BAPTISM OF 
WATER AND SPIRIT 
"Then 
Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the 
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall 
receive the gift of the holy spirit" (Acts 2:38 KJV). 
The baptism 
ceremony with its various steps is the process by which a person makes and 
ratifies an eternal agreement between themselves, God the 
Father, and Jesus Christ. Upon completion of the final ritual of the 
baptism ceremony, a person becomes a son of God the Father 
and a brother of Jesus Christ in the holy and divine Family of God. 
The 
baptism ceremony is not for the purpose of becoming a member of a 
physical organization; it is for the purpose of becoming a son of 
God in the Family of God. No earthly organization of humans 
can offer the immense privilege of sonship in the Family 
of God; only God the Father can bind a person to himself and 
place them into his family.
The 
allegiance one makes at baptism is to God the Father and Jesus 
Christ, not to anything or anyone else. Baptism is a very 
serious commitment to make. From the moment a person is 
baptized and receives the holy spirit, a total commitment is made 
to God the Father and Jesus Christ.  
The 
baptized person has committed to an endeavor that will lead to 
eternal life as a member of the family and government of God 
(Rev.3:5,21; 5:10; 20:4-6) or to eternal death if this commitment in 
not kept (Lk.9:62; Heb.6:4-6; 10:26-27; Rev.20:13-15; 21:8). God the Father and 
Jesus Christ have committed themselves to help the newly begotten 
son through the very power that sustains the universe and 
all that exists. See Matt. 6:25-34; Heb.13:5-6; 
Jn.14:12-14. 
BAPTISM BY 
WATER 
The Water 
The following 
are symbolic and literal meanings of the baptismal water into which a person is 
immersed: 
  - A grave 
  
- The purifying blood of 
  Christ 
  
- The washing away of sin 
  
The water is 
also a medium through which God the Father performs the purification 
of the person's spirit and body prior to implanting his Spirit 
within them. 
The 
Ceremony 
The 
water portion of the baptismal ceremony has several different symbolical 
and literal meanings: 
  - Death, burial, and 
  resurrection 
  
