HOLY BAPTISM

HOLY BAPTISM: WHAT IT IS, HOW TO QUALIFY, AND PROCEDURE

BAPTISM

“Go…and make disciples…baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” —- Jesus Christ, from the Holy Bible’s Gospel of Matthew 28:19.

What is baptism? Baptism is a process that corresponds to and which represents a number of transformations. There is only one baptism but two forms in which it is accomplished, which are physical and spiritual, and with three means, which are: water, Holy spirit, and fire. Ephesians 4:5; uke 3:16.

The word “baptism” is derived from the Greek word “baptizo” and means the action or process of making whelmed, immersed, or submerged. One has not been baptized as intended by God’s Holy spirit and Word unless one has been submerged, immersed, or buried, as in water for example. see for example Mark 1:9; Acts 8:38-39.

To baptize also means to wash or cleanse, so as to afterward sanctify (set apart exclusively for God and thus holy), and has for that reason sometimes been called ablution for purification and sanctification. 

The one baptism therefore corresponds to and represents a physical and spiritual cleansing, sanctification, and newness through burial in and emergence from water, in the Holy spirit, and fire. See for example Acts 22:16; Mark 1:4, 10. But for what reason is this overwhelming, cleansing, and sanctifying called for?

HISTORICALLY, PRESENTLY, AND FUTURISTICALLY

God is righteous, clean and exclusively unique, which all defines His holiness.

Historic reasons for baptism will help us understand the cause for baptismal submergence, cleansing, sanctification, and how those reasons are still applicable today.

John the Baptist is our first New Covenant baptizer who baptized Jesus Christ. Important ancient reasons for early baptism by John the Baptist was:

1. For the repentance and remission (freedom from sin by pardon) of sins. Luke 3:3.
2. According to prophecy, as part of a pre-warning to prepare for the way of the LORD and make His paths straight. Luke 3:4.
3. To fulfill all righteous. Matthew 3:13-17.
4. To identify the promised coming Messiah and testify about Christ who would baptize with the Holy Spirit from God his ultimate Father. Luke 3:2; John 1:33-34; Matthew 3;13-17
5. To manifest and reveal Christ to Israel then and in the future. John 1:31. Israel became God’s historically chosen person and people named after Israel, as Christians were named after Christ (from Greek language) or Messianist after our Messiah (from Hebrew language), for an example to the world of God’s grace, His fulfilled prophetic promises, destruction for unrepentant sins, discipline, forgiveness for repentant sins, and eternal salvation.

Ancient important reasons for Jesus Christ being baptized by water and the Holy Spirit include: 

1. To fulfill all righteousness. Luke 3:2; John 1:33-34; Matthew 3:13-17.
2. According to prophecy, for Christ to receive the fullness of gd’s Holy Spirit powers to accomplish His matured ministry mission for human reconciliation and salvation to God, including additional capabilities such as knowledge, wisdom, counsel, and might. Isaiah 11:1-5; John 17:5, 14:24, 6:63. That is because the LORD anointed Jesus (set Him apart into holiness) to minister, as by preaching (heralding), healing comforting, proclaiming liberty and the acceptable year of the LORD, as well as vengeance of our God. Isaiah 61:1-3. See also for details our publication entitled “The Coming of Christ Our Warrior”.
3. To receive and thereby be enabled to impart and baptize with the Holy Spirit , facilitating others to do the same. Matthew 3:11; John 3:22-27, 5:19,30 and 8:28.
4. To be identified, testified about, and revealed to Israel. John 1:31.
5. To be our example. It marked for Christ the passage of His former life of learning, growth, and occupation before receiving the Holy Spirit (as well as His future death) by water baptism and, His emergence from water into a new ife then (and future raised body from death) for Divine ministry of cleansing, reconciliation, sanctification, and salvation (and future ascension to heaven later in a new body) for His Father God. 1Peter 2:21; Mark 6:3; Luke 2:52; Matthew 20:22-23.

Jesus was also baptized by fire. Luke 12:49-50. We will explain this in a moment.

