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8. Question: Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit really a secondary baptism apart from water baptism?
Answer: I personally believe that all the confusion concerning the many conflicting doctrines on this subject, lies in the fact that there are so many Bible teachers who have singled out separate parts of the whole and have made the parts into the whole without seeing the harmony of the whole. Does that make sense? In other words, one group has made speaking in tongues the all in all. Another makes water baptism the key to salvation. Some make the names or titles used in baptism into an idol. Others make the resulting experience the test of proof. And while I never claimed to be some all knowing theologian on the subject, it would seem to me that as we have seen in the book of Acts, some people believed and were filled with the Spirit before being water baptized, but yet these same individuals were immediately commanded to be baptized. Others were water baptized unto the baptism of John, yet once they were further enlightened they were baptized in the name of the resurrected Lord and received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Yet the point is that they all believed! And they all went on into the fullness of their salvation experience naturally in that they were all water baptized in the name and/or person of Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit was faithful not to leave them ignorant of His will.
Therefore, in answer to the above question: “Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit really a secondary baptism apart from water baptism?” I would have to say both Yes! And No! Because, yes, for the people of that day and hour who were already baptized by John the Baptist, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (resulting in the reception of the Holy Spirit) was indeed a second baptism. Yet for us in this day and hour who can not possibly receive the baptism of John, water baptism and the following reception of the Holy Spirit is not a second baptism; Rather, it is one baptism in its complete reality. As it is written:
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6
My point is that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the spiritual counterpart of the Believer's water baptism and/or the Believer's water baptism is the physical reality of the Holy Spirit's power in the Believer's life unto their soul's salvation. In other words it's one baptism (Both the physical and spiritual reality of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) which joins that which is of the earth with that which is of the Spirit;
Thus, through our physical baptism we enter into the death of Jesus Christ by faith and that which is born of the flesh is reckoned crucified. (See Galatians 2:20) And that which is of the Spirit is conceived through the infilling of the Holy Ghost that we should walk in newness of life. (See 2nd Corinthians 5:17) Being also buried with Him by baptism that through the operation of God we might be transformed by the power of His Spirit as a seed is transformed in the earth before breaking out of its shell into its new creation. As it is written:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:3-6
“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. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2:12-14
The word: “Operation” in the above passage is the Greek word: “energeia” which we get our word “Energy” from and it means an efficient, strong and effectual working. And this word is derived from the Greek: “energes” which carries the meaning of being an active and powerful working; Thus, in baptism the old self life is reckoned dead and buried as the new spiritual life is growing within being energized by the power of the Holy Spirit who enables and quickens us to walk in His Spirit awaiting the resurrection of our mortal bodies. As it is written:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:1-25
Thus, through baptism we are “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1st Peter 1:23) To be physically raised in the time of the resurrection as born again creatures sown in sin and death but raised in righteousness and life. As it is written:
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” 1Corinthians 15:42-50
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