THE BAPTISM, with, of, or in, THE HOLY SPIRIT

[Chopper]

There are volumes written about this subject accompanied with a lot of confusion. Having studied and participated in both Baptist and Pentecostal doctrines, the following is what I feel is a biblical position between both of them. Both views have truth and error, and this doctrinal statement takes the biblical, and refuses their traditions that I find is in error. I personally feel that Satan has been quite successful in hiding and distorting biblical truth concerning the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lets consider John 20:22 as a springboard into this subject. The disciples would have to be considered biblically saved at this point but not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus remedies this prior to His ascension by "breathing on them and said receive the Holy Spirit". Church doctrine overlooks this important passage because they don't see two separate baptism's, one at Salvation and another at Pentecost. In Acts chapter 2 Jesus was making sure that prior to His ascension the disciples would be saved, sealed and filled with the Holy Spirit, a type of what happens to us at the moment of Salvation. Then later, the baptism in the Holy Spirit followed. Traditional Baptist's refuse a second baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Notice that in Acts 1:5 Jesus says "for John baptized with (better translated Gk ev or in water), but in a few days you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit". The moment I was saved I was indwelt by the Holy Spirit. That is when the Holy Spirit came into me to seal and fill me. At the baptism of the Holy Spirit is when I go in the Holy Spirit for power to minister. You might say it is when I go into the ministry or purpose of the Holy Spirit, see 1 Cor. 12 for some of His ministry gifts. So we have a baptism in water and a baptism in the Holy Spirit. We go in the water and in the Holy Spirit. The Bible presents two separate baptism after salvation. Has Satan deceived most of the Church of Jesus Christ in that they have discounted this second baptism and placed the emphasis on the first and thus robbed the Church of the power of the Holy Spirit as it was designed to flow from the Holy Spirit through the believer to our neighbor? YOU BET!

The question that remains is "How did Satan do it? I believe he did it through man made traditions! Matthew 15:9 says "They worship Me in vain, their teachings (doctrines) are but the rules (or traditions) taught by men".

Now lets consider what the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for. Acts 1:8 holds the answer. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (notice not in you) He is already in you "and you will be witnesses...." It's clear! The result of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is power!! Power to be bold, power to heal, power to cast out demons, power to power to interpret Scriptures Power to be involved in miracles etc. If refused by dumb traditions, NO POWER! Remember, Jesus commanded these disciples to tarry or wait in Jerusalem for the gift the Father promised, Acts 1:4. The question each of us must answer is "am I refusing this gift of the Father?" If the disciples had refused to wait or refused in some way the baptism in the Holy Spirit, then the result would have been doing the work of God in their own power or might, not in the power of the Holy Spirit, much like the anemic church of today....Sad! Sad!

I suppose much more could be said about this subject but I wanted to present a short but accurate biblical statement of what I feel is a drastic and sad robbery of Holy Spirit power to the Church of Jesus Christ of which I remain a faithful witness to. May God Himself bless this statement.

 

[JLB]

There are volumes written about this subject accompanied with a lot of confusion. Having studied and participated in both Baptist and Pentecostal doctrines, the following is what I feel is a biblical position between both of them. Both views have truth and error, and this doctrinal statement takes the biblical, and refuses their traditions that I find is in error. I personally feel that Satan has been quite successful in hiding and distorting biblical truth concerning the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lets consider John 20:22 as a springboard into this subject. The disciples would have to be considered biblically saved at this point but not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus remedies this prior to His ascension by "breathing on them and said receive the Holy Spirit". Church doctrine overlooks this important passage because they don't see two separate baptism's, one at Salvation and another at Pentecost. In Acts chapter 2 Jesus was making sure that prior to His ascension the disciples would be saved, sealed and filled with the Holy Spirit, a type of what happens to us at the moment of Salvation. Then later, the baptism in the Holy Spirit followed. Traditional Baptist's refuse a second baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Notice that in Acts 1:5 Jesus says "for John baptized with (better translated Gk ev or in water), but in a few days you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit". The moment I was saved I was indwelt by the Holy Spirit. That is when the Holy Spirit came into me to seal and fill me. At the baptism of the Holy Spirit is when I go in the Holy Spirit for power to minister. You might say it is when I go into the ministry or purpose of the Holy Spirit, see 1 Cor. 12 for some of His ministry gifts. So we have a baptism in water and a baptism in the Holy Spirit. We go in the water and in the Holy Spirit. The Bible presents two separate baptism after salvation. Has Satan deceived most of the Church of Jesus Christ in that they have discounted this second baptism and placed the emphasis on the first and thus robbed the Church of the power of the Holy Spirit as it was designed to flow from the Holy Spirit through the believer to our neighbor? YOU BET!

