Baptism is one of those things that everybody knows but know differently. The important thing is to be able to give an honest scriptural answer if you are asked by anybody including Christ. I am going to give my answer and hope that it is of assistance to you. I find that many people create answers but leave out some of what is necessary to form a complete and accurate answer. I hope to avoid that because Baptism is a critical part of God's Pattern for life.
What I mean to say is that if there are twelve scriptures on the subject a person may give an answer that satisfies eight and discounts the other four. I am trying not to do that but as you know, none of us are perfect. So I find that baptism puts us in a situation like the twin towers. Both people are on the eightieth floor and the casual observer seeing them from their level says that they are not far apart and that the gap is easily bridged. The fact is that the eightieth floor is supported by seventy-nine floors which the other person rejects and has to climb down in order to climb up the seventy-nine floors to the other. So let us break it down and deal with the components.
Mikveh are constructions used by Jews for immersion and ritual cleansing. There is no record of them before the first century but their existence springs from a demand for immersion that goes back at least as far as Ezra according to the Jews. John the baptist was from a spiritual family, his father (and hence he also) was a priest Luke 1:67-69. He would certainly have been familiar with ritual cleansing. Baptism was therefore nothing new and was regularly used to achieve ritual purity. According to Wikipedia @2020, Dec 9 the immersion in mikvehs were mainly used as follows:
- by Jewish women to achieve ritual purity after menstruation and childbirth before they and their husbands may resume marital relations;
- by Jewish men to achieve ritual purity after ejaculation;
- as part of the traditional procedure for conversion to Judaism;
- to immerse newly acquired metal and glass utensils used in serving and eating food;> to immerse a corpse as part of the preparation for burial (taharah).
I think that it makes sense to start with the obvious. At the most basic, Christian baptism is complete immersion into water. Christian means a follower or imitator of Christ and therefore a Christian baptism is imitating what He did. Christian baptism must have two parties involved and the one baptizing can be lesser than the one being baptised as is again obvious by the example of Christ. The baptizer represents the authority of or name of who you are submitting to, and the one being baptized submits their life to that authority, hence we have such things as as the baptism of Moses or John etc. In Christianity the authority to baptize in the name of Christ (by the authority of Christ) has now been given to the Church in general since Pentecost, hence anyone who submits to Christ can baptize in His name. There is no cause and effect relationship with water baptism and the Holy Spirit. Water Baptism does not give the Holy Spirit, that comes from Christ Himself as is obvious by the thief on the cross. Now that I have stated the obvious I want to pursue further exploration.
In Christian baptism there is no instruction to confess sins to anybody but God. The requirement is to repent, hence we must acknowledge our sin. This is not to say that we cannot discuss difficult sins with someone that we trust and seek their support in prayer because that helps a lot.
James 5:16 [KJV] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Publicly acknowledging being complicit in national practices that are corrupt and rejecting them is helpful in enhancing the power of God's work.
Acts 19:17-20 [KJV] And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
However the instruction is twofold: repent and be baptised, not threefold: repent, confess, and be baptized. It is God who forgives sin and it is God to whom we must confess and appeal to for forgiveness.
John's focus on baptism was for a different purpose than what was commonly done. It pointed to a need that John could not satisfy. It was a baptism of repentance.
Mark 1:4 [KJV] John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 3:3 [KJV] And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
It was not a baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 1:8 [KJV] I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost
John 1:33 [KJV] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost
Basically what John is saying is that he can wash the outside but Christ can wash the inside. John's responsibility was to prepare people for Christ's work as messiah.
Luke 1:17 [KJV] And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
John used baptism to sensitize people to the need for a messiah. He washed the outside and highlighted the need for internal cleansing which he could not do. Washing the inside requires baptism of the Holy Spirit. That also explains why Christ did not baptize before His resurrection.
John baptised Christ with the baptism of water, which is the only baptism that he was capable of. Christ was born full of the Holy Spirit and did not get is at baptism. What happened was that the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove but that was not to give him the Holy Spirit. All of that was for the sake of the onlookers. It was acknowledgement that He was the Messiah.
John 1:32-34 [KJV] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
This is confirmed by a similar event in Mark. It was to give the disciples confidence.
Mark 9:7 [KJV] And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him
John was filled with the Spirit from birth
Luke 1:15 [KJV] For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb
and there was no greater man than John in God's eyes,
Matthew 11:11 [KJV] Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
but Christ was greater than John.
