In the account of John the Baptist and Jesus in The Gospels. John appears “as the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the Way of The Lord” and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He sees Jesus and declares “Behold The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He who sent me to baptise with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see The Spirit of God descend and remain, this is he baptises with The Holy Spirit’ and I have seen and have born witness that this is The Son of God”.
Jesus had presented himself for baptism, but John questioned his own worthiness to do so. Jesus replied “let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness”. As he went up from the water, the heavens were opened to him and he saw The Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him, and a voice saying “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”.
Jesus is led by The Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After 40 days of resisting every temptation, he returned in the power of The Spirit and began his ministry.
Three distinct aspects to this event:-
As The Lamb of God, Jesus needed no repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
He humbled himself before God and man, in submitting himself to the waters of baptism, committing himself to a selfless life, fulfilling all righteousness.
The Holy Spirit came to rest upon Jesus and, after facing temptation in every way, he emerged in the power of The Holy Spirit and began to minister.
Every disciple of Jesus is encouraged to consider and experience these three baptisms.
SALVATION….unlike Jesus, we are sinners in need of a saviour, and it is the command of scripture “believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Having truly believed in his redeeming power we are “baptised by The Holy Spirit into the death of Christ and raised unto newness of life”.
SANCTIFICATION / Set Apart….we are commanded to “repent and be baptised…” This is a personal obedience to follow Christ and his disciples, through the waters of baptism, whereby we commit to die to self and being raised to live as unto The Lord.
SERVICE….the command of Jesus was to “tarry in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power when The Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses”. In Acts chapter 1 & 2 this is fulfilled and immediately the disciples began the ministry Jesus had anointed them to do, under the prompting of The Spirit.
“He shall glorify me”, said Jesus of The Spirit, and the test of all we do in
The Name of Jesus.
[written by Frank Lingings]