Read I Corinthians 12:12-14
Read John 1:29-33
Read Acts 1:4-5
• I have shared three different scriptures with you this morning, all concerning baptism, for a purpose
• Next Sunday afternoon right after our service, we will be leaving here, and going about 7-10 minutes down the road (depending on
how fast you drive) to BJ & Denise Jones home.
• We will be conducting a baptism service in their swimming pool as we did last year
• And for any of you that would like to be baptized, we would love for you to invite your friends and family to join us there.
• If you would like to be baptized, there is a signup sheet that I will pass around today.
• If you at some point between this week and next decide that you want to be baptized, that will be fine too
• As I have mentioned before, last year we had about 6 people sign up, and before it was over, we ended up baptizing about 24
people.
• How many of you were there??? That was a glorious day to say the least.
• Last year on the day of the baptism, I ministered on the importance of water baptism, and I will focus in on that subject again next
week.
• But with next week’s water baptism in mind, I have decided to approach this topic in a different way.
• About a year or better ago we tackled this subject in a Wednesday night Bible Study
• But today I want to start a three week series entitled ‘Baptized’
• And in this series I want to attempt to teach on the subject of baptism in a way,
• That if you didn’t previously have a deep understanding of the subject, you will before we are through the next three weeks.
• Most people have a very limited understanding of the importance of baptism in scripture.
• So I want to start by sharing with you this morning that baptism to the believer is so important,
• That God talks about it in great detail throughout the Bible, especially in the new testament.
• The subject of baptism is mentioned over 100 times in the Bible,
• And yet often we will hear the term baptism and chock it up to something that is nothing more than a public confession of our faith
in Jesus.
• Folks, as we will talk about over the next few weeks, baptism (even water baptism) is so much more than just a public confession
of your faith.
• So with that, let’s dive right into the Word of God this morning, shall we???
• --
• So I shared three different scriptures this morning for a reason.
• It’s because when the Bible talks about baptism in the New Testament, it is important to note that there are 3 different TYPES of
baptism mentioned.
• Now for those of you who may be skeptical of this, or have never heard this taught before, we are going to dig into the Word over
the next few weeks to see this clearly.
• However, today we are going to identify the three types of baptisms, and will focus for a few minutes at the end on the first type.
• In each type of baptism there are three very important elements we need to understand:
• A) Which baptism comes first, second, and third. B) What or Who you are being baptized into, and C) Who is doing the baptizing
• To make sure we are all following, let me say that again: We must know,
• Which of the three types of baptisms occur first, second, and third.
• What or Who you are being baptized into
• And who is doing the baptizing
• Once we know these three things, the doctrine or understanding of baptism becomes a whole lot clearer in scripture.
• Now I ask you to bear with me today as I attempt to not just preach (but teach) on a little deeper level
• As it is so important to the life of the believer to understand this subject.
• The first scripture we read from today was out of I Corinthians chapter 12, and it mentions the baptism that must proceed the other
two.
• It says, ‘for as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also
is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body’
• Now let’s look at that – Paul was talking to believers when he said ‘WE ALL’ are baptized into one body.
• Paul was not referring to baptism by water in this scripture.
• The baptism that Paul was referring to was the baptism into the Body of Christ
• When were we baptized in (or when did we become a member of) the Body of Christ?
• When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, right.
• So in this instance when Paul talks about salvation, He calls it baptism.
• What does the word Baptism mean? It means to be covered or immersed into something.
• When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are immediately immersed into a large crowd or family of believers.
• The church becomes your covering, because you don’t have to walk through life alone anymore
• That’s how God designed the Body of Christ to be. A family that does life together, AMEN
• That lifts one another up when they are down, and that together become a vital part of advancing the Kingdom of God.
• But Paul goes further. What elements did we say we needed to look for in order to completely understand each type of baptism?
• We needed to Know A) Which one comes first – which means before you can be baptized into anything else, you should be a
believer
• Which means the baptism into the Body of Christ, or surrendering your life to Christ must come first.
• The second thing we said we need to know is B) What or Who are you being baptized into
• And we just determined that we are being baptized INTO the Body of Christ or the church when we accept Christ as Lord.
• But there is another very important part of the equation – and that is C) Who is doing the baptizing.
• Let’s look at the scripture one more time – It says, ‘for as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one
body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body’.
• So the first baptism we encounter is when we are baptized INTO the Body of Christ BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
• So when you accept Christ you are baptized BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST.
• Folks this is so important, because so often we study scripture and we simply chock salvation up to a personal decision.
• But the moment you and I choose to accept Christ, the Holy Spirit takes action, and accepts us into the Body.
• He baptizes us, immerses us, and fills us with the Love of God.
