Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Focus on the Family

    Strengthening families through biblical principles.

    Focus on the Family addresses the use of biblical principles in parenting and marriage to strengthen the family.

  • Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ

    Heard of "The Gospel"? Want to know more?

    There is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men, by which it behooves us to be saved."

Bible Study Faith in Christ

2024 Website Hosting Fees

Total amount
$1,048.00
Goal
$1,038.00
The baptism of Acts 2:38 is Christ's baptism of the great commission, Matt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16, Luke 24:47. Luke's account of the great commission says " And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." This was carried out by Peter in Acts 2, Peter was in Jerusalem and preached repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord for remission of sins.

Acts 2:38 is not Christ's baptism of the great commission as He instructed the disciples to go out into the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Matthew 28:18, 19.

Christ's baptism is that of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit spoken of by John the baptist: Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. That is what happened in the upper room on the day of Pentecost as they were filled with the Holy Spirit and later that day there were 3000 added

You omitted the last part of Acts 2:38 where Peter said: and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit did not fall on them, but filled them from within as even Gentiles were present on the day of Pentecost and also received the indwelling Holy Spirit as there were around 3000 that day including the proselytes (Gentiles who believed in God).

Starting at verse 14 in Acts 2 Peter, after being filled (indwelled) with the Holy Spirit begins his sermon by speaking of the prophecy of Joel. He begins with what God has already spoken, vs. 17-21. Peter goes on explaining about who Jesus of Nazareth was, vs. 22-35.

Vs. 37-41 after hearing the words Peter spoke to them it's like their hearts were pierced like having remorse and asked what they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Repent is the act of knowing you are a sinner in need of God's forgiveness that comes by His grace through faith that is Christ Jesus.

Truth only comes by the Holy Spirit that teaches us all things and brings those things back to our remembrance.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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 shew you things to come.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

It's a heresy people teach that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not for today just as many teach the OT has no importance today.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
 
There is but just one way to be saved, all that will be saved will be saved in a 'like manner' way, Acts 15:11. There is no variance in how men are saved.

There is only one way to be saved and that is through Christ Jesus that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus is the only way, only truth and only the life we believe and have faith in Him knowing Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who came into the world to save sinners like me, you and whosoever from their heart humbled themselves and confess Him as Lord and Savior.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
 
Again, the Bible does not tell us the the Holy Spirit miraculously illuminates one's understanding. Nor can those that claim such prove such subjectivity.

I have given you the scriptures more than once throughout this thread that say different, but yet you reject them as you do not believe the Holy Spirit has never filled anyone, nor has taught anyone the Spiritual things of God.
 
I disagree.



(1) It was just the Apostles that was promised the Comforter/Holy Spirit John 14:16,26; John 15:26 for the purpose of inspiration in teaching them all things and bringing all things to their remembrance. No one today is inspired by the Holy Spirit as the Apostles ( and other Bible writers) were inspired.

(2) Matthew 3:11 " I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: "

This verse, context does not tell us who Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost. In this verse 11 John is speaking to Jews, Pharisees that had come to his baptism Matt 3:7. John says to these Pharisees in verse 11 "I baptize you with water". Why would John say he baptized those Pharisees with water when he had not, when the Pharisees rejected John's baptism (Luke 7:30)? It becomes apparent that John is using both pronouns "you" in a generic fashion and is not referring to anyone in particular in this verse. We therefore cannot tell from Matt 3:11 exactly who Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost. (Many people today try and make themselves the second "you" when neither pronoun 'you' refers to anyone today.)

To find out who it is Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost we can look to the fulfillment of John's words found in Acts 1:1-5. In this context Jesus is speaking to no one but His Apostles and in verse 5 Jesus even refers back to John's word of Matt 3:11. Now we know it is the Apostles Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, no else on Pentecost was made this promise and in Acts 2 it was just the Apostles the Holy Spirit fell upon and spoke in tongues.**

**From Acts 1:11 we know the Apostles from Galilee, a good distance from Jerusalem. In Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles they could speak in dialects other than their own native Galilaean language. After the Apostles spoke in tongues we are told " Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them (Apostles) speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? " Acts 2:6-7. The ones that spoke in tongues were "these which speak Galilaeans". If the entire multitude had the Holy Ghost fall upon them and spoke in tongues then that means the entire multitude there in Jerusalem must have all been from Galilee. Not one person from Jerusalem or elsewhere had the Holy Spirit fall upon them and speak in tongues. This is too improbable to have happen.

