Spiritual Baptism
- His Servant - Rob McKee
- Jan 16, 2020
- 17 min read
Spiritual Baptism is the last of the teachings that I am grouping within “The Process of Salvation” studies here. Obviously, the “process” can include much more detail than we have covered in these few lessons on our blog and podcast, but as we wrap this up: I am reminded of just how simple the plan of salvation that is found within the Gospel of Christ really is!
Remember that we started with the overview of what “The Grace That Brings Salvation” consists of. From there we commenced on the journey through how God draws us, our first works of repentance and water baptism, the Law of Sin and Death, conversion, and we have now arrived here at spiritual baptism.
Let’s start reading here:
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Make no mistake, this IS our reasonable service to Our Lord and Savior, God and creator of this universe and everything that the eye can see (and not see)! If you have traveled with us throughout the explanation of this process of salvation, you know by now that we are saved by faith, which proves that we trust God: evidence found in our obedience to Him. But, and if we truly have a role to play in this “process” (and we do!), what is it exactly that God is ultimately asking us to do here on earth? How can we, through obedience, continue to be found worthy of grace and mercy in His sight, and to thereby become complete in Christ; sanctified, clothed in His righteousness?
Why don’t we continue to read where we left off:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The Lord is telling us here that we cannot conform to this world. How do we escape it’s influence? By the renewing of our mind. What’s our proof that we are being, or have been renewed? -Understanding… we have been there and done that (through His power of course), and we now know first-hand that God’s grace works! It is able to clean us up, and to separate and preserve us from all unrighteousness. Do you recall when it was said here that God wants us to know how we are saved??? If we do not understand how we are saved, but God gave us a role to play in it, then it would stand to reason that, without the knowledge of what we should do, we would never be saved – right?
How does this fit into the subject at hand today? Spiritual baptism is the work that we perform through and by the power of God with the guidance of His Holy Spirit. It involves the renewing of the mind. Let’s take another look at the definitions of the word “baptism”, that we discussed last week…
Baptism Definition https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptism
1: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community
2: an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named
Last week we talked about water baptism and were mostly working within the first definition given here because water baptism in our outward repentance, admitting us into the kingdom of God. This is like “general admission” Folks. Ever been to a theme park? Lots of people pay for the general admission and walk on the other side of the gate to see what is taking place there. However, not all purchase the wristband and ride rides, now do they?
This second definition for the word “baptism” is the one that we will be considering more this week. Spiritual Baptism can definitely be explained as “an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named”.
So, I know that when I went down to the water to be water baptized, that what was actually being ‘baptism’ was not only my entire being, but more specifically, my “body”, right? But
The Apostle Peter had this to say about water baptism:
1 Peter 1:18-21 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Our Conscience towards God
We see here that washing our bodies in water is not the purpose of water baptism, but that it is a “figure” of God saving Noah and his family by water. However, Peter does say that we are saved by “the answer of a good conscience toward God”. This makes all the difference!
If you were to stomp on someone’s toe and then feel bad because you know that you are responsible for hurting them, your conscience bothers you, correct? What happens if you ask for forgiveness from that person and they agree to forgive you? Your conscience is now clean towards them, right? Well, if you were to go again and stomp on their toe, your conscience (assuming that it is in good working order) is now guilty again and you feel sorry for hurting them again? So, you ask them again to forgive you. They do, and you are back to square one.
You see, that fact that they are very likely to stop forgiving you at some point if you choose to continue to stomp their toes is not the largest of issues here, but what does matter, is that, if you continue to do this, you are not truly sorry. Therefore, your conscience will always bear that mark that you are a toe-stomper at heart. Why does it matter? Thank God that our conscience is the gift that He has given us to judge ourselves: whether we be just in His sight or not. You might even say that our conscience is our “righteousness” or “morality” gage!
1 John 3:19-22 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
Hebrews 9:14 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?
It is easy to see here that our mind is very involved in this process of salvation because our conscience not only convicts us in the heart, but it is also a record of our works stored within our minds.
Man is a three-part being
I doubt that anyone would argue the fact that men and women are made up of these three essential parts: the mind, soul, and body. In the bible these three parts are often referred to as the spirit, heart, and flesh. Now it is easy to understand what the “flesh” or “body” is… but what about the other two parts?
I do believe that the heart of man is his innermost being. In other words, a man’s heart is his soul.
