“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
Most people you encounter in life associate baptism or “getting baptized” with water.
It is rare to hear someone speak of another baptism with Holy Spirit and Fire. Why is that?
I believe the Apostle Paul gave the answer at 2 Cor 4:4. There he says …
‘The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Because one proclaims themselves a believer does not mean that they are believers in the eyes of Christ. He said at Matthew 7:21-23 …
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
So, here we have many claiming they know Christ – they are certain of it – yet, the shocking reality is that Jesus never knew them. Never recognized them as his followers. This is the status of the so-called believing world today. Ninety-nine-point-nine-nine percent do not know the true Christ. They know the Christ that they created and fashioned. Thus, a false Christ. This should not be surprising, yet many are shocked when I say this.
Therefore, it is Satan who has clouded the truth about Christs’ baptism. He has influenced the so-called believing world to engage in a water baptism ritual that is of John the Baptizer.
I am fully aware that many are emotionally vested in their religious beliefs. I know it provokes anger in many when they are told that they are practicing something Jesus never instituted or commanded. It is not my intent to anger anyone.
One of my concerns is why so many resist the greater baptism of Jesus Christ and insist on water baptism.
At Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commanded …
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Notice that the baptizing is in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Not in the name of water.
What Was Christs Example?
Frankly, he never baptized his disciples in water. His disciples never baptized those they made disciples – in obedience to Jesus’ command at Matthew 28:19-20 – in water.
Does blind subborness and/or loyalty to the teachings of the religious organizations and systems prompt one from considering that a grave error has been made with regards the issue of baptism?
If the majority of the world views water baptism as proper, then one should be concerned. Only a few will enter into the narrow gate. The majority have entered into wide gate.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
How Does One Receive Baptism of Holy Spirit and Fire?
The answer is given by Jesus at Matthew 7:7 …
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Prayer.
And …
At Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus tells us that we must first receive his teachings. This is ongoing and leads to maturity. One limits themselves if they think his teachings are only and exclusively in a book called the Bible. The Bible is of the earth below, Christ is from above.
He teaches his true disciples from the vast spirit realm. Asking for enlightenment, illumination, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom opens the door to that realm. We become spiritual persons, not earthly book persons. We store up treasures in that spiritual realm where “where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
We become spiritual persons. We become misunderstood persons that this world will view as a virus that must be eliminated.
So we must be accept Christs’ continual teaching and we must obey everything he commands of us. Water baptism -among many things taught in this world – is not a commandment of his. (Matthew 28:19-20)
That he is always with his disciples – as stated at Matthew 28:19-20 – he is still able to teach us. Are you listening? (Luke 9:35)
Seriously think about this.