The question that remains is "How did Satan do it? I believe he did it through man made traditions! Matthew 15:9 says "They worship Me in vain, their teachings (doctrines) are but the rules (or traditions) taught by men".

Now lets consider what the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for. Acts 1:8 holds the answer. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (notice not in you) He is already in you "and you will be witnesses...." It's clear! The result of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is power!! Power to be bold, power to heal, power to cast out demons, power to power to interpret Scriptures Power to be involved in miracles etc. If refused by dumb traditions, NO POWER! Remember, Jesus commanded these disciples to tarry or wait in Jerusalem for the gift the Father promised, Acts 1:4. The question each of us must answer is "am I refusing this gift of the Father?" If the disciples had refused to wait or refused in some way the baptism in the Holy Spirit, then the result would have been doing the work of God in their own power or might, not in the power of the Holy Spirit, much like the anemic church of today....Sad! Sad!

I suppose much more could be said about this subject but I wanted to present a short but accurate biblical statement of what I feel is a drastic and sad robbery of Holy Spirit power to the Church of Jesus Christ of which I remain a faithful witness to. May God Himself bless this statement.

Great word Brother!

 

[JohnD]

Ephesians 4:1-5 (NKJV)
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

That one baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

As is referred to above quite well, John contrasted his baptism in water with he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (salvation) and with fire (eternal condemnation).

The pastor at First Baptist here in town always assures us that water baptism while an ordinance is only an outward sign of an inward transformation where the true baptism of salvation occurs.

He is a rare man indeed. He will be retiring soon and we will miss him very much.

 

[Chopper]

As is referred to above quite well, John contrasted his baptism in water with he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (salvation)

Hi JohnD, I think you are saying that there is only one baptism and this is for Salvation. Is this correct?

 

[gr8grace]

I think what Satan has done a masterful job with is basically eliminating the 40 or more Gifts that come with the "indwelling of the Spirit" and how every believer is in union with Christ and has divine power at their fingertips with that indwelling. And then trys to get the believer into some form of division in the Body of Christ.......I am more spiritual because I speak in tongues(which ended in 70 AD.)......I am more spiritual because I speak prophecy(which ended in 96 AD) It puts the emphasis on the individual and "what they are doing" instead of the Lord and what He Has Already done for the believer through His indwelling.

Has the Holy spirit come upon you? have you done this?Have you done That? He has not come upon you because you have done this or you have not done that! All the while the indwelling and what the Lord has already done for the believer is never taught.

The indwelling or baptism of the Spirit does not distinguish one believer from another; it does not make one believer superior or inferior to another. It is a unifying factor in the Body of Christ.

I believe the position of the Pentecostals or holy rollers fails to recognize the true nature of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or indwelling.
1. It dilutes the ministry of the Holy Spirit with human activity and alleged human merit.
2. It is a false interpretation of the Word of God which results in departure from the mystery doctrine of the Church Age and substitutes a legalistic, pseudo-spirituality by works.

The baptism of the Spirit or indwelling of the Spirit puts every believer in UNION with Christ and Satan does NOT want the believer to learn what that union truly is for the believer. So He uses the cosmic system to get the believer "stuck" on something else......tongues,prophecy,demons,miracles,healing something the individual does, instead of what the Lord has already done for the believer.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Acts 10:44-48;

The Gentiles started speaking in tongues from hearing God's word, then Peter said they should be baptized with water, because they had already received the Holy Spirit.

 

[Chopper]

water baptism while an ordinance is only an outward sign of an inward transformation where the true baptism of salvation occurs.

I'd like to suggest that water baptism is more than just an outward sign. Baptism has three aspects to it.

1. Baptism is the initiatory sign by which we are admitted to the fellowship of the Church of Jesus Christ. We are en grafted into Jesus and may be considered "Children of God".
2. Baptism is also a sign that we have truly repented. In the early church, deacons would spend as much as 7 days explaining repentance to a seeker so that they were sure the seeker was
serious. Repentance always precedes baptism.
3. Baptism is an outward sign to all men that a person has repented, believed on Jesus, and is not ashamed of his conversion.

