Thanks DavidTree for your comments. It important to keep in mind the meaning of the word itself, the word baptize, when looking at it in scripture. The word means 'to wash'. Specifically it is meaning to be washed free from the stain or penalty of sin. It is meaning forgiven in that respect. I don't place any importance to any ceremonies called baptisms in organizations these days. Rather, I think it is good to know why the word baptism occurs in scripture. For example, we read: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" This does not mean he that believes and has a baptism ceremony will be saved. Rather, it means he that believes and is washed free from the stain and penalty of sin will be saved. And why does a person who is saved believe? It is because the Lord gave that person his Spirit so that he could believe. Thus, that person is washed free from sin due to the fact that God gave him his own Spirit to believe on and to trust in Jesus. So, we can say that that person is baptised in the Spirit. They are washed free from sin and they have the Spirit. Otherwise God would simply say that they have the Spirit. Why put the word baptise in there at all. To emphasize that they are washed, forgiven.
After water Baptism
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Thanks DavidTree for your comments. It important to keep in mind the meaning of the word itself, the word baptize, when looking at it in scripture. The word means 'to wash'. Specifically it is meaning to be washed free from the stain or penalty of sin. It is meaning forgiven in that respect. I don't place any importance to any ceremonies called baptisms in organizations these days. Rather, I think it is good to know why the word baptism occurs in scripture. For example, we read: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" This does not mean he that believes and has a baptism ceremony will be saved. Rather, it means he that believes and is washed free from the stain and penalty of sin will be saved. And why does a person who is saved believe? It is because the Lord gave that person his Spirit so that he could believe. Thus, that person is washed free from sin due to the fact that God gave him his own Spirit to believe on and to trust in Jesus. So, we can say that that person is baptised in the Spirit. They are washed free from sin and they have the Spirit. Otherwise God would simply say that they have the Spirit. Why put the word baptise in there at all. To emphasize that they are washed, forgiven.
To wash? That can't be right. Shouldn't it mean to dunk or immerse? The purpose is to symbolize the process of being buried and born again from the womb. It's not a shower, not even a bath, but a dive.
Well, here's from a concordance: "to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe"
The whole body must submerge or dip into the water, sprinkling or pouring on the head ain't gonna do it. This is baptism, not annoiting.
Thanks Carry_Your_Name for your comments. Submerging and being a recipient of the benefits of the death and resurrection of Jesus is indeed part of the meaning, which includes being washed free from sin by Christ doing and not our own efforts. That is why I do not see a physical ceremony having to do with the baptism necessary. Baptism is a word which the Bible uses to explain the fact that a saved person has been washed free from the penalty of sin, not because of a ceremony, but because of what Christ did in giving us a new life. If we were to rely on the ceremony of dunking physically in water as our way to salvation that would not be enough, because physical water may wash off physical dirt, but it cannot wash away our sins. That is what, of course, Jesus offers by dying on the cross and resurrecting to give the spirit to persons, so that they can live free from the fear that they will be cut off from God.
Glory to Jesus!!! I haven't found a convo this rewarding in a while. Yes indeed, just reading this thread has been a real blessing, thank you all!
When I first felt His Spirit it was simply INTENSE!!! For me, it was like an awesome vibration I could feel in my very soul. Like the feeling of holding a weed wacker; but having hands as steady as a surgeon. And His Awesome Power generated an internal heat that I could feel in my core but my surface skin was cool by comparison (no sweat btw). I had to get out of bed and take a cold shower just to bear His presence but even then the Holy Ghost was hot on me. I remember thinking if this is what it was like for Jesus; how on Earth did He manage this? (Surely God is Awesome!)
To your other point, I naively thought I could just tell the world. Then everyone would follow me and join in this amazing gift of God's love. But instead of boasting some thought I had lost it. I mean, who would believe me? John 3:11-12 comes to mind here but out of curiosity: How do/should we go about explaining spiritual aspects to others who have 0 exposure to the Holy Spirit?
This is my daily prayer!
I appreciate your story my friend. When we have experiences like the one that you have had, it changed everything for us. More importantly, it changes how we view the Scriptures when we read them. Whenever we read a story involving the Power of God, we relate to those passages with an eager heart and understanding that others do not and cannot have.
As for others thinking that you've "lost it," these experiences are the ones that cause us to lose relationships, up to an including "father against son, mother against daughter, brother against brother." Our friends and family become embarrassed of us, for, they tell themselves that "these things didn't happen to me and I know that [I'm] a real Christian . . . he must be nuts!"
I am Righteously proud to have lost my relationships for the sake of the Lord.
That is the entire reason I have been waiting for God to call me to action to begin with=loving service to God and man, it isn't about a feeling or about power for me or simply being supernaturally filled it isn't about the hype like it is for others I have a burning desire to be more, to be use great use to him to see his children helped encouraged strengthened and brought closer to him. I think he knows this and how intensely i want this he knows how patient i have been in waiting for the call to action as a good soldier never acts on his own accord but rather waits for the commanders order and I think this is why he gave me this dream because I have the right kind of heart to be entrusted with such a thing.
