About baptism in water and in the Spirit

This week we will look at how Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to totally get rid of your old life that created so many problems for you. Next week we will see how Jesus has provided for you to receive power to live an entire new life. Today’s lesson is a kind of an introduction to the following two weeks.

Exercise:

Have you been baptised in water?

When, where and how did it happen?

Being baptised in water and the Spirit

Repentance and faith are a new way of life, yes, a completely new life. Through this, Jesus has made it possible for us to get rid of the rags from the old life. He has given us baptism where we can lay aside the old clothes from the self-centred life we lived and put on the new team colours. We do not drink polluted water any more but we have a new royal spring of drinking water installed! This is what baptism in water and the Spirit is all about.

Jesus links repentance, faith and baptism in water and the Spirit. To turn around, to believe, and to be baptised in water and the Spirit are fundamental experiences for anyone who wants to be a Christian. Jesus says:

“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18-20)

“Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”(Mark 16:16)

“Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)

“In a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)

Baptism in water and the Spirit are such important experiences for the Christian that the Bible almost says that to be a Christian is to be baptised in water and the Holy Spirit. Both of these experiences are a vital part of our life with God and our commitment to him. The New Testament takes it for granted that believing in Jesus Christ immediately leads to baptism in water and the fullness of the Holy Spirit:

Those who accepted his message were baptised. (Acts 2:41)

…and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptised (Acts 18:8)

There he found some disciples and asked them, «Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?» (Acts 19:1-2)

On hearing this they were baptised into 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. (Acts 19:5-6)

In the following two weeks we will look at what the Bible teaches us about these two important experiences.

Exercise:

What happened to you when you were baptised?

Memorise the Great Commission, the last words of Jesus to his disciples:

“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18-20)