Bible Matters 445:  Baptism with Fire

God made it clear that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses you will know the truth.  Eleven times in the bible God tells you how you understand the truth in his word.  (See Deuteronomy 17:6, Deuteronomy 19:15, 1 Kings 21:10, 1 Kings 21:13, Matthew 18:16, John 8:17-18, 2 Corinthians 13:1, Hebrews 6:18, Hebrews10:28, and 1 Timothy 5:19 and Revelations 11:3)

1 Timothy 5:19 – Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

What Jesus said is of his Father.  The testimony of two men is true. 

John 8:17-18 – It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.  I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

The preponderance of evidence standard from the testimony of two or three witnesses will be used to confirm if God requires water baptism for salvation.

Case Testimony:

John the Baptist testimony was clear.  God’s word will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.   Your testimony will be your fire! (See Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, Acts 11:16-18)

Luke 3:16 – 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 with fire:

John made it clear that you must repent of your sins.

Matthew 3:1-2 – In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Remember that when Jesus’s ministry started, John the Baptist was thrown in jail.  Immediately, that should tell you that God did not want any act of man or religion to confuse the meaning of God’s gospel of Love brought to earth by Jesus.  John confirmed that any gift from God, comes from heaven.

Matthew 4:1-2,11-12 – Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. [2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.  Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

Mark 1:14 – Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

John 3:24,27 – For John was not yet cast into prison. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Paul, Barnabas and Peter made it clear that an act of man or religion is not required to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost is given by God to those that hear the gospel and whose heart is right with him.  

Acts 15:1,5-8 – And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

Paul informed the Corinthians that he was not sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel.  Only by understanding the power of God’s word will you be able to have fire in your testimony.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 – For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Luke and Peter informs you that water baptism is but a sign of an answer of good conscience toward God.  You are only offered salvation by believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with Jesus Christ as the Son of God and forgiveness of sins offered by the shed blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  No where in the New Testament did God command you to get baptized in water. 

1 Peter 3:21 – The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Acts 10:42-44 – And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 

All Jewish apostles likely received water baptism during the ministry of Jesus.  It wasn’t until after Jesus ascended into heaven did the baptism of the Holy Ghost fall on those believers assembled into the upper room on the day of the Pentecost.    The conviction of the Holy Ghost fell on those whose heart was right with God.  This baptism of the Holy Ghost or circumcision of the heart resulted in the conversion of their heart from a lover of self to a lover of God.  They were born again as a child of God. The Holy Ghost gave them the power of tongues and fulfilled Jesus’s prophesy that they shall go into all the world and preach the gospel.  

Acts 1:13-14 – And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:1-4 – And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The power of the Holy Ghost was received without water baptism!  Just as John the Baptist told you. 

Acts 4:19-20,31-33 – But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.  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 spake the word of God with boldness.  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

This gift and power of the Holy Ghost cannot be bought.  It is only available when your heart is right with God.

Acts 8:15,19-21 – Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

 You are told that Jesus did not baptize anyone in water.  Jesus performed many miracles with power from God above.  The Jewish people and Pharisees took John the Baptist to be a prophet and that his power was from above.  Sarcastically, Jesus made it clear that his power was from above and John baptism with water was of man.  Thus, man nor water baptism can never take away sin. 

 Matthew 21:24-25,27 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Mark 11:29-31,33 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?  And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Luke 20:3-4,8 – And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:  The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Hebrews 10:11 – And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

Decision:  The decision is clear.  The power of the Holy Ghost is the result of spiritual Baptism by the God for those whose heart is right with God.  A converted and repented heart that has asked for forgiveness of sins.   A converted and repented heart that loves God and loves your neighbor.  God gives the gift of the Holy Ghost by spiritual Baptism.  Water baptism is but a sign performed by man.  When you lead someone to God, you must take this responsibility personally and make sure they understand God’s word!  Some churches may require water baptism as a sign of your personal commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This water baptism will not likely result in a converted heart, as required by God, for the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Your testimony will be your fire and a sign of your spiritual baptism by the Holy Ghost!    

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.