Doctrine of Baptisms

Preached by Ps Jude Blayney

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Baptize means "to dip" or "to immerse completely".

John 15:5 "without me you can do nothing". The grace of God is what we need. We must recognise our eternal, complete need of God. Baptism is the outward recognition of that need. The need for the grace of God to rule our hearts.

Two Main baptisms occur in the Bible

	Water baptism
	Holy Spirit

Water Baptism

Water Baptism Is Not Optional: It Is Commanded To All Believers.

Jesus commanded it (Mark 16:16).

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved"
Jesus Himself was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17).

Peter commanded it (Acts 10:47, 48).

"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Paul baptized believers (Acts 19:1-5).

What Are The Requirements For Baptism?

	Hearing and obeying the Word of God (Acts 19:5), When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
	Conviction of sin (Acts 2:37-39).
	Repentance must precede baptism (Acts 2:38).
	Faith (Mark 16:16, Acts 8:36-37).

Water Baptism publicly declares our complete need of a saviour. I don't get baptised to be saved, I get baptised because I am saved.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Because you are saved you realise that you need more power in your life. You need an empowering from a greater source - baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

A. The Holy Spirit is not a mere influence or power. He is the third personality of the Godhead (I John 5:7).

B. He is a person, for He:

	Speaks (Acts 13:2)
	Works (1 Corinthians 12:11).
	Teaches (John 14:26).
	Guides (John 16:13).

How Is The Holy Spirit Symbolically Represented In The Scriptures?

	Dove (Matthew 3:16).
	Water (John 4:14; John 7:38, 39).
	Rain (Joel 2:23).
	Oil (Psalm 89:20).
	Wind (John 3:8; Acts 2:2).
	Fire (Luke 3:16; Isaiah 4:4; Acts 2:3).

What Other Names Are Used For The Holy Spirit?

	Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of Wisdom, Spirit of Understanding, Spirit of Counsel, Spirit of Might, Spirit of Knowledge and Spirit of the Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
	Spirit of Christ (I Peter 1:11).
	Spirit of Prophecy (Revelation 19:10).
	Spirit of Glory (I Peter 4:14).
	Helper or Comforter (John 14:26).
	Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14).
	Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:13).

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today.

The Holy Spirit moved in the Old Testament:

	Bezaleel (Exodus 35:30, 31).
	Samson (Judges 15:14).
	David (Matthew 22:43).
	The Old Testament Prophets (II Peter 1:21).

It was a prophetic promise of the Old Covenant:

	Spirit to be poured out upon thy seed (Isaiah 44:3). "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;"
	New Spirit put within (Ezekiel 36:26). "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
	Spirit to be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28, 29).
	Spirit of grace and supplication to be poured out (Zechariah 12:10).

New Testament testifies to the authenticity of the Holy Spirit Baptism:

	John the Baptist referred to it (Mark 1:8). "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." This scripture was initially fulfilled at Pentecost (cf. Acts 1:5; 2:1-4), then in Samaria (Acts 8:14-17) and later at the house of the Gentile Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48; 11:16).
	Jesus commanded the apostles to wait in Jerusalem to receive it. (Luke 24:49) "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Acts 1:4-5), And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
	Peter refers to the promise on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:33).

It's for all generations (Acts 2:39):

"For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

	It was a promise unto you (those present).
	To your children (future generation).
	To all who are afar off.

He has not limited this provision to a "select" few.

How do you know if you have it or not?

On the Day of Pentecost, believers spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4).

The Samaritans received power that was visible (Acts 8:14-25).

Jesus said we would speak with new tongues, if we believe (Mark 16:17).
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;"

The Ephesians' elders spoke with other tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:1-6).

These references clearly relate speaking in tongues to the Holy Spirit Baptism. The evidence of the Holy Spirit Baptism is speaking with tongues.

God has instituted baptism as an outward sign to the unbeliever that there exists a power much greater than them.

Both baptisms are meant to be a witness to the world. (1 Corinthians 14:22)