Mark 1:7 [KJV] And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose
John 8:58 [KJV] Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am
John 10:30 [KJV] I and my Father are one
John 17:21-24 [KJV] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Christ was always Christ from before Abraham continuously. He and the father were always bonded in love for as long as He existed. They were always unified in who they essentially are and that is spirit. He never switched into being God at some age. He never changed who He was, just His body. Who He was was God and as such He was elohim and eternal and hence spirit. Flesh cannot be eternal.
Hebrews 9:14 [KJV] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
By definition God is spirit. Christ is eternal spirit. It has nothing to do with His body. As long as He exists that is a fact. His body was flesh but in essence He was the same spiritual being. He was named from birth what He was.
Matthew 1:22-23 [KJV] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
With us it will be the reverse. When we are resurrected we will still be who we are but with a spiritual body.
Paul on the baptism of John
Acts 19:1-6 [KJV] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto Johns baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Notice that they received the Holy Spirit when Paul laid hands on them not when they were baptized.
Acts 8:14-19 [KJV] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Praying and then laying on of hands was appropriate to anyone initiating a new spiritual challenge.
Acts 6:5-6 [KJV] And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Cornelius receives the Holy Spirit
Acts 10:42-48 [KJV] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
In this case the Holy Spirit came before baptism. It does not depend on baptism. Baptism is a covenant relationship but the Holy Spirit is a gift that cleanses from the inside out.
Who baptized the disciples
The only record that we have of Christs disciples being baptized is by John.
John 1:35-45 (KJV) Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Beyond that we have record of disciples baptizing others but no record of other disciples being baptized. The only account of Jesus baptizing is clarified later (John 4:1-2) explaining that it was not He that actually did the baptizing and hence never baptized His disciples.
John 3:22 (KJV) After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
There is no evidence that the disciples were all baptized in water by Christ
There is no evidence that the disciples were ever actually baptized in water except for by John. People use the report about the 120 in an attempt to establish that but while it does say that there were 120 disciples which apparently included the 11.
Acts 1:15 [KJV] And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,
It does not say that the 120 were baptized. It says that the new converts were.
Acts 2:41 [KJV] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls
There is no record of the 120 ever being baptized. Some claim that they were baptized by Christ but there is no record of that.
John 4:1-2 [KJV] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
There is no record of Jesus baptizing. His disciples followed a practice that they learned from John the Baptist but Christ commanded it after he was resurrected (Matthew 28:18-20) and with different authority. In addition if the Holy Spirit only came at Pentecost then why were they not re-baptized in order to receive it?
Baptism of the Spirit is an old concept that was always used by God to transform those dear to them otherwise all of the Old Testament prophets are lost because none can come to the Father unless He draws them. God was always concerned about the heart and that requires the Holy Spirit. It is prophesied to be more popular in the future.
Acts 2:16-18 [KJV] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Here Peter explains that what was actually happening was the same thing as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit but now it is en masse. That appears to be the difference in the New Testament. There were very few in the Old Covenant but in the New there are many. It is the same thing but because of the new comforter (new powers invested in the comforter) many more now receive the Holy Spirit i.e. abundantly.
Titus 3:5-6 [KJV] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Baptism of the Spirit is what separated Christ from John the Baptist. Christ did only Baptism of the Spirit and John did only the baptism of water. As a living human he began the process which was completed only when He once again became spirit. As a human He could be among them but as Spirit He would be in them cleansing from the inside out.
Look at the last time that Christ was with the disciples in the flesh. He promised that they would be baptized with (immersed in) the Holy Spirit not that they would receive it for the fist time. We know that He means immersed because He compared it to what John did with water. We know that people can be baptized more than once (Acts 19:1-5). The new thing here was that they would receive power not that they would receive the Holy Spirit. This is what immersion in the Holy Spirit had done throughout the centuries before. Power came to the judges and prophets by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4-8 [KJV] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Why Jesus did not baptize anybody before His death
According to John 1:33 Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit, not with water. There is no record of Jesus baptizing anybody with water.
John 4:1-2 [KJV] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
Peter connects the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with a promise that was given to the patriarchs concerning those of faith. He first explains that this new authority was received after the crucifixion.
Acts 2:33 [KJV] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Christ received what was promised to the patriarchs when He was resurrected. He is now able to be generous with it.
Acts 2:38-39 KJV 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
John 7:39 [KJV] But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.
This is why it is important to be baptized in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus means by the authority of Jesus. That authority changed when He was resurrected. He then became the first of many brethren but also the kinsman redeemer which gives Him the authority to redeem the Church.
