Baptism is a essential of the Christian Life. Most denominations make a point of baptizing people in water. Catholics and Orthodox do infant baptism, this harkens from the Middle Ages and perilous times when infanticide and infant mortality rates were incredibly high. Anabaptists who emerged during Reformation times believed you had to be an adult who was conscious of what you are participating in to be baptized. They take their doctrine of adult baptism from the Scriptures, that everyone who was baptized by John the Baptist was an adult (Mark 1:4-7). The First Baptism is when a person confesses Jesus as Lord and believes in Him in their heart (Romans 10:9-10, John 6:40). In one case something very supernaturally happened at a conversion to Christianity water baptism, "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea." (Acts 8:35-40). This is the first baptism, the water baptism of conversion, after confessing and believing in Jesus has already happened.
There is another Baptism, a Second Baptism, known as Baptism by Fire or Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Now many denominations fight over this because Jesus actually breathed on disciples and they received the Holy Spirit, "Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you. Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21-22). However, that was not the Baptism of Fire or Power, because Jesus promised, "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven," (Luke 24:49), and, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8). Here we see the Holy Spirit Baptism is going to be power (fire) and its purpose is to give the Apostles supernatural power, and one part of its purpose is to help witnesses and preach the Gospel.
There is Scriptural Proof of Two Baptisms, the first is from Baptist's own mouth, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11), and Jesus Christ himself said the same, "Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5).Notice that John mentions baptism in Holy Spirit and Fire, the fire represents the power or the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Every Christian that confesses Jesus as LORD is then baptized with water, this is the First Baptism, but the Second Baptism is by Fire, receiving the power gifts of Holy Spirit to heal, speak in lounges, discern spirits, have acute wisdom, the world of knowledge, and more. As Christians we receive Holy Spirit when we confess Jesus as LORD and believe in Him in our heart (John 6:40, Romans 10:9-10) and since Jesus is One with Father (John 17:20-23) and Holy Spirit proceeds from Father and Jesus (John 14:26, John 15:26), then we receive Holy Spirit upon believing in Jesus because He is One with Father and Jesus, Three Persons but One God. However, we do not receive the Baptism of Fire, the Gifts and Powers of Spirit until we ask for them and pray as they did at Pentecost, "On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers." (Acts 2:1-6). Here we see the sign of fire that John Baptist mentioned, and fire often is symbol for power, and thus the power Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now there are some doubters that anyone can use these gifts anymore, but the truth is the Gifts of Holy Spirit are for all time, the Apostle Paul told people to use them, "What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." (1 Corinthians 14:26-32), and the Apostles said, "In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17). The fact that there will be prophecy in the last days, proves that Gifts and Callings of the LORD, and His Spirit do not stop with the Apostolic era.
The ultimate proof of a Second Baptism is found in the Acts of the Apostles, "When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:14-17). Here was an entire group of Samarian Christians who had not been Baptized in Spirit, and the fact they had been Baptized in Jesus' Name with Water, shows that there are indeed two baptisms. Many people Have the Holy Spirit breathed into them, but few received the Fire of Spirit, the Gifts and Powers. Although according to Apostles to Samarians they needed to receive the Holy Spirit from those who already have Him and by laying hands on those asking for the Spirit. I recommend doing both, ask in your own prayers for Power (fire) and Holy Spirit to baptize you, and if you know some Spirit Filled believers, have them lay hands on you in same way the Apostles did.
Those who do not have the Power of Holy Spirit or His Manifestations in their lives are living like people who use only half of their talents, gifts, and skills. It is to be handicapped if you will in your witnesses, because the Gifts of Spirit, healings, words of knowledge, and tounges and more help outreach and witness to unbelievers. Many Muslims are becoming Christians because they see the Holy Spirit Power and feel the Love of Jesus. Allah neither endows his followers with power, and certainly does not show them love, especially love enough to die for people as the One True God Jesus did. In addition to Gifts of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit can remind you of everything Jesus the Messiah has taught you, "But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative--that is, the Holy Spirit--he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit if you are Baptized in Him can help you remember what Christ has taught you, and even if you struggle memorizing Bible verses, and other thoughts, the Holy Spirit can remind you and even tell you what to say from Jesus and Father and Himself! It really is blessing to be Spirit Filled, and so I suggest you open your heart, and let yourself be baptized as second time in Holy Spirit and receive His power from On High.
Some additional thoughts. When God judged the wicked, He ju6-18dged them with Flood of Water (Genesis 6:9-15) and when He Returns He will judge the wicked with Fire (2 Peter 3, whole chapter and Revelation 21:1-3). As Christians we baptized in water a symbol that Jesus Christ has cleansed us of our sin through belief in Him, this is also significant for when He died for our sins, He was pierced in side, and blood and water flowed from it, "But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water," (John 19:33-34), and the Apostle John says, "This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.." (1 John 5:6). Then as aforementioned, we are baptized in fire (Luke 3;16). So the wicked were judged with Flood of Water and will be judged with Fire from On High (Revelation 20:9), while Believers are baptized in Water and in Fire of Holy Spirit and the Father! See the connection, you either are baptized in non-destructive water and fire in your devotion, belief, and love of Christ and Godhead, or you are destroyed with those same elements!
Water represents the cleansing, that Jesus cleansed us of our sins, and fire represents the power gifts of Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Acts 2:1-11). Amen.
Some additional thoughts. When God judged the wicked, He ju6-18dged them with Flood of Water (Genesis 6:9-15) and when He Returns He will judge the wicked with Fire (2 Peter 3, whole chapter and Revelation 21:1-3). As Christians we baptized in water a symbol that Jesus Christ has cleansed us of our sin through belief in Him, this is also significant for when He died for our sins, He was pierced in side, and blood and water flowed from it, "But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water," (John 19:33-34), and the Apostle John says, "This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.." (1 John 5:6). Then as aforementioned, we are baptized in fire (Luke 3;16). So the wicked were judged with Flood of Water and will be judged with Fire from On High (Revelation 20:9), while Believers are baptized in Water and in Fire of Holy Spirit and the Father! See the connection, you either are baptized in non-destructive water and fire in your devotion, belief, and love of Christ and Godhead, or you are destroyed with those same elements!
Water represents the cleansing, that Jesus cleansed us of our sins, and fire represents the power gifts of Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Acts 2:1-11). Amen.
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