The baptism in Fire

First and the Last said:

Want to also point out that water has no power. Our faith isn't placed in the water only the truth of what baptism represents, which is Christ alone.

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No you are wrong, Jesus got baptized in water and Holy spirit and fire, to walk before us, so that we may follow.

Baptism is a pact made in heaven, it is sealed with water, spirit, and fire when completed

God may grant exceptions if He pleases, but generally we are to sign the pact made in heaven through baptism
as instructed in the bible.

'I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:
but he that cometh after me is mightier than I,
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Whose fan is in his hand,
and he will throughly purge his floor,
and gather his wheat into the garner;
but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.'
(Mat 3:11-12)

Hello there, @A servant of the Kings

The subject heading for this thread is, 'Baptism In Fire', which is not found in Scripture. The verse above tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ, Whom John the Baptist refers to, will baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

* The wording is, 'with Holy Spirit and fire' (no articles): that is:- 'with Holy Spirit, yes - and burning purifying spirit too'; - Not two things, but one thing :- Judgment!

* The contrast is with John's baptism, which was with water which mingled together the chaff and the wheat. But the new baptism of Christ would not be like that. It would separate the chaff from the wheat by burning it up, as John the Baptist goes on to say in v.12,

* John the Baptist is speaking not of the Church, but of Christ and His Kingdom, as was prophesied in Isa. 4:3-4:-


* 'The Spirit' is the Worker, and 'the fire' denotes His operations, searching, consuming, and purifying. The day of the Lord's coming will be 'like a refiner's fire ... and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver' (Mal. 3:1-4). 'That day shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble (as in Matt. 3:12): and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts.' (Mal 4;1 [3:19]).

* That the future judgment is referred to, and not any ecclesiastical ordinance, is clear from verse 10:-


* When the future baptism of the members of Christ's Body with the Holy Spirit is spoken of, there is no mention of or reference to fire. (ref: 'Figures of Speech Found In The Bible')

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

From the Pentecostal perspective, this is talking about three different fires.

Matt 3:10; "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matt 3:11; "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matt 3:12; "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Every one that doesn't bear good fruit is thrown into the fire ( hell/Lake of Fire ). This is the same fire as Matt 7:19;
Jesus will gather "His" wheat ( not someone else's wheat ) and burn up the chaff, but the wheat will remain. ( Sanctification/cleansing fire ) This is the same fire in 1Cor 3:13-15;
Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. This is the fire in Acts 2:3; when people were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

This is a progression here.
Matt 3:10;. some people never bear good fruit, and are thrown in the fire.
Matt 3:11; some people get baptized with the Holy Spirit (and fire).
Matt 3:12; The believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit will be sanctified.

The King James incorrectly puts a comma here.
(KJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

These aren't two separate things, this is the same thing. One item.

Matthew 3:11
(AMPC) I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(ASV) I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
(CSB) “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(Greek NT BYZ+) εγωG1473 P-1NS μενG3303 PRT βαπτιζωG907 V-PAI-1S υμαςG4771 P-2AP ενG1722 PREP υδατιG5204 N-DSN ειςG1519 PREP μετανοιανG3341 N-ASF οG3588 T-NSM δεG1161 CONJ οπισωG3694 ADV μουG1473 P-1GS ερχομενοςG2064 V-PNP-NSM ισχυροτεροςG2478 A-NSM-C μουG1473 P-1GS εστινG1510 V-PAI-3S ουG3739 R-GSM ουκG3756 PRT-N ειμιG1510 V-PAI-1S ικανοςG2425 A-NSM ταG3588 T-APN υποδηματαG5266 N-APN βαστασαιG941 V-AAN αυτοςG846 P-NSM υμαςG4771 P-2AP βαπτισειG907 V-FAI-3S ενG1722 PREP πνευματιG4151 N-DSN αγιωG40 A-DSN
(HCSB) "I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(KJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
(MKJV) I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. But He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;
(NAS77) "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(NAS95) "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(NIrV) "I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, one will come who is more powerful than I am. And I'm not fit to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(NIV) "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.
(NKJV) I indeed baptize you 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.
(NLT) “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(RV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

The New King James and Modern King James remove the comma.