- Sins forgiven and washed 
  away 
  
- Purification of the body 
  
Death, 
Burial, and Resurrection 
Baptism 
is not only a symbolic representation of our 
death, burial, and resurrection to a new life in Christ but also it is a 
physical and spiritual reality. Notice how Paul reminds the elect at Rome of 
their baptism and their sinless condition before God when he exhorts 
them to live a sinless life before God and man. 
Romans 
6:1-11 KJV 
"What 
shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace 
may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any 
longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized 
into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (vs.1-3). 
As a person 
descends beneath the baptismal waters, their old life symbolically dies and is 
buried. The baptismal water symbolizes a grave and truly would become a grave if 
the person being baptized were held under the water for very long: 
"Therefore 
we are buried with him by baptism to 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:" (vs.4-5). 
When a 
person is raised out of the water, they are symbolically and 
literally raised to a new life. After baptism, the repentant person has 
become sinless and is no longer under the penalty of death for violating 
God's law. Moreover, their spirit and body have been purged of all 
sin and defilement: 
"Knowing 
this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of 
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve 
sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead 
with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing 
that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; 
death has no more dominion over him" (vs.6-9). 
Dead to 
Sin 
"For in 
that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he lives, he lives to 
God. Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, 
but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (vs.10-11). See also 
Rom.7:6; Heb.9:13-14. 
As 
Christ is dead to sin, so are those who have God's 
Spirit dwelling within them; they are free from the penalty of sin 
and can look forward to becoming an immortal spirit-being that can never 
die: 
"For 
in baptism you see how your old, evil nature died with him and 
was buried with him; and then you came up out of death with him 
into a new life because you trusted the Word of the mighty God who 
raised Christ from the dead. You were dead in sins, and your sinful 
desires were not yet cut away. Then he gave you a share in the 
very life of Christ, for he forgave all your sins, and blotted out 
the charges proved against you, the list of his commandments which you had 
not obeyed. He took this list of sins and destroyed it by nailing it 
to Christ's cross" (Col.2:12-14 LBP). See also Col.3:1-4. 
Sins 
Washed Away 
Although 
baptism is symbolic of a physical death and a resurrection, it is also 
much more. During this ceremony, the person being baptized is washed clean 
and purged of all sin by the power of God's spirit through the 
sacrifice of Christ and, at that moment, the baptized person—devoid 
of sin—is righteous before God. 
Prior to the 
advent of Jesus Christ, washing with water as an act of purification was a 
part of the sacrificial system. During the gospel age of salvation, 
it is the water of the baptismal ceremony and the blood 
of Jesus Christ that picture and perform this 
purification. It is, in fact, through the sacrificial blood 
of Jesus that we are forgiven of our sins and washed clean of 
all defilement that would prevent us from coming before the Father to 
receive his Spirit. Paul, Titus, and John all spoke about the washing away of 
sin by pure water, the blood of Jesus, and the cleansing power of 
God's Spirit: 
"Let 
us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having 
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and 
our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:22 KJV). 
"Or 
do you not know that the unjust ones will not inherit 
the Kingdom of God? Do not be led astray, neither fornicators, 
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, 
nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous ones, 
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor plunderers shall inherit the 
Kingdom of God. And some of you were these things, but you are washed; but 
you were sanctified; but you were justified in the nature of the 
Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor.6:9-11 KJV 
Para.). 
"But 
when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward 
man appeared, not by works in righteousness which we had done, 
but according to his mercy he has saved us, through the washing 
of regeneration and the renewal of the holy spirit, which he poured 
out on us richly through Jesus Christ, our Savior" 
(Tit.3:4-6 KJV Para.). 
"And 
from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and 
the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of 
the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own 
blood" (Rev.1:5 KJV). See also Rom.5:9; Eph.2:13; Heb.13:12; 
1 Jn.1:1-7; 3:5-6; Rev.5:9; 7:13-14. 
Purification of the Temple 
Under 
the first agreement with national Israel, the priesthood, the 
people, and all things that came into close contact with God had to 
be purified and kept clean, because God will not dwell where 
there is sin or impurity. See Lev.19:2; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Ex.29:36-46; 
Deut.23:14; 1 Cor.3:17. 
Many do not 
realize that God has not changed and that, under the new agreement with 
the elect of God and national Israel, God the Father requires all things 
that come into close contact with him to be free from all sin and 
impurity. This is why it is vitally important to become sinless and 
pure through the blood of Christ:
"And 
what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are 
the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, 
and walk in them; and I will be their God and they shall be my people. 
Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says 
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 
And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says 
the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor.6:16-18 KJV). 
Because God 
will not allow his spirit to inhabit an impure place, a physical as well 
as a spiritual change takes place during the baptismal ceremony. In the 
baptismal water, God purifies the body through the power of his spirit so 
that his holy spirit can dwell within the person's physical body. See 
1 Tim.5:22; Tit. 1:15-16; Heb. 10:14-22; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn.3:1-3; 4:4. 
"Don't 
you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that 
God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Cor.3:16 NIV). 
"Haven't 
you yet learned that your body is the home of the holy spirit God 
gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not 
belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So 
use every part of your body to give glory back to God, 
because he owns it" (1 Cor.6:19-20 LPB). 
Notice that 
the body of a child of God is a temple of God; it is God's Holy Place 
where his spirit dwells. 
Since 
God will not allow his spirit to inhabit a sinful person, the 
first thing one must do in order to receive his spirit is to repent 
in order to rid one's mind (God's Holy Place) of all sin. The 
second step is to sincerely ask God the Father to forgive our 
sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The third step is to be 
immersed in water for the washing away of sin through the blood of Christ and 
for the purifying of the physical body that is to become a temple 
where God will place his spirit. 
HOW SHOULD 
BAPTISM WITH WATER BE PERFORMED? 
The 
scriptures are very clear as to how to perform the 
death, burial, and resurrection rituals of the baptismal ceremony. 
The Word 
Baptize 
The English 
word 'baptize' is from the Greek word 'baptizo', which means 'to immerse', 
to 'plunge into', 'to put into', to dip'. It cannot mean 
'sprinkle' or 'pour' because the Greek word for 'sprinkle' is 
'rantidzo', and 'to pour' is 'cheo' in Greek. 
 
