It appears that many within the modern day religious culture want to delete all traces of water baptism from the scriptures. I have even seen pastors refer to the scriptural account of water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ as "erroneous teaching created by those who wish to reject the Biblical evidence and teaching of the baptism in the Holy Ghost." Thus, in order to justify baptism in the Holy Ghost, these read over the rest of the commandment to be water baptized, going straight to the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
For example, let's examine Acts 2:36-39. Herein, Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) is telling those who are listening that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. When pricked in their hearts, these asked Peter what they must do to be saved. Peter said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) Quickly hurrying on, these move directly to Acts 2:39 confirming an earlier prophecy from Joel, saying, "For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39)
The argument is that one cannot understand Paul's writings concerning the Holy Ghost without understanding first what the author of Acts stated concerning the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, the argument that is oft made is this. "Peter did say that those who were born again would “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38), which is followed immediately by verse 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.”
These particular scriptures from Acts 2 mirror the message of salvation. First, one must repent and turn away from their old life, making Jesus both Lord and Christ in their hearts. Second, one must be water baptized/buried in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38; I Peter 3:21-23) Third, having repented, and been water baptized, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Combined with Jesus' commandment to love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love one another, this is the plan of salvation. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Further, since Jesus Himself as our example (and His disciples) were water baptized.
But instead of acknowledging that water baptism in the precious Name of Jesus is critical to being buried into Christ (according to Acts 2; Acts 10; Acts 19; Romans 6; I Peter 1) those who want to rewrite the gospel jump directly to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift, as described in Acts 2:4 including being "filled with the Holy Ghost," and "speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4)
You see, by eliminating the necessity of water baptism for the remission of your sins, the "every" in Acts 2:38 (interpreted as all who are born again) can then be associated with being baptized in the Holy Ghost. The same evidence is cited from Acts 8:4-25. Philip is preaching to the Samaritans, who receive him with great joy. But the Holy Ghost had not yet fallen upon any of them. Why? Because as the scripture states: "(For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.)" (Acts 8:16-17)
At this point, one commentator I read is jumping up and down because these who believed in this example received the Holy Ghost. Not because these devout men and women were obedient and water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus beforehand, or that the reason none of these had received the Holy Ghost was because they had not yet been water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
"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." (I Peter 3:21)
"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." (Acts 8:12)
Water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
But this point gets lost in the interpretation if one does not believe in water baptism. So, we hear teachings emanating from pulpits, such as -- "How much clearer can God’s Word be, to make the point that the baptism of the Holy [Ghost] is an experience which FOLLOWS one being born again?"
Of course, no one is disputing the importance or relevence of the Holy Ghost. Neither is there any issue with receiving the gifts of the Spirit as apostle Paul explained in I Corinthians 11-15. Still, by completely ignoring water baptism as a necessary and normative part of the Christian experience is like telling someone half the story. A half truth that has no foundation in the Word of God.
Further evidence is found in Acts 10. Peter is preaching to Cornelius and his household. Like the first 3,000 souls on the day of Pentecost, Cornelius and his household "gladly" received the gospel of Jesus Christ and were water baptized.
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on thee Gentiles also was poured 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." (Acts 10:44-48)
Paul delivers a similar message in Acts 19:1-7.
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 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 this, 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. And all the men were about twelve." (Acts 19:1-7)
And what about the following scriptures?
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 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 this, 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. And all the men were about twelve." (Acts 19:1-7)
And what about the following scriptures?
"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." (Colossians 2:12)
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)
"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him ..." (Matthew 3:16) *This was a sign to John the baptist confirming to him that Jesus was indeed the prophesied Lamb of God!
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47)
"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down BOTH into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:38)
"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
"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." (Romans 6:4)
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:3)"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)
"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him ..." (Matthew 3:16) *This was a sign to John the baptist confirming to him that Jesus was indeed the prophesied Lamb of God!
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47)
"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down BOTH into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:38)
"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
"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." (Romans 6:4)
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:3)"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
There are other scriptural examples as well, but for now, let this suffice to say that water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus is a necessary and integral part of salvation ... and, as a consequence, "ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
Why? Because in responding to the good news gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, you have accepted the Lord Jesus into your heart as both your Lord and Christ. As Peter (standing with the eleven) declared on the day of Pentecost, "every one of you" -- all 3,000 souls needed to repent, and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus so that they could/would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that 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." (Matthew 3:11)
Stand in the offering plate.
Stand in the offering plate.
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