Lastly acts 2:1 says " And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. " The nearest plural antecedent to the pronoun 'they' in Acts 2:1 is the Apostles of Acts 1:26.

It was just the APostles in Acts 2 that had the Holy Spirit fall upon them and spoke in tongues, it was the other 11 that Peter stood with: " But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:" Acts 2:14. (Again, only those from Galilee had the Holy Spirit poured out upon them and spoke in tongues.) Furthermore, Acts 2: 37 it was the Apostles to whom the multitude addressed this question (what must we do?) implying it was just the Apostles speaking in tongues showing the HS had fallen upon the Apostles alone.

=============

Additional information I found about the Apostles being from Galilee and speaking Galilaean: "

"GALILEANS"-"Galilean men came from a despised district (John 7:52) where education was scanty, the standard of culture low, and the spoken dialect was peculiar (Mark 14:30)....the apostles dress would have aided in their identification by the devout men.." (Reese p. 51) "This was an international, multi-lingual crowd which gathered...Yet the speakers were known to be Galileans..who had a reputation for being uncultured..so they were looked down upon by the people of Jerusalem as being provincial." (Stott p. 65)

Galileans spoke a rude Aramaic...i.e. they didn"t even excel in their own native language-not to mention a foreign dialect.
" Dungan Commentary.


========

Those in Acts 2 obtain their understanding of the gospel by words preached to them by Peter, they heard those words, understood them and pricked in the heart prompting them to ask Peter what they must do and Peter gave more instruction in telling them to repent and be baptized. The Holy Spirit therefore gives understanding to men by His word being taught or read and not in any supernatural way apart from the word. Just as those in Acts 7 heard the word preached to them by Stephen, understood what Stephen preached and hated what they heard to the point of killing Stephen. They did not kill Stephen because they did not understand what he preached. They understood Stephen was condemning them just as those in acts 2 understood Peter was condemning the for crucifying the Messiah.

There were 120 in the upper room that day after the disciples came back to Jerusalem after being with Jesus on the mount called Olivet and witnessing Jesus ascension up to heaven, Acts 1:11-15. They were not in Galilee, but were men of Galilee.

The 120 that were gathered together in the upper room started speaking in other languages after the Holy Spirit fell on them. Now when this was noised abroad the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? There was only a questioned that was asked as it does not say they were all from Galilee.
 
Sorry, but your claim does not hold water. Look over at the next chapter, and the Spirit reveals in Peter's defense of his actions to the other Apostles why the Spirit fell on Cornelius before he was immersed into Christ. Looking at Acts 11:15 we see that the Spirit fell on Cornelius "as [Peter] began to speak". When he began to speak, Cornelius had not yet heard the Gospel. And if he had not heard the Gospel, he could not have believed the Gospel.

No, the purpose of the Spirit falling on Cornelius was to show the Jews that the Gentiles were acceptable to God to be added to His Church.

I agree the purpose of the Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles was in defense of Peter's ministry to the Gentiles, Acts 11:1-18, but Cornelius did hear Peter preach the Gospel before the Holy Spirit fell on him and all that were gathered in his house that heard the word first. It was after the Holy Spirit fell on all of them that they then were baptized in water.

Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
 
Since the need for miraculous demonstration of the Spirit ended when what we call the Bible was completely written, around AD100, there is no more miraculous events today.

The purpose of miracles was to prove the authorship of the message they brought. See Moses when he asked God, what sign shall I show the people that they may believe me? God gave him the sign of turning his hand leprous, and turning his staff into a snake. The same was said of Jesus. When Nicodemus came to Jesus he said, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." The purpose of Jesus' signs and miracles was to prove to the people that He was not only from God, but was God.