Much Water 
Required 
"And 
John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, 
because there was much water there: and they came, and 
were baptized" (Jn.3:23 KJV). 
Here, it is 
shown that John required a place where there was a lot of water in 
order for people to be completely submerged when they were baptized. 
The 
Example of Jesus 
"Then 
comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him. 
But John forbid him, saying, I have need to be baptized of 
you, and come you to me? And Jesus answering said to 
him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to 
fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed him. 
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up 
straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened to 
him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon 
him" (Matt. 3:13-16 KJV). 
Here, Christ 
comes up out of the water of the Jordan River, which shows that he was immersed 
(baptizo), not sprinkled or poured upon (rantidzo or cheo). Jesus 
left us an example of how to be baptized, and at the end of his earthly 
ministry, Jesus told his followers to immerse others who accepted his Father's 
offer to follow him. 
Not only did 
Jesus leave us an example of how to be baptized but also gave clear instructions 
to his disciples to perform the ceremony by total immersion in water: 
"Go 
you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing 
(baptizo) them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy 
spirit:" (Matt. 28:19). See also Mk.16:16. 
The Early 
Church 
The Book of 
Acts is full of accounts of baptisms. One interesting account is when 
Philip baptized the treasurer of Queen Candace. (Acts 
8:27-39). Notice, there was enough water so that both men could get 
into the water and still have enough room for the 
eunuch to be totally covered with water: 
"And the 
treasurer of Queen Candace secured his chariot: and Philip and the 
eunuch went into the water, and Philip baptized (Greek: 
'baptizo') him. And as they came up out of the water, the spirit of 
the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch did not see him anymore: and the 
eunuch went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:38-39 Para.). 
The 
scriptural and historical records show very clearly how to use 
water in the baptismal ceremony. The method taught by Christ and his 
disciples was total immersion. Any other method of 
baptism is a counterfeit and is not authorized or recognized by God the 
Father or Jesus Christ. 
BAPTISM OF 
THE SPIRIT 
The 
final step in becoming a son of God is the baptism of 
the holy spirit. After a person is made sinless and 
pure through Christ's sacrifice, God the Father can ratify the New 
Covenant with them by placing his spirit within them. 
Upon 
receiving the holy spirit, the baptized person becomes a son of God, 
and an eternal agreement between the person, God the 
Father, and Jesus Christ has been ratified and 
sealed. See Rom.8:16-19; Jer.31:31-33; Heb.8:8-11. 
Notice 
what John the Baptist says about being baptized with the spirit: 
"I indeed 
have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the holy 
spirit" (Mk.1:8 KJV). 
"And 
I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same 
said to me, Upon whom you shall see the spirit descending, and 
remaining on him, the same is he which 
baptizes with the holy spirit" (Jn.1:33 KJV). See also 
Lk.3:16; Acts 11:15-16. 
It is 
interesting that the Greek word baptizo was used in translating 
John's prophecy about spirit-baptism, because the scriptures 
clearly show that when a person is baptized they are totally 
immersed in the purifying power of God's spirit, and when God's spirit merges 
with their spirit, it totally transforms the person into a new creation. 
See our study concerning the sons of the new creation. 
SENDING OF 
THE SPIRIT 
"If 
you love me, keep my commandments. And I will petition the 
Father, and he will give you another comforter that he may remain with you 
forever, the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive 
because it does not see him, nor know him. But you know him, 
for he abides with you, and shall be in you" (Jn.14:15-17 
KJV Para.). See Jn.16:13-14. 
Paul Said: 
"Now 
if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his" 
(Rom.8:9 KJV). See also Jn.14:21-24. 
"For 
as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of 
God" (Rom.8:14 KJV). 
Paul 
said that only those who have the spirit of God are 
his sons. Having the holy spirit is so important that one cannot 
have salvation if they do not have it. 
THE HOLY 
SPIRIT IS A GIFT FROM GOD THE FATHER 
"If 
you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: 
how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that 
ask?" (Lk.11:13 KJV). 
Remember that 
the apostle Peter said the following: 
"Repent, 
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission 
of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit" 
(Acts 2:38 Para.). 
"And 
we are his witnesses of these things, and also the 
holy spirit, whom God gives to those obeying him" 
(Acts 5:32 KJV Para.). See also Acts 8:9-24; Gal.3:1-2. 
The holy 
spirit is a gift and God the Father wants to give it to those he 
calls to salvation. Moreover, the apostle Paul clearly records 
that one cannot have salvation without the spirit of God; therefore, it is 
important to understand exactly what God's spirit is, what it does, and how to 
receive it. 
What is 
God's Spirit? 
One of the 
most confusing teachings today concerns the definition of who or 
what the holy spirit is and is not. This confusion 
surrounds the false teaching that the Father, the Son, and the 
holy spirit are somehow a composite of two or three personalities that are one 
being, which has no individual personality. Because of this 
and other similar teachings, the world's concept of the Father, 
the Son, and the holy spirit is very confusing. 
Below 
is a list of some of the attributes and functions of the holy 
spirit. See also our study paper concerning what the holy spirit is and how it 
functions. 
The holy 
spirit is the following: 
  - An advocate and helper 
  
