Chapter 24: BOG: The Baptism of the Spirit

​In the last chapter, we considered the Baptism of Fire and saw that it is a test of loyalty/a trial of faith.  This chapter we’ll move onto our next concept under being Born of God - the Baptism of the Spirit.  In the scriptures, we see these two concepts spoken together - the Baptism of Fire and the Spirit - Matt. 3:11. Once a person lives the Law and then grows in the knowledge of God,  God orchestras the Baptism of Fire that transforms a believer from their fallen nature into a state of righteousness having received a new heart and spirit. At this point, they receive the Baptism of the Spirit and are immersed in the Spirit and receive the gifts of the Spirit.  They literally become a new creation of the Holy Spirit.​

​The Process of Perfection
Our Process of Perfection looks like this:

Individual Salvation
Born of the Blood Redemption
Born Again Sanctification Born of the Water > Born of the Spirit > Born of God

The Baptism of the Spirit
The baptism or immersion of the Holy Spirit is mentioned seven times in the New Testament at Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13. The most telling of these seven scriptures is with Matthew 3:11. John the Baptist declares –
 
“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:”
 
As you can see from this scripture, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is connected with this Baptism of Fire that purifies.

The immersion of the Holy Spirit is to be consumed in the Spirit. It is much more than having the Spirit "falling on us" or even "setting on us".
 
 
Prophesying
The scriptures connect the act of prophesying with being filled or immersed with the Spirit. We first see this occur with the 70 Elders and then Moses declares that we all need to be prophets who prophesy – Numbers 11.
 
“And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.” v. 25
 
“And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” v.29
 
We also see this in an Endtime context with the establishment of the Kingdom of God. When the Holy Spirit will be poured out on everyone.
 
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”  Joel 2:28
 
 
What is Prophesying
In the Bible, "prophesy" means more than just predicting the future; it is the act of communicating a divinely inspired message from God. This includes forth-telling (preaching, teaching, and declaring God's will) and fore-telling (predicting future events). The ultimate goal is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the community by declaring God's truth and will.
 
Forth-telling (declaring God's message) 
Preaching and teaching: A prophet or minister who preaches the Bible is considered a "prophesier" because they are "speaking forth" God's counsel to the congregation. 
 
Interpreting God's will: 
Prophecy involves explaining the purposes of God and influencing people with the truth of God. 
 
Edifying the church: 
The New Testament describes prophecy as a spiritual gift used to strengthen and build up community. 
 
Fore-telling (predicting future events) 
Revealing the future: While not the primary function, prophecy can include predicting future events, often with the purpose of warning people about the consequences of their actions. 
 
Foretelling the Messiah: Much of biblical prophecy foretold the coming of the Messiah. 
 
 
Gifts of the Spirit
Along with those who have been immersed in the Spirit and who prophesy, the Apostle Paul lists nine gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12 that are available.
 
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” v.4
 
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”  v. 8-10