been in vain. We continually try to dance around these simple truths, because we don’t want to deal with the lies and traditions from Catholicism, such as infant baptism, and we don’t want to offend anyone, even if it might mean their salvation.
When the Apostle Paul (Saul) being led by the Spirit went on missionary journey it lead him to the city of Corinth. He started preaching in the Jewish Synagogue there. When they heard his message of Jesus Christ some rejected his words. Thanks are to God there were some that were interested in the truth. A man named just us that lived next store to the Synagogue and the chief ruler, Crispus, wanted to hear more. After they heard Paul, they believed and were baptized. From this event the Church at Corinth began, whom Paul wrote two letters to, and is part of the New Testament Scriptures.
Acts 18:7
“And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshiped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”
During another one of the Apostles Paul’s missionary journeys he came upon the city of Ephesus. He though that he had found a group of Christian believers. But after being there with them; something was not right. He asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost (Spirit) since they believed. They replied that they hadn’t heard anything about the Holy Ghost (Spirit). Paul then asked; what were they baptized unto? They said John’s baptism. Paul then explained the difference between John’s baptism and Christian baptism. After they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and were filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit). This filling by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) was accompanied by the phenomenon of speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Acts 19:2-6
“He said to them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 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. And when Paul laid hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied.”
It seems to me that the filling of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) wasn’t an option, but the natural outcome of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and being baptized in His name. It is part of the work of the cross and Jesus going to be with God the Father. As for the speaking in tongues and prophesying, it is the influence of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) in or on the person that causes them to speak in unknown tongues and prophesy. These truths were the very foundation of the early Christian Church, and should have never been frowned upon or preached against. If the Church today is to have an impact on the world, we need to return to these biblical truths and spiritual experiences. As an adult you must ask yourself, do I have living faith in God, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, if so then, while you are being baptized in His name, you should expect to be filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit) with the signs following.
Many theologians and Christian teachers have used the Apostles Paul’s teachings in his letter to the Romans; 10:13″For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” to try to dismiss the need for Christian water baptism. May I point out that it was during water baptism that Paul himself called upon the name of the Lord for the washing away of his sins!
Acts 22:16
“And now why tarries thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Our problem is that we take scriptures out of context and then use them with a broad brush. All we need to do is look at an earlier chapter in the letter to the Romans, 6:3, 4 to see the true meaning of water baptism, as explained by the Apostle Paul.
Rom.6:3
“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.”
There are also those that try to pit the Apostle Paul against the Apostle Peter when it comes to doctrine. Above we see Paul analogy of being baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. And the Apostle Peter in his first letter makes an analogy with water baptism and the saving of Noah’s family, and that baptism saves us. They both went about preaching the gospel of Christ, baptizing those that believed and making sure that those believers were filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit).
1 Pet.3:18-21
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison Which sometime were disobedient, 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 where unto 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.”
Some have been confused by the terminology within the parentheses. So let’s look at the verse with the words in the parentheses removed. These words you will see in parentheses is another thought explaining water baptism. It would read as follows;
1 Pet.3:21
“The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
One of our greatest mistakes when we study the scriptures is that we forget that there is an order to, them. One must follow the right order if they are going to understand its true meaning. You can’t understand the creation, man’s fall or how the nation of Israel began without reading Genesis. Later on after the Exodus from Egypt, then their wilderness journey, and the ministry of God’s servant Moses, Aaron; he giving of the Ten Commandments, Joshua, and the going forth into Canaan Land, the establishment of the nation of Israel they all give forth understanding in regards to the Prophets and the period of time they prophesied.
When it comes to the New Testament, you first have to read the Gospels. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ, his death, resurrection, and ascension; followed by the book of Acts, the birth and growth of the Christian Faith through the ministry of Christ’s Apostles and faithful disciples. These Gospels are followed by the Epistles, letters to the believers of the early church. Understanding that those believers early Christians had repentance towards God the Father and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. They all had been water baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ and were filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit), evidenced by the speaking in tongues and prophesying. These guidelines are needed to be done, if a person is going to stay true to the scriptures and the teachings of Christ and His Apostles. You can’t just take any portions of scriptures out of context and apply it any way you feel like. Nor leave out that which you haven’t had a personal experience in, or couldn’t understand. The written word of God has been given to us by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) at a great cost to many of his servants. They brought to us the message of eternal life, sent to us by the grace of God. We need to adhere to the New Testament scriptures as it is written; in the same manor, they did during the first century Church.
Below are additional scriptures pertaining to water baptism as expressed in different aspects for us in the Epistles, letters to the Church
Gal.3:27
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Eph.4:4-6
“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.
Col.2:11-13
“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 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. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven all trespasses;”
Tit.3:5
“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 abundant through Jesus Christ our savior;
Heb.6:1
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.”
Having laid out and discussed for you most references to Christian water baptism, as recorded in the New Testament. I deliver my findings into your hands. That if any of you have faith and repentance towards God, and believe that Jesus Christ suffered and died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, and is at the right hand of God the Father. But you have not been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; you need to do so before it is too late. And the gift of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) will be freely given unto you, for it’s the promise of God the Father, through Christ Jesus. AMEN!