That old promise has been fulfilled and Christ is now being generous with it but the gift itself is not a new thing. The Holy Spirit cleans us but it goes one step further.
I Corinthians 6:11 [KJV] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God
II Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV] But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth
Sanctification means setting apart. It is that earnest that sets us apart as God's and hence to become fully spirit at our resurrection. Christ does all this in his new role as kinsman redeemer and as firstborn and heir to the promises in the covenant.
Straitened till it be accomplished
Christ was under constraints that were removed by His death and resurrection
Luke 12:49-53 [KJV] I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
but after the resurrection He was no longer straightened
.
Matthew 28:18-20 [KJV] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
It was accomplished and He now could do as He pleased with no constraints. The fire that He was speaking of was the Holy Spirit. This is explained by Matthew.
Matthew 3:11 [KJV] 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
Notice that His baptism was with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Christ intended to pour out that Spirit that would cause divisions in families etc. but He was constrained at the time of John te Baptist. Christ Himself explained more about fire and how it purifies by burning and separating the dross. The scripture goes on to talk of fiery trials so we know exactly what He meant.
I Peter 4:12-19 [KJV] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
We are immersed in the Holy Spirit and fiery trials to purge us.
The Holy Spirit before the Resurrection
It seems pretty clear to me that the Holy Spirit was active before the resurrection. Some people claim that it was active but people did not have it in them just with them. I have never been able to understand what that really means or find that distinction in scripture. The closest that I have found is this:
John 14:15-17 KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Christ was of course talking about Himself and eating Him at Passover,
John 6:53-58 KJV Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
It is further explained in the temptation narrative.
Matthew 4:4 [KJV] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
So the scripture is talking about internalizing the word of God which is also Christ through His years of dealing with man. There is nothing mysterious or weird if we put together the scriptures. The scripture itself explains that He gets in us by being meat and drink indeed
but not tangible food. Furthermore He alone was not the Holy Spirit remember that the Holy Spirit descended on Him. This means that the Holy Spirit was operating apart from Christ. Notice this
Luke 4:1 [KJV] And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
It was leading Christ just as it leads us, so it could not be Him alone. There are other evidences of the Holy Spirit active apart from the person of Christ.
Luke 3:22 [KJV] And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
There are also other obvious occasions.
Luke 10:17-22 [KJV] And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Is that possible without the Holy Spirit? Names written in heaven and all and no Holy Spirit? How did they get the power to do those things like step on a serpent without being injured? What about the demons? The only way that a demon can know that you are operating by God and not Beelzebub is by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:14-16 [KJV] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
How did Christ manage this without the Holy Spirit?
Christ gave power to Hid disciple to do some extraordinary things. How would He do it without the Holy Spirit?
Matthew 10:1 [KJV] And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matthew 10:5-8 [KJV] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:40-41 [KJV] He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Notice what is said in the parallel scripture in Luke.
Luke 9:1 [KJV] Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases
Luke 9:6 [KJV] And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Amazing. They are supposed to have done that without the Holy Spirit.
The Bible explains that repentance comes from hearing the word and having it fall on fertile ground to produce fruit. By this means the Father leads us to Himself through Christ. The repentance itself is evidence that God is already working by the Spirit. After repentance God gives the Holy Spirit and that was so during the life of Christ. How did Peter understand who Christ was?
Matthew 16:15-17 [KJV] He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
It came from the Father but How? Was it inside Peter or outside? Was it in his mind, his, heart, his inner-being or outside? What the Bible shows is that the Holy Spirit is given by measure. It also shows that Christ becomes part of the Holy Spirit so that it takes on the role of comforter after His resurrection. Christ was constrained (straitened Luke 12:50) before His resurrection but had no constraints after (Matthew 28:18-20). Those who already Had the Holy Spirit could therefore receive more and it could also go out to additional people like the gentiles as it did. Elijah had the Holy Spirit but Elisha had a double portion.
II Kings 2:9-10 [KJV] And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
God gives us the Holy Spirit as it pleases them and that is bit by bit. The Holy Spirit can be poured out and given in quotas. In the Old testament the total quota for everyone was small and limited largely to Israel but now all constraints have been removed.
A scripture that is heavily used to explain the concept of the Holy Spirit working with someone but not in them is found in Luke:
Luke 22:32 [KJV] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
That incident occurred at the Last Supper just before Christ predicted that the same Peter would betray Him. The argument is that Peter was not converted and that is true. The problem is what did converted mean in this context. The remainder of the story shows that Peter and the others all believed that they had all the Power that they needed to combat Satan and succeed.
