What Does It Mean to Be Baptized With the Holy Spirit?




15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

 This is pivotal point in Jesus' life.  John the Baptist is baptizing many with a "baptism of repentance".  John's baptism was one of preparation for Jesus' coming.  Water baptism was a ritual in the Jewish faith used when Gentiles were converted to Judaism. It was an entry rite into the Jewish community.  But in this case John was calling the Jews to repent.  Over time they had become hardened in heart.  Though they had the law of Moses, their hearts were calloused and they were stuck in dead rituals which had no power to change their lives.

But the Good News was that although John's baptism was limited to repentance a new kind of baptism was coming.  A baptism of the Spirit that Jesus came to bring.  The Israelites could not be converted by human effort or works, but it would be the Holy Spirit who would to lead them to faith in Christ.  

 Later when Jesus rose from the dead and returned to the Father, He sent the promised Holy Spirit to the disciples who were gathered for the celebration of Pentecost. By the Holy Spirit's power the apostles would preach the Good News and many would turn from their sin, believe in Jesus, be baptized, and also receive the power of the Holy Spirit.   To be baptized in the Spirit means to be completely filled, covered and immersed in the Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ. 

 This same Holy Spirit led you to faith in Christ, as you were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Through the gift of faith in Christ God set you apart as you were baptized, marked you with the sign of the cross, and made you apart of the family of God forever.  So we might say we were created by the Father, saved by the Son, and baptized and sent in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The water of baptism represents cleansing and the baptism of Spirit represents filling.  Paul says in Ephesians to "continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit."  Though we are baptized once, we continue to be renewed by the Holy Spirit every day.  Every day we can say "Come Holy Spirit, continue to fill me with your life giving power. Empower me with your gifts to fulfill my calling in the body. Bear fruit in my life as a abide in Christ."  

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