Baptism: the New Birth Experience

[Lisa]

I don't care about yours or others feelings here. As I said you are free to ignore it. But I will continue to post as I see fit and that's that. Its not about you, its about God.

Who are you posting stuff for then?

 

[phipps]

How do I receive the Holy Spirit at baptism?

The apostle Peter summed it up in Acts 2:38: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

So there’s a process here. First he says to “repent.” Repenting is just a theological term for changing your mind and heart to turn towards God. It means realizing that you have sin in your life, that you regret those sins, and then resolving to follow God. But it’s not a one-time event; it’s a way of life. Being baptized means you are inviting God to live in you so He can help you make this life-long change.

After you take that first step of repentance, then comes baptism. Being fully submersed in water makes for a powerful metaphor: You’re burying the old you in a watery grave; the new you who comes up out of the water is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). After you come up out of the water, a minister of Jesus Christ lays hands on you and prays for God to give His Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). God gives it to you then—and no, it doesn’t come down like a dove or with tongues of fire. You probably won’t feel dramatically different after you come out of the water. You know you have received it because God promises to give it to you when you repent in faith and follow the steps outlined.

Once you have the Holy Spirit, you have access to something incredible: the very power and essence of God. It is a spirit of “power, of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). The power of God is what you can draw on to make bold and dramatic decisions in your life. The love of God is what you can draw on to let go of the hurts caused you by others, and to love them back. And the sound mind of God is what you can draw on to be calm, disciplined and unafraid in the face of the greatest, most challenging trials of life. With God’s Spirit, you can lean on God to help you beat back the negativity of the world, to shoulder the worst disappointments, to continue on in the face of withering sorrow, and to destroy the hatred of Satan.

Notice that I said that with God’s Spirit, you can do all those things. Receiving it does not make you perfect. It does not pave the road of life with gold. If you think about all the people you know who have been baptized, there are no doubt people who come to mind who have done things wrong; or who have hurt you; or who are mean. Everybody is fighting a hard battle. Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes. But leading a life of repentance means we can and should depend on the power of the transformational Spirit of God every single day to acknowledge those mistakes and then fix them.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit at baptism?

The apostle Peter summed it up in Acts 2:38: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

www.ucg.org

 

[phipps]

Baptism is important.

"Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

According to Jesus, baptism is essential for salvation. Baptism is mentioned over 100 times in the New Testament. It should not be treated as non-essential. At conversion, the change in a person is so radical and the turning point so crucial in a life that Jesus said the event must be made official by the great ceremony of baptism. To demonstrate its importance, He Himself, was baptised. Then he included baptism as part of His great commission to his church (Matthew 28:18-20).

 

[phipps]

Baptism pleases God.

Once a person has met Jesus' conditions for baptism, they should be baptised immediately (Acts 22:16).

"But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him" (Luke 7:30). If we refuse baptism, we are rejecting the "counsel of God."

When Jesus was baptised, the Father said, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).

When people follow Jesus into baptism, He is pleased with them too.

 

[phipps]

More on Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

According to the Bible there are two main ways we receive the Holy Spirit:

First, the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, then it convicts us to repent and accept Jesus as our personal Saviour and leads us to water baptism. This work of the Holy Spirit is for everyone.

The next work of the Holy Spirit is to fill the Christian with His presence so he or she can truly live the Christian life and do the works of God. This is the Baptism of the Holy spirit, this work of the Holy spirit is not for the unbeliever, but the believer in Jesus Christ. They will already have some vital relationship with Jesus to expect to be filled with the Holy Spirit. They will have repented, been baptised by water, are obedient and submitted their lives to Christ.

It wasn’t pagans who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. And it wasn’t the Jews who fought against Christ. Rather it was those who had been walking side by side with Jesus for three-and-a-half years. They were ready for it.

 

[phipps]

Examples in the Bible of Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

1. The first example is Jesus Christ himself. Jesus did not start His ministry until after He was Baptised by water and the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:21-22, "When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

The Bible tells us in the book of Luke that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and ministered with "power", "Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region" (Luke 4:1, 14).

2. The second example is Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Baptism of the Holy spirit before they went to preach the gospel in Jerusalem and the whole world, "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” (Acts 1:4-5).

Jesus told them they would receive power to witness when they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The disciples obeyed Christ and waited while praying in unity for the promise of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14).

In answer to their ten days of praying, they received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, "When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).

3. Phillip the disciple preached in Samaria and many men and women accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour and got baptised by water (immersion). But they had not been Baptised by the Holy Spirit so Peter and John were sent to lay hands on them and Baptise them with the Holy Spirit, "But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:12-17).

4. When Saul (later the apostle Paul) meets Christ on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-7), He directs Saul to go to Damascus to await further instruction. Then Christ sent Ananias to Saul to lay hands on him so he can receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and healing of His sight, "And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18). As a result of Paul being filled with the Holy Spirit, he increased in more strength (spiritual strength), "But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 9:22).

 

[phipps]

Water baptism alone is not enough.

Some may ask, “Isn’t every believer filled with the Holy Spirit at baptism?” Apparently not, according to the Bible.

