What Water Baptism Represents

Water baptism is, for lack of a better term, a performance.  It's meant to help the non-believer understand Jesus, His message, and our need to be cleansed of sin by God through inwardly accepting and applying the sacrificial blood of Christ as payment for our sins, and outwardly displaying His command that we must be Born-Again in this life before we die and are judged without being covered and cleansed. 

Water baptism is meant to represent the death of the old life, and receiving of a miraculous new and eternal spiritual life lived in fellowship with God through Jesus by the gift of the eternal Holy Ghost sent to you when you believe.  God does not baptize you with the Holy Ghost because you are good, or better than others, but strictly because you have accepted God's mercy and grace through putting your sincere faith in Jesus and His resurrection, promises, goodness and power, and not your own. 

THE VISUAL PERFORMANCE 

Visually we see the voluntary death of the sin-covered body of the believer.  Communicated then are the re-birth and re-animation of the body through resurrection to new life in Christ.  

The performance combines, repentance, acceptance, salvation, and the God-granted gift of His eternal Spirit.   It concludes as the believer's dead body is re-animated and rises out of the water and goes on.  This is in addition to the washing of sins that have always been and are the root cause of all death.  Like our paycheck wages, death is what we've earned from our sinful works.  But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus.

[Rom 6:23 KJV] For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Water baptism is meant to represent a few things to help non-believers to come to understand and see spiritual things such as : 

First, it's a new believer's personal and outward public recognition that they have judged themselves a sinner who needed to be cleansed and forgiven by God, and perhaps those they harmed in the world.  

Next, water baptism shows the world that a believer has laid down their old life.  Laying back in the water represents going to the grave.  When coming back up out of the water they are symbolically animated by the power of the Holy Ghost given to them from God through their belief in Jesus.  No person can raise themselves from the dead, except Jesus.  So they are symbolically raised from the dead through Jesus, because only Jesus can raise the dead.  

After symbolically rising to life again, the believer is alive again, but not to their old body and sin, but for the things of the Spirit.  Ideally they no longer serve their old body, the dead corpse, but their new life inside them walks after and according to the Spirit.  It goes where the Spirit goes.  Seeks spiritual things.  Sees spiritual things. Hears spiritual things.  Speaks spiritual things of Christ.  

[2Co 5:17 KJV] Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The believer's old corpse body now serves the spiritual body of Christ ( made of believers ).  Christ's Spirit now resides in them, His Word nourishes them, providing Living Water and The Bread of Life, and lives along side of their re-born spirit currently in their old body. 

[Jhn 6:48 KJV] I am that bread of life.

[Jhn 4:10 KJV] Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Given this new life provided by, in, and through Him,  they can show Christ's qualities towards believers and non-believers as well spiritually and physically.  They can now perform 'good works' in and through Him.

[Eph 2:10 KJV] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Just as Jesus served all others, and called all people to the Father through Him, the born again and baptized believer can also lead people to Jesus.  They can pray for them directly to the Father, preach Jesus' words of Truth and Spirit to others, preach repentance for the remission of sins, glorify God in their bodies, and openly walk in truth, in the light, and with love towards all of God's creation and people created for Him.

Once born again and baptized by the Holy Ghost, a believer is then equipped by God Himself, and capable to overcome sins in their life that they once could not.  This continues if they continue walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  

God gives born again believers a new heart, a renewed mind, and repentance allowing them to perform deeds in accordance with their heart so they can continue to live their lives in God's will, which leads to life, rather than their past sinful life, which lead to death.  

[Eze 36:26 KJV] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

This blessing helps them to better serve and love themselves as He does, and others as well.  Living a full life constantly walking in the Spirit with the assured promise of better things to come apart from this fallen world of sin and death.  Miraculously empowered and compelled to keep Jesus' commands now, as well as serve Him by focusing on serving others, rather than themselves. To His Glory, not their own.

Baptism At Church...

Baptisms from church should not be and do not need to be frowned upon.  However, to be water baptised without being a believer in the resurrection of Jesus would be itself yet another unwashed sin for both the non-believer and possibly the church if they are playing a numbers game for membership.  Ultimately, water baptism to someone who is not Born-Again and Baptised by the Holy Ghost would be only be mockery of the life Jesus literally laid down before literally rising again if the conversion is not true and inward.  

Sadly, there are many stories of false conversions.  Many people get dunked into water dry sinners and come up wet sinners, but perhaps have not truly believed upon Jesus and the truth of His power and resurrection.  We're all sinners.  But Jesus Christ commands us to believe & be born again & by believing on His name, and be baptized by the Holy Ghost and not simply water.  