Important reasons for our baptism as disciples of God the Father through Jesus Christ have historically been and are:

1. All reasons above for John the Baptist and Jesus Christ that are applicable to disciples following Christ, for example, to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:13-17.
2. To signify and testify about one’s commitment to be cleansed from sin, sanctified, and saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Acts 22:11.
3. According to prophecy, as part of a pre-warning to prepare for the way of the LORD and make His paths straight. Luke 3:4.
4. Sometimes, to receive and be conductive for the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38, 8:15-17, 19:5-6; John 7:37-39, 4:10, 14.
5. To mark and signify our preparation and entrance into God’s holiness, into God’s Church and fellowship with His saints, into the internal sanctuary of LORD’s Kingdom, into eternal life, and into the manifestation of the body of Christ for God individually. 1Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 6:1-11; John 3:5.
6. To reflect our union life, death, burial, resurrection, and new eternal life in salvation with Christ. Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:9-15; 1Peter 3:18-22; Mark 16:16.
7. Thus, to be in Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:26-27), where there is many things, including but not limited to: redemption (Romans 3:24), justification (Romans 8:1), consolation (Philippians 2:1), becoming a new creature (2Corinthians 15:22), and being made alive eternally (1Corinthians 15:22).

Jesus experienced this sole baptism in the physical, spiritual, and with water, the Holy Spirit, as well as fire. This is called Holy Baptism and it is a holistic baptism. Jesus leads us into his same likeness of Hly Baptism by water, Holy Spiri, and fire. Matthew 3:11; John 3:22-26, 4:1-2. Why was Jesus baptized?

Although Jesus was manifesting God the Father by His will and Holy Spirit in Him, from the Son’s obedience from faith and love, Jesus Christ was not unlimitedly powerful as if equal to His ultimate Father God. Jesus was subordinate, as He said, the “Father is greater than I.” John 14:28. For more details in this subject, obtain our publication entitled “Worshiping god the Father of Jesus”, the portion entitled “Monotheism in Christology”, by Pastoral Bishop Benjamin J. Theophilus.

Jesus was no negative hypocrite. He did not teach on things He did not practice or experience. He walked approximately 60 miles to be baptized by John the Baptist. Importantly, it was the will of God the Father Who instituted baptism from the beginning.

John the Baptist, prior to being baptized for the carrying out of his mission, knew Jesus was a significant man, but he did not know all the details to exactly how prophetically great Jesus was until after baptism. As you can see from John 1:33-34, it was prophesied to John the Baptist beforehand only that “one upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” In order to fulfill all righteousness pertaining to prophecy and the will of God, Jesus by will of the Father had need to be baptized by John. Matthew 3:13-17. John then became witness to the testimony and actions of God the Father that Jesus is His beloved Son in whom the father is well pleased.

We too have need to be baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness as pertains to faith, reconciliation, unity, sanctification, prophecy, witnessing testimony, and obedience into becoming His authority with power. Mark 16:16. The baptism of Christ initially was physical, spiritual, with water, and the Holy spirit. But some of His baptism by fire came later. Luke 12:50.

In the future Jesus will return, and baptism still today is part of our preparation prior to His coming with salvation. To recognize Christ for who He really is—-the Son of God—-continual repentance and love for God the Father is required for preparation. Luke 3:2-6. Anyone could say they were the Messiah, and there were a number of charlatans then as even today. Therefore, to know a diamond or genuine dollar from a fake one requires becoming an expert oneself, which enables one to know what to look for in determining authenticity. Likewise, to know a true soul of God, one must first take steps toward becoming a true soul of God. Such a step is repentance. Only true repentants will ever recognize Christ in the final days, which will be crucial for the revelation, recognition, and untied internal manifestation of our coming Messiah from God the Father.

Baptism generally represents or signifies change from an old and usually inferior condition or state into a new and usually superior one by powers of God. You could liken baptism to a worm morphing into a butterfly by powers of God. You could say the worm was baptized into the cocoon and then experienced metamorphosis (mysterious inner transformation), later to be born again or raised into a butterfly. Christian (Messianist) baptism is no less mysteriously transformative within by God.

What is clear is that we are in a sense also baptized individually into one collective global body, over two billion souls, which as a whole is the body of Christ with a robe, the LORD’s Church. 1Corinthians 12:12-14. However, local churches are like people, some more developed than others. Those less developed are like the sandals on the feet beneath the body of Christ, with dirty soles, dirt accumulated from closely treading the earth, sullied by the world and representing false teachings.