'For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
.. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
.... there is neither bond nor free,
...... there is neither male nor female:
........ for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's,
then are ye Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise.'
(Gal 3:27-29)

Hello @Butch5, @Charlie24 & @First and the Last,

According to Gal. 3:27-29 (above) baptism was a levelling and a unifying incorporation of the believer into Christ, whereas, the history of the professing Church shows that the question of baptism has been the cause of much bitterness, strife and division. I believe that much of the disputation that has torn the Church, has arisen out of the failure to discern the dispensational differences that mark the several ministries of the New Testament.

In the days of John the Baptist, baptism was with water only, with the promise of spirit baptism. Then during the Acts period of approximately 40 years we see both baptism with water and Spirit: but then in the epistles written following the Acts period, namely (Eph. Phil. Col. 1 & 2 Tim, Titus and Phile.), it is Spirit baptism only, as is confirmed in Ephesians ch.4:3-6, and, 'The Unity of The Spirit', in which there is but one baptism, and that is of the Spirit:-

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace.
There is:-
.. one body, and
.... one Spirit, even as ye are called in
...... one hope of your calling;
........One Lord,
.......... one faith,
............ one baptism,
.............. One God and Father of all,
Who is above all,
and through all,
and in you all.'

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

B-A-C said:

From the Pentecostal perspective, this is talking about three different fires.

Matt 3:10; "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matt 3:11; "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matt 3:12; "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Every one that doesn't bear good fruit is thrown into the fire ( hell/Lake of Fire ). This is the same fire as Matt 7:19;
Jesus will gather "His" wheat ( not someone else's wheat ) and burn up the chaff, but the wheat will remain. ( Sanctification/cleansing fire ) This is the same fire in 1Cor 3:13-15;
Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. This is the fire in Acts 2:3; when people were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

This is a progression here.
Matt 3:10;. some people never bear good fruit, and are thrown in the fire.
Matt 3:11; some people get baptized with the Holy Spirit (and fire).
Matt 3:12; The believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit will be sanctified.

The King James incorrectly puts a comma here.
(KJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

These aren't two separate things, this is the same thing. One item.

Matthew 3:11
(AMPC) I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(ASV) I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
(CSB) “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(Greek NT BYZ+) εγωG1473 P-1NS μενG3303 PRT βαπτιζωG907 V-PAI-1S υμαςG4771 P-2AP ενG1722 PREP υδατιG5204 N-DSN ειςG1519 PREP μετανοιανG3341 N-ASF οG3588 T-NSM δεG1161 CONJ οπισωG3694 ADV μουG1473 P-1GS ερχομενοςG2064 V-PNP-NSM ισχυροτεροςG2478 A-NSM-C μουG1473 P-1GS εστινG1510 V-PAI-3S ουG3739 R-GSM ουκG3756 PRT-N ειμιG1510 V-PAI-1S ικανοςG2425 A-NSM ταG3588 T-APN υποδηματαG5266 N-APN βαστασαιG941 V-AAN αυτοςG846 P-NSM υμαςG4771 P-2AP βαπτισειG907 V-FAI-3S ενG1722 PREP πνευματιG4151 N-DSN αγιωG40 A-DSN
(HCSB) "I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(KJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
(NAS77) "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(NAS95) "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(NIrV) "I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, one will come who is more powerful than I am. And I'm not fit to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(NIV) "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.
(NKJV) I indeed baptize you 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.
(NLT) “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(RV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

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Yes I will testify before God that I have been baptized in fire, the white fire of God
As God knows it, that it has happened.

The baptism in fire is in a way a continuation of the baptism in the Holy Spirit
Because the white fire of God is where the Holy Spirit, and where Jesus will lead us as we follow the Holy Spirit

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

God will make His servants flames of fire, it is His white fire

6And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” 7Now about the angels He says: “He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.” 8But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.…

There in the second heaven, it is above the third heaven where the throne of Jesus is, it is where Jesus was also baptized in His white fire walking before us. When we have been baptized i the white fire of God we may be allowed to sit on Jesus left and right hand side in the third heaven, as it is written here:

36And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”


37They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”


38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”


39They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”


I will advice all not to contradict the Holy Bible, may God have mercy on your souls you do not know what you are doing, but you should understand the words that are written, that there is indeed a baptism in fire, because it is written in plain english, translated into english so that you may accept it as truth, coming from God Who is the truth.

I am only testifying that I know that John the baptist told the truth.

