The 3 Baptisms we Need

Matthew 3:13,16 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him, When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.'


Earlier we have meditating about the things that we believe in. We meditated about What is salvation ? What is Faith ? What is Holiness ? Today, we are going to meditate on Baptism. In the above passage dictates the most experience in the life of Jesus which is Baptism. Even in our lives, there are many key decisions we took as per the will of God. Same way the decision of getting baptised is also a key aspect. Baptism is something that changes our lives. It is when we say that we accept Jesus as our own saviour. Just how we remember our birthdays we must also remember the baptism day. It is the day where the Lord changes us into a new creation. Jesus has given this as a command also he pratised the act of Baptism. Baptism comes from a Greek word “Baptizo” which means “to be fully immersed”. Therefore, if a person is taking Baptism , it must be willful immersion. It should NOT be a forceful baptism or a sprinkle Baptism. We see Baptism is an external expression of an internal decision. Baptism is something that gives direction to our decision to follow Christ. Today let us meditate about three Baptisms in the scripture and how they impact our walk with the Lord God.

1. Baptism of Repentance

Acts 19:4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

Firstly, we see about the baptism of repentance. Paul addresses to the disciples in Ephesus in Acts 19 chapter. Since they had a very basic understanding of Messiah and his ministry through John the Baptist. Unfortunately John could not see the victorious ministry of Jesus and his resurrection. Hence the people only had a basic awareness from the repentance messages delivered by John. They did not know the glorious end of ministry of Jesus. They had a limited knowledge about Jesus. Therefore, the Baptism of repentance is the first step in this process. John prepared people to be ready to receive the Messiah through repentance but Paul had to show them the difference in their understanding of baptism. Later in the scripture, they were baptised in the name of Jesus. The word 'Repentance' comes from the Greek word 'metánoia' which means “a change of mind” “Complete turn around”.

A true Repentance does these 4 things in our lives which are,

God’s Will - 2 Peter 3:9 '...not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance'
God’s mercy - Isaiah 55:7 '...Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him...'
Sins blotted out - Acts 3:19 'Repent... that your sins may be blotted out....'
Brings joy to heaven - Luke 15:7 ...there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents...'

Therefore a Biblical repentance means, Conviction → Godly sorrow → Turning to God → Confession → Forsaking sin → New life with fruits of obedience. Let us receive today the baptism of repentance.


2. Baptism of Water

Matt 3:16 'When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.'

Secondly, we see about the Baptism of Water. In the above passage we read, “Jesus came up from the water” which indicates he was fully immersed and came out of the water. The immersion baptism denotes that we die for sins in Christ and we come out with life as a new creation. The Baptism of Jesus marks an important day of his earthly life. It paved a way for a new beginning of his ministry. Our Baptism day is our spiritual birthday as new creation. If our nature is still the same even after gettting Baptized, then we need to re-think many things. Paul compares the act of Baptism to our identity in Christ. This we read in Gal 3:26,27 'For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.' By getting immersion Baptism, we put on Christ over us like a garment. This was a revolutionary statement made by Paul to the Galatians of this time. Historically, they believed if they obey and follow to the laws they become the sons of God. However Paul says this is possible through our faith in Jesus. On hearing all this from Paul, people were shocked. We read in Matt 3:17 "And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Only through immersion Baptism, there is a sudden voice from the heaven which acknowledges the act. There is no miracles performed by Jesus before his Baptism. He did not heal or work out any divine miracles. The moment Jesus decided to take baptism and finishes his baptism, there comes a voice from heaven. The water baptism of Jesus was indication to us that Jesus was immersed completely to his Father's will. The voice of his father was revealed in the baptism of Jesus. Therefore, we immerse ourselves in trusting in Jesus and put our faith on him. Let us not get baptised only in certain sections of our lives by just sprinkling, but we need to surrender ourselves completely by immersing ourselves in Christ.


3. Baptism of The Holy Spirit

Acts 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Lastly, a Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This Promised baptism of the Holy Spirit by Jesus was fulfilled in Acts 2:4 'And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.' The moment Jesus steps out of the water, the spirit of God came upon him like a dove. This indicates a progression. We cannot stop with repentance and water - next is the Holy Spirit.

What happens when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit ?

We are strengthened - Acts 1:8 '...But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..'
We have a Helper - John 14:16 '...He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever.'

How do we receive this Holy Spirit?

We read in Acts 10:44 'While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.' Not only when we pray, even as we listen and hear the word of God the Holy Spirit will fall upon us. Through faith and God’s Word, the spirit of the Lord will be poured upon us. We read in Joel 2:28 “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh..” Let us be thirsty and hold onto His Word, we will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Amen.