The story continues in Matthew. Just when Jesus was leaving He exchanged this with them:
Matthew 26:30-35 [KJV] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
The problem continued to present itself more during that night.
Luke 22:40 [KJV] And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
He told them that they needed to pray but of course they did not do it and He was left to do it alone. The story climaxes with this incident:
Luke 22:60-63 [KJV] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
To me that was the first step in the conversion. The next step came not long after. In spite of Peter's promise he decided to God fishing. Before going fishing he had been among the first to discover that Christ was risen (John 20:3-6). Later he was among those given more of the Holy Spirit and a commission. Whether you believe that this more was working with them or in them is another matter.
John 20:21-24 [KJV] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
All of this happened before Peter and John went fishing. The fishing is found in John 21. The fishing was the culmination. It is a culmination because of Christ accepting that Peter loved Him. Remember that Peter had denied Christ three times now he pronounces his love three times. He shows that he was now committed to love him and serve Him to his death. Christ explained the serving Him meant his death (John 21:18-22) and Peter was unmoved except to ask about john and he continued even when it was suggested that john would be exempt from death. There was no hint of denying anymore and as he said Christ knew the truth. So I ask you, was Peter converted i.e. changed? Peter was afraid of death and uncertain before but is this the same Peter? Love like this is something that comes from God and is on the inside. Christ confirmed that He knew that Peter had it. It is not working with Peter it is in him. How was it happening without the Holy Spirit in him? I am suggesting to you the Christ had given him more just as He said.
In death we are immersed into darkness and swallowed up by a void. Death is the terminal baptism.
Matthew 20:22-23 [KJV] But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Mark 10:38-40 [KJV] But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
Everybody dies but baptism is always done by a another party. In the baptism of death, death is inflicted on someone else hence in this case baptism means premature death inflicted by someone else. This was a baptism that Christ and many apostles shared in common. Here we have baptism linked with drinking the Passover cup, which has to do with death as well. These two (Passover and baptism) are given special meaning by Christ; the Passover is Christ's atoning sacrifice and the baptism is renewed life in Him and they were being brought together in the death and resurrection.
Why Christ baptizes the whole Church
Christ is the only on that can baptize with the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a covenant but that covenant or agreement is established by a washing. The only one that can wash us with the Holy Spirit is Christ. By that covenant we are joined to Christ by the Holy spirit and become one with Him.
I Corinthians 12:12-14 [KJV] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.
Galatians 3:26-29 [KJV] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ephesians 4:4-7 [KJV] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Notice Ephesians 4:6 above. We know that Christ said that through the comforter He would be in us but Ephesians explains that the Father is also in us by the Holy Spirit. It is through the one Lord (Christ) and by the one Lord that this is done. The authority to do this for humanity is in Christ alone. He earned it by purchasing us through sacrificing all, most notably His life. He is the only one that can also bind the Father to us. Baptism or immersion in the Holy Spirit cannot be done by a Human being, we just cannot wield the power but Christ can. This ties in closely with the Last Day of the Feast of Tabernacles but it is too long to go into here. So there is only one individual who has both the authority and power to baptize a human with the Holy Spirit. It becomes a covenant evidenced by the Holy Spirit now in us. The covenant is of course that we are part of the family.
The people that Christ specifically baptized
We only know for sure of one group that Christ baptized with the Holy Spirit.
John 20:19-23 [KJV] Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Baptism is a covenant and this is the covenant that He made with them. It is a covenant of the Holy Spirit and the only one that I know that Christ made in person. Because it did not occur on Pentecost some choose to discredit it as just empty words that Christ said that had no actual power. I do not know of any words that Christ said that did not have power. The popular understanding of Pentecost is wrong, not Christ. All of the supernatural things that Christ did on Earth were actually done by the Father.
John 14:10 [KJV] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Now that Christ is resurrected He can once again do them on His own. He has additional power which He now shares with them. After His resurrection the relationship becomes more intimate and it is that relationship that is offered to the world after Pentecost. It is in essence the same Holy Spirit but our access changes. Christ's friends had direct access to Him and He gave them direct access to God when He left. In the New Testament Christ told them that they would be able to go directly to the Father through Him. Let us read it.
John 16:22-28 [KJV] And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
Ask yourself what happened the next time that they saw Him. We just read it in John 20:19-23 above. Was it what He said would happen or not? They were given the special access just as He told them before anybody else. The immersion and rising from water is a symbol of a divine transformation that is taking place and the transformation does not all take place at once. Christ can immerse us in the Spirit as He pleases.