Those churches transformed by and after baptismal submission to God, and His Church, have cleansed themselves from the world and false teachings; the have become sanctified, and by their faithfulness and utmost love for God will be saved. His Church of God from Jerusalem with His Global Council from Christ (CCGJ-GCC). “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches which are in Judea (Jerusalem) in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 2:14; Acts 1:12,15, 6:7. See more about our New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:13) after the royal priesthood order of Melchizedek in our Messiah (Hebrews 5:5-11) in our publication entitled “The Coming of Christ Our Warrior.”

Baptism is part of a means by which we are granted remission of sins, the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), union to Christ and His Body of disciples (Romans 6:3), and enter His Assembly within the coming Kingdom of God, John 3:5.

BY WATER

Baptism by water is a physical action affirming, and resulting from genuine commitment to God and one’s new life in Christ (the Anointing). It is accomplished by immersion under water and emergence from it into a committed devotion, demonstrated by such immersion is submission (for later ascension), through the New Covenant of Christ from God.

By water baptism, one formally and openly prepares, through declaring by action one’s cleansing, to enter the New Covenant and Kingdom with God in His prescribed means of holiness and salvation. It involves first repentance from dead works, the works of the flesh in sins leading to death, so the living works of God in Christ may manifest through you to others.

Water baptism is a means for God to use, a means that is part of Him Spiritually procreating a new born Son or daughter more in His likeness, John 3:5. It becomes a sign, symbol, seal, and public testimony of one’s faithful obedience, accepting God’s offer of eternal salvation through His Way, His Son, thereby entry into His New Covenant, entry into solidarity with Jesus Christ in terms of self-sacrifice so the Will of God be done on earth as it is in heaven: It is entry into one’s inner commitment to God according to Jesus, and transformation into a new creature more in His likeness and image, Colossians 2:11-12; Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:3-4.

The outward immersion signifies the inner Spiritual baptism; the death of the old man, and outward emergence signifies an inner resurrection of the new man in Christ, both now and in the future, both figuratively and literally, both on earth and into the heavens.

Our physical water baptism reflect by representation, not only Christ’s but also our death, burial, and (later) resurrection. For example, our death literally can be seen allegorically as, and corresponding to, the death of our “old man” and his burial as we are buried beneath water, Ephesians 4:17-24. And our resurrection (from water, representing our newness of life dedication and devotion to God—-Romans 6:4) can be seen as birth into the present and future Kingdom of God, John 3:3; Luke 17:22.

Baptism projects moreover our future, literal DEATH to sin and of the flesh, 1Corinthians 15:31; Romans 6:11; Philippians 1:19-26. Which should be buried in your past, that is a physically historical BURIAL of all old things beneath Heaven on earth—-1Corinthians 15:20-28—-as well as a possible physical burial or disposal of the physical body.

Thereafter occurs your literal RESURRECTION (1Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2Timothy 2:15-18) which is also a literal birth into the Kingdom of God prepared for us, John 3:5, 14:1-6; 1Corinthians 2:9. Once raised to new life, whether correspondingly now or literally in the future, it is the beginning of eternal life in union and communion with God as His Offspring and Companion.

If anyone points to an allegorical meaning of resurrection to new life now, it also forms a prelude to the later literal resurrection of any body prior to or at Christ’s second coming which involves the creation of a new earth, 1Thessalonians 4:15-17, 5:23-24; 2Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-8.

The allegorical of now is to aid in preparation for the eventual outcome later,just as our present preparation is for the eventual destination of the Kingdom of God, as well as the LORD’s holy plans for the new heaven and earth in the future. Such body of present and future Messianist (ancient to modern and future Judeo-Christians) inherit the Kingdom and eternal life with God.

It is not recorded that the criminal crucified next to Jesus was physically baptized in water, Luke 23:39-43. Water baptism is not always required to enable one to receive the Holy Spirit, Acts 10:47, 1:5. As simplistic as watter baptism may seem, one must qualify for it. Nobody gets water baptized just to join God’s Assembly (Temple/Church) of disciples and sain5ts. This requirement for water baptism will be explained in a moment.

Water baptism corresponds to a rite of passage and the effect of anointing (e.g. 1Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1-3), sanctioned by Father Gd for His Church as an entrance into the Kingdom of God and eternal life.

