BAPTISM AND FOLLOWING JESUS.

Acts 19:1-7

Introduction:

Sometimes ago, I was asked this question: Why do we close our prayers with “In the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit”? Are we Catholics or Orthodox? Whenever we speak about God in three persons, a lot of people argue and try to disagree that there is no such thing as the trinity, and I find this strange. We know about God the father – there is no dispute about that; we know about the Son (God the son) that is – Jesus Christ – there is no dispute about that; but when it comes to the Holy Spirit, we have a problem. So many people know so very little about the Holy Spirit. Some believers have not even heard of the Holy Spirit. How is this possible? According to our text (Acts 19:1–7), When Paul arrives, he met some disciples who, according to them, they had never heard of the Holy Spirit, but they did believe in Jesus Christ. They know only the Baptism of John. 

WE HAVE THREE BAPTISMS:  

1. Baptism into the body of Christ – SALVATION

How can I be saved? This simple, yet profound, question is the most important question that can be asked. “How can I be saved?” means where you will spend eternity after your life in this world are over. There is no more important issue than your eternal destiny. Thankfully, the Bible is abundantly clear on how a person can be saved. Acts 16:31 says this – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

You might be asking these questions: Why do I need to be saved? And most importantly, Saved from what? We are all infected with sin Romans 3:23. We are born in sin and in sin Psalm 51:5, and we all personally choose to sin Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8. Genesis 6:5 – Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Sin is what makes us unsaved. Sin is what separates us from God. Sin is what has us on the path to eternal destruction. The good news is that Jesus has already paved the way for you to receive this salvation; all you have to do is to believe. AND when you believe, you are baptized into the body of Christ – that is salvation. 

2. Water Baptism – PUBLICLY DECLARING YOUR FAITH – what has happened to you inwardly, symbolizing the death and burial of our old sinful self and the raising up of the “New Creation.” This is the New Covenant counterpart to circumcision in the Old Testament. Romans 6. When it comes to water baptism, we make two mistakes: there are those who say water baptism isn’t that big of a deal because our salvation does not depend upon it. I can be saved without being baptized in water but you cannot be saved and at the same time be disobedient to the Commandment of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” and then there are those who say you cannot be saved unless you’ve been baptized in water – this is also not true. The very first thing that Jesus did in his earthly ministry was get baptized in water and His last words in Matthew 28:19-20 was commanding us to go into all the world and preach the gospel and baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is not sprinkling of water on your face or making a sign of the cross on your forehead, it is being completely immersed in water. It is not convenient; it isn’t pretty; and it isn’t fun; the water could be cold; it is awkward – everyone will be looking at you; it messes up your make up and your hair – I believe God did not make water baptism convenient so as to kill our pride. Romans 6:3-5: Death (old life dead and buried) – Raised life (newness of life). Finally, water baptism publicly proclaims your identification with Jesus Christ – water baptism does not make you saved, water baptism is a public proclamation that you belong to Jesus Christ and you are not ashamed of it.
3. Spirit Baptism – This ACT releases WITHIN us the HOLY SPIRIT’S SUPERNATURAL EMPOWERMENT to do all that God calls us to do. Acts 19:2 – “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Acts 19 Points to three important details: (a) they were already Believers; (b) they had not been baptized in Jesus’ Name; (c) Paul introduces them to baptism number 3: the Holy Spirit. Notice what happens when these believers receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit: they spoke with tongues and prophesied. We see this pattern again and again throughout the book of Acts.

​What is the Purpose of Spirit Baptism?

​Being baptized in the Holy Spirit has a lot of benefits, but let us look at two of them: 

1. The Holy Spirit Intercedes for us – Romans 8:26-27

​2. The Holy Spirit helps us to Mature – Galatians 5:22–23

Conclusion: Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?