One big problem with baptism in acts is that people assume that what is said in Acts somehow contradicts what is said in John 20. Because nothing outwardly happened in John doe not mean that there was no transfer of power. There was just as much a transfer of power as let there be light
but it was not outward in this case or in the case when the Syrophoenician woman touched His garment.
Acts 1:4-8 [KJV] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Juda, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Baptism means immersion. It is just a word used for that. You can be immersed several times. The first time for a Christian is a declaration of submission to Christ unto death. Baptism assumes a resurrection to a new life. Christ indirectly baptized or immersed disciples and raised them to a new life with the Holy Spirit during His mortal life (it was actually done by the Father on Christ's authority) but the promise, as given in Joel and others, was not that one or two would be given the Holy Spirit, it was that it would be poured out on many. We see that event in Acts. They were instructed to wait for it. Does it mean that any who faithfully followed Christ but died before Pentecost are lost? Was the thief on the cross lost? Immersion in the Holy Spirit gives us power but that is not always intended to last. God determines that and it can wax and wane according to His will. Baptism in not a magic word. The power is in its meaning. It could have been called a-choo and still mean the same. Immersion in the Holy Spirit empowers the Church but not always outwardly and that outward evidence does not identify the Church. You can be fully Christ's and display no outward power. John the baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit and of God from birth but he did no do miracles nor spoke in tongues. He paved the way for Jesus by that Holy Spirit in Him. Miracles was not for him. Anytime that we start believing in magic words instead of searching the scriptures for meaning we are in danger. Faith is established on the word of God not on the good intentions or pleasing appearance of people. Where is the scriptural support? The disciples were empowered because they waited at Jerusalem for that immersion but they had the Holy Spirit from before when it was given by the Father and later enhanced by Christ who breathed on them.
Water baptism does not give the Holy Spirit
Water baptism is a declaration. It does not give the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17 [KJV] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Spirit comes from Christ. It does not come from ritual. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God but that is a bigger subject. Look at another example
Acts 9:17-21 [KJV] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
Was Paul baptized with water in Acts 9 or anywhere else in order to receive the Holy Spirit?
Acts 10:44-48 [KJV] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Notice that those gentiles were not even baptized, because they just heard it from Peter. Immersion in God's Spirit is in the hands of Christ alone. He decides and He is under not obligation to anybody to give or not give it. It is done as it pleases Him. Baptism in water can be done a thousand times if you want but it is always by the laying on of hands that the Church receives us or commissions us and Christ responds by giving the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will.
Acts 19:1-6 [KJV] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
As far as we know Paul was never baptized with water. They apparently wanted to be baptized but what Paul did was lay hands on them as was done to him.
Baptism in the Template for life
We may initially receive the Holy Spirit after Baptism but there was a change in the relationship after the resurrection and that was offered to us by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Romans 6:3-4 (KJV) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
After Pentecost the relationship extended to disciples and the Church at large becomes more intimate. It is the relationship of promise not the one with the bondwoman as we read in Galatians 4:21-31. Christ is now severed from the bondwoman by death and marries the free woman at Pentecost. That is the transformation that took place at Pentecost. Evidence of his marriage to the free woman. It is in essence the same Holy Spirit but our access changes as the bride. The old relationship was the Church in the wilderness with a few born out of season, but now what was out of season becomes normal; it is the fundamental relationship the Church of promise. Christs friends had direct access to Him and He gave them direct access to God when He left. In the New Testament Christ told them that they would be able to go directly to the Father through Him. We just read it in John 16:22-28. All that is part of the new relationship through the same Holy Spirit.
With baptism the immersion and rising from water is a symbol of a divine transformation that is taking place. Our old identity dies and a new one begins to develop. By that new identity we can be bound to Christ in an intimate relationship as happens at Pentecost. We carry that intimate relationship to our resurrection pictured by the Promised land.
According to the template Baptism represents our deliverance from the bondage of Sin to worship God. Through Baptism we enter a relationship with God to serve Him, recognising that it will not be all peaches and cream but life in the wilderness. We do so because we realise that our current status is hopeless and we are doomed to die (Pharaoh commanded that they kill all males i.e. genocide). Baptism is an outward symbol of a divine transformation from belonging to Satan to belonging to God. baptism does not give us the Holy Spirit but that attitude of open commitment commitment is a prerequisite for teh Kingdom and the Holy Spirit is required for that.
Baptism requires three things and only three things: someone to represent the authority of God, 2.. someone intending to submit to the deliverance of God, and 3.. water.
