Voiceofgod

THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The root word for baptism can be traced back through several languages:

Indo-European Root: The ultimate hypothetical root is gʷabh-, meaning “to dip.”

Greek: From gʷabh- comes the Greek verb báptō (βάπτω), meaning “to dip,” “immerse,” “steep,” “dye,” or “color.”

The verb baptízō (βαπτίζω), derived from báptō, means “to immerse,” “submerge,” “wash,” or “cleanse by dipping.” In the New Testament, it takes on the specific meaning of the religious rite of baptism.

The noun baptismós (βαπτισμός) refers to “ritual washing,” and báptisma (βάπτισμα), a New Testament neologism, specifically means “baptism.”

Latin: The Greek báptisma became baptismus.

Old French: Baptismus became baptême.

Middle English: This evolved into bapteme and baptesme.

English: Eventually, the word baptism emerged.

Therefore, the core idea embedded in the root of baptism is that of immersion or being submerged.

Because of this, sprinkling water on a child does not conform to the original meaning of baptism—an experience of knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, confessing our faith publicly, and receiving the forgiveness of our sins.

Such an act of faith cannot be expected from a child, and thus a child cannot meet the qualification of salvation through baptism.

Most believers my readers would have obeyed the Lord in water baptism, but the Lord has not left us with this experience alone. He graciously opened up a life-transforming, unique, and personal experience to all of us:

THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 1:5 (KJVAE)
[5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

After obeying the Lord in water baptism, I was taught to desire the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

I was told it is first a personal experience, and second, that it is followed by the sign of speaking in tongues.

I went to the Lord, crying and asking Him to bless me with this gift.

During the next church service, I received the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and at that very moment the gift of tongues followed seamlessly.

After nearly 27 years from my first experience of speaking in tongues as the sign of the Holy Spirit’s baptism, I have come to understand more deeply what it truly means to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

As I grew in the anointing, I carried the presence of the Lord wherever I was called to share my testimony or preach the Word.
And I saw the signs the Lord promised.

Mark 16:17 (KJVAE)
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

This experience involves being immersed into a living Being—the Holy Spirit—one of the Godhead.

Like a pinch of salt immersed in water, which dissolves until the salt is no longer seen, so we should be immersed into Christ until we can declare:

“It is not I, but Christ liveth in me.”

Galatians 2:20 (KJVAE)
[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…

Salvation begins the moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
But there is also the process of being saved—being salt on the earth, a light in darkness, a city on a hill, and like the wise virgins, carrying extra oil for our lamps.

As we live on earth, we have a God-ordained plan and purpose which we must recognize and walk in.

Philippians 2:12(KJVAE)
[12] Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Baptism with the Holy Ghost also has a beginning and a process.

Philippians 2:13(KJVAE)
[13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

We must enter this Holy Ocean daily—going deeper and deeper so we may gain the perception of God.

We don’t gain in a day or even in one’s entire lifetime .

But guaranteed that  we get transformed everyday to His likeness and to His image.

Provided we don’t do a ritual kind of reading the Bible and praying everyday.

John 16:13-15 (KJVAE)
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. [15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.

This should be our everyday experience—knowing God through His Word, with understanding given by the Holy Spirit.

This wisdom is found nowhere else—not in rituals,  other scriptures, mythologies, or holy pilgrimages.

Job 28:12-14 KJVAE
[12] But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? [13] Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. [14] The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

Job 28:20-22 KJVAE
[20] Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? [21] seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. [22] Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

Man can only have when God chooses to reveal it ,and our God the one and only God who made the heavens and the earth by His word chose to reveal Himself to us.

Job 28:23 ,28KJVAE
[23] God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place there of [28] And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

How do we know God? Only through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
To know Him is to know the Father.

John 14:5-7 KJVAE
[5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

You my readers, if you haven’t entered the river of God yet , do not dispair but just ask the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 11:13 KJVAE
[13] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.

Like a fish in the ocean ,may the Holy Spirit help us carry this ‘me in God’ experience every moment of our lives. Amen.

Receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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