Psalms 24:3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Proverbs 2:6-11 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee
I did a study a while back and proved that “a” spirit, in this realm, amongst the many things that it can be and is in many cases: is a ‘way of thinking’. Our spirit therefore affects or influences our thoughts and behavior. Ever hear someone say, “I’m gonna speak my mind”? What they mean is that they are going to tell you what they think. We find references within God’s Word that tell us that our spirit is our mind:
Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind
Do you know what they mean when they say that someone is brain-dead? Have you ever seen someone who is brain-dead? Not a pretty sight, right? They are basically “dead”, but their body may be kept alive by machines, etc. They, however, are not going to finish that “project” that they were working on or fulfill the life that they always wanted to live, because they are dead and their life here, as they knew it, is over. So, the fact that their bodily functions may still appear to be animated means nothing to them now because, without the mind to direct it, it can do nothing on its own in the way of carrying out a normal life as we know it.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
It all begins with a change of heart
Make no mistake, that God wants out entire being! What did we say is the innermost part of a man? Yes, his heart. God not only knows our hearts, but also that we are driven by our hearts in life. What do we call this driving force?... Love. Mankind does first what mankind loves to do. Is this not true? And, what does the heart of man often desire more than anything else? -You probably guessed it – SIN!
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mark 7:20-23 And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Why?
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Who can know it? God, that’s who!
Psalms 44:20-21 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.
How thankful that I am for God’s mercy and kindness towards us! He knows our heart, and that it is the most powerful part of our being. Because of this, He focuses mostly on this area of our being first by allowing us to hear His Word, and thereby drawing us closer and closer to Him (if we will.) As we hear more and more, our faith in Him grows. If we are a true seed of God, we will become repentant, feeling that we no longer ‘love’ or enjoy the things of this world, and want to change and be pleasing in His sight. We then perform our first works: asking for forgiveness, water baptism, and confessing our new love for Him.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Again – knowing that our hearts are desperately wicked and thereby often deceive us, God performs the miraculous change within us that we could do. He finishes the ‘job’ here in purifying our hearts with conversion.
Acts 15:8-9 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
God performs this ‘operation’ on us. If we were not converted, what might happen? You can find out by reading the Parable of The Sower. Our hearts would still deceive us and lead us down the path of error. We might still love this world too much to have clear intentions to serve Him in sincerity at all times. This would cause us to try to serve God in our own way.
Matthew 13:52 Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Now, though, that The Lord has imparted His Spirit within us, our hearts have been “purified”. Not only this but, because our heart is the most powerful part of our being, this “purification” has effectively “freed” us from the power of The Law of Sin and Death! We are now free from Sin. Problem though? Even though we might (and are) now set “free” from the power of sin, we have not totally been cleansed of its presence in the lives that we live (in this converted state that is.) Why do we say this?
Because, at the start of conversion, our minds and bodies are still very much infested with sin, we now begin the process of ridding it from our lives for good – in other words, we have embarked on a journey of faith: to fully become a Son of God; being saved and having every inch of our being scoured clean in the blood of The New Testament.
2 Corinthians 2:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Spiritual Baptism: Baptism of The Mind
Think about how it was by God’s mercy and forgiveness that He cleansed our hearts. Praise His Name! In this, He has given us a heart to serve Him! -A tool to work The Power of God, that we might transform ourselves into a Son of God! How is this done? By the renewing of our minds with God’s Word. We can only retain a certain amount of knowledge. So, what would happen if we were to get it so full of God’s Word that not much else would fit? -We would then have the mind of Christ – and THAT, is the goal of the spiritual baptism!
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name
1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Our old sinful life must be crucified, and we must thereby die out to this world. The heart was taken care of at conversion because it has the ability to impact our feelings and therefore persuade our thoughts. Our mind is the next part of man that must be dealt with because it instructs the body on how to behave. What choice might we make if we are faced with a trying situation and our minds are not yet trained to dwell on the things of God continually?
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
An example the mind needing to be “trained” might be a life-long thief who becomes repentant and comes to God. He is converted and so no longer desires to steal, and has the power to stop stealing because this evil is no longer in his heart, but in his mind he knows no other way to provide his needs. So, his way of thinking must now be changed so that he is able to learn how to get things honestly. Not only how to get them honestly, but why. Furthermore, why should he not get them dishonestly?