However, baptism is much deeper in significance as a whole rather than in this percentage. Water baptism for example is not unavoidably necessary for salvation, although it is a requirement whenever possible because Christ was water baptized for us to follow and he commissioned it from his Heavenly Father, Mark 16:15-16.

Water baptism corresponds to and represents the death, burial, resurrection, and eternal life of Jesus Christ in us and our preparative steps for union with Him unto such outcome. The filth that we shed through baptism is likened to our flesh of this earth solutioned away prior to resurrection. Baptism, as all ceremonies, should be accomplished gracefully, not swift, jerky, or clumsy but solemnly, unhurried, and peacefully.

BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Baptism by the Holy Spirit is a spiritual activity whereby God cleanses the soul from defilement, demons, and the like. It is the informal and inner preparation for entrance into the Kingdom of God. It is marked by the removal of spiritual wickedness that indwells the soul. It informally prepares one to emerge into the realm and dominion of God Spiritually on earth before ascending literally into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Holy Spirit baptism is physically manifested when the soul is becoming holy. That is, when it is in the obedient process of being called out of the world,k within, as at death, renouncing and detaching from all former worldly goals, things, people, or attachments that are not holy in Christ and therefore becoming filled with the Holy Spirit.

This thereby increases the preparation, stature, and power of ones soul a it separates from the temporal world to enter and emerge into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven as Christ did. It is this baptism of soul, after repentance in heart, sanctioned by the Holy Spirit that is unavoidably necessary for salvation, Titus 3:4-7.

It is this percentage holy baptism of which the apostle Peter expresses does also now save us….by the resurrection of Jesus….authorities and powers having been made subject to him, 1Peter 3:21-22; Acts 9:15-18.

The depth of this mystery is more marvelous than baptism of worm into cocoon and raised a butterfly. Have you ever been transfigured as Jesus on the mountain? The substance in powers of God involving transformation during this point is to say the least, miraculous. However, one must first be overcome with, subjugated in, and inundated by the Holy Spirit from obedience,so to be permeate and suffused with the Holy Spirit, and thus ready for resurrection.

Jesus compared the Holy Spirit with “rivers of living water”, which not only cleanses and invigorates, but transforms us from within into the likeness of a water wellspring of eternal life in a desert, John 4:13-14, 7:37-39.

BY FIRE

Baptism by fire is part of the final Spiritual purification and refinement for soul perfection and maturity to enter the Kingdom for God by love.

It is an activity of intense cooperation between God and Son/Daughter, whereby the soul is purified and refined by adversity such as fasting, chastisements, sever trials, especially the test of one’s faith and lov, and further self-xamination for repentance.

You will notice, fire baptism involves Holy Spirit guided self-imposed self-sacrificial discipline of the physical body, bringing it under dominating subjection and control as an expert Spiritual master over the body’s flesh, Romans 8:13; 1Corinthians 9:27, 10:4-6; 1Peter 1:6-7; Malachi 3:1-2; Luke 12:49; Matthew 3:12; John 2:13-16.

Unlike water or receiving the Holy Spirit, this means of purity is an intense and sometimes long process that often will subject one’s soul, love, loyalty, and integrity for God to ultimate trials of fidelity and truth.

The immersion of which can be most painful, as with fasting, trials, criticism, repentance, persecutions, beatings, losses, etc. and is initially marked by genuine inspiration from God resulting in blessing, zeal, and fierce loyalty to Him. The after emergence of which is most pleasurable, as by joy, success, relief, peace, understanding, wisdom, etc. and is continually marked by genuine inspiration from the Holy Spirit, resulting in zeal of deep unshakable love, devoted faith, and martyrdom loyalty to Him.

Fire baptism, unavoidable for real Messianist/Christian (Mark 9:49), can be physically and/or spiritually involved, Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17.

Some martyrs in history have literally been burned in fire until release fo their soul from the flesh. More at essence and holistically, fire baptism involves a purifying and refining of our souls with an inspirational, zealous, loyal, genuine, integral, and precious resul-phase of our holistic and accomplished baptism, 1Peter 1:6-9.

The culmination of fire baptism experienced by Jesus involved His crucifixion, Luke 2:39-46, 63-65, 23:33, 46. Persecution, criticism, and severe trials for God or His righteousness sake, even torture unto death, are examples of our consummated fire baptism, 1Peter 1:6-9; Luke 12:50; Hebrews 2:10.