If he were to anoint someone with such a thing if he were to enturst his spirit on such a level to anyone it wouldn't be for someone who just wants that feeling or who chases the spiritual hype, no he wants the worksmen the servants the hungry the soldiers in waiting only such people would have the right kind of heart to serve him and be entrusted with such a thing.
wow I didn't know that that is really neat thank you for that. Yes I tend to take things easy when it comes to him even though while yes I am aware of my failings and sins my shortcomings i am aware of my weakness everything that is wrong with me when I imagine him and I all I can see is a small child with a loving father laughing and playing together it's just how we are I don't burden myself with more than loving him and being loved at least for the most part as I do tend to at times over think things but really his yoke is light simply love him and love being loved
Just remember that God disciplines those He loves. If you’re being disciplined you’re in the family for sure. Praise God for working things together for good to them that love Him.
God certainly recognizes our sincere love for Him.
What you've written above makes it conclusive that you have received the right Spirit of the Lord (and not a false Spirit). When a person Truly feels the Power of God, they are humbled, for they know that their very life could end simply at the command of the Lord. This kind of Understanding and Knowledge, it produces genuine Fear of the Lord. And this Fear, is not a cowering type of Fear, but a Reverent Fear; a type of Fear that causes one to feel confident. Feeling the True Power of God, we are assured of His choosing us, and just as you say . . . we patiently wait for the Lord to open the door so that we might be used to His greatest benefit. Yet, we also understand that the Lord will do as the Lord will do . . . and should His Plan be that we remain silent in this world, then we are ok with that too.
May the Lord Bless you greatly, Blain. I know that your trials are incredible, but never give up! I believe you.
Wow. You are reading the ways of the Lord properly! Some say that I am being attacked by Satan; pft . . . no way. I am protected by the Lord from Satan. When I received the Circumcision of Christ, the Devil was defeated. Therefore, I can only conclude that my pains and struggles are from the Lord so that I would become a better person; a person who is more useful to God. And this is why I have never cursed the Lord; I have asked "Why are you doing this?" but I have never blamed Him in an ugly, negative way. I am so grateful for His discipline, for without it, I would still be just another lost, corrupt sinner who would have been told . . . "Get away from me, for I never knew you."
Yes the fear of the Lord the awe and respect for him I want to experience it as much as I am able to handle I want to be on my knees shaking trembling from his almighty and powerful presence yet instead of becoming afraid of him my love endearment awe and wonder of him would only increase tendfold. Oh to just experience him like this just once in my life to encounter him knowing he could strike me down like a fly knowing I serve such a powerful and almighty creator having such awe and reverence for him like that it would open my eyes to him in a whole new way yet to experience him like that but only fall that much more in love with him instead of becoming afraid one would surely have an intimate relationship with him.
Yet even with what little he has shown me in this aspect of himself I want to serve him I know that the cost might be great but I see death as a blessing not a curse if I die especially if I die for him it just means I get to go home that much sooner, but of course my most trying trial is the waiting the ever straining of my patience always waiting always watching always listening.
The baptism with Holy Spirit and fire was to the disciples who Jesus was talking to and happened at Pentecost with the Holy Spirit empowering them as a church. The question is whether this baptism applies to individuals alone without being assembled as a NT church, and whether this kind of Holy Spirit baptism occurs today in the same way.
Receiving the Holy Spirit in receiving eternal life and Holy Spirit baptism are not the same thing.
You said: "Receiving the Holy Spirit in receiving eternal life and Holy Spirit baptism are not the same thing."
AGREE AGREE AGREE
God has declared (and has not revoked) = the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for ALL Saints who Believe and seek with all their heart this Promised BLESSING.
Reject the error of the Pharisees and Sadducees of today who seek to place the Holy Spirit in the box of religion whereby they deceive the Sheep into believing only they have the truth and can open that box.
Now we know that no one can put God/Holy Spirit in a box - but the mind itself can be placed in a box and trapped.
Acts is ongoing and never was closed off.
PEACE
So you noticed also that those that say "we now have the complete Bible, so the church no longer has need of the gifts" are usually leading others by the nose?
Very scary Day just ahead for those who made merchandise of the word of God and mislead the flock so that they can gain men's admiration.
imho - #1 weakness in christians = respect of persons
It's definitely one of them. It eventually changes from respect of persons to leader worship, which in turn becomes idol worship.
I saw in my church about 3 years ago people who would stand up & testify, "I'm thankful for Bro. so&so, because without that man in my life I wouldn't be saved today".
That pastor was taken out due to old age & sickness, & immediately the church split.
Several members just quit... IDK where they went to.
Even though the old pastor still went to our church, they still left.
I saw in my church about 3 years ago people who would stand up & testify, "I'm thankful for Bro. so&so, because without that man in my life I wouldn't be saved today".
That pastor was taken out due to old age & sickness, & immediately the church split.
Several members just quit... IDK where they went to.
Even though the old pastor still went to our church, they still left.
Beautifully written, my friend. You are in for the most unbelievable experience after you die. All sacrifices; all pains; all trials and tribulations . . . there is no room to even remember them. The Peace and Perfect Love that awaits you will be so incredibly Powerful, there is no space for anything negative or remorseful in the least. I promise you these things. Continue on, my friend! I believe in you.
Water baptism is an initiation ritual, spirit baptism is the real transformation. For all of you who don’t understand that, just go listen to Carrie Underwood’s Something in the Water. There’s water baptism in a river, nothing happened; then spirit baptism at one night of desperation with pouring rain and lightning flash, there came the moment of epiphany. After that in the chorus, a new life in Christ.