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
In renewing his mind though; being armed with God’s Word in both his heart and mind, he now has the ability to fight off satan when he comes to tempt the man. His heart radiates his love to do right in the sight of God, his mind agrees, and it is now two against one: his body will lose this battle and he will not yield his members to sin.
Spiritual baptism is our “spirit” is being transformed into “His Spirit”, by “His Spirit”. Basically, what I mean by this statement, is that God’s Spirit teaches us how to think like he does. So that “our spirit”, or “our way of thinking” is transformed into “His way of thinking”. -We end up with the Mind of Christ!
It is Jesus who is baptizing us because He is the Word of God. Without the Word of God, we could not know the deep things of God because His Word imparts the knowledge of His grace towards us. His Spirit imparts the wisdom that leads us and guides us in separating the scripture correctly so that we can gain understanding of His Word really means. Without His Spirit, we cannot understand God’s Word. Without God, we are nothing. We have to have His Word in us to perform this transformation.
Titus 3:5 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
John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Quoted at open also)
However, with The Holy Spirit in us, we now “have this power to become a Son of God.” How do we use it? You see, we now have some work to do. Many people will not want to hear this, but it is The Truth! This teaching is found within God’s Holy Word, and so be it.
Matthew 9:37-38 Then saith he unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into His harvest. (Sound familiar?)…
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
1 Corinthians 3:8-9 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive His own reward according to His own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Do you recall where John the Baptist was speaking of his baptism and this “spiritual baptism” that we have been talking about here, and that Christ would come after him to perform in us?
Matthew 3:11 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
What is this “fire” that John is talking about Jesus using to baptize us with here? He is referring to the “fire” of God’s Word…
This is a prophecy about John the Baptist:
Malachi 3:1a Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:
The second half of verse 1 through verse 3, is a reference to Jesus Christ, “The Word of God”:
Malachi 3:1b-3 and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
We can see here how that the “fire” that John the Baptist was referring to is, in fact, The Word of God. Taking it even a step further than this, Jesus told us that He would not leave us comfortless, but that He would send The Spirit of God to us. In another place, Jesus said that He would not leave us alone, but that He would come to us. This signifying that Jesus is come to us to, as The Spirit of God, to dwell within us and lead us and guide us into all Truth. This, my friends, is the “spiritual baptism”. Fire burns up anything that is not pure, right?
John 14:15-18 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Notice how the scripture there in Malachi likens Jesus to a “refiner’s fire”. A refiner’s fire burns off the dross through a process, leaving only what is valuable behind. Notice that I have a copy of the refiner’s firing process here:
A Refiner of Silver
1) Silver was extracted from ores containing lead (such as lead sulfide, or galena).
2) The ore was heated in a fire and the lead sifted out of the ashes.The lead was placed in a dish known as a cupel, which was made of bone ash or clay containing calcium carbonate, and heated in a furnace to 1,600–1,800˚F (900–1,000˚C).
3) When the metal reached the right temperature, the refiner introduced oxygen by blowing air over it through a bellows.
4) Litharge, or silver dross, would form on the surface of the molten metal, and the refiner would blow or scrape it off, leaving pure silver. Litharge was also absorbed into the cupel as the lead reacted with the calcium carbonate.
5) A refiner would usually apply this process twice, reintroducing lead to the silver so that newly formed litharge could remove any remaining impurities.
The process was delicate, requiring just the right temperature and just the right amount of lead. The refiner would often know he had achieved pure silver by seeing its unmistakably pure glowing light.
So, we see here that a refiner’s fire uses extreme heat to remove all impurities from silver. What happens? It is now completely and “unmistakably pure”!
Do you also realize that God’s Word likened this process to spiritual baptism, and that this process does not take place in a moment of time? No, it is a careful and patient process that will always yield a perfect result if performed to the plan!
Ephesians 4:20-24 But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
I rest my case here on The Process of Salvation. Amen Through God’s grace, we can and must become a new creature in Christ; we have to conform to His image, we need to become a Son of God, just like He is! Through and by His will, we have laid out the plan here. No matter what you call it, it is God’s grace and able to save them that are lost. All that you have to do is believe and trust in this operation that God has provided for us, and He will see you through to the end. He will never leave us, nor forsake us!
Father, may those that can hear become more and more serious about their eternal destination and take action by searching the scriptures for The Truth. In Jesus Name, amen.
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
#SpiritualBaptism #BaptismOfTheHolyGhost #RenewingOfTheMind #Regeneration #BaptizedWithFire
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