Might I suggest that there are two baptisms. 1. Water baptism whereby the Holy Spirit indwells us and places us in the family of God. 2. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit which is later whereby the believer is in dewed with power for witnessing and the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Chopper]

The indwelling or baptism of the Spirit

It seems to me that you are speaking of two events as one. Indwelling happens at Salvation. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is later. Result? very little power at Salvation. All power at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

 

[JohnD]

water baptism while an ordinance is only an outward sign of an inward transformation where the true baptism of salvation occurs.

I'd like to suggest that water baptism is more than just an outward sign. Baptism has three aspects to it.

1. Baptism is the initiatory sign by which we are admitted to the fellowship of the Church of Jesus Christ. We are en grafted into Jesus and may be considered "Children of God".
2. Baptism is also a sign that we have truly repented. In the early church, deacons would spend as much as 7 days explaining repentance to a seeker so that they were sure the seeker was
serious. Repentance always precedes baptism.
3. Baptism is an outward sign to all men that a person has repented, believed on Jesus, and is not ashamed of his conversion.

Might I suggest that there are two baptisms. 1. Water baptism whereby the Holy Spirit indwells us and places us in the family of God. 2. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit which is later whereby the believer is in dewed with power for witnessing and the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Then Matthew 3:11 and Ephesians 4:5 are wrong.

Are you okay with this?

 

[JohnD]

As is referred to above quite well, John contrasted his baptism in water with he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (salvation)

Hi JohnD, I think you are saying that there is only one baptism and this is for Salvation. Is this correct?

Indeed. Just like the Bible says. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

[gr8grace]

The indwelling or baptism of the Spirit

It seems to me that you are speaking of two events as one. Indwelling happens at Salvation. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is later. Result? very little power at Salvation. All power at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

IMO Chopper, that is exactly what Satan wants us to believe......Do something more people, God has not done enough for you at salvation.

At salvation we have everything that we need to live in Gods plan for our lives. Satan does not want us to recognize what we truly have the moment we believe in Christ.

Just a few examples:

1. Unseen assets~~Eph 1..Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the
heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

2.We are complete in Him~~And you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over
every power and authority. (Colossians 2:10)

3. we are indwelt by God the Father~~Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My
Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23)

4. we are indwelt by Jesus Christ~~On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in
me, and I am in you. (John 14:20)

But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your
spirit is alive because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)..

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious
riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

Christ gave us all we needed at salvation. Bible Doctrine will teach us what we have had all along. Salvation is for His Glory. We benefit from that Glory.

To say that salvation brings very little power, is to diminish His Glory IMO.

 

[Chopper]

To say that salvation brings very little power, is to diminish His Glory IMO.

I understand and appreciate what you are saying my brother. When we consider how little a new Christian knows about the workings of God, he needs years of training and knowledge to understand the power of God. We both have either seen or heard of new Christians who are so excited about their new found life in Jesus that they go out and try what the apostles did and they make many mistakes, often with great disappointments. As they mature and realize that all the "gifts" are ministered by the Holy Spirit, they need to be in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came into the believer at Salvation as a Seal unto the day of redemption. In John 20:22 we have perhaps the most important verse in Scripture in understanding the difference between the Holy Spirit at Salvation and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Before Jesus ascended He kept the disciples by His power, whereby once He was gone, He needed the Holy Spirit to come into them as a seal or guarantee that they would not be lost. So here we have the disciples "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit. My question is: Why Pentecost? The disciples were already saved, baptized, and now indwelt by The Holy Spirit, I think you are saying that's all they needed, right? Then why Pentecost. Why did they need power to witness? This power was in addition to their Salvation experience.

Thank you for your reply....iron sharpens iron. Hey, I may be all wet here. You know what, shh, I don't have all the answers, don't tell anyone.

 

[gr8grace]

To say that salvation brings very little power, is to diminish His Glory IMO.

I understand and appreciate what you are saying my brother. When we consider how little a new Christian knows about the workings of God, he needs years of training and knowledge to understand the power of God. We both have either seen or heard of new Christians who are so excited about their new found life in Jesus that they go out and try what the apostles did and they make many mistakes, often with great disappointments. As they mature and realize that all the "gifts" are ministered by the Holy Spirit, they need to be in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came into the believer at Salvation as a Seal unto the day of redemption. In John 20:22 we have perhaps the most important verse in Scripture in understanding the difference between the Holy Spirit at Salvation and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Before Jesus ascended He kept the disciples by His power, whereby once He was gone, He needed the Holy Spirit to come into them as a seal or guarantee that they would not be lost. So here we have the disciples "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit. My question is: Why Pentecost? The disciples were already saved, baptized, and now indwelt by The Holy Spirit, I think you are saying that's all they needed, right? Then why Pentecost. Why did they need power to witness? This power was in addition to their Salvation experience.