  
- Truth 
  
- A guide to truth 
  
- Revealer of 
  prophetic events 
  
- Giver of discernment 
  
  
- A teacher and reminder 
  
  
- Placer of God's law 
  within the mind 
  
- The spirit of power 
  
  
- A witness of Christ 
  
  
- Transformer of a person 
  into a son of God 
It is 
unfortunate that many English translations of the Bible use the pronoun 
'he' when referring to God's spirit. In reality, becauseGod's 
spirit is a thing and not a personage, it should be referred to as 
'it'. The spirit of God and the holy spirit are the same thing, and both 
God the Father and Jesus Christ have this spirit. 
God the 
Father and Jesus Christ are spirit-beings who inhabit a spirit 
dimension of time and space. It is through God the 
Father's spirit-power, energy, and force that he animates, creates, 
controls, and sustains all that exists. It is this spirit that God 
the Father gives to those whom he has called to salvation. 
The Spirit 
of Adoption 
One 
important function of the holy spirit is to 
transform a person into a son of God. When this function 
of the spirit of God is applied to a person, they are 
transformed into a son of God and made a member of the Family 
of God. This transformation places a person at the starting point of 
eternal life. This is the time of spiritual conception from 
which one can grow toward spiritual maturity and perfection into an 
immortal spirit-being. 
In his letter 
to the Church at Rome, Paul draws upon the example of the Roman adoption 
system to illustrate how a person becomes a son of God: 
"For as 
many as are led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God. 
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery again to 
fear, but you received a spirit of adoption by which we 
cry, Abba! Father! The spirit itself witnesses with our spirit that we are the 
children of God" (Rom.8:14-16 KJV Para.). 
Roman 
adoption was extremely difficult to accomplish, because the Roman father was the 
absolute controlling power over the family. No matter how old a son 
became, he was still in absolute possession and under absolute 
control of his father. This made adoption into another family 
a very serious and difficult thing to accomplish. 
Under Roman 
law, there were a number of symbolic ceremonies and rituals with many 
witnesses, that had to take place before any adoption was considered legal 
and binding. Moreover, once a son was legally adopted into his new family, 
he lost all rights to his old family and gained the rights of a 
legitimate son in his new family. By law, his old life was completely 
wiped away (e.g., all debts were canceled). He was regarded as a 
completely new and different person who was entering a new life upon 
which the old life had no meaning or importance. 
Under Roman law, he was, in fact, the son of his new father. 
Paul 
said the holy spirit is the witness of the adoption into 
the Family of God, whereby the past life is wiped away—it is gone. 
After this adoption, all debts are canceled and the new son of God begins a new 
life in the Family of God, with all the rights of sonship. 
HOW TO 
RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT 
Receiving 
the holy spirit is the most important event that can ever 
happen to any human because it is at this point in time 
that a person is transformed into a son of God and their body 
literally becomes a temple of the living God. 
The Laying 
on of Hands 
After 
being immersed in water, having one's sins washed away and one's 
body purified, the next ritual in the conversion process is the laying on of 
hands for the receiving of the holy spirit, which is promised by 
Jesus Christ. 
The 
Converts at Samaria 
Shortly 
after the holy spirit had been given on the Feast of 
Pentecost, the gospel began to be preached with great zeal. Moreover, after 
hearing the preaching of Philip, many in Samaria were baptized but 
