WATCHWORD:
1 While (Jesus was) living in Nazareth, John the Baptist began preaching out in the Judean wilderness. His constant theme was, 2 “Turn from your sins, turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is coming soon.” 3 Isaiah the prophet had told about John’s ministry centuries before! He had written,“I hear a shout from the wilderness, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord—straighten out the path where he will walk.’” 4 John’s clothing was woven from camel’s hair and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all over the Jordan Valley, and, in fact, from every section of Judea went out to the wilderness to hear him preach, 6 and when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he denounced them. “You sons of snakes!” he warned. “Who said that you could escape the coming wrath of God? 8 Before being baptized, prove that you have turned from sin by doing worthy deeds. 9 Don’t try to get by as you are, thinking, ‘We are safe for we are Jews—descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into Jews! 10 “And even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised to chop down every unproductive tree. They will be chopped and burned.11 With water I baptize those who repent of their sins; but someone else is coming, far greater than I am, so great that I am not worthy to carry his shoes! He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:1-11
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and resurrection. Acts 1:8
Meditation:
[THG — A compilation of commentaries from Robert Morris, Robert Jeffress, Tony Evans, Joyce Meyer, David Jeremiah, and others on the simplicity and complexity of the Holy Spirit. This is the last of three Watchwords fashioned, in part, by remarks by The Holy Gang (THG) of theologians.]
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Robert Morris is one of my favorite TV theologians and I have learned much about the meaning of Holy Scripture from his many telecasts. However, his treatment of Baptism really brought me up short. From an early age to the present moment, I have always seen baptism as a singular sacrament, whether it occurs as an infant and the baby is dedicated to God, or as an adult where an intentional decision has been made to follow Christ. One Baptism.
Pastor Morris speaks of 3 baptisms. Three! First, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ when we accept Jesus as our Lord. It was the Holy Spirit who drew us to be born again.
Secondly, most of us choose water baptism and in Matthew 3, John tells us “I, indeed, baptize with water unto repentance but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.” Morris then tells us that Christ baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, Jesus doing the baptizing.
Having read that, I am still in a dilemma. It seems to me that Morris is parsing out three separate influences, within a singular act of baptism, a triune baptism, if you will. Far be it from me to tangle with Pastor Morris on this important matter, so here is more of his lesson found in the THG.
We cannot walk righteously without the power of the Holy Spirit. He is present with everyone who receives him by faith when they accept Christ. We need to trust Him to give us whatever He desires and obey Him without conditions.
God essentially said, if you want to enjoy the fullness of My presence and power, you need to come the way I’ve prescribed. We have to yield. Our stubborn, prideful selves have to submit, to receive.
Then in John 3:5, Jesus says “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit they cannot enter the kingdom of God. Is John and Pastor Morris actually saying the same thing? Maybe I don’t have a dilemma. I think about my own faith journey. Baptized by water as an infant of three months, smug for years in my Christianity, and then, Bang!, circumstances led me to a powerful born again experience. A Second baptism? I don’t think so. A “re-do” of my baptism? I don’t buy that either. A continuation of my baptism: First the water as an infant, then the Spirit as an adult? I thank God for that singular baptism. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
One more comment from Morris: “You have likely heard someone speak of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. While that sometimes happens, too many have super-glued these two together. They never say the first without the other. No Christian is immune to the temptation to turn something that has the life and breath of God into a lifeless religion through something designed by committee or the plans of men.” Amen to that.
Oswald Chambers has said: “Many people begin coming to God once they stop being religious.” I like that.
I remember our Bishop, speaking on baptism some years ago, declaring that “Baptism is not hell insurance!” Whoops!
A Baptism Prayer:
Living and Loving Father, I praise and thank You with my heart for the liberation You have given me from the clutches of sin and Satan. By Your death on the Cross of Calvary, You have put my old life with its sin and judgement to death forever, and endowed me with a new life that is abounding with joy. Father, this day, I rededicate myself to live in You and live a life for Your glory. I remember the day when I was baptized and washed off all my sins. Lord, it is Your grace that I must be counted worthy to be called Your child. Help me to keep Your commandments. Renew my strength this day that I may be strong in faith and believe Your Word which says, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”. Let this day be the beginning. Lead me into greater spiritual depths even in the coming days. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
