Today is our first Sunday in the new year. What better way to begin this new year then talking about the baptism of the soul. When you think of baptism what images come into your mind? Do you think of infant sprinklings or full immersions whether in a baptismal font or in a river? What other forms of baptism exist? How many veterans here received a “baptism of fire” or perhaps you can note the date and time when you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
What is baptism? Is it a ceremony a rite of passage? Could it be a rite of promise, or is it a rebirth?
According to Elwell’s Theological Dictionary, it is the divine covenant, to its provisional fulfillment in a divine act of judgment and grace, and to the coming and definitive fulfillment in the baptism of the cross. In other words, it is a rite of promise between you, God, His grace and the mercy he brought to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is one of those rituals that often defines the various theologies of several different denominations. In our United Methodist tradition, we view baptism more as a covenantal ritual between the parents of the child, the church, and God. This means we take an oath at the baptism to bring this child up to know who God is, and to learn how to walk with God.
One of the reasons we do not encourage second baptisms say at the teen years or when we “accept” Christ into our lives for ourselves is that we do not believe that baptizing some how saves you or that the baptism some how did not “stick.” We believe that Jesus saved us through His crucifixion and resurrection, and that this salvation is freely given for us to receive.
In other denominations, baptism may be promoted in a different way. For example, there are some denominations who firmly believe that the baptism itself is what saves you. In accordance with their beliefs, it is the simple act of baptism, which secures your place in heaven.
Truthfully, this belief has no biblical ground on which it can stand. There is no passage within the scriptures which says that baptism saves you. It is only symbolic of the cleansing you receive for the forgiveness you ask of God for all of your sins. My wife was raised as a Southern Baptist for most of her life. In their denomination, they believe that full immersion is representative of the death and rebirth of the sinner. In other words, as the person is immersed, they are symbolically being buried, and when they surface, they are in a sense reborn.
While these are physical representations of our new life in Christ, John the Baptist spoke of another kind of baptism that only Christ him self could bring about, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Luke 3:16 NIV)
What exactly is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? John Wesley was a recipient of this greatest among all blessings, during the infamous Aldersgate Experience.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an indwelling. In other words, God fills your body with His power and glory. Those who have the “conversion experience” or that feeling of absolute joy and wonder often experience this. It is that feeling that all of the cares and troubles of the world have been lifted off their shoulders, and they have come to absolute peace.
In the case of John Wesley, he described it as the warming of his heart. This warming or baptism brought about a change in Wesley that allowed him to realize that it was more important to bring the Word of God to the people, and that preaching cannot be limited to the pulpit. It was from that point on that he preached not only in the churches, but he preached in the fields and on the street corners. Moreover, he preached with a renewed sense of purpose, and love for God.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 6 Paul tells us that at one time we were sinners and the like, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV) In other words, we have received the baptism of the Spirit when Christ died for our sins on the cross, with the salvation he bought for us all.
Now for some of us, baptism of the Spirit may bring up images of people speaking in tongues or rolling on the floor. It may bring up images of faith healing services, or maybe people being “slain by the spirit”. In fact, all of these images may seem very un-Methodist-like. We tend to associate these practices with the Charismatic churches, with pastors like Benny Hinn or Oral Roberts.
However, these practices are very much part of our Methodist Tradition. Maybe not a big part of our Episcopal beginnings or our more conservative side, but never the less they are as Methodist as John and Charles Wesley. Our sister Methodist denominations such as the Free Methodist, the Nazarenes, and the Assembly of God churches all look to an emphasis on the spiritual cleansing of the Holy Spirit.
To many in the Charismatic movement, it is this defining moment when they have been filled with the Holy Spirit, in which they truly know that they have been saved by God. It is this “rush” of the power of God, which brings them as closer to God than they have ever been or will ever be until they are seated at the heavenly banquet.
Luann and I have been apart of these kind of services before. For us being, part of main line denominations, it was different and interesting to see. However, there is something to be said for them. For those who are participants it becomes their way of reaching out and touching God. It is their spiritual outlet. Even though seeing this experience was different for Luann and me, we were careful to not ridicule what we did not fully understand. This is how they were being brought closer to God and it is okay if their experience with God was not identical to ours.
Some of you may have had a Spiritual Baptism moment in your life. You too may have been filled with the Holy Spirit. This may have been your defining moment of conversion. However, some people may not have had this experience and this does not mean that God has not saved them. We all may experience or encounter God in different ways. Just as we are all different, God uses different approaches with us because He knows us and He knows how to reach us. We all have been given the gift of Salvation and we all have the ability to let the Holy Spirit enter our hearts and minds and lead our lives.
In closing, I would like us all to pray together in order to bring about a Baptism of the Holy Spirit upon our Congregation.
Dear heavenly Father, we come before you today offering ourselves and our church up to you dear Lord. Father, we need your Holy Spirit. We know that in your word, you gave us the promise of your Holy Spirit. We ask that this Spirit will descend upon us today and will embellish us with your love and mercy. We pray that this Spirit will warm our hearts, refresh us and empower us in such a way that will be pleasing and acceptable unto you. Lord, we know that as humans, we sometimes fall short of your glory. We know that our lives are nothing without you. Help us Lord to come to know you better. Through the reception of the Holy Spirit, we pray that we might become better servants of Christ. We thank you Lord for loving us. We thank you for sending Jesus Christ to save us. We thank you for the forgiveness of our sins and we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Spirit, descend upon us. For this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. AMEN
