Water baptism is a public proclamation of a person’s repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and a way of giving outward testimony to an inward work of God.
Understand that water baptism is a public declaration of one stands with Jesus Christ! It’s a public confession.
Which means it is very necessary! During the time of Jesus Christ, John was about to deny Jesus of He baptizing him but listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 3:13-15;
[13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him. [14] But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me? [15] But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for [both of] us to fulfill all righteousness [that is, to perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.
Now, Jesus made it point blank here, He must be baptized so that all righteousness will be fulfilled!
What does it mean? in that dispensation, unless you are baptized you are not considered a born again!
And that was what John was sent to do. But one unique thing was, that John was also given deep revelations concerning Jesus Christ about the type of baptism He will bring. Look at it here,
I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [Matthew 3:11 Amplified Bible]
Look at that! It’s very powerful! Water Baptism is a baptism unto repentance! But what happens after repentance?.. … It’s the holy spirit baptism!
The holy spirit baptism is the seal of our salvation and not the water baptism! That doesn’t mean the water baptism is not important.. it’s important.. remember it’s your public confession of Christ. So when Jesus commissioned his disciples, look at what He instructed them to do;
Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,... Matthew 28:19 Amplified Bible
Look at that! Jesus talked of Both water Baptism and the Holy Spirit baptism here! Today we are having people in the church who are baptized with water but haven’t received the Holy Spirit baptism… It’s an error!
In our dispensation, He(Holy Spirit) is our guide and we live by the directions of the Holy Spirit! So the question now is, how can your life be accurate without the Holy spirit Baptism?
We must understand that, the holy spirit baptism is granted unto us when we ask of it from above!!! Without asking it can’t be granted! Yes! Ask and it shall be given! Just look at this scripture, Acts 19:1-6 and let’s analyze it..
[1]WHILE APOLLOS was in Corinth, Paul went through the upper inland districts and came down to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. [2] And he asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [on Jesus as the Christ]? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. [3] And he asked, Into what [baptism] then were you baptized? They said, Into John's baptism. [4] And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, continually telling the people that they should believe in the One Who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus [having a conviction full of joyful trust that He is Christ, the Messiah, and being obedient to Him]. [5] On hearing this they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And as Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in [foreign, unknown] tongues (languages) and prophesied.
Look at that! The entire disciples in Ephesus were baptized again to receive the Holy Spirit… That should tell us how necessary the Holy Spirit baptism is!
Now the truth is, most Ministers of God today ask and pray for the holy spirit baptism for you in the process of the water baptism.. that’s why you see new converts speaking in different languages in the water baptism process.
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