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| The Six Basic Teachings
of Christianity (Part 3) Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone! Baptisms The first thing we notice here is that the word baptism is plural: baptisms, not baptism. As we look into the Scripture we discover that there are 7 baptisms mentioned. Here they are:
The word baptism comes from the Greek word “baptizein”, which means to whelm, or to cover completely in a liquid. The normal mode of water baptism, then, is to dip a person under the water. Then he is “baptized”. He has been whelmed or covered in a liquid. John's Baptism John's baptism was unique, in that no one had ever baptized before. He received his instructions directly from God. And it was such an unusual thing that large crowds flocked to the Jordan River to watch. “And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:1-6 “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4 Christ's Baptism One of the strongest supports for water baptism is that Jesus Himself was baptized. Not only was He baptized, but also something very supernatural took place as He came up out of the water. Notice: He “came up out of the water”. That meant that He was down in the water being baptized by John. “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11 If anything would make every Christian want to be baptized it should be this passage. Not only did Jesus submit to water baptism, but when He did the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and a voice from heaven spoke. Truly this act is pleasing to God! Baptism of Suffering This is probably the least popular one of the seven baptisms, but nonetheless a very Scriptural one. Every believer, sooner or later, will experience the baptism of suffering. It would help prepare us so very much if we were taught about it ahead of time. Then when it happens to us we would not be so confused and shocked. We should expect suffering as a very basic part of Christian growth and maturity. Some of the most wonderful people of God that I have known have passed through great suffering. They have had a baptism of suffering. Jesus experienced this baptism of suffering by going to Calvary's cross and suffering there and dying for our sins. He also endured the suffering of rejection by His own people, especially the religious leaders. But becoming sin for us, suffering on the cross, and being separated from His Father was the real baptism of suffering. We can scarcely imagine what agony this must have been for Him. “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.” Luke 12:50 The prophecy that was spoken over the apostle Paul clearly prepared him for some of the trials, which he endured. “Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” Acts 9:15-16 “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times I received forty stripes save one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck, and night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 Not only did Jesus suffer; the apostle Paul suffered, too. There is certainly a baptism of suffering that is part of the Christian experience. And we are told about it ahead of time in the Bible. Baptism in the Cloud and in the Sea “Moreover, brothers, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 The Bible tells us that “ . . . all these things happened to them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 So even though no one had physically been water baptized prior to John's baptism, as the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea unharmed, it was a foreshadowing of the New Testament baptism. Moses obeyed God and commanded the Israelites to cross over the Sea on dry ground. As they did so they were delivered from the Egyptian army that was pursuing them. The typology here is very clear. Satan's hold upon our lives is broken as we place our faith in Christ, obey Him in water baptism, and as it were cross over to the other side—the other Kingdom, God's Kingdom! Baptism into Christ and His Body When a believer is baptized in water there is something happening that cannot be seen with the human eye. As we obey the Lord by allowing someone to immerse us in water we are signifying that our old life is over and we are starting anew. Water baptism is very closely associated and tied in with repentance from dead works. The foundation blocks not only support the spiritual building; they help to support each other. “Don't you know 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 from now on we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:3-6 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews, or Gentiles, whether we are bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27 God gives the Holy Spirit to them that obey Him. A supernatural release takes place inside a person at water baptism. Most people who are baptized actually feel it. I have baptized people who have seen the heavens open up to them. Many believers that I have baptized in water also receive the Holy Spirit as they come up out of the water. They received two baptisms almost simultaneously: water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit Baptism Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. People may lay hands on you and pray with you, they may give you instruction out of God's Word, but Jesus Himself does the baptizing. So if you want to be baptized with the Holy Spirit pray something like this: “Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross for my sins. I believe that three days later you were raised from the dead. I believe according to Your Word that You baptize with the Holy Spirit. Please baptize me now with the Holy Spirit. Amen.” “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.” Luke 3:16 (Isn't it interesting that many of us know John 3:16, but we have overlooked Luke 3:16?) “ . . . Every man at the beginning sets forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but You have kept the good wine until now.” John 2:10 “Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: or else the bottles break, and the wine runs out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17 “. . . These men are full of new wine.” Acts 2:13 “ . . . Their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yes, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.” Zechariah 10:7 “. . . I will prophesy to you of wine . . .” Micah 2:11 “Awake, you drunkards, and weep; and howl, all you drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it is cut off from your mouth.” Joel 1:5 “ . . . The wine that they should drink.” Daniel 1:16 “Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry out, and cry: they are drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.” Isaiah 29:9 “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 11:19 “For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost in just a few days.” Acts 1:5 “But you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses . . .” Acts 1:8 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4 “Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 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 2:38-39 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard the Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:14-17 “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto you in the way as you came has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 9:17 (Even the apostle Paul, who could speak five languages and was very well educated, received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, You are my beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22 (If Jesus and Paul needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, we surely need it, too!) “While Peter yet spoke 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 the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they herd them speak with tongues, and magnify God . . .” Acts 10:44-46 “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” Acts11:15 “He [Paul] said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then Paul said, John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to 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 spoke with tongues, and prophesied.” Acts 19:2-6 “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Romans 15:19 “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 “This only would I learn of you, did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:2 “God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6 “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Galatians 4:29 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 “ . . . Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” Ephesians 3:20-21 “ . . .Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God . . .” Ephesians 4:30 “For unto you it is give in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9 “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfil it.” Colossians 4:3 “For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the Word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.” 1Thessalonians 2:13 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 “Yes, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12 “You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” Hebrews 1:9 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:2 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8 “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, says the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:9 “ . . . The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” Isaiah 10:27 “But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27 “ . . .This is the Word of the Lord . . . Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 “And I will raise Me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in My heart and in My mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed forever.” 1 Samuel 2:35 <-- Back to TEACHING Main Page Contact Us! Full Life Crusade 1-574-267-7546 EMAIL |