Mark and John leave out the "and fire"

Mark 1:8; "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Luke 3:16; John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John 1:33; "I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'
Matt 3:11; "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 1:5; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Acts 11:16; "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

Note the Bible says this will happen "in the last days".

Acts 2:13; But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine."
Acts 2:14; But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.
Acts 2:15; "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;
Acts 2:16; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
Acts 2:17; 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;
Acts 2:18; EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.

I would say we are even more in the "last days" now, than we were when the New Testament was written.

complete said:

'For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
.. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
.... there is neither bond nor free,
...... there is neither male nor female:
........ for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's,
then are ye Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise.'
(Gal 3:27-29)

Hello @Butch5, @Charlie24 & @First and the Last,

According to Gal. 3:27-29 (above) baptism was a levelling and a unifying incorporation of the believer into Christ, whereas, the history of the professing Church shows that the question of baptism has been the cause of much bitterness, strife and division. I believe that much of the disputation that has torn the Church, has arisen out of the failure to discern the dispensational differences that mark the several ministries of the New Testament.

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Hi Chris,

I would submit that the disputation has occurred because many have accepted the erroneous teachings of Martin Luther and his "Faith Alone" doctrine. Prior to the Reformation people didn't question the necessity of water baptism. This is a new phenomenon that has risen from the Reformation. In order to defend this doctrine one must reject that works of any kind play a role is salvation. Then people choose how they want to define works. If it's faith alone then they have to reject anything a person does. Thus they define works as anything a person does. This leads to absurd conclusions. It also leads to conflict within their own beliefs. It becomes necessary to deny certain passages of Scripture. In the real world these same people wouldn't even consider defining works as anything a person does. Let's suppose that everyone in this conversation is a business owner and has several employees. Each employee is given certain works or tasks to do in their job. Now suppose the boss comes in one day and finds one of the employees in the break room all day reading a book. Everyone in this conversation is that boss. Does anyone think that the boss is going to pay that employee for sitting in the break room all and reading a book? Of course not. Now, here is the employee's defense, boss, you wanted me to do works and I was in the breakroom doing works, so you should pay me for the day. If people define works in the real world the way they do in the Bible they should pay the employee for the day because the employee did works. Of course the boss' argument is going to be, those aren't the works I gave you to do. So, in the real world they differentiate between works, yet in the Bible the don't. What is the basis for this differentiation? A preconceived belief in Martin Luther's "Faith Alone" doctrine.

complete said:

In the days of John the Baptist, baptism was with water only, with the promise of spirit baptism. Then during the Acts period of approximately 40 years we see both baptism with water and Spirit: but then in the epistles written following the Acts period, namely (Eph. Phil. Col. 1 & 2 Tim, Titus and Phile.), it is Spirit baptism only, as is confirmed in Ephesians ch.4:3-6, and, 'The Unity of The Spirit', in which there is but one baptism, and that is of the Spirit:-

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace.
There is:-
.. one body, and
.... one Spirit, even as ye are called in
...... one hope of your calling;
........One Lord,
.......... one faith,
............ one baptism,
.............. One God and Father of all,
Who is above all,
and through all,
and in you all.'

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

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I agree with part of what you said. However, I have to disagree with the end. I would submit that the one baptism is water. Mark opens his Gospel with these words.

1 THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance efor the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Mk 1.

From this we see that the very beginning of the Gospel of Christ is water baptism and it is for the remission of sins. That's the very beginning. It's the same thing Peter said, which is probably where Mark got it. Peter said,

Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ac 2:37–40.

Be baptized for the remission of sins. To that Peter ties the receiving of the Holy Spirit. This is just what we see with Jesus' baptism. Upon coming out of the water He received the Holy Spirit.

If baptism with the spirit is something apart from water baptism then there is more than one baptism. Also, Paul taught salvation through water baptism.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Tt 3:3–5.

He said God saved us by the bath of regeneration. The only bath in the Christian faith is water baptism. Also, he contrasts that with the act of the Spirit so we know that the bath of regeneration is not talking about spirit baptism.

It seems pretty clear to me that water baptism is just what we see in Scripture, the place where we enter into a covenant with God.

Since there is some much talk of baptism of the Spirit, what exactly is that? What is, being baptized in the Spirit?

Butch5 said:

Since there is some much talk of baptism of the Spirit, what exactly is that? What is, being baptized in the Spirit?