• How many of you thank God this morning that even when we weren’t believers, the King of Glory
• The Spirit of the living God thought enough of us, that He was right there waiting for us to open the door of our heart, so He could
escort us into the Kingdom of God.
• If that’s you, give the Lord a big AMEN this morning.
• --
• But how many of you this morning thank God that there is more to the story???
• Say – THERE’S MORE TO THE STORY
• One more time repeat after me, THERE’S MORE TO THE STORY.
• So the first baptism is into the Body of Christ upon acceptance of Jesus.
• The second baptism is mentioned (really the second and third, but we will focus on the second)
• But the second baptism is mentioned in John chapter 1 – It says ‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, After me comes a Man who is preferred
before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with
water’
• I am not going to spend a ton of time on this, as we will elaborate next week before the water baptism
• But I wanted those of you who are being baptized next week to be able to chew on this for a week before we dive too deep next
week into this.
• But so often we hear water baptism referred to as a ‘public confession’ of our acceptance of or faith in Christ.
• May I suggest that if you were previously baptized in water thinking it was just a ‘public confession’, that you consider being
baptized again next week.
• Nowhere in scripture are we told that water baptism is a public confession of our faith.
• What we know about water baptism, is that we need to first be baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ.
• And now as we move onto Water baptism, I am telling you that this is scripturally the second baptism that the believer should
experience.
• Now sometimes the third does occur before people are water baptized, but in most Biblical examples water baptism occurred
second
• (as a matter of fact in the Bible most believers were immediately baptized in water after accepting Christ)
• But knowing that Water Baptism is the 2nd type of baptism for the believer, we still need to ask two questions:
• Who or what are we being baptized into and Who is doing the baptizing.
• Well the last question (who is doing the baptizing) is easy, John said, I baptize with water.
• Next week for those of you being baptized, I will say the Words ‘I baptize you’
• The minister or man of God does the baptizing in the act of Water Baptism
• So in WATER BAPTISM we are baptized BY A BELIEVER OR MINISTER, but what are we baptized into?
• You might say well we are baptized into water, but no water is just the tool used
• Look what John the Baptist said, He said, ‘but that He should be revealed to Israel (or to the world), for this reason I came
baptizing with water’.
• So he baptized with Water but by doing so, He - Jesus Christ was revealed to the world.
• Folks when you get this revelation it will forever change the way you look at water baptism
• It is not just a public confession of your faith in Christ. When you are baptized in water, Christ is revealed in you
• Another words YOU TAKE ON THE IDENTITY OF JESUS CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE
• Oh come on somebody – When you get saved you ask Him to accept you as part of His family.
• But when you get water baptized you are being transformed, you are taking on the IDENTITY OF JESUS CHRIST.
• **If you understand that revelation, and it excites you like it does me, would you give the Lord a big AMEN this morning**
• I’m not going to touch on water baptism too much more today, because our entire message next week will center on it, but WOW
what a revelation
• Now can you see how important it is to the believer, AMEN…
• --
• So we have the 1st baptism BY the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ upon acceptance of Him.
• That means we get to go to Heaven when we die.
• We have the 2nd baptism by way of being immersed into water (which we will discuss more next week),
• Which is done by a minister, at which time you are taking on the identity of Jesus Christ.
• But how many of you know the Bible speaks of a 3rd very important baptism?
• Let’s quickly look at our last scripture passage this morning – It says, ‘And being assembled together with them, He (He being
Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which He said, you have heard
from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’
• So 1st the believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ.
• 2nd the believer is to be baptized with water by a minister into the identity of Christ
• And 3rd the Bible says we are to be baptized WITH the Holy Spirit.
• Now we are going to focus on this baptism in two weeks, because it’s so important that we understand the first two baptisms
mentioned before diving too deep into this 3rd baptism
• But it’s important to know what this third baptism is – Let’s look at our three means of clarifying this baptism that Jesus speaks of.
• It is mentioned as the third step or type of baptism, coming after the first two in scripture.
• The next question is who or what are we being baptized into? Well the scriptures clearly say we are being baptized WITH or
immersed in, or filled with the Holy Spirit.
• But then the last question is, WHO baptizes us WITH the Holy Spirit???
• Well, the Bible is clear on this point – In the gospels John the Baptist says, ‘I baptize you with water unto repentance, but one
comes after me who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire’
• The Bible goes on to explain in John 1:33 who that someone is. It says, ‘upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining
on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
• Who did the Spirit ascend on and remain??? JESUS CHRIST
• So who baptizes us WITH the Holy Spirit??? JESUS CHRIST
• Oh come on somebody this is good stuff.
• How many of you love it when His Word comes alive with revelation like this, AMEN…
• So we will touch on the last two of these baptisms in more depth over the next couple of weeks.