they did not receive the holy spirit: 
"Now when 
the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had 
received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and 
John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might 
receive the holy spirit: (For as yet he [it] was fallen 
upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of 
the Lord Jesus). Then laid they their hands 
on them, and they received the holy spirit" (Acts 
8:14-17). See also Acts 9:10-18; 19:1-6. 
These people 
were baptized correctly yet they had not received God's 
spirit. They had repented and been baptized yet they had not been 
transformed into sons of God. However, when the apostles laid 
their hands upon them, they received the holy spirit. 
The 
Converts at Ephesus 
"And 
it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul 
having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding 
certain disciples, he said to them, Have you received the holy 
spirit since you believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard 
whether there be any holy spirit. And he said to them, to what then were 
you baptized? And they said, to John's baptism. Then Paul said, John 
truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they 
should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Jesus Christ. 
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And 
when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the holy 
spirit came on them" (Acts 19:1-6 Para.). See also Acts 
9:10-18; 2.Tim.1:6-7. 
Again, we 
find people who were sincere in their desire to follow God and 
had followed the admonition of John the Baptist to repent and be baptized. 
Although they had the right attitude, they lacked the knowledge of how to 
obtain salvation through the sacrifice of Christ. After Paul explained 
salvation through Jesus Christ, these people accepted the call to salvation and 
were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that each could 
become a son of God. Notice that it is through the laying on of hands that the 
holy spirit is received. 
Is the 
Laying on of hands necessary? 
Some 
might feel that the laying on of hands is not 
necessary because of the examples where some people received God's spirit 
without this ritual (See Matt. 3:13-16; Acts 2:1-3). However, while it is 
true that on special occasions God gave the holy spirit prior to baptism, 
there is no promise from God that he will ever 
make these exceptions again. 
It is 
clear that the apostles felt that it was necessary to lay hands on a 
baptized person so that this person could receive the 
holy spirit. Therefore, it is obvious that 
the laying on of hands is a necessary and important 
part of the baptismal ceremony. 
Transformation into a Son of God 
Upon 
receiving the spirit of God, a person is literally transformed 
from the original human creation into a new and different being. The 
old person with only the spirit of man ceases to 
exist, and a new person who has the spirit of God dwelling within them is born. 
See Matt. 3:1-7; 2 Cor.5:17. 
Although a 
child of God still appears to be human, a transformation that makes a 
person who has received the holy spirit different from other 
humans has taken place. They have been converted into a son of God 
with the genetic imprint of the God family, and although they are not yet an 
immortal spirit-being, they are certainly a child of God and a 
member of the Father's spiritual family. Moreover, at some time in the 
future they will shed their bodies of flesh and receive an immortal spirit-body. 
See 1 Cor.15:51-54; 1.Thes.4;13-17; Rev.20:6. 
Those 
who respond to God's call to salvation, repent, are baptized, 
and receive his spirit can look forward to tremendous 
rewards and happiness forever as an immortal being in the Family of God. 
QUESTIONS 
ABOUT BAPTISM ANSWERED 
  - Who has the Authority to 
  Baptize? 
  
