In which Name are we to baptize?

Water Baptism did not start by John the Baptist. It was not a new thing. They were doing it in the temple by the priest. John did not just initiate water baptism nor was he the first to preach repentance. Repentance was preached throughout the history of God's people. Water baptism like many things are a "type or shadow" to follow. But this is not to say that it has stopped or is irrelevant.

However, even John talked about another baptism by Him whose sandals John was not worthy to take off or carry. Jesus would baptize us by His Spirit and fire!  

Matthew 3:11 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.

When many read the English bible, when we see the word "baptize" or "baptism" we just in most cases assume it is of water.

Do all need to be baptized by water? Do all need to be baptized by His Spirit and Fire? Do all who are baptized by water make it to heaven? How about those who are not baptized by water, are they still eligible to make it to heaven? It is clear in the bible that our salvation must be worked out daily with trembling and fear. Even if people were baptized by water, it is not a guarantee they will make it to heaven. If this is the case, is there such importance as some may put it on how one should be baptized when it comes to which Name they should use? Paul said to avoid petty controversy over words. Because of translation issues there will be issues of semantics.  Perhaps, most important is to teach our people to be baptized by His Spirit and Fire.

2 Timothy 2:14 (AMP)  Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers.

Acts 2:38 And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If you look at Acts 2:38, Peter is not talking about a water baptism. The last sentence is key. Do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit because we are immersed in water or because we are baptized unto HIM by His Spirit?

If you look at the beginning of Acts chapter 2, you see that Pentecost had come. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit. They had received the gift of the Holy Spirit and it exploded as the gifts manifested such with tongue. God was pouring down His Spirit.

The apostles had desired to baptize the people with what they had just been baptized with, His Holy Spirit and Fire. Many churches do not teach this because they lack the Power of God to impart Fire or Holy Spirit so that others may be baptized by His Spirit. Therefore, they teach and emphasize water more. This is something they can do easily without much effort. But this is not to take away any importance of water baptism for it has its place. However, it is MORE important to be baptized by His Spirit and Fire.

Jesus is impelled to baptize us with HIS FIRE!! He has come to cast fire upon the earth.

Luke 12:49-51 (AMP)I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it were already kindled!50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and how greatly and sorely I am urged on (impelled, [a]constrained) until it is accomplished!

Can a person be saved without water baptism? Yes, they can. However, it is more imperative to be baptized by the Holy Spirit and Fire to survive and make this journey. The Lord has told me that dark days are coming. He must allow it to become darker so His Light will shine brighter. His Light will shine from His overcomers. We cannot overcome without the Power of the Holy Spirit.  We must be baptized by HIM.  

Acts 19:1-6 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the upper inland districts and came down to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.2 And he asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [on Jesus as the Christ]? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.3 And he asked, Into what [baptism] then were you baptized? They said, Into John’s baptism.4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, continually telling the people that they should believe in the One Who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus [having a conviction full of joyful trust that He is Christ, the Messiah, and being obedient to Him].5 On hearing this they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus.6 And as Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in [foreign, unknown] tongues (languages) and prophesied.

Matthew 28:19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them [b]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

In Acts 19, water baptism is referred as "Into John's baptism." In Matthew 28:19, it states, "baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus is not speaking of the water baptism but of the HOLY SPIRIT. There are churches which debate in regards to determine which name to baptize their people in water. Are they to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit as stated in Matthew 28:19 or in the name of Jesus as stated in Acts 2:38? Both these verses are not referring to water.

Is water baptism a prerequisite before being baptized by the Holy Spirit and Fire? Is water baptism a prerequisite before receiving His gifts? The answer to both questions is "NO." My wife is an example. She is yet to be baptized by water. But she was first baptized by the Holy Spirit and Fire before I was. I was baptized by water when I was twelve/thirteen years old. But it is because I have been baptized by His Spirit and Fire less than four years ago that you are witnessing the fruit there of. 

This note is not to discourage anyone from being baptized by water. If the Holy Spirit leads you, please by all means do so. But know there is a higher baptism that the Lord earns and is impelled us to be baptized with. Paul did not first ask people if they were baptized by water. He asked if they had received the Holy Spirit when they had believed onto Jesus in Acts 19.

Churches and individuals do not need to get involved over unedifying arguments over semantics. Those who possess the Power of God will, like Apostle Paul, lay hands and impart His Spirit and Fire so they may be baptized by HIM instead of arguing about semantics. Therefore, let us seek more of HIM so that we may be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and consumed by HIS FIRE to be regenerated!

"Because God is a consuming fire. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of fire." -LR

Fire of God

Steve Yong Kim

June 14, 2012