Baptism of Water and the Holy Spirit (Baptism of Jesus Readings)

 “No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit (John 3.5) by Rev. John Gishler, 2025

 

In the Gospel Reading Luke 3.16 John the Baptist tells the crowd I baptize you with water but the one who is to come, will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Water symbolizes the washing away or dying emotionally to the past, self-centred and sin-controlled life. Holy Spirit baptism is like an invisible holy fire that cleanses us, energizes us and gives us the gifts we need for our baptismal ministry. Holy Spirit baptism has been lost in many intellectualized and liberalized churches. I was baptized as an infant and confirmed without any serious teaching or experiences of Holy Spirit. The loss of the fire of Holy Spirit baptism has disempowered many Christians and made the Church irrelevant to secular culture.

 

1. Examination Questions for Infant Baptism

Infants can only be baptized on the assumption that they will be raised in an active Christian family. To ensure this parents and godparents or parish sponsors are asked: 

a)    Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is nurtured in the faith and life of the Christian community?

·      Specifically, ‘seeing that’ the child attends and is a regular part of a thriving Christian community.

 

b. Will you by your prayers and witness help this child grow into the full stature of Christ?

·      Parents, Godparents and Sponsors are covenanting to pray for the child and model a Christian lifestyle. 

 

 

2. Examination Questions for Adult baptism 

These questions must be answered by either the adult candidate or the parents and sponsors of an infant. They are very serious – declaring war on Satan and spiritual evil is dangerous. Many liberal clergy sadly do not believe in spiritual evil or take Holy Spirit baptism seriously.

 

c. Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?

·      Biblical worldview includes temptation, deception and conflict with spiritual forces of evil

 

d. Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? 

·      Natural evil of selfishness / rebellion + temptations

e. Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?

·     Pride, greed, wrath, lust, envy, gluttony, sloth 

 

f. Do you turn to Jesus and accept Him your Saviour?

·     Realize you cannot earn salvation on your own.

 

g. Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?

o   Believe Jesus sacrificial death paid for your sins? 

h. Do you promise to obey Him as Lord?

·     No other gods, idols

 

3.The Baptismal Covenant

The Examining Questions are in preparation for entering the Baptism Covenant which includes understanding and believing in the Apostles Creed and promises to:

·  Continue in Christian teaching and fellowship, 

·  Resist evil, repent, confess and return to Jesus for forgiveness when you fall into sin 

·  Live and proclaim the Good News of God in Christ. 

 

This is only possible through the grace of God to those who are re-born of both water and the Spirit.