Baptism of the Holy Spirit

True Christians have learned a concept that folks in the world do not even begin to grasp. It is the concept of having Jesus Christ live in us, and the Father live in us also, and visa versa, we live in God. The best those of the world can figure about Jesus Christ is: “He is in our hearts.” (The Bible nowhere mentions, even remotely, “Give your heart to the Lord”). If those folks were able to come to terms with the reality of the “Baptism of Holy Spirit,” they would see that there is so very much more to the reality of God in us and we in God. Paul knew what the world is not able to recognize: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

What an incredible thought – that we can reside in Almighty God, and He can live in us!  “Baptism” means to plunge into, to immerse into, with the result being that we are enveloped by God and we start to become like Him. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Corinthians 5:17) Let’s understand this: When God is calling us to be saints, we do not have an option where we can take it or leave it. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates? (2Corinthians 13:5) Notice how Jesus repeated this deep truth:

“…That ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in Him.” (John 10:38) And, we are included in this intimate relationship!!! “At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20) Jesus clearly explained that He and the Father live in those who have been baptized and received God’s Spirit. “Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23)

A common refrain among Protestants is, “Invite the Lord into your heart.” The truth of the matter is that the human heart is no place to invite the Lord to come into. Just believe what God says about the way of thinking of the human heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man.” (Matthew 15:19-20) How can we make a transition from so horrid a state of being to one of reconciliation so that we might be in God, and He in us? John the beloved Apostle gives us the answer. Obviously, something major must take place before the presence of God can be in us. There are definite stipulations and conditions that must be met.

John the beloved Apostle and gospel writer summed it up this way to the repentant, converted Christians of his day – and it applies equally to the saints today: “He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him (God), and He in him. How do we know that He abides in us, and how is that possible? John continues with the answer: And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.” (1John 3:24) God’s Spirit dwells in converted people, and not in any earthly temple. “The most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” (Acts 7:48) Only Christians are the Temple of God. “…Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you.” (1Corinthians 6:19) However, keep in mind that the natural state of man’s heart is “deceitful above all things,” and is not a fit dwelling for God. How does the change come about which turns us into a suitable home for God to live in?

Paul explained to the Corinthians the great difference between converts and those who were not called out of the world by God (John 6:44,65). “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1Corinthians 2:12)

The baptism of John the Baptist was different from the baptism of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist said, “I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water [of repentance], the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizes with Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33)

The very last night before He died, Jesus prayed this prayer: “That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I am in you, that they also may be one in us.” (John 17:21) It has to do with our being baptized into God’s Holy Spirit. “Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name… of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) That is how deep our relationship with Jesus and the Father is to be – we live in one another. The baptism of Holy Spirit places the believer into the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, of which all the Children of God are a part.

Jesus initiated the baptism of Holy Spirit for the Church of God (Matthew 3:11). “Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Through the power of God's Spirit all believers will be resurrected and changed from mortal to immortal beings. "If the Spirit of [the Father] who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [make alive] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11) We will be fully Spirit, in the Family of God - just as "God is Spirit." (John 4:24)

Jesus said, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:5,7) “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” (John 6:56)

God in us and we in Him is our hope of the glorious resurrection of the saints. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them [of the world]: because greater is He that is in you, than he [Satan] that is in the world.” (1John 4:4) “This mystery which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, is now made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

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Sermon:

"Baptism of the Holy Spirit"