• But the Bible tells us that we will be BAPTIZED into the Body of Christ by the HOLY SPIRIT
• The Bible tells us we will be BAPTIZED BY WATER into the identify of Christ by the Man of God.
• And the Bible tells us we will be BAPTIZED WITH the Holy Spirit by JESUS CHRIST.
• 3 different baptisms, with three different purposes, but all to fulfill God’s ultimate will for our life.
• 1) Sealing our Soul for Heaven 2) Making it so others can see the Christ in me, and 3) Filling me with the Holy Spirit for boldness
and purpose in the remainder of my walk on this earth.
• Now I have heard some say, well you had to jump from one scripture to the other to come up with those three baptisms, so maybe
you are trying to make something out of nothing.
• OK COOL WATCH THIS – Listen to Acts chapter 2 verse 38, (one verse) It reads – ‘Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let
every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off’
• Repent (first baptism or baptism into the Body of Christ) – be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins (2nd
baptism or water baptism) – then you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (3rd baptism or baptism with the Holy Spirit)
• Folks I’m not making this stuff up, it is powerful
• And notice how in Bible times as people were so on fire for God in their lives, and hadn’t yet started trying to limit Him
• That it was as simple as 1, 2, 3 – they were saved, baptized in water, and then baptized with the Holy Ghost (almost immediately
one following the other)
• And we can’t use the excuse that all three baptisms were just for the early church, because in verse 39 Peter says, ‘the promise is
to you, your children, and those who are afar off (THAT MEANS US)
• Folks, if you will allow yourself to get the complete revelation of Baptism over the next few weeks
• I promise you, it will change your life and your Christian walk forever.
• Oh my, How many of you thank God for His Word this morning??? If so give Him Praise in His house of God.
• --
• So we are going to tackle the 2nd and 3rd baptism in greater depth over the next two weeks
• But this morning I want to ask you two questions? Number 1, Have you truly taken the first step of being baptized into the Body of
Christ???
• Next week we will open you up to the opportunity to be baptized by water into the identity of Jesus Christ
• (As a matter of fact), I feel like someone here today is wishing that a loved one would have been here to hear this message.
• If that’s you, please see me after the service, and I will make you a CD for that loved one.
• And then make sure they listen to it, and then that they come next week, because if they get this revelation, they may just run to
the pool to be baptized next Sunday afternoon.
• But I want to finish with two questions this morning – 1) Have you truly taken the first step of being baptized into the Body of
Christ???
• And 2) If you were baptized by water previously under the assumption that you were just making a public confession of your
relationship with Jesus, do you feel the need to be baptized again???
• This time with a greater understanding of what it really means… and this time will you be baptized for the sole purpose of taking
on the identity of Jesus Christ?
• For those of you who are saved, you think on that second question, and if that’s you, you sign our clipboard for next week’s water
baptism.
• But let’s go back to question 1 as we finish up this morning.
• Have you truly taken the first step of being baptized into the Body of Christ???
• Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, and made Him Lord of your life, King of your heart???
• Listen to me, You can’t take on His identity and you can’t be immersed with His Spirit,
• Until the living Christ has taken up residence inside of you.
• I don’t care today that you may have grown up in church
• I don’t care that your mom or dad told you all of the stories about Jesus
• I don’t care that you might live a good life, or that you are a good person.
• I only care today that you are absolutely certain that the King of Glory, Jesus Christ,
• Has sealed your future, and that you know you will live for Him and with Him forever and ever.
• In a moment I am going to finish this message, and I am going to open this altar.
• And when I do, if you are not absolutely certain that you have been baptized into the Body of Christ
• And that Jesus (The Living Christ) lives inside of you, I am going to ask you to make a decision.
• A decision that you can make at this altar, or you can make right there in your seat,
• But a decision to allow the Holy Spirit to go into action, and to baptize you into the most important family in this world, THE
FAMILY OF GOD.
• Listen, none of this other stuff matters if you don’t have Jesus living inside of your heart.
• You can get baptized in water a thousand times, but if you don’t have Him inside of you,
• You can’t reflect Him in your life, another words you can’t take on His identity.
• And if He is not living in you, then You can’t be filled WITH His Holy Spirit
• Because in order for Him to flow in you like a river of living water,
• You have to first break down the dam of your heart, and let Him in.
• Today may be your day of decision – you have heard the Word of God, and you see the steps He wants to take in your life
• **Listen, He doesn’t need you to be perfect or Holy yet. You don’t have to wait to get cleaned up.
• But if you want the fire of God raging in your life, IT STARTS WITH A SPARK, AND THAT SPARK IS JESUS CHRIST
• **WOULD YOU STAND PLEASE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD**
**have all close eyes and give opportunity to accept Jesus and receive the first wave of baptism**
