3.1    Three Baptisms

There are three baptisms discussed in scripture¹.  These are water baptism as a sign of repentance, blood baptism into the body of Christ, and spirit baptism into the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism, performed by John the Baptist, by his followers, by Jesus' disciples, and by ministers today is for a sign of turning from sin to God², And symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ³.  A physical minister baptizes the believer into water.

Blood baptism is when a person receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  It is a spiritual baptizing into the Body of Christ, becoming one with Him, and being cleansed from all sins⁴.  The Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the Body of Christ.

Spirit baptism is when a person receives the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit⁵.  It is the promise of the Father⁶, that is for you and "all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call"⁷.  Jesus baptizes the believer into the Holy Spirit⁸.

Jesus did no miracles until He received the baptism of the Holy Spirit⁹.  Jesus was just as much Jesus, just as much the Body of Christ, before He received the baptism as He was after.  But He had no power, no anointing.  This is also why Jesus commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the baptism\power¹⁰.  After receiving the baptism, the disciples went forth, preaching everywhere, with the Lord confirming thru signs and miracles¹¹.

Notice several things: 

First, the baptism is for believers who are already saved; the amount of time between rebirth and baptism may be small, even a fraction of a second, but it happens in that order. 

Second, only a baptized believer has been endowed with power for signs and wonders; a non-baptized believer may be able to get similar results by calling the power from the throne of God, but God's plan calls for you to be endowed with it. 

Third, the baptism is upon; read all the scriptures on Jesus receiving it and on believers receiving it, and you will find it is always upon. 

Fourth, the baptism with evidence of speaking in tongues is an outward proof that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in glory¹²! 

Hallelujah!  Amen!

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Footnotes:
1. Hebrews 6:1-2, 1 John 5:8
2. Luke 3:3, Acts 1:5, Acts 19:4
3. Col 2:12-13, Rom 6:3-5
4. 1 Cor 12:13, Rom 6:3-5
5. Acts 1:8, Acts 10:38
6. Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, Gal 3:14
7. Acts 10:38-39
8. Joel 2:28-29, Matt 3:11, Luke 3:16, John 1:33
9. Matt 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32-33, Acts 10:38
10. Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8
11. Mark 16:15-20
12. Luke 24:49-52

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