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At the baptism in water what we are agreeing to if we understand what we are doing is to kill the old man, that is darkness, and choose the new man that is light.

That choice is a Holy choice.

It is following God our Father, what He did, as it is written in the beginning of Genesis
His spirit hovered over the dark waters of the earth,
He then created light, saw that light is good
And chose the light

In that spirit we must get baptized

The spirit of death to the flesh knowing that flesh is death,
The spirit of choosing the light instead

When we choose the light at baptism we do not still know very much about what the light is
That is the way that Jesus is, walking the way will let us know more and more of the light

It is a holy promise from Jesus, as it is written that the ones who searches shall find,
and for the ones who knock the door shall be opened

But the one who knows little about the light knows little about what to search for
and what to ask for in prayer.

That is a great problem that people cannot solve by themselves
So God has granted a miracle to help us

With the baptism in the Holy Spirit will come tongues, (at least as a general rule, God may make any exception He wishes of course)

Tongues is giving over the power over our tongues to God
So that we may pray for what He knows is wise

Thus Jesus has taught me that those who receive tongues shall consider it a great miracle gift from God
And are encouraged to use it over and over again, preferably for hours and hours a day at least until great advances on the way is made

Controlling the tongue ourselves, by our flesh, by our mind, by our brain
refusing/ unwillingness to hand over control to God, to the Holy spirit
it is part of how the old man would act, the man of darkness.

The new man, the man of light knows that God is good
Knows that God is a much better ruler than himself
and do not mind at all giving over the power over his
tongue to God, for Him to decide what to pray for.

When we pray in our own language we do wise to first and foremost
pray the Lords prayer. for the same kind of reasons.

The Lords prayer is Good, cause Jesus gave it to us, it is from God.

Acts 19:1; It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples.
Acts 19:2; He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
Acts 19:3; And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism."
Acts 19:4; Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
Acts 19:5; When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:6; And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
Acts 19:7; There were in all about twelve men.

Of the 5 passages in Acts that talk about being baptized in the Holy Spirit, this one stands out because it talks about three difference baptisms.
1. John's baptism ( water )
2. Baptized int eh "Name of Jesus".
3. Baptized in the Holy Spirit. In this case, Paul layed hands upon them to give them the Holy Spirit.

Act 10:44; While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
Act 10:45; All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
Act 10:46; For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,
Act 10:47; "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"
Act 10:48; And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Like the disciples at Ephesus in Acts 19 above, Cornelius had already been a believer for some time before he met Peter.
Also like the disciples at Ephesus, they didn't receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when they first believed. ( We didn't even know there was a Holy Spirit! )
Cornelius is the first Gentile mentioned in the Bible to receive the Holy Spirit, but even though he received the Holy Spirit here, he still had to be baptized in water.
It's one of the two instances where people weren't baptized in water first.

Acts 8:14; Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
Acts 8:15; who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16; For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 8:17; Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:18; Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Acts 8:19; saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Just like the disciples at Ephesus and Cornelius, the Samaritans here had already been believers for a while as well. They had already been baptized
"in the name of the Lord". But they hadn't received the Holy Spirit yet. Again, the disciples layed hands on these people and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:3; As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
Acts 9:4; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
Acts 9:5; And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
Acts 9:6; but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."
Acts 9:7; The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Acts 9:8; Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
Acts 9:9; And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Acts 9:10; Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
Acts 9:11; And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,
Acts 9:12; and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight."
Acts 9:13; But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;
Acts 9:14; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."
Acts 9:15; But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
Acts 9:16; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake."
Acts 9:17; So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 9:18; And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;

Then we have Paul himself, he meets Jesus on the road to Damasus. But then he is blind for three days, he doesn't eat or drink for these three days.
Paul goes to meet Ananias. Ananias lays hands on Paul as well, Paul receives the Holy Spirit, ..and then he is baptized ( water ).

The gift here ( presumably the Holy Spirit ) was given by laying on of hands.

1Tim 4:14; Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
2Tim 1:6 ; For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

In all five instances of people receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts, they had all been believers for a period of time ( at least 3 days in Paul's case ) before they received the Holy Spirit.
All five instances are recorded in Acts. So, for people who say the things in Acts don't apply to Christians anymore, that would seem to include being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Because it's the only book of the Bible that talks about in baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The first instance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is in Acts 2. There were about 120 people in this "upper room".