However, consummated fire baptism in som cases involves only discipline to mastery of the flesh and not physical martyrdom, Philippians 1:19-26; 2Timothy 4:7. 

Jesus indicated a severe form of discipline upon believers to rectify errors disci0s are struggling to overcome, Luke 12:49. For more on this, obtain our publication, “The Coming of Christ Our Warrior”.

It is from the experience of all—-water, Holy Spirit, and fire—-means of holistic holy baptism that we come to fully realize afterward the presence, powers, and help from God n reality for our lives through our entire dependence upon Him.

Through such ways God by holy baptism rids us of impurities, including but not limited to things such as self-reliance into sins, doubts, inconsistency, impatience, and faithlessness. Our rewards in eternity for perseverance or patience in being God’s light-bearers in the midst of this dark and temporal world arre far above comparison, Hebrews 6:11-12, 10:36-39.

A NEW NAME

It is not uncommon after baptism by water and/or Holy spirit that a soul emerges into a new committed and devoted spiritual creature for our Creator with new powers. A new name may be given to the newborn to affirm, reflect, and identify the new man or woman, as distinguished from the old man/woman who died and was buried.

Saul, who’s name meant “asked” and in Hebrew is spelled by consonants the same as Sheol which means the underworld of the dead, after his encounter of Christ and baptism was later called Paul, a name meaning “little”, Acts 9:15-19, 13:9. “For I”, said Paul, “am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God.” 1Corinthians 15:10. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” 1Timothy 1:12-14.

In the declaration of Jesus, th least (that is, the humbles, most submissive to God, and subservient to others as Christ, as Paul) among you will be great, Luke 7:28, 9:4; Matthew 11:11.

CONCLUSION

As one can now understand, there is only one baptism, holistically holy, Ephesians 4:5. There are two forms and aspects of our life it covers, which are physical and spiritual.

It is not merely an act or ceremony, but a sacred means of entranceway, suffusion, preparation, and progress into eternal life with God. It is accomplished by three means: water, Holy Spirit, and fire. Its present occurrence marks the transitions of our past to future. Baptism is part of the means to salvation, including: its preparatory qualities and effects, its prophetic occurrence that foreshadows what it to come, its sanctifying, sanitary, and enhancing consequences, and all of which helps us to unite with God forevermore.

PREREQUISITES

Before water baptism can be allowed, on should have the following conditions.

First, the soul must believe in God and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God provided through the Holy Spirit from our Creator for eternal salvation with Him, Mark 16:16; Acts 18:8, 8:26-40.

Second, the soul should repent for the pardon of sins, asking for forgiveness from God for all prior transgressions, Acts 2:38.

This should be accompanied by a confession of one’s belief in God raising Jesus Christ, the Son of God, from the dead into the heavens, Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37. An excellent example fr modern times when single on missions is that after Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14-41, or Philip in Act 8:26-40. When in doubles or more, see John the Baptist’s example in Matthew 3:1-12.

Third, the soul should be informed to know what baptism is for, and into what they are being baptized into. A direction would be to instruct how the Father sanctioned baptism through Christ and his disciples have been baptized. Hand them this publication or reveal that water baptism is part of a means to salvation.

That it is part of a sacred means of cleansing, sanctification, entrance, suffusion, preparation, and progression into eternal life with Gd in His Kingdom, for resurrection, and new life in the heavens and future new earth. Prepare them by revealing they are being baptized into the Body of Christ now, the Kingdom of god present and future, as well as eternal life.

In some cases, it requires more than water baptism of repentance in the name of Jesus to receive the Holy Spirit, which is the name of the Father,, Son, and Holy Spirit, as in the case of Samaria.

In such case two disciples were sent (Peter and John) to pray for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, which they did receive after prayer and laying on of hands, Acts 18:14-17. Still others may receive the Holy Spirit by he grace of God, as in Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) or as the household of Cornelius, Acts 10:34-36.

THE GREAT COMMISSION

Baptizing others is part of our great commission, Mark 16:15-16. It must be done in the name (not names) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which is the name of Jesus from his native Hebrew Aramaic language, Psalms 68:4; John 5:43, 14:26; Acts 4:12, 19:5. For more detail, obtain our publication “Worshiping God the Father of Jesus” and its chapter on “Father and Son’s Name”.

