Water Baptism

An appeal to God for a clear conscience. The burying of the old man and the resurrection of the new. A testimony to the world that we have been born anew through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is merely a symbol such as Communion, not to be confused with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18; Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:8).

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Christ did not baptize in water (Jn. 4:1-2). He was sent to baptize in the Spirit (Jn. 1:33-34). This began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4). There is only one baptism, just as there is one God, one Lord, one Spirit, one Faith, etc. (Eph. 4:4-6; Acts 1:5,8).

It is evident that Paul was speaking of the one baptism being the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). The Spiritual Baptism is always accompanied by the Spiritual language as evidence that the Spirit is within.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Mark 16:16-17

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:4

And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.

Acts 10:45-46

On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all.

Acts 19:5-7

When Philip, the evangelist, got the Samaritans saved and water baptized they sent Peter and John who were apostles to come to Samaria and lay their hands on the Samaritans that they might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:12-17).

The spiritual language one receives when baptized is not the gift of languages (see subject on spiritual gifts), for it is a gift from God and is to be used for self edification only! When a man speaks in a spiritual language, he speaks not to men, but to God, howbeit he speaks mysteries in the Spirit and this is for his own edification (1 Cor. 14:2,4). If any man speaks in a spiritual language let him pray for the power (not the gift) to interpret, that his mind may be fruitful as well as his spirit (1 Cor. 14:13-14). This makes it quite obvious the Spiritual language is not only for prayer and praise, but for wisdom, knowledge, direction and comfort. The Holy Spirit is also known as the counselor (Jn. 14:16,26, Jn. 15:26, Jn. 16:7,12-15). Notice:

...words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit interpreting truths in a Spiritual language.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is given that you may have fellowship with the counselor while you glorify God, build up the church, edify yourself and overcome the Evil One.

Baptism of Fire

The baptism of fire is for those who are destined for the lake of fire. This is not a baptism of cleansing for Christians, but a burning of the chaff in the Lake of Fire after the Bride is taken up to Heaven (Lk. 3:15-17, Lk. 12:49-51).