Baptisms
There are plenty of different Christian denominations out there. Many of these groups tend to have slightly different interpretations about certain ideas in the Bible, which means different "theology." For the majority, though, we all agree on the key things: We humans have sinned and done wrong; God sent Jesus his son to die for our sins, and then Jesus rose from the dead; all we have to do is believe this, ask forgiveness and submit to Jesus. That's all we need to become followers of Jesus. No big explanations or complicated prayers are required, just a few plain words to God.
Things tend to get a little more messy after this point as different view points pop up. The audience for my blog and Joel's blog is quite varied. As such, I'm not trying to dismiss or insult anyone else's interpretation of the Bible. However, some honest questions were asked so I want to give my own summary about this thing called "Baptism in the Holy Spirit."
There are three kinds of baptism.
1. Baptism into the body of Christ, also known as salvation.
2. Baptism in water, as a public testimony of our faith.
3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit, an outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit on a Christian.
The first one is the one that we all agree on. The next two are taught and/or performed differently from group to group. In my case, I think that each of these is a separate event in a person's life. They can happen together, though, if someone gets saved when there's a handy river nearby or something like that.
As Christians, I think that each of these three instances is important. However, the second and third steps are not absolutely necessary because salvation is the key one. These second and third steps do not mark some special point of maturity for Christians, they're just more steps along the journey.
One big difference from group to group is that some believe that the third part, baptism in the Holy Spirit, is done at the exact same time as the first part, during salvation. To that end, I recommend reading this article if you want to get into all of the nitty-gritty details and Bible references.
To quote one section from that article, the author says that at first, "I was totally against tongues and other charismatic views because of my doctrinal background." As he broke down the passages and references to the Holy Spirit, he was surprised to discover where it led him. From what I read, I think that he seems to have a pretty clear understanding about both sides of this thing called Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
If you're struggling with some of the tricky questions on this topic, or if you want to get into the Bible passages in detail, you can check that out further. Yeah, it's lazy of me but it saves me from typing a lot. Heh. If you have questions and you don't want to wade through all of that, please feel free to post comments here. Enjoy!
2 comments:
I appreciate the passages of scripture that were explored in the article which you recommended. There are a few thoughts I would like to add not regarding doctrine but the way of life of the early church.
We must remember that our very approach to understanding this subject is not how the early Christians would have received instruction. It was given to them through individuals who were living in the reality of what they were teaching. This was not some academic exercise to prove or disprove something. They weren’t carrying around Bibles with “but what about questions” of chapter x verse y. They were experiencing something which was alive and relevant to their well being.
The apostles knew that they were not to replace the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives. They knew that they wouldn’t be around forever or even extended periods of time. It wasn’t try this and see if you like it. It wasn’t tongues or no tongues. They didn’t leave them with a New Testament. (It didn’t exist) They didn’t want them to be dependent on them for the answers. It was, you are the “Body of Christ” here on Earth and you are to live and breathe and have your being, in the Head, Jesus Christ. When we’re gone, don’t worry, you will continue to grow and experience Him in ways that no man could ever teach you.
For the apostles, it was look at the difference in us prior to Pentecost. We were happy that Jesus rose from the dead but even more happy to stay hidden away from public scrutiny. On the day of Pentecost they literally flowed out into the public eye. This was not raw determination. This was not mere mental assent. This was not appropriating correct doctrine. This was a whole new way of experiencing Jesus. They would never have considered passing on doctrine as if that would bring new believers into a life of deepening and growing awareness of their savior. He is not a subject to be studied with casual academic interest. There was more needed than a simple chapter and verse dissection.
Jesus is to be experienced.
It’s why Paul after knowing Jesus in a very dynamic way for over 20 years could say,
Phil 3:10 (NIV) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
For Paul it was not about give me chapter and verse. It was that I might know Him.
How?
John 14:26 (NIV) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I wanted to comment on the idea that Baptism with water or the Spirit are just further steps along the way.
YES and NO.
What was the first command Jesus gave after people were saved?
If you check it out it was consistently the first caommand anyone gave in the NT when people got saved.....
Be Baptised.
Now if we believe that obedience to Jesus's word brings the blessing of his hand (submit = sub - under mit - hand .... literally under the hand) into our lives then how can we expect to have that in fulness when we have not followed the first thing he told us to do after we believe?
Just a thought....
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