Thank you for your reply....iron sharpens iron. Hey, I may be all wet here. You know what, shh, I don't have all the answers, don't tell anyone.

Simply put, because at Pentecost the Church began. OT saints and saints in the hypostatic union were not indwelt with the Spirit at salvation. The Spirit was upon these saints. At Pentecost The Holy Spirit indwelt ALL believers.
Acts 1:5~~5~~ "For John truly baptized with water,
but you all shall be baptized by means of the Holy Spirit
not many days hence."

Acts 1:8~~"But you shall receive power.
After that
the Holy Spirit is come upon you.
And you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth."......(.Pentecost was still 10 days out)

John 20:22 was not a baptism or an indwelling of the Spirit. That did not happen for anyone until Pentecost. Jesus had to be glorified first. So the Spirit was upon people or abiding with people before He was Glorified.

John understood this principle John 7:39~~But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus taught this principle in John 14:17~~that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides(para/alongside) with you and will be in you.......John 7:39.....at Pentecost, when Jesus was glorified.

John the Baptist prophesied about this in John 1:33~~"I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'

 

[farouk]

To say that salvation brings very little power, is to diminish His Glory IMO.

I understand and appreciate what you are saying my brother. When we consider how little a new Christian knows about the workings of God, he needs years of training and knowledge to understand the power of God. We both have either seen or heard of new Christians who are so excited about their new found life in Jesus that they go out and try what the apostles did and they make many mistakes, often with great disappointments. As they mature and realize that all the "gifts" are ministered by the Holy Spirit, they need to be in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came into the believer at Salvation as a Seal unto the day of redemption. In John 20:22 we have perhaps the most important verse in Scripture in understanding the difference between the Holy Spirit at Salvation and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Before Jesus ascended He kept the disciples by His power, whereby once He was gone, He needed the Holy Spirit to come into them as a seal or guarantee that they would not be lost. So here we have the disciples "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit. My question is: Why Pentecost? The disciples were already saved, baptized, and now indwelt by The Holy Spirit, I think you are saying that's all they needed, right? Then why Pentecost. Why did they need power to witness? This power was in addition to their Salvation experience.

Thank you for your reply....iron sharpens iron. Hey, I may be all wet here. You know what, shh, I don't have all the answers, don't tell anyone.

Simply put, because at Pentecost the Church began. OT saints and saints in the hypostatic union were not indwelt with the Spirit at salvation. The Spirit was upon these saints. At Pentecost The Holy Spirit indwelt ALL believers.
Acts 1:5~~5~~ "For John truly baptized with water,
but you all shall be baptized by means of the Holy Spirit
not many days hence."

Acts 1:8~~"But you shall receive power.
After that
the Holy Spirit is come upon you.
And you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth."......(.Pentecost was still 10 days out)

John 20:22 was not a baptism or an indwelling of the Spirit. That did not happen for anyone until Pentecost. Jesus had to be glorified first. So the Spirit was upon people or abiding with people before He was Glorified.

John understood this principle John 7:39~~But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus taught this principle in John 14:17~~that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides(para/alongside) with you and will be in you.......John 7:39.....at Pentecost, when Jesus was glorified.

John the Baptist prophesied about this in John 1:33~~"I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'

gr8grace:

Yes, one needs to understand the context of the dispensational transition between the Old and the New Testaments, between Israel and the church which formally began at Pentecost.

Blessings.

 

[stovebolts]

indeed. Just like the Bible says. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

And do you think that perhaps this could occur in the water where we, as Paul would say, "die, buried and raised in His Resurrection?" Could this possibly be part of that grand and expansive "One Baptism"?

In other words, does baptism have to be an either or, or can it encompass a bigger picture?

 

[Brother Mike]

Hi JohnD, I think you are saying that there is only one baptism and this is for Salvation. Is this correct?

I know some Baptist Pastors that went.......... oooopsssss.......... boy did I understand wrong on that once they got filled with the Holy Spirit and started to speak in tongues. Some Baptist Pastors never even mention it to their congragation because of what their peers might say but they want to stay in there with the Spirit of power as it's better than no power.

Lots of threads on this have come up, we have the confused crowed of course but God is trying to get more to his people, and for those seeking and paying attention will find, those that already know everything and think they have all they are going to get will stay the same, no power.