The experience of the Samaritan believers seems to verify the fact that not all baptised believers are filled with the Holy Spirit at their baptism. In Acts 8 we read that when Philip baptised a number of men and women, the disciples in Jerusalem heard about it and sent Peter and John to Samaria. Luke records what happened next:

“who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:15-17)

In the selection of the seven deacons, men who were not known to be filled with the Holy Spirit were not selected. Hence, being filled with the Holy Spirit was something distinct and observable. What then was this observable difference? It seemed that these Spirit filled men had developed a reputation among the believers. The qualification of “honest” would appear to indicate that perhaps these men were living exemplary, victorious lives under the power of the Holy Spirit. Their being asked to “serve” might indicate that under the filling of the Holy Spirit, their lives were a great blessing to others. Their lives were perhaps more of a blessing than the believers who were not filled or Baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 6:1-5, "Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch."

 

[phipps]

How do we receive or get Baptised by the Holy Spirit?

From the Bible we can see there are different ways of receiving or getting baptised by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus got baptised by the Holy Spirit on the same day that He got baptised by water. Some people get baptised by water and the Holy Spirit on the same day like Jesus was.

The disciples on Pentecost day received or got baptised by the Holy Spirit (on a separate day than their water baptisms) with tongues of fire that sat on each of them and they began to speak in tongues (in different languages).

When preached at Cornelius' house, "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” " (Acts 10:44-47). These also received or got baptised with the Holy Spirit before water baptism. Some people receive or get the Holy Spirit before they are baptised by water but they still have to have both baptisms.

Peter and John lay hands on the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit (on separate occasions from their water baptisms).

Ananias lay hands on Saul to receive or get baptised with the Holy Spirit before his water baptism.

And there are other instances where hands are laid on people in the Bible to receive or get baptised with the Holy Spirit.

However it is not necessary to have hands laid on a Christian to receive the Holy Spirit. The laying on of hands is simply a ceremonial act similar to ordaining a deacon or elder for his office. Its wonderful if that happens, but all a Christian has to do is claim by faith God's promise of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 3:14, "That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." The Spirit will make His presence known soon after the request is made in faith.

 

[phipps]

What happens when one receives or is Baptised by the Holy Spirit?

What happens when we ask God for the filling of or the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? A few examples of the changes the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will bring to the life of the receiver are: a stronger desire to study God’s Word, more earnest prayers, and changes in lifestyles and activities, a deeper repentance of sins.

The filling of the Spirit is necessary for the believer to walk victoriously in Christ. One does not “know” Christ in the fullest, biblical sense without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is illustrated in the parable of the 10 virgins as well as in other Scriptures where Christ speaks of not “knowing” someone.

Knowing the teachings of the Bible or taking part in active ministry in the Church is not a substitute for knowing Jesus intimately through the Baptism of the Holy spirit.

Water baptism is similar to the wedding service, while the Spirit Baptism is symbolized by the consummation of the marriage when the bride “knows” her bridegroom. Satan will resist this work fiercely, for he is aware that the Spirit’s infilling will break his power in the believer’s life.

Understanding and experiencing the infilling of the Holy Spirit is second in importance only to understanding and accepting Christ as our Saviour. Nor is there any more important work for the believer than to seek the Spirit’s infilling and learn to walk victoriously in the Spirit.

Whether seeking this wonderful experience for oneself or seeking to lead others into this experience, one must move prayerfully. Satan will do all he can to cause confusion and prevent it. We must guard against outright rejection of the teaching, which will lead to rejection of the Spirit. We must also guard against fanaticism, holier than thou attitudes, pride, a feeling or belief we already have achieved it (which is Laodicea’s problem), or the attitude of feeling unworthy to receive it. Many who believe they already have the infilling of the Spirit are willing to have special prayer to ask for even a greater infilling. Elisha saw no problem in requesting a greater portion of the Spirit than had his predecessor, as evidenced in 2 Kings 2:9.

One writer wrote, "When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced, love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness and the countenance reflects the light of heaven" (Desire of ages, pg 173).

 

[phipps]

The infilling of the Holy Spirit must be renewed everyday.

Once we get receive or get baptised with the Holy Spirit that is not it. Its is not a "once and forever" experience. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul says the inward man is renewed day by day. We need the renewing of the Holy Spirit in our lives daily. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." This is spiritual growth (sanctification), is a process and we must have the Holy Spirit renewed in us daily to grow in Christ.

 

[phipps]

10 facts about Baptism we must know from the Bible!!!

Many sincere Christians are confused about this important topic. They want to give their lives fully to Jesus but wonder if baptism is essential to salvation. The Bible says it is!

This a conclusion on all I've posted on baptism in this thread.

1. There is only form of Baptism in the Bible.
Ephesians 4:5, "...one Lord, one faith, one baptism." God is particular about how we should be Baptized. There is only one form of true Baptism in the Bible.

Matthew 15:9, "And in vain they WORSHIP me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men".

Following the teaching of men is worthless in God's eye.

2. True Baptism involves full submersion under water.
Acts 8:38-39, "So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing."

In the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch we can see that they went down into the water and they came up out of the water. The Ethiopian was fully submerged under the water. This is the only method of Baptism described throughout the Bible.

