Disciples And Baptism

Jesus is on His way back to the Father in heaven, from whence He came. He’s instructed His disciples to wait for His Father’s Promised Gift, about which He told them. He does not leave them in any form of ignorance about this Gift. He wants them to know that they will receive a baptism, but it will not be like the baptism of John. Both share the same name of baptism, but O how different they are in power, presence and person.

Paul, who has received this Baptism of the Holy Spirit, is speaking just as his Lord and Master Jesus for it is Jesus Himself who dwells in Paul. I feel the need to quote the passage of Scripture here, where Paul is speaking to the disciples whom he has found in Ephesus. Remember, these disciples are ignorant of the Holy Spirit but very informed about the baptism of John, which they know. This is what Paul said to them.

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19: 4 – 7.

Let’s go slowly here. Paul is using the baptism they know and reminding them, refreshing their memories of what John, the Baptiser, told them. True, you have been baptized, but your baptism was one of repentance. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not one of repentance. That is the first bit of knowledge Paul brings to these disciples of Jesus. He clears up any misunderstanding, grey areas or fuzziness of mind. Then Paul goes on to refresh their memories of all that John, the Baptizer proclaimed about Jesus. This is crucial and extremely important for many a believer who is hung up and strung up on baptism by water as what brings power to be Jesus’ witnesses. Yes! You heard and read correctly. The Holy Spirit does not give power to men and women, boys and girls to become Jesus’ disciples. No! He gives power to Jesus’ disciples to become Jesus’ witnesses, everywhere and anywhere. John was upfront and crystal clear to tell all people whom he baptized that they were not to believe in him, but they were to believe in the one coming after him. He named that person as Jesus.  In other words, who really matters is Jesus, not John and it is Jesus’ baptism, not John’s, which they need to be Jesus’ witnesses.

Pause for a moment, what are you hearing being repeated in your spiritual ear? One sure word is this. Without the Baptism of Jesus, even though you know the baptism of John, you cannot be a witness of Jesus and for Jesus. The Baptism of Jesus, is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Luke 3: 16, we hear John tell this to the people. I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. There can be no more ignorance about this. A believer’s repentance, or water baptism, does not and cannot make that believer a power witness for Jesus.  

Repentance is not performance.

Paul knows all of this as he is a living witness to Jesus. Surely, the power of the Holy Spirit is upon him and with him as he speaks and works with those water baptized disciples of Jesus.  They listen to Paul and take in all that he says.  What is the result of their hearing? On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Once again, we pause for a moment to have more truths stamped and etched on our minds and hearts. They heard Paul’s words and were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.  Names can be confusing, as was stated sometime very early on, about whether we should refer to God as the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit. So too with Pentecostal outpouring. So far, we have listened to and read about Jesus’ Baptism; the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, baptism in the name of Jesus, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire and there are more names and phrases not used in this offering. Understand clearly, that the baptism of Jesus is the Pentecostal baptism.

Tomorrow, we continue to look at Paul, Jesus’ power witness, as he leads these disciples to Jesus’ baptism.