As part of our great commission none are exempt from being able to ater baptize if baptized in water properly in the sacred name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and qualified so as to qualify others.

As Christ, we must experience what we teach. The Word of God in us is our authority to baptize. Not even apostle Paul was exempt from baptizing although his Damascus commission toward the Gentiles involved more emphasis on preaching the Gospel, 1Corinthians 1:1-7; Acts 9:6, 15. When apostle Paul said, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel”. He was not referring to his or our great commission, Acts 9:6, 15.

Moreover, in advanced missions, where disciples become apostles by being sent in pairs of two or more (Acts 13:2) both do not always exercise the same gifts or capabilities.

It is not unusual as a team for one to prepare the way as John the Baptist, heralding repentance and the coming Kingdom while baptizing with water while another comes afterward evangelizing with, from, and for the Holy Spirit. The forerunner of trailblazer is called the Baptizer or Baptist. And the second or senior in Spirit of the two, or second coming by cooperation, a forerunner of Christ also, comes after the first baptizer, heralding the gospel and laying hands on the previously water baptized who have yet to receive the Holy Spirit, as did apostle Paul, Acts 18:25, 19:6.

Each local church council of episkopos or overseers, within CCGJ-GCC, has authority to provide Biblical guidance for other details. For example, this teamwork can be done in another fashion at a church, where the first minister or elder baptizes with water any newcomers and/or those who received the Holy Spirit after presence and departure of the first Baptizer.

In this example case, the second or elder of the two may not be sent by Holy Spirit locally to primarily baptize with water, but to preach (herald) the gospel and perhaps enable some to be suffused with the Holy Spirit, and to disciple others to apply qualified holy baptism from God to others. An exception to this is if the elder was on a non-local mission alone as an evangelist, then he or she must be a qualified Baptizer to provide the intended effect and power of Holy Baptism.

As mentioned earlier, a requisite for baptism with water is not that you must first receive the Holy Spirit or must not have received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has been granted by God to some before water baptism (Acts 10:44-48), and the Holy Spirit has been granted by God to someone after water baptism, Acts 18:24–19:6.

While some disciples may be water and Holy Spirit baptized early in life or ministry, both at once was experienced by Jesus when he was around 30 years old and marked the start of his open ministry, Matthew 3:13-17.

For this reason, some of our ministers may be water baptized early from and for personal commitment to God, and then later water and Holy Spirit baptized making the start of their commitment t life long ministry to others for God. In this order, the inner spiritual cleansing comes before the outer,and the outer water baptism signifies consummation of inner sanctification, cleansing, commitment and the fulfillment of all such righteousness from and for God.

While God does not give the Holy Spirit by measure or degrees to one sent to speak God’s words, for He is openly gracious (John 3:34), there is in humans measures of faith and gifts, Matthew 9:29; Luke 7:50; Romans 12:3; Ephesians 4:7. Its “through faith we understand” God, Hebrews 11:3. And most restrictions in those measures are often by a human’s own wayward affections apart from God, 2Corinthians 6:12, 4:3.

It is God Who ultimately determines when and where a soul or souls receive or become full of the Holy Spirit. In any case, we must at heart acknowledge the Sovereignty of God and His Will through Jesus Christ.

We must do this in offering ourselves to our Creator, through repentance, in the move for forgiveness, before we are enabled to experience the powers of His Holy Spirit. This requisite an be obtained either earnestly, as the thief acquired on the cross next to Jesus for his faith by God’s grace, or genuinely by prayer as expressed in Romans 10:9-13.

May God bless you and may good things come to you soon.

A BAPTISM CEREMONIAL TRANSMISSION

Historically, a leading member of our Church was asked by a disciple about helping someone commit to God by baptism where no clean water of depth is available for literal physical submersion as baptism is traditionally meant and required. My response is as follows by the Holy Spirit, also in light of the fact that a disciple received the Holy Spirit by the sprinkle of prayerfully sanctified water.

No long and elaborate ceremony is required for water baptism. What are generally required for the disciple are faith, repentance, and a general understanding of what baptism means. Gor those who would like guidance about any ceremony taught from the Holy Spirit in me among bishops, he following is offered.