- Must a person be 
  baptized by an ordained minister or can any of the elect of God baptize a 
  repentant believer? 
"Go and 
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the 
Father, and the Son, and of the holy spirit" (Matt. 28:19 
Para.). 
Although 
the apostles baptized, there are scriptural references that 
show others who were not ministers were also authorized to baptize. 
Philip baptized and Paul was baptized by Ananias. See Acts 8:27-38; 
9:10-18. 
The 
responsibility of anyone who wants to be baptized is to diligently 
seek out a man who is truly a follower of Jesus Christ. Moreover, this man 
must baptize using the method set forth by Jesus Christ. 
Because it is 
impossible for someone to know the spiritual condition of the person who is 
performing the baptism, salvation does not depend on the man performing the 
ceremony. However, it does depend on an individual's personal relationship 
with God the Father and Jesus Christ. The importance of 
baptism lies within the reason it is being performed and not within the person 
performing the ceremony. Although these physical acts are required, spiritual 
baptism is the responsibility of God the Father. 
The agreement 
made at the time of baptism is not between the man performing the 
ceremony and the person being baptized; it is between God the 
Father, Jesus Christ, and the person being baptized. 
Once a person 
has been baptized in the way that is set forth in scripture and has 
received God's spirit, that person has fulfilled the requirement of 
baptism for all time. 
If after a 
person's baptism, the person who performed the ceremony departs from 
the faith, or the baptized person loses confidence in him, the baptism is still 
valid. 
Infant 
Baptism and Childhood Conversion 
  - Is it proper to baptize 
  children? 
The age you 
must be prior to baptism is very difficult to establish because 
it is predicated on belief, understanding, and repentance. 
All 
three of these mental conditions are prerequisites to baptism 
and conversion. Moreover, all three are interdependent. For a person 
to have belief, there must be some understanding of what is to be 
believed. 
Jesus says 
repent and believe the Gospel: 
"After 
John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the 
gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying, The time is 
fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and 
believe the gospel" (Mk.1:14-15 Para.). 
In order to 
repent and believe in the gospel, a person must have an understanding of 
what to repent and what the gospel of the kingdom is. In all of the 
acts of baptism recorded in the New Testament, those who were 
baptized understood the circumstances surrounding Jesus and what he 
preached. Moreover, they were able to make their decisions based on the facts 
presented. 
A 
prerequisite for baptism is repentance: 
"Then 
Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you 
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you 
shall receive the gift of the holy spirit" (Acts 2:38 Para.). 
But 
repent of what? Be sorry for what? Desire to change 
what? In order to repent, a person must first 
have an elementary understanding of God's plan for mankind. 
It is quite 
evident that a person cannot have the kind of belief, understanding, and 
repentance necessary for baptism unless a person 
is mature enough to have developed the mental capacity 
to be able to make intelligent decisions. 
It is also 
evident that infants and very young children have not developed the 
mental maturity, had the life experience, nor 
acquired the emotional stability that is required to make and stand 
behind decisions of the magnitude that are required before and after 
baptism. 
All of 
the scriptural examples of baptism show only young or older adults 
being baptized. There are no scriptural examples or 
evidence that support the belief that very young children should be 
baptized. 
Setting 
a minimum age requirement for baptism is 
impossible because of the differences in the speed with which each 
individual grows into mental and emotional maturity. The 
decision of whether or not a person is old enough for baptism 
depends entirely upon a person's maturity level, understanding of God's 
word, and desire to follow God. See Lk.3:8. 
Speaking 
in Tongues 
  - Must a person speak in 
  tongues in order to have God's spirit? 
God has 
a reason for everything he does, and so it is with the gift of 
languages. There are a number of reasons why this gift is given to 
God's elect. Contrary to popular belief, speaking in tongues 
does not mean to babble in unintelligible gibberish upon receiving of the 
holy spirit or at any other time during one's spiritual life. 
The ability 
to speak in foreign languages was given on the Feast of Pentecost 
and thereafter as a witness that the holy spirit had 
been given as prophesied to both the Covenant People and to the 
Gentiles, and that it was given for the purpose of preaching 
the gospel to people who spoke foreign languages. For a 
detailed analysis of the gift of speaking in foreign 
languages, see our study paper concerning speaking in tongues. 
In the 
Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 
Why is a 
person baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy 
spirit, and what does it mean to be baptized in the name of 
the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit? 
Jesus Christ 
commanded that it be done this way (Matt. 28:19). And 
because he is the author and finisher of our faith, he has the right 
to set the rules. 