Signs and wonders are not magical tricks Jesus performed to impress the multitude during His earthly ministry. He used miraculous power to heal the sick, feed the hungry and raise the dead as all power and authority was given Him by His Father.

It's the same as it was yesterday, today and forever as His power and authority works in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that works in us and through us that we also by His power and authority continue in His miraculous works today as signs and wonders of God's amazing grace.

What about the signs and wonders during the end of days as we watch and wait for the return of Christ like the greatest sign of the coming of Christ found in Matthew 24:29-31. Signs and wonders give conformation of the truth of God that helps lead others to faith as they witness these miraculous miracles for themselves.
 
I agree with him. Miracles had a particular purpose for a particular time and fulfilled their purpose in their time in the first century. No need for them today.

John 20:30-31
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
"

The verb "are written" is perfect tense, perfect tense describes an action that has an abiding, ongoing effect, not needed to be repeated.

John wrote those miracles down that Christ performed so they would keep on inducing a belief in men today as they did 2000 years ago when Christ actually performed them.

Therefore there are no need for miracles today since John wrote them down whereby we today can read about them and believe them. To claim we need miracles today undermines the whole point/reason of John writing them down for us today. But since John wrote them down, then those miracles still have an ongoing abiding effect (perfect tense) to induce a belief in men today. Therefore no need for repetition of those miracles.

I don't know if you are JW or not, but so much of what you say in here about the free gift of grace being conditional, the Trinity not being Biblical and the Holy Spirit and that miracles like healing is not for today is exactly what they teach and these are heretical false doctrines of the Watchtower Organization.

 
What I post on this forum, and other forums I participate on, come from years of my own personal study of God's word.
I am not the kind of person that believes a thing simply because someone says it. Just because a minister within the church of Christ preaches "x" does not automatically mean I will believe "x". I will only believe "x" after I put in time and study about "x" and reach my own conclusions about "x".

And what I post comes from around 40 years of studying as in the last 15 or so years I no longer attend any church since there are no good word churches in my area since the last one was forced to close its doors. All my studying comes straight from the KJV and hearing the Holy Spirit teach me either directly or through those He has anointed and works through to teach me. I Spiritually discern that of what I am taught by others and if those teachings do not line up with the full context of scripture I do not believe them.
 
Again, the Bible does not tell us the the Holy Spirit miraculously illuminates one's understanding. Nor can those that claim such prove such subjectivity.
We are born of the Holy Spirit or we do not know God. This is not a faith position, it is a Kingdom reality.

There are fruit indications of this reality, rather than wages earnt conditions. We are always caught being under grace and not works, by our works reflecting who we are.

This is learnt because of our found reality reflected in scripture. It is like people declaring they chose God like a child seeing their parent and running into their arms. Theology often formalises realities of the heart, so should not be confused that study will bring about the same. Repent of sin and believe Jesus and you will be saved, amen
 
Acts 10:44-46 says, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those hearing the word. And the believers who were of the circumcision, as many as had accompanied Peter, were amazed, because on the Gentiles also the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out; for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.”

It seems you have a lop-sided understanding of Scripture.
Nothing that you support has Scriptural support.
You need to be retaught Scripture.
Do you have someone at home that can do that for you?
There are several people on this forum who can teach you if you are willing.
Forums have taught me closed hearts declare a closed spiritual life. Repentance and faith on the cross alone brings us into the Kingdom. You cannot teach this, either it is there or not. A false tree can only be replaced. It appears once fully grown few will begin again because the ideas of heresy get so embedded.

One pastor asked should they love everyone? If one is this blind, it is very rare sight comes, because the word is always spoken with the wrong context and limits. God bless you
 
I agree the purpose of the Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles was in defense of Peter's ministry to the Gentiles, Acts 11:1-18, but Cornelius did hear Peter preach the Gospel before the Holy Spirit fell on him and all that were gathered in his house that heard the word first. It was after the Holy Spirit fell on all of them that they then were baptized in water.

Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
If all you read is Acts 10, then you will get the impression that the Gentiles heard the Gospel before the Spirit fell. But Acts 11 gives more clarity. Peter said "as I began to speak..." If the Spirit fell on them as he began to speak, then that does not contradict "while he was saying these words". But it does clarify that the Spirit fell before the Gospel was heard, understood, or believed, and well before any faith could be expressed in the Gospel. They were not saved/forgiven/added to the Church when the Spirit fell on them. They were only saved/forgiven/added to the Church when they were immersed into Christ.
 
Signs and wonders are not magical tricks Jesus performed to impress the multitude during His earthly ministry. He used miraculous power to heal the sick, feed the hungry and raise the dead as all power and authority was given Him by His Father.

It's the same as it was yesterday, today and forever as His power and authority works in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that works in us and through us that we also by His power and authority continue in His miraculous works today as signs and wonders of God's amazing grace.

What about the signs and wonders during the end of days as we watch and wait for the return of Christ like the greatest sign of the coming of Christ found in Matthew 24:29-31. Signs and wonders give conformation of the truth of God that helps lead others to faith as they witness these miraculous miracles for themselves.
Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and raising the dead were good deeds in and of themselves, but the purpose of doing those things was not the good that He could do for men. The PURPOSE of those acts was to prove that He was who He said He was. It is demonstrated in at least two places that the Jewish leaders of the day knew this fact.

John 3:1 and following shows Nicodemus coming to Jesus and saying that I know you are from God, because no one can do what you have done except for God being with him. Because of what you have done, I know your message is from God.

John 6:30 the Jewish leaders ask Jesus point blank, you say you are from God, but what sign will you do to prove it. A messenger from God (in that day and time) could do signs and wonders on demand to prove his message's validity. If he could not do the sign on demand, he was a fake and was to be killed.

Today, no one can do signs and wonders "on demand", because we have the Word written down with proofs both within it, and in the secular history that back up the validity of the written Word. There is no more Biblically defined need for miracles today.
 
Acts 2:38 is not Christ's baptism of the great commission as He instructed the disciples to go out into the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Matthew 28:18, 19.

Christ's baptism is that of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit spoken of by John the baptist: Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. That is what happened in the upper room on the day of Pentecost as they were filled with the Holy Spirit and later that day there were 3000 added

You omitted the last part of Acts 2:38 where Peter said: and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit did not fall on them, but filled them from within as even Gentiles were present on the day of Pentecost and also received the indwelling Holy Spirit as there were around 3000 that day including the proselytes (Gentiles who believed in God).

Starting at verse 14 in Acts 2 Peter, after being filled (indwelled) with the Holy Spirit begins his sermon by speaking of the prophecy of Joel. He begins with what God has already spoken, vs. 17-21. Peter goes on explaining about who Jesus of Nazareth was, vs. 22-35.

Vs. 37-41 after hearing the words Peter spoke to them it's like their hearts were pierced like having remorse and asked what they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Repent is the act of knowing you are a sinner in need of God's forgiveness that comes by His grace through faith that is Christ Jesus.

Truth only comes by the Holy Spirit that teaches us all things and brings those things back to our remembrance.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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 shew you things to come.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

It's a heresy people teach that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not for today just as many teach the OT has no importance today.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Again, Luke's account of Christ's great commission says " And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. " This was fulfilled by Peter in Acts 2. Your argument fails on this fact.

Christ's baptism of the Great Commission
--had disciples administering water baptism. Christ would baptize with the Holy Ghost Mt 3:11. Humans can only administer water baptism. In Acts 8 the Spirit did not miraculously illuminate the understanding of the eunuch nor did the SPirit baptize the eunuch. The Spirit instead sent for Phillip to teach the eunuch and water baptize him for this is how salvation takes place in the conversions in the book of Acts.....teaching and water baptizing. Your argument dies another death here.

--Christ's water baptism of the great commission is commanded. No one was commanded to be 'spirit baptized' therefore 'spirit baptism cannot be obeyed as water baptism can be obeyed. Acts 1:1-5 only the Apostles were promised the Holy Spirit that would give them Divine inspiration. No one can obey a promise much less a promise made to someone else.

