What Is the Difference Between Being Baptized in Water and Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit?

Water baptism vs holy spirit baptism

A- A+ for Carey Kinsolving “The water does nothing but get you wet,” Matt, 8, says. “When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are cleansed by God, and he enters our hearts.” “Being baptized means proclaiming to the entire world that God has entered your heart.” According to Bible scholar J.C. Ryle, the baptism of the Holy Spirit “consists of the implanting of grace into the inward man.” The same is true for a new birth. It is a baptism of the heart, not the body. It is good to be baptized into the visible Church; however, it is far better to be baptized into the Church of true believers.”The difference is that getting baptized in water is a symbol of being purified by God,” Caleb, 8, explains. “God has brought you into his kingdom when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit.” As a professing Christian who received baptism by immersion on his way to heaven, I can attest that being baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ is far superior. My first water baptism led me to believe that salvation was Christ plus my dedication. I thought salvation was a collaborative effort. Christ would do some of the work, and I would do some of the work.

A girl sensed my confusion as I stood in the church, wet from water baptism but perplexed by the mixed message. She invited me to another meeting, where a pastor demonstrated from the Bible that salvation is a free gift that can be received only through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Holy Spirit came upon a few believers in the Old Testament for specific tasks. The prophet Joel predicted that God would pour out his Spirit on all believers at some point (Joel 2:28-29). Jesus predicted that his disciples would receive the Holy Spirit baptism “not many days from now.”

When the disciples received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they began to praise God in unfamiliar languages. Foreign Jews gathered in Jerusalem for the Pentecost feast understood the disciples in their own languages.

The Apostle Peter stated in his sermon that this was the fulfillment of what the prophet Joel predicted. The time had arrived for God to pour out his Holy Spirit on all believers. On that day, approximately 3,000 Jews accepted Christ as their Savior and were baptized in water (Acts 2).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a historic event that marked the beginning of a new era. It happened on Pentecost for Jews, but it happened later for gentiles (non-Jews). The gospel was delivered to the home of a gentile named Cornelius by the Apostle Peter. The Holy Spirit descended on them, just as it did on the Jews at Pentecost. They conversed in foreign tongues and were baptized in water (Acts 10-11:18).

Consider this: the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a truth to be believed, not an experience to be sought. Despite the fact that every Christian has been baptized by the Holy Spirit into union with Christ, not all enjoy the fellowship with Christ that comes from being filled with the Spirit.

“And do not be drunk with wine, which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,” Jesus says (Ephesians 5:18).

Ask yourself if you have been filled or controlled by God’s Spirit today.

At www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org, you can listen to a talking book, download the “Kids Color Me Bible,” watch Kid TV Interviews, and travel around the world by viewing the “Mission Explorers Streaming Video.” Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. Visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com to learn more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers.

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Water Baptism Vs Holy Spirit Baptism | Lost in Suburbia

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A daily advice column written in the style of Anne Landers. Annie Lane, a writer and mother, writes in a sympathetic, funny, and firm voice, offering common-sense solutions to life’s quandaries.

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