Water Baptism
Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:1-8; Colossians 2:12
We believe that water baptism is not a personal choice, but a command for believers. Jesus established water baptism as an ordinance when He gave the great Commission. Water baptism is a public, outward testimony that indicates a personal, inward faith. It gives evidence of the inner change that has already occurred in the believer’s life when he or she was “born again” through faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism identifies the believer with the message of the gospel, the Person of Jesus Christ, and other believers. It associates the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and signifies the believer’s death to the old life and his or her resurrection as a new creation in Christ.
WHY WE ARE TO BE BAPTIZED?
We are to be baptized because Jesus Christ commanded it (Matthew 28:19), and because we love the Lord. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Throughout the book of Acts, we read how the early church gave importance to water baptism (see 2:41; 8:12, 38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33: 19:3-5).
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
All born-again believers in Jesus Christ should be baptized (see Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 16:31-33; 18:8)
3. The Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:11; Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; John 7:37-39; John 14:16-18; Acts 19:1-6; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 8:14-17
We believe that the baptism inthe Holy Spirit is a seperate gift from God than salvation. In order to be baptized in the Holy Spirit salvation must be first. We believe that the signs of the baptism in the Holy Spirit the evidence of tongues (heavenly language) and power.
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the godhead. When Jesus ascended to the Father, He promised His disciples “another Helper,” the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17). In Greek, the word another means, “another of the same kind.” Jesus promised a supernatural Helper just like Him.
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PREEXISTENCE
The word for God is elohim, which indicates three or more (referring to the Trinity). The Holy Spirit was active at the time of creation (Genesis 1:1–2). When God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness” (Genesis 1:26), He was addressing the other two Persons of the godhead.
THE PERSON AND NATURE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Some have wrongly thought of the Holy Spirit as more of an “it” than a “He,” but Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “He” (John 26:13). The Holy Spirit has distinct functions in the lives of believers and the church (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 2:10–12; Acts 5:3–4). In the original Greek, the Holy Spirit is called the paraclete, which literally means, “One called alongside to help.”
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WORLD
In John 16, Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin (vv. 8–9) and convinces the world of righteousness and judgment (vs. 10–11). The Holy Spirit also restrains the sweeping spread of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Before we were Christians, the Holy Spirit spoke to our hearts, showing us our need for salvation. He drew us to Christ and convicted us of sin (John 15:26).
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER
Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. Paul writes, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit regenerates us (Titus 3:4–7; John 3:5; 6:63); indwells us (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19); seals us (Ephesians 1:13–14); guides us (John 16:13; Romans 8:14); teaches us (John 14:26); helps us to pray (Romans 8:26–27); and empowers us (Acts 1:8).
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
As believers, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon us. This is known as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . . ” (Acts 1:8). When the Holy Spirit comes upon a believer, He fills his or her mind with a genuine understanding of truth, takes possession of the believer’s abilities, and imparts gifts that qualify him or her for service in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4–10). The Holy Spirit imparts power for service and boldness in testimony and service (Acts 4:29, 31).
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit gives you power and authority. (Acts 1:08) The word “power” here refers to the help or aid which the Holy Spirit would grant; the power of speaking with new tongues; of preaching the gospel with great effect; of enduring great trials, etc. This power is so important, that the Lord Jesus directed His Disciples to wait for it before they began their ministries. (Acts 1:04)
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