Baptism of the Spirit

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:13 NASB

Being a member in the body of Christ, anticipates service; but service is always related to another ministry than the baptism of the Spirit. Since the baptism with the Spirit is the organic placing of the believer into Christ, it is that operation of God which establishes every position and standing of the Christian. No other divine undertaking in salvation is so far reaching in it effect. It is because of this new union to Christ that a Christian can be said to be “in Christ,” and being “in Christ” he partakes of all that Christ is, His life, His righteousness, and His glory. The unbeliever, who is “without Christ,” enters completely into this union with Christ the moment he believes. L. S. Chafer, He That is Spiritual.

Our baptism in the Spirit of God is dependent upon one thing; our belief. Yet so many people think there is something they must do to earn this blessing from God. As this week started a man told his story whereby he was forced to go to church all his childhood. As he entered adulthood, he became more and more rebellious against the things of God because he was forced to go to church. When he left his childhood home, he decided he would never go back to church. Over the next several years, he went and did the things he wanted to do; sadly to his own demise. Little did he know that in the near future, he would find himself inside a jail cell wondering where it all went wrong? This now, 40 year old man, told of his mother’s plea to consider salvation and told him she would continue to pray for him. She told him she didn’t want to see him separated from her in a terrible place called hell. He said while he was incarcerated he began to read the Bible again and discover some things for himself; a time where many men consider their eternity before God. He now had a desire to change things and try to recover the years he lost while wandering from God. The thing is though; he didn’t know God. He knew of God through years of church, but never received Christ in saving faith. After a while, while mentioning his mother’s plea for his salvation, he said he didn’t know how to accept God or how to get to Heaven. After all these years of hearing the message of Jesus Christ, he missed the invitation… With others in the room who heard his plight, we asked him if he wanted by faith in Christ, to receive the forgiveness he sought. He said, “Very much so.” We led him through a prayer, in faith, and he received Jesus Christ on Monday morning at 10:00 AM. He was now freed from religion and entered into relationship with Jesus Christ.

You see, we all hear about the possibilities and the power God can and will place into our lives, but I believe many of us miss the change that is necessary to receive that power. The baptism of the Spirit of God is received through belief. We are all looking for the power in our life but yet missing the One who gives it to us. This man missed the message of Jesus his entire life and only learned it at age 40. What a way to celebrate this season than to know you can experience the power of God this Christmas season.

Oh, and by the way, I asked him to call his mother and tell her he had received Jesus as his Savior. What a celebration for any parent who has been praying for their child!