Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Acts 18:24-26 ESV
http://bible.com/59/act.18.24-26.ESV
So what is the baptism of John?
Luke 3:16
John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Acts 1:5
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now
Acts 19:4
And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
Mark 1:4
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And the baptism with water (John the Baptist’s type of baptism, emmersing people under water to demonstrate their repentance from their sins) and the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire (the baptism available to us through Christ coming into our lives as the living water) – the two are demonstrated in scripture as separate and different, just as in the case of Alexandria mentioned above in Acts 18, and also in the case of Samaria in Acts 8:
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17 ESV
http://bible.com/59/act.8.14-17.ESV
So I wonder how many have only been baptized in the name, or in the water – but not by the Holy Spirit and fire? How many know the words and religious practice in their minds, but do not have the yearning desire for the Lord in their hearts?
Oh, if you do not have it, friend, seek it out. And not like someone wanting power and glory for themselves:
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Acts 8:18-24 ESV
http://bible.com/59/act.8.18-24.ESV
And again, just like Christ warned the seventy two when they returned, don’t be caught up in the new freedom and strength (because it is His work not your own), but be thankful that we are His:
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20 ESV
http://bible.com/59/luk.10.17-20.ESV
So examine yourself so that you will know that you are alive with the Spirit:
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
John 7:37-38 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jhn.7.37-38.ESV
And don’t block up the flow once you’ve received, let it poor out onto others, let your light shine.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.5.14-16.ESV
So, do you know about the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does Christ live in you today, friend? Come and drink, the water isn’t just fine, it’s amazing.
Harold J. Ballinger 