Text: John 3:1-16

Focal point: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water andofthe Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5

John said, “I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” – John 1:22

When Jesus came, He said “…except a man be born of water andofthe Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5

Later as He prayed for His disciples, “Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20:22

When He was leaving the earth, He instructed His disciples to go and ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “And, being assembled together withthem, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which,saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now.” – Acts 1:4-5 NKJV.  Later in Acts 2:1-4 it is recorded that the disciples became baptized filled with the Holy Sprit.

The disciples continued to baptize converts in water after which the converts also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Apostle Paul in His work also ensured that Christians followed the rule of the two baptisms. He said, “While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” – Acts 19:1-6

All of these scriptures show that people who claim Christianity must obey the basic and simple instruction of Jesus - to receive both water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism.

If you have not been baptized in water, arrange with your minister right away as you are preparing for the soon coming of King Jesus. Once you have taken this step, the next step is to start praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit

Argument: “But there are people who never get a chance to be baptized of water, talk less of the Holy Spirit, before they died, because they accepted Jesus Christ at their dying point.”

My response to this is that as long as you are not that person who is on a dying bed, then leave that alone for God to handle. Be concerned about your own soul right now; Jesus did not make mistake when He said “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water andofthe Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5

Jesus said in John 3:15, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” To claim that you believe in the Son of God (Jesus Christ) is to obey the His and follow the prescription He gave in John 3:5. If He said you need water baptism and Holy Spirit Baptism, then you need it – no argument, no story.

Please note that Jesus who gave this instruction also followed it. The Bible says as He was being baptized with water, the Holy Spirit also descended upon Him – Mat. 3:16

My advice is that you get yourself and family members in water immersion and always attend Holy Spirit prayer sessions in your church – in addition to your own personal prayers requesting for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism signifies your public announcement to the world that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It signifies death to your old sinful nature and resurrects you into a new life in Christ. Then the Holy Spirit will now come into your life to empower you to walk with Jesus as the word of God is renewing your mind. Begin to grow in expecting the return of Jesus Christ, now is the time. God bless you.

This article is written by Pastor Abraham Obadare of Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM. You can reach him @ 718-658-8981 or www.wosem.org.  You may listen to him on 24/7 internet radio at www.eagernessofgod.org

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