[Mat 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:

[Mat 28:19 KJV] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[Mar 1:8 KJV] I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

[1Co 1:17 KJV] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 

[Act 2:38 KJV] 38 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.

[Act 11:16 KJV] 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

[Act 19:4-5 KJV] 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.

EXAMPLE OF ORDER : INWARD FIRST.  FIRST BELIEVE IN HEART.

[Act 8:36 KJV] And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

[Act 8:37 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.

NOW THE OUTWARD EXPRESSION

[Act 8:38 KJV] 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.

JESUS SAYING YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN ( by Holy Spirit )

[Jhn 3:5 KJV] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

[Jhn 3:6 KJV] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

[Jhn 3:7 KJV] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The churches we see physically in world have never been what Jesus wants us to recognize.  They are simply buildings.  The true Church is the spiritually reborn body of Christ.  It is composed of all born again believers who are Holy Spirit baptized from the past, in the present and future.  Their physical body may be currently alive, or currently dead in the grave, but sometime during their life they have accepted Jesus on faith and been sent and sealed by the Holy Ghost. Their sins are washed and forgiven, their souls covered and protected not by water, but by the blood of Christ and the cleansing of the Holy Spirit.  All because they have or had faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and eventually their own personal physical resurrection in their glorified and eternal bodies to come at His command.   

Holy Ghost baptism is continual, and everlasting.  This is because God the Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost are ever-lasting.  What is born of the everlasting Spirit can never die.  It's His gift to us, for having faith that lives in us along with the and peace and comfort of assured forgivness and salvation sent from and promised by God. It's not because we are good, but because He is. 

[Num 23:19 KJV] God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

[1Co 15:14 KJV] And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.

[1Co 15:19 KJV] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

[1Co 15:20 KJV] But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.

[Rom 5:1 KJV] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

[Rom 5:5 KJV] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

[Rom 5:6 KJV] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[Rom 5:7 KJV] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

[Rom 5:8 KJV] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[Rom 5:9 KJV] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

[Rom 5:10 KJV] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

[Rom 5:11 KJV] And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

[Rom 5:12 KJV] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

[Rom 5:15 KJV] But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

[Rom 5:18 KJV] Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.

[Rom 5:19 KJV] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

[Rom 5:20 KJV] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

[Rom 5:21 KJV] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

[1Co 15:50 KJV] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

[1Co 15:51 KJV] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

[1Co 15:52 KJV] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

[1Co 15:53 KJV] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

[1Co 15:54 KJV] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

[1Co 15:55 KJV] O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

[1Co 15:56 KJV]  The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

[1Co 15:57 KJV] But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[1Co 15:58 KJV] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

[1Jo 5:13 KJV] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

[Jhn 14:6 KJV] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[Jhn 14:7 KJV] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

[Jhn 14:13 KJV] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

[Jhn 14:14 KJV] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].

[Jhn 14:15 KJV] If ye love me, keep my commandments.

[Jhn 14:16 KJV] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

[Jhn 14:17 KJV] [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.

[Jhn 14:18 KJV] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

[Jhn 14:25 KJV] These things have I spoken unto you, being [yet] present with you.

[Jhn 14:26 KJV] But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

[Jhn 14:27 KJV] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

We pray you will believe!  Jesus is real!  He loves you!  He died for you and your sins, all we can do is humbly accept His offer, His love, His endurance, and His Spirit.  He will send it to you if you ask in belief, not waivering.  May God Bless you.  

[Rom 10:13 KJV] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[Rom 3:23 KJV] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

We are those people! We are all gone astray. 

[Isa 53:6 KJV] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

None of us deserve Him!  We are those sinners.  It's why He came.  God knew we needed Jesus!  Put your trust in Him,  Jesus won't let you down!  It's o.k. to accept His help!  Right now and always.

IN SUMMARY: 

True 'Baptism by the Holy Ghost' has nothing to do with water.  It has never been something that a pastor or preacher can do, or offer to do for you.  It's God's work.  

To be 'Baptized by the Holy Ghost' is a miraculous and continual physical and spiritual act of God that He performs inside and to a 'Born Again' believer who has accepted Jesus through sincere faith.

Because it is a miracle, only God can do it.  In addition, no person can do it for you simply because God is the only one that can know a person's true heart and mind when it comes to matters of faith.