My hope is to all that seek, Get filled with the Holy Spirit of Power and go do what God called you to do.

The indwelling or baptism of the Spirit does not distinguish one believer from another; it does not make one believer superior or inferior to another. It is a unifying factor in the Body of Christ.

Right........... There is being born by the Spirit, Saved, like the 12 Apostles who waited at Pentecost.

Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

All saved, all had worked by faith in the commision of Jesus to do healing and cast out devils........ None yet anointed with Power like Jesus yet. They all operated by faith. All were saved and Baptized with Johns Baptism. All believed on Jesus. None filled with the Holy Spirit, but all born again by the Holy Spirit.

There is a Powerful witness though the Baptism of the Holy Spirit though, the anointing, the Power to do what Your called to do for God. It's power, and demonstration, not Jesus loves you pamphlets.

I plead that the ignorant learn and not talk anyone out of what God has for them. I think we can set a higher standard on at least one Christian forum out of how many?

Learn from those that know, not the ones who don't speak in tongues or operate regularly in the gifts.

You don't take the car to your hairdresser to get the engine worked on do you?

Blessings to all, keep seeking.

Mike.

 

[stovebolts]

Learn from those that know, not the ones who don't speak in tongues or operate regularly in the gifts.

You don't take the car to your hairdresser to get the engine worked on do you?

Blessings to all, keep seeking.

Mike.

Good words to heed.
I would only add that unity is not uniformity. We are all members of the same body. Some of us are a thumb, or a toe. Others a hand or a leg. Still others are ears or a mouth.

Not everyone had the gift of tongues. Not everyone had the gift of prophesy. You get my point. Unity is not uniformity. There is only one baptism, but like the gifts of the spirit, there are many aspects to it... all working together to form a body made of different parts for different purposes... all achieving glory to our Lord.

But one says, "..." while yet another says"..." Jesus says in chapter 3 that the spirit blows where the spirit blows. yet some proclaim from the tops of roofs, "Look, the wind only blows South West", and indeed it does for that moment. In no way does that invalidate the one who screams from yet another rooftop, "Look, the wind blows from the North East".

How great is our God!

Amen.

 

[Brother Mike]

Not everyone had the gift of tongues. Not everyone had the gift of prophesy. You get my point. Unity is not uniformity. There is only one baptism, but like the gifts of the spirit, there are many aspects to it... all working together to form a body made of different parts for different purposes... all achieving glory to our Lord.

Thank you Brother.

To me if someone ask Questions about this stuff, then is God telling them to seek more? It's like a emptiness inside that tells them there is more for you and you feel unsatisfied inside. This could be anything God wants to bless them with and get over to them.

I want to encourage people to fill that void in their life that God has put to be filled and if they feel after getting saved that they need more of the Holy Spirit, I certainly do not want to discourage them from that. God has a special plan for each of us and We are not junk in his eyes, and his created Workmanship. Go after everything with due diligence trusting God that if you seek, you will find.

I am convinced Tongues is for every believer that won't give up seeking. However, I also see things God puts in people to seek and find to fill those holes in their life. I don't want to get in the way but be a help to those wanting those holes in their life filled.

If it be rich to supply the need of many, then so be it, if it be to be used to heal others, then bless God. If it be to just encourage others and hear the Lord for them then amen. If you don't stop, don't quit, God will fill that Hole and missing thing in your heart, because I fully believe God put that there to keep you heading in the right direction.

Mike.

 

[Chopper]

Then Matthew 3:11 and Ephesians 4:5 are wrong.

In your quote of Matt. 3:11 I'm not sure what you're getting at. That verse depicts two baptism's. John says "I baptize you with water for repentance. That's one. He says Jesus is coming and He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. That's two.

In your quote of Eph. 4:5....In order to understand this verse, Eph. 4:5, it has to be viewed in context with the other verses. In verses 1-16 we are looking at the body of believers. The baptism spoken of here is strictly the baptism (water) that places us into the family of God, seals us, and assumes repentance. There is only one water baptism which accomplishes several functions, thus "one baptism".

 

[JohnD]

indeed. Just like the Bible says. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

And do you think that perhaps this could occur in the water where we, as Paul would say, "die, buried and raised in His Resurrection?" Could this possibly be part of that grand and expansive "One Baptism"?

In other words, does baptism have to be an either or, or can it encompass a bigger picture?

Um, not according to John the Baptist. He contrasted water baptism to the baptism Jesus would give us the baptism of the Holy Spirit.