Although 
Jesus said to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son 
and of the holy spirit, he does not refer to names in particular, 
rather he uses an idiomatic expression to show the 
authority by which baptisms are to be performed. Those who 
perform this ceremony for the God family are authorized to do so by 
God the Father and Jesus Christ through the power of their spirit. 
How Long 
Should You Wait Before Baptism? 
How soon 
should a person be baptized after they come to an understanding of the 
gospel and truly desire to follow God? Is there a given period 
of time a person must wait between the time they decide to 
repent and the time of baptism? If so, how 
long should a person wait?  
Some 
might think there should be a probation period for 
the repentant believer to reflect on their decision to follow 
God's direction and somehow show others they are worthy of baptism. 
As in all 
spiritual matters, we must let God's word be our guide. After Peter's inspired 
sermon on the festival of Pentecost, there were almost 
3,000 people baptized: 
"Then 
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day 
there were added to them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41 KJV). 
These 
people heard the gospel of Christ, made a decision to change 
their lives by following Jesus Christ, and were baptized 
all in the same day. 
During this 
particular Festival of Pentecost, the vast majority of the people in 
Jerusalem at that time were observing a commanded festival. 
Just 50 days before, they had observed the Passover and the Days of 
Unleavened Bread. 
These people 
were very aware of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Additionally, most 
of them had a good understanding of the holy scriptures and 
were practicing the laws of God; otherwise, they would 
not have been there observing the Festival of Pentecost. 
Upon hearing 
the explanation of the events that had transpired concerning Jesus, they 
were given a new dimension in understanding by God the Father—they were 
called to repentance: 
"For 
the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that 
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 
2:39 KJV). 
The 
situation between Philip and the eunuch is very similar to the 
event recorded in Acts, chapter two. Philip explained God's 
word to the eunuch, the eunuch believed, accepted the call 
of God, and was baptized immediately. (Acts 8:27-38). 
In explaining 
the circumstances surrounding his own baptism, Paul says that 
Ananias urged him to be baptized quickly. (Acts 
22:12-16). On one occasion a man and his entire household were 
baptized at night after hearing and believing the gospel. (Acts 
16:16-33). 
It is 
apparent that God did not intend for a person he has called to go through some 
probation period. In every instance in the New Testament where repentant 
believers requested baptism, the ordinance was administered immediately or 
as soon as possible. Therefore, a truly repentant person should be 
baptized as soon as possible in order to fulfill 
the scriptural example and receive the gift of the holy spirit. 
Baptism by 
Someone Other than a Believer 
What if 
a person has repented of their sins and wants to be baptized, 
but for some reason beyond their control they cannot find a 
man of like faith to baptize them? 
If a man of 
the same faith cannot be found to perform the rite of baptism and the laying on 
of hands for the receiving of the holy spirit, it is permissible to 
use a man who is a friend or a man whom one respects as an honest and 
ethical person to perform the rites of baptism. 
Remember 
that baptism is the sealing of a contract between you and 
the God family, not between you, the man performing the 
baptism, and the God family. 
If it becomes 
necessary to utilize the services of someone other than a believer for the 
purpose of baptism, it is important that the man doing the baptizing is 
instructed to say the proper words in respect to the rite of baptism. God will 
know your heart in this matter and that you are performing this act in faith and 
obedience to his word to the best of your ability. 
Just before 
you are completely submerged under the water, the following should be said 
by the man performing the baptism: 
"Great 
God of all things I, [the name of the person baptizing 
you], come before you to baptize [your name] at [your 
name] request, and as a sign of [your name] desire to give [your 
name] life to you and to follow the way of life you have 
written in your Holy Word. I do now at [your name] request 
baptize [your name] into the name, and authority, of the Father and 
the Son through the power of the holy spirit. Be it so according to your 
will, Sovereign Father of all things." 
As far 
as the laying on of hands for the receiving of the holy spirit, 
we cannot give much direction other than saying that God the 
Father will know your heart. If you ask God, he will make a way for you to 
receive his spirit of power, comfort, and sonship. 
Baptism is a 
very serious step to take because it is the way we sign and seal a 
contract with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Once this agreement is made 
between a human being and the God family, the baptized individual will have 
embarked on a journey that will lead to eternal life or eternal 
death, depending upon the individual's faithfulness to the agreement. This 
is why we are admonished by Jesus Christ to count the costs before 
we make an agreement to follow his and the Father's way of life. 
 
By B.L. 
Cocherell