Baptism is done to you. You cannot do it to yourself, it needs someone to represent the authority of God, which means a Christian, any Christian. It is true that the Great Commission was given in the presence of only the eleven (Matthew 28:18-20) but the examples of baptism under Christ was done by His disciples and with Paul it was also done by newer converts. The laying on of hands is a different matter.
The Greek word for baptism is "baptidzo". It literally means to dip or to immerse or to submerge but also means to make whelmed or soaked (i.e. fully wet). Baptism requires water as was demonstrated from the beginning with John
Matthew 3:11 [KJV] 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:
John 3:23 [KJV] And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Just as with crossing the Red Sea it requires going down into the water
Acts 8:30 [KJV] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Matthew 3:16 [KJV] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Acts 8:39 [KJV] And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Paul associates baptism with burial in Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12. Wherever baptism is referred to in the Bible it conforms to going willingly to death and being raised to live a different life.
It is also considered to be a washing or purging. We are answering the question how
which is expanded to how are we transformed from belonging to Satan to belonging to God
? The answer is by the Holy Spirit and more on that is in this series on The Holy Spirit and You.
The pattern of the Old Testament shows that baptism comes when Christ leads us out of sin. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us to repentance i.e. rejecting this hopeless existence and turning to God for a different life. The Holy Spirit arranged for Philip to come into contact with the Ethiopian Eunuch at a specific time. By then he was ready to believe that Christ was the only way out of this life to the promise of the Father. Once the eunuch believed that was enough.
Acts 2:37-38 [KJV] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Following baptism the Holy Spirit continues to lead us to a deeper relationship with God at Pentecost which is a type of marriage.
We have already seen that it is wherever there is enough water to be immersed. It does not require a Church property or building.
This is tied closely to what. We are baptized because we realise that our current status is hopeless and we are doomed to die. Through Baptism we die but with Christ. Death is inevitable as demonstrated by the flood (1 Peter 3:20–21) but in Baptism we rise to a new life in Christ. We have hope. Baptism prepares us for Pentecost. Without Baptism we are owned by Satan and hence cannot marry Christ. That old identity of a slave dies in the Red Sea and we can then marry at Pentecost. The new relationship with Christ as constant help
begins at Sinai. The marriage is supposed to continue until we reach our husbands home in the Promised land where the marriage is completed. This is only possible by the Holy Spirit and we receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism.
The short answer is no but baptism is the most direct way to receive the Holy Spirit that is given in the Bible. Remember that it is a symbol of being lead by the Holy Spirit to a deeper relationship with God. The outward symbol does not necessarily mean that there is the inner transformation. That is apparently what happened to Ananias and Sephira and perhaps also Judas. Being baptized does not automatically mean being lead by or receiving the Holy Spirit.
Even though baptism is not essential from Christ’s standpoint it is nevertheless a command that is part of the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The subject of Baptism is so closely related to the Holy Spirit that it would be redundant to go through it here since I have already covered it in an article called The Holy Spirit and You.
This is a subject that is not a great issue nowadays except for those who desire to discredit the Bible. If it can be proved that the bible supports these spurious practises then the door is open for other types of superstitious beliefs.
Where is it in the bible?
The question of baptism for the dead is raised in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 15:29 [KJV] Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?
From this quotation it appears that the bible at least accepts the practise of baptism for the dead.
Establishing The Context.
1 Cor 15 is called the resurrection chapter because the subject is the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:1-29 [KJV] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
(V1-11) it is established that Christ was resurrected and that this is fundamental to the Gospel. (V12 19) asks then how come the question of the resurrection is now being brought into question since it is bedrock to their faith. Now in (v20-28), Paul asserts that there is a resurrection and establishes an order. Then comes (v29). It is a question posed in the face of all the preceding evidence. It is a rhetorical question. Paul is asking then if the resurrection is so hard to believe then why are these same people being baptized for people who have already died. There is no point in it if they are already dead and gone with no hope of further existence and the person who is baptized will also die with no hope of a resurrection. Apparently the same people who were criticising the resurrection were baptizing for the dead. Paul is asking what would be the point of doing anything for a person after they are dead if they will not live again.
The special thing about this scripture is that it establishes that all Christians will be resurrected like Christ. Not only 144,000 and not to life as mortals. Christ is the firstfruits and the rest of Christians are to follow including apostles and Old Testament Christians. This makes it difficult for religions that started relatively recently because they have to find a way to include Christians of bygone years.