--this human administered water baptism of Christ's great commission lasts till the end of the world. Those that carry out the great commission in making disciples by baptizing them, Christ said He would be with them til the end of the world. No verse says anything about a "spirit baptism" lasting till the end of the world. As I pointed out earlier, Joel's prophecy about God's Spirit being poured out upon "all flesh" has already been fulfilled some 2000 years ago and does not exist today.

--baptism of the great commission is in the name of the Father,Son and Holy Ghost. This means water baptism is carried out by the authority of the Father Son and Holy Ghost. No where in the Bible has humans been authorized to "spirit baptize" nor does any person have the ability to 'spirit baptize another.

--Matt 28:20 " Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: " Christianity is a taught religion. In order for Christianity to continue on through time till the end of the world new disciples must be made. These new disciples must go on to make more new disciples. Making new disciples through time requires teaching new disciples to observe all Christ commanded. Christ commanded water baptism, water baptism is how disciples are made. Therefore for Christianity to continue till the end of the world water baptism must continually be taught and practiced.

None of the above are true or are said about any kind of "spirit baptism". YOu can make claims about "spirit baptism" but given no proof the baptism of Christ's great commission is anything other than water baptism.

Water baptism of the great commission has been commanded to man therefore it is something that can be obeyed and the onus, responsibility and accountability is upon man to obey. But if the great commission is "spirit baptism", how can man obey something out of his control and be held accountable for only what Christ can do. If one has not been 'spirit baptized' then the failure lies squarely upon Christ for failing to have baptized that person with the Spirit.

================

Matthew 3:11 " I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: "

This verse, context does not tell us who Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost. In this verse 11 John is speaking to Jews, Pharisees that had come to his baptism Matt 3:7. John says to these Pharisees in verse 11 "I baptize you with water". Why would John say he baptized those Pharisees with water when he had not, when the Pharisees rejected John's baptism (Luke 7:30)? It becomes apparent that John is using both pronouns "you" in a generic fashion and is not referring to anyone in particular in this verse. We therefore cannot tell from Matt 3:11 exactly who Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost.

To find out who it is Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost we can look to the fulfillment of John's words found in Acts 1:1-5. In this context Jesus is speaking to no one but His Apostles and in verse 5 Jesus even refers back to John's word of Matt 3:11. Now we know it is the Apostles Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, no else on Pentecost was made this promise and in Acts 2 it was just the Apostles the Holy Spirit fell upon and spoke in tongues.

Some today will try and conveniently make the second "you" apply to themselves but not the first. In reality neither pronoun "you" refers to anyone today.

Matthew 3:11 provides no proof of the claim of "spirit baptism" for people today.

=====================

The context of various verses shows the Comforter was only promised to the Apostles, no one today.
 
Last edited:
There is only one way to be saved and that is through Christ Jesus that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus is the only way, only truth and only the life we believe and have faith in Him knowing Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who came into the world to save sinners like me, you and whosoever from their heart humbled themselves and confess Him as Lord and Savior.

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
I have never said salvation can be found anywhere other than "in Christ". Yet it takes water baptism for one to be in Christ, to be clothed in Christ's perfect righteousness..

Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you (not any more or any less) as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

The Greek for 'put on" is endyo meaning " (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively):—array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on." Strong's

Those who have not been baptized have not put on Christ.

Luke 6:46 " And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
There are those who want to call Jesus their Lord without having to do those things Jesus said for them to do.
 
I have given you the scriptures more than once throughout this thread that say different, but yet you reject them as you do not believe the Holy Spirit has never filled anyone, nor has taught anyone the Spiritual things of God.
I have consistently stated the Spirit teaches men through His written word, the Bible and scripture bears this out. You have not provided any verse that the Spirit teaches men today is some supernatural way apart from the written word.

Again, the example of the eunuch in Acts 8 proves my point. The Spirit did not supernaturally enlighten the eunuch's understanding apart from the word nor did the Spirit baptize the eunuch. But the Spirit sent for Phillip to preach the word to the eunuch and water baptize him. The word being taught to men and men being water baptized is in all the conversion in Acts. What you're claiming cannot be found in any conversion.
 
Back
Top