HOW MANY BAPTISMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE THERE?

Some Pentecostals say that "Baptism with the Holy Spirit" (Matt.3: 11), "Baptism by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor.12: 13), and "Baptism with the baptism of the Lord Jesus" (Matt.20: 22; Luke12: 50) are not one but different experience. And then besides these the term prepositions "by", "with", and "of" do not seem to indicate to see only two Baptisms; one a spiritual experience and another a testimony to be given before others by immersion in water.

Usage of the word "by": This indicates that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not given by John the
Baptist or by any servant of God, but "by" the Holy Spirit. Usage of the word "with" : The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not "with" water but "with the Holy Spirit". Usage of the word "of": Those who were baptized by John the Baptist are said to have been "baptized of John" (Matt.3:6). According to this
usage "Baptism by the Holy Spirit" can also be called "Baptism of the Holy Spirit". (4) Romans 6:3 sheds more light upon the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3). The meaning of the words "baptized into Jesus Christ"

This cannot mean strictly all who have been baptized by immersion in water, because we know there are many who have been baptized in water but are not born again. Mere baptism in water does not have spiritual significance. It is more appropriate to say that "baptized into Jesus Christ" means " all
who are united in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ by the inward working of the Holy Spirit". By the baptism of the Holy Spirit normally all such should have given testimony to this by being baptized in water; both in Apostle Paul's time and also in our time. But even those who have not been so baptized in water, if they are truly born again it is true that they have been "baptized into Christ" and "baptized into His death".

When Paul left Jerusalem for Damascus he had started out as terrible as the raging dragon of Greek
legend which breathed out fire and smoke from its nostrils; only Saul "was breathing out threatening and slaughter" upon Christians. When he saw the great light he fell down upon the earth; and when he rose up he was a new man. Was it an emotional change, or was it will -power? No, it was the inward work of the Holy Spirit which he describes later, "I am crucified with Christ: never- the less I live; yet not " but Christ liveth in me" (Gal.2:20). That very moment he died to his old I life; his old nature was buried in the burial of Christ; and he rose up a new man, risen with Christ by the power of Christ's resurrection working in him. This was his inward spiritual experience, the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

This baptism was followed soon after by baptism in water. Baptism in water without the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a dead ceremony, like a corpse without life. The meaning of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is explained by baptism by immersion in water. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (Romans 6:3-5).

Union of Believers in the Body of Christ

5) "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1Cor.12:13). This verse sheds still more light on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As a result of our unification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, we are dead to our old life, old relationships and old loyalties; we are no longer Jew or Gentile, bond or free, but have been all united in the Body of Christ.

The human body is the most perfect example of unity. Closest friends may fallout, and brothers may be divided; but the different members in a human body work together in marvelous harmony. In a similar way, born again children of God will live together and work together if they are 100% under the Lordship of Christ, and hold Him as the Head (Col.2:19). Perfect oneness of believers as members in the Body of Christ is a great mystery and can be understood only by the grace of God. To this perfection God is leading us. Let us not say it is impossible, there are lions on the way. Let us not be slack like those who did not believe and could not enter into God's promises, but died on the way, "whose carcasses fell in the wilderness" (Heb.3:17); but let us humbly and diligently press on to perfection (Heb.6: 1,2), as Abraham pressed on to the Heavenly City (Heb.11 :10).

Secondly, we see that on the day of Pentecost the disciples were baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body by identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection and the Church which is the Body
of Christ came into being.

SECRET OF A HAPPY HOME - BAKHT SINGH - Scripture Reading: Eph. 5: 22,28; 6:17 1 Pet. 3: 1-7

In these verses from Ephesians and 1 Peter, Apostles Paul and Peter reveal the great secret of a very
happy home for those who are joined by God. If God's Word is followed as it is, then all those who are joined by Him can enjoy God's favor in fulness. Many people want to marry only for the sake of happiness and honor. They have no real interest in the Word of God. They are more concerned about their own ideas than God's Word. In many cases marriages are a failure, because they depend upon their cleverness, wisdom, family or pr0perty. Howsoever clever one may be, one can be blessed only by obeying the Word of God. God knows the end from the beginning. "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure" (lsa.46:10). That is why we are given God's Word for instruction, inspiration and guidance. Knowing beforehand all the problems which we have to face upon the earth, God has given His Word to us. He knows us from the very beginning of our lives. He knows us before we were conceived. "Before I formed thee in the belly, J knew thee; and before thou came forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jer.1 :5). He knows all about us. He knows our past and He knows our future. He knows our name and He knows exactly what we are. Our safety is in being governed by Him by His Spirit and by His Word. We will never know what ill happen tomorrow. But He knows exactly what will happen tomorrow. That is why we are given the Word of God to guide us day by day and help us in every situation.

Marriages are arranged by God from the beginning of the creation. That is why to God marriages are very sacred. "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him"(Gen.2:18). God gave to the first man dominion, power and authority over the whole creation and also gave him a very healthy body. At that time, there was no sin, sickness or curse. Though God had given health, wisdom, strength and all things, yet there was something lacking in Adam's life. His joy was not full. So God wanted to give him a help meet for companionship, friendship and fellowship. God had planned that whatsoever He had given to Adam he might enjoy it through his companion and through his life-partner. That is why we find, to God marriage is a very sacred relationship. Those who want a happy married life must be governed by the Word of God, and not by their own wisdom or cleverness or talents or qualification. We are given this wonderful Book to solve all our problems, and meet all our needs. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Word of God. We need heavenly wisdom to understand heavenly things, not worldly wisdom. Before we can understand the Word of God we must have the Spirit of God. See 1Cor.2: 14. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolish ness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned". That means, by our natural wisdom we cannot understand or enjoy the Word of God. Though we may be very highly qualified in worldly knowledge, yet we can be a failure.

I met a man some years ago who had traveled round the world seven times. He wrote about 32 books. He built a nice house with every kind of high-class furniture. Going by his testimony, his marriage was a failure. Anyone could see from his face that he and his wife were not happy. With all the knowledge of 32 books he never knew how to have a happy home. The same thing happens with others also. With all their knowledge and fame, their home is an unhappy one. They may be clever in earning money and multiplying it, but we find that their homes are unhappy. There is no oneness between husband and life and no real happiness between them. We see this in many parts of the world.

We see from God's Word that He is a living God and wants us to have full joy and happiness. That is the purpose of God and that is why the Lord Jesus came into this world. See John 16:24 and 15:7. "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full". "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask that ye will, and it shall be done unto you". God's desire is to make our joy full. We know clearly from God's Word that our loving and living God wants us to have full joy, abundant joy and great joy. That is the very same message which was brought to the earth at the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people"(Luke 2:10). That goes to show that God wants us all, whosoever we are to have great joy all the time. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice". Even in poverty and in our earthly trials we can have joy. To make Adam's joy full, the Lord gave him a wife who was his companion, friend, and partner.

We find from the verses quoted above, the secret of a very happy married life. First of all, we read in Eph,5:17, "Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is"