1. First pray for God’s presence and approval according to His Word.

By baptism, you are cooperating with God to sanctify the soul(s) to Him. Sanctification means to set apart for primary service to God, which requires cleansing, and subsequent reverence for what God has made holy, what He has set apart and cleansed unto Himself.

2. Sanctify oneself by prayerful request to God with repentance, which God will grant if you are sincere, thereby affirm one’s own dedication to Him for His purposes, “Heavenly Father I dedicate myself to You according to Your Word”, and this should also invoke the required solemnity of reverence.

After completed, you are now prepared by God to make a holy area, to likewise sanctify the area and water by cleaning it from anything deemed filthy according to His Word. Pray first that God would aid you. He will grant your request. If you are baptizing in a river or lake, pray for the LORD to sanctify it and cleanse it for baptism. In modern times if one is baptized downstream from industrial or sewage plants in a river, if possible sanctify the water by separating it and sanitize it, as by chlorine or boiling the water, or obtaining sanctified water from elsewhere.

3. Prepare the disciple. Before s/he enters the holy area, request that any clothing defiled according to God’s Word be removed, such as shoes that have tread across dead animals or dung. You should read to them or tell them the example of Moses from Exodus 3:4-6. Some remove shoes for the removal of dirt as a gesture of obedience and humility before God. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, according to His Word.

Instill into the disciple reverent preparatory training of behavior and orientation toward God before the disciple encounters Him more personally and cognisantly, by the following manner.

You may first read or retell Nehemiah 8:1-12, (dedicating and building Jerusalem temple-people) for example of why you request the disciple, if able, to “bow their head and worship the LORD, with face to the ground”. Worship here means prayers of gratitude and praise to God, which is done after you have educated and baptized the disciple in this manner. You should lad the disciple in this worship for his/her example, as father to son/daughter.

In some areas having predominantly Muslims, you may remind the disciple being baptized hat this form of “face to ground” prayer was done by disciples long before Islamic fundamentalists militarized it, especially when internally genuine rather than externally ritualized, Matthew 26:39. The Holy Bible and God’s disciples existed hundreds of years before Muhammed the founding facilitator of Islam. Biblical leaders have led in prayers in worship lng before and rather than follow Muhammed in his undeveloped learning of Judeo-Christianity or his undeveloped followers called Muslims as examples in this respect, Matthew 26:39-41; 1Corinthians 14:25. God’s Biblical leaders today remain by God His strong leaders in heartfelt prayer for worship.

let all men who omit or dismiss and replace such customs for less holy and humble ones, not be esteemed more than those holding “the traditions as which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle,” 2Thessalonians 2:15. The term “traditions” here mean the precept transmissions, as about the return of Christ teachings as a Warrior or ceremonial conduct a Passover from 1Corinthiansn 11:33-34.

Then read or tell the disciple about your legitimate authority and directions from God through Christ as provided to you by God in Matthew 28:18-20, and observe the direction for teaching the disciple to repent before baptizing, from Matthew 3:4-6. See also Romans 6:1-14.

Read or tell the disciple about what their subsequent baptismal commitment may involve, especially their required involvement in and according to historic outcomes of local COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY by the Holy Spirit, preparing him or her by Acts 2:41-42. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but CALLING NEAR (inviting with imploring, as for aid or help, to assemble) one another.” Hebrews 10:24-25.

4. Then baptize the disciple in the holy water. If no basin or large body of holy water exist, sprinkle or pour water on the disciple until s/he is able to be baptized (fully immersed) later. This will temporarily suffice. Leaders may sign a new covenant document or certificate pledging disciples to obey God according to His Word and strive to be in compliance with new covenant customs of Church responsibilities, as did the leaders in Nehemiah chapter 10.

However, this document is not required so long as the disciple understand new covenant customs of Church responsibilities according to the New Covenant s/he has read and solemnly pledges before one or two witnesses his/her commitment to (and thereby union with) God according to Jesus Christ, and his/her commitment to (and union with) Him in and by His living Body. This includes commitment to His assembly of disciples filled with His Holy Spirit (even if only “two or more” other disciples with or by Holy Spirit), for aiding collective salvation.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but CALLING NEAR (inviting as with imploring, as for aid or help, to assemble) one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25.