IX. Water Baptism, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the Gifts of the Spirit
Matthew 3:11
“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." - John the Baptist
8. The Water Baptism of believers by immersion. (Romans 6:3-4). In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit by the command of Jesus. (Matthew 28:19).
9. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience subsequent to salvation, with the Scriptural evidence, namely, speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17, 10:44-47, Galatians 3:14-15).
10. The gifts of the Spirit as enumerated in 1 Corinthians chapters twelve to fourteen being exercised and practiced as manifested in the early church. (1 Corinthians 12-14).
Living Waters Fellowship FCA Statement of Faith
i. The Importance of Water Baptism by Immersion
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Water baptism by immersion is an essential aspect of the Christian faith, as it is a symbolic representation of a believer's identification with Jesus Christ. The act of baptism itself is not what saves a person, but it is a public declaration of one's faith in Jesus Christ and a testimony of their new life in Him.
The act of baptism is closely tied to the biblical concept of repentance and forgiveness of sins. In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist says, "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." This indicates that baptism by water is a preparation for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is received by those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament, we see many examples of believers being baptized in water after they have professed faith in Jesus Christ. For example, in Acts 8:36-38, we read about the Ethiopian eunuch who believed in Jesus and was immediately baptized by Philip. In Acts 2:38, Peter tells the crowd at Pentecost to "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Baptism by immersion is a symbolic representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the believer goes under the water, it represents their old life of sin being buried with Christ. And as they rise up out of the water, it represents their new life in Christ and their resurrection to eternal life. This is why Paul says in Romans 6:4, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
In summary, water baptism by immersion is important because it is a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, a symbolic representation of the believer's identification with Christ, a preparation for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a testimony to the new life that believers have in Christ.
ii. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Tongues
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
ii. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Tongues
In Acts 2, we see the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower his disciples. On the day of Pentecost, while the disciples were gathered together, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house, and tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
This event is commonly referred to as the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is a distinct experience from conversion or water baptism and is characterized by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. It is a spiritual experience in which the believer is immersed, or filled, with the Holy Spirit.
The immediate effects of the baptism in the Holy Spirit on the early church were profound. The disciples who had previously been timid and fearful were now bold and courageous in their proclamation of the gospel. They preached with power and authority, and many people were added to the church.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit also gave the early church the ability to perform miracles and signs and wonders, which served as a testimony to the truth of the gospel.
Throughout the book of Acts, we see the baptism in the Holy Spirit experienced by believers in various places and at different times, and in each event the outward evidence of the experience was speaking in tongues. It is a vital part of the Christian life and is available to all believers who seek it with faith and expectancy. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just a one-time event but a continual infilling of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to live a life of faith and obedience to God.
iii. The Gifts of the Spirit and Their Role in the Church
The gifts of the Spirit (Charismata), are graciously granted by the Holy Spirit, designed for the edification of the church, and divided into speaking and serving gifts. There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to understanding spiritual gifts, but the truth is, the Bible talks about the importance and function of spiritual gifts a lot.
The gifts of the Spirit, also known as spiritual gifts, are given by the Holy Spirit to individual believers in the church to serve and edify (build up) the body of Christ. The apostle Paul provides a comprehensive list of spiritual gifts in his letters to the Corinthians and Romans. The gifts are varied and include:
1. Word of wisdom
2. Word of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Healing
5. Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of spirits
8. Speaking in tongues
9. Interpretation of tongues
10. Teaching
1 1. Serving
12. Exhortation
13. Giving
14. Leadership
15. Mercy
These gifts are given for the common good of the church, and they are not intended for personal gain or self-promotion. Each gift is important and plays a vital role in building up the body of Christ. The purpose of the gifts is to glorify God and to help the church grow in maturity and unity.
The role of the gifts of the Spirit in the church is to equip believers for ministry, to bring edification, to encourage spiritual growth, and to promote unity. The gifts are not meant to create division, but rather to bring unity through the diversity of the members. Paul emphasizes this in his letter to the Corinthians, stating that just as the body has many parts, so does the body of Christ have many members, each with a unique function (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as he sees fit (1 Corinthians 12:11), and it is the responsibility of each believer to use their gift(s) for the benefit of the church. The exercise of the gifts should always be done in love and with the purpose of edifying the church (1 Corinthians 14:1-5).
The gifts of the Spirit play a crucial role in the church by equipping believers for ministry, promoting unity, and bringing edification. They are a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's work in the church and should always be used for the glory of God and the building up of the body of Christ.