3. Baptism has profound symbolism biblically.
Romans 6:4-6, "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."

Baptism is compared to Christ's death, burial and resurrection as we go down under the water it symbolizes burial and death to sin as we rise up out of the water it symbolizes Resurrection to a new life in Christ. Without full submersion in water this profound symbolism is lost.

4. Jesus was Baptised by submersion under water.
Mark 1:9-10, "It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove."

Jesus was Baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan and immediately came up from water. This shows that Jesus also participated in the true biblical baptism by going under the water and we must not forget Jesus is our Example and that we are to follow Him in all things.

1 Peter 2:21, "For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps."

5. Baptism is necessary for salvation.
Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

Its very clear that the Bible teaches Baptism is necessary for salvation but it is not the actual act of Baptism that saves us. The Bible tell us in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not or yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works , lest any one should boast." Our works or actions prove that our faith is real and genuine because we are obeying and submitting to God. We are not saved by work though. James 2:26 says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Baptism is an outward sign of our faith, obedience, submission and commitment to God.

James 4:17, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." If we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbour as we love ourselves, we will obey God's commandments and will, but if we refuse, we are in rebellion towards Him. Many ask about the thief on the Cross. He was not Baptized but he was saved. Why? Because the thief on the cross did not have an opportunity to be baptized but us we do and most people do. Jesus knew that the thief was genuine and if we give our heart to Jesus too, our actions will follow. If we have the opportunity to be baptized we should be.

6. Teaching goes along with Baptism.

The Bible clearly unites baptism with teaching.
Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen."

In some ways Baptism is like before a couple gets married. It's important to get to know some basics about the person you are committing your entire life to. The same way it's important to know the basics about the Bible, Jesus and the plan of salvation before you are Baptized. Before we unite ourselves with Christ we should understand some things about Him. We don't have to know everything but it's important to have a clear understanding of some things before making this great decision of Baptism.

7. True repentance must come before Baptism.
As mentioned above, Baptism involves dying to our old life of sins and choosing to live new life of obedience to Christ, therefore one must repent of all their sins before being Baptized.

Acts 2:38, "Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins". And According to the Bible true repentance involves forsaking and turning from our sins."

Proverbs 28:13, "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."

8. Baptism is connected with joining a Church.
Throughout scripture we see the importance of gathering together with other believers. In fact a body of Christ is the church. Colossians 1:18 says, "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."

Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many."

9. Re-baptism is biblical.
In the Bible there are few examples of re-baptism.

Acts 19:2-5, "...he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? ”So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

Here we can see these individuals were re-baptized after learning a new doctrine. When Christians learn a new doctrine or teaching that they didn't previously know about that is an acceptable reason to be baptized. Re-baptism is also appropriate for those who were Baptized with an unbiblical method. For example is they were baptised as babies or those who have rebelled against God and made a major departure from the faith and come back to God.

10. If we refuse to get baptised we are rejecting God.
This is what the Bible says about the seriousness of Baptism. Luke 7:30, "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him." So if we refuse to get baptized we are not rejecting men but rejecting God by not doing His will and following His example too.

What Baptism does not do!
1. Baptism may not make you feel better.

2. Baptism alone will not change your heart.

3. Baptism itself does not save you.

4. Baptism does not take away temptations.

 

[phipps]

 

[phipps]

 

[Flarepath]

...Baptism is necessary for salvation.....
...Baptism itself does not save you.

Make up your mind mate..

 

[Alanantic]

What do you need to be saved from???

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.” -- Marcus Aurelius

 

[phipps]

Make up your mind mate..

Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Again He said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Plus He told (commanded) the apostles to, "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” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus Himself got baptised by water and the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:9-10) as an example to us. Baptism is the outward act of our inward conversion of Christ. Its an act of obedience to Christ too.

However none of our works save us. We are saved by grace through Christ. This is the gift of salvation. Our obedience and works prove who we follow, who we've chosen as our Lord and Saviour.

So those two statements are correct. Baptism does not save us because only Christ does through grace. But if we don't get baptised that is proof of our disobedience and rejection of Christ's gift of Salvation for us because we have to do God's will to be saved.

 

[Flarepath]

I once asked a baptist minister at a big baptist rally "I haven't been baptised so will I be going to hell?" and he replied with a smile "No, you won't"..

 

[Flarepath]

..Baptism does not save us because only Christ does through grace. But if we don't get baptised that is proof of our disobedience and rejection of Christ's gift of Salvation for us because we have to do God's will to be saved.

Baptism was around long before anybody had even heard of him, so what were those people getting baptised for?

 

[phipps]

I once asked a baptist minister at a big baptist rally "I haven't been baptised so will I be going to hell?" and he replied with a smile "No, you won't"..

If we know we have to baptised as Jesus was and we don't, then I'm afraid we will go to hell, if we don't repent and get baptised. Its how much light we have and what we did with it that matters.

 

[phipps]

Baptism was around long before anybody had even heard of him, so what were those people getting baptised for?

I don't know but biblical baptisms have to be immersion baptisms, and we have to be baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No other kind of baptism is acceptable to God.