Acts 1:14; These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:15; At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,

Acts 2:1; When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
Acts 2:2; And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3; And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
Acts 2:4; And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

In this case, no one layed hands on these people. Because who would have already had the Holy Spirit required before in order to lay hands on someone?
But this was unique in other ways. It's only instance that mentions the "mighty rushing wind", and the only instance that mentions the "cloves of fire" above their heads.
However, the speaking in tongues is mentioned in every instance except the passage about Paul. But we do know that Paul spoke in tongues.

1Cor 14:18; I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;

Mark 16:15; And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:16; "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Mark 16:17; "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Note that the baptism of the Holy Spirit did not happen until Jesus ascended back into heaven. Jesus said it wouldn't come until He left.

John 16:7; "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you

John 7:39; But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

complete said:

'For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
.. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
.... there is neither bond nor free,
...... there is neither male nor female:
........ for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's,
then are ye Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise.'
(Gal 3:27-29)

Hello @Butch5, @Charlie24 & @First and the Last,

According to Gal. 3:27-29 (above) baptism was a levelling and a unifying incorporation of the believer into Christ, whereas, the history of the professing Church shows that the question of baptism has been the cause of much bitterness, strife and division. I believe that much of the disputation that has torn the Church, has arisen out of the failure to discern the dispensational differences that mark the several ministries of the New Testament.

In the days of John the Baptist, baptism was with water only, with the promise of spirit baptism. Then during the Acts period of approximately 40 years we see both baptism with water and Spirit: but then in the epistles written following the Acts period, namely (Eph. Phil. Col. 1 & 2 Tim, Titus and Phile.), it is Spirit baptism only, as is confirmed in Ephesians ch.4:3-6, and, 'The Unity of The Spirit', in which there is but one baptism, and that is of the Spirit:-

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace.
There is:-
.. one body, and
.... one Spirit, even as ye are called in
...... one hope of your calling;
........One Lord,
.......... one faith,
............ one baptism,
.............. One God and Father of all,
Who is above all,
and through all,
and in you all.'

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

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Well, we agree on that Brother. The one baptism is indeed the spiritual baptism, as Paul put it "the baptism into Christ."

When Paul mentions the spiritual baptism into Christ, he also illustrates water baptism in form of dying with Christ, buried with Him, and rising to a newness of life.

At water baptism, we are in the water dead and crucified with Christ, we are immersed into the water, lowered into it being buried with Christ, we come up out of the water risen is Christ. It's symbolic of the spiritual baptism that actually saves us. The water baptism is confessing, calling on the name of the Lord, it is the outward confession of what took place inside the very moment we believed in Christ and were spiritually baptized into Christ.

Charlie24 said:

Well, we agree no that Brother. The one baptism is indeed the spiritual baptism, as Paul put it "the baptism into Christ."

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Just so you know, complete ( Chris ) is a sister, not a brother.

What is a spiritual baptism into Christ?

B-A-C said:

Just so you know, complete ( Chris ) is a sister, not a brother.

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Oh boy, I've done it again! I'm famous on the internet Christian forums for this, countless times.

Thank you for letting me know! Sister I'm sorry, please forgive me. I didn't know but I should have!

Butch5 said:

What is a spiritual baptism into Christ?

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It's what happens the very moment you accept Christ as your Savior.

Water baptism is symbolic of the your actual spiritual salvation.

Charlie24 said:

It's what happens the very moment you accept Christ as your Savior.

Water baptism is symbolic of the your actual spiritual salvation.

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But what is it? Please explain what it is.

Butch5 said:

But what is it? Please explain what it is.

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I gave a brief description in post #92, if you have any questions I can show you from Scripture.

Charlie24 said:

I gave a brief description in post #92, if you have any questions I can show you from Scripture.

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Lòks like water to me. You said it's an outward profession of what took place at belief. Can you show me where that happens at belief?

Butch5 said:

Lòks like water to me. You said it's an outward profession of what took place at belief. Can you show me where that happens at belief?

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I can show you this from Col. 2:10-13. I'm sure you remember Jeremiah speaking of the circumcision of heart, well, here Paul explains what it is.

"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"


This is the circumcision of the heart, spiritually speaking. It is the operation God performed in the spiritual realm at your salvation.

It is being buried with Christ and risen in Christ spiritually, and this is where water baptism is the symbol of your spiritual salvation.