Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 
     – Ephesians 5:18

I’ve been writing since Feb. 22 about getting back to basics — Christian basics — to help us get through the tumultuous days ahead. The third “elementary truth” that Paul mentioned in Hebrews 6 is baptisms.

That’s not a typographical error. It’s baptisms — plural — in the original Greek because there’s more than one way that we need to be immersed. John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

Water for Repentance
First we need to be immersed in water. If you’re not sure about infant versus adult baptism, or sprinkling versus total immersion, pray about it. God will answer your questions. I believe Jesus set the perfect example for us to begin our new life of faith. He was an adult when He was baptized. And this was the event that preceded his amazing life of ministry. When we repent and start walking with Him in faith, I believe we begin with our personal water baptism as our first act of faith.

Scripture tells us, “He [John the Baptist] went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3) “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) Jesus demonstrated the importance of water baptism when He went to His cousin John and was baptized in the Jordan River.

This “outward cleansing” in water baptism demonstrates the inward cleansing God does through the atoning death of Jesus Christ. When we repent, turn to God from our old life, and are baptized, we are raised to a new life with Him. Baptism itself does not save us, but it points to the cleansing that took place by Christ’s death on the cross — the just dying for the unjust.

We are set apart by God through water baptism. But the spiritual rite of water baptism is only the beginning…

Holy Spirit and Fire
At some point we will also be totally immersed in the Holy Spirit — the third person in the Trinity. Some people believe this happens when we are baptized in water. I believe the Spirit of God seals us for Himself through water baptism — similar to a bridegroom and his bride at a wedding. However, the “consummation” of our intimate relationship with God — being immersed in the Holy Spirit — can happen in a variety of ways and in many different stages of our spiritual lives. Here are a few examples: 

• John the Baptist’s mother Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit when she saw Mary (Luke 1:41)
• John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Spirit shortly after John’s birth (Luke 1:67)
• John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit from birth (Luke 1:14-16)
• The Spirit descended upon Jesus after He came out of the water (Matthew 3:16)
• The Spirit fills people after they have prayed (Acts 4:31)
• The Spirit has filled people during or following the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-17)
• It can even happen before prayer, water baptism, or the laying on of hands (Acts 10:44-48)

According to scripture, people have actually been told about Jesus and believed in him without receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). I believe this happens when Church leaders don’t understand the Holy Spirit and as a result put little emphasis on being filled with the Spirit. Their disciples want and try to walk with God and please Him, but they have little joy, power, or anointing — and they often fail as a result.

Paul instructed Christians in Ephesus to be filled with the Spirit — not drunk with wine: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) As you can see, Paul is insinuating that we determine how filled with the Holy Spirit we are, just as we decide whether or not to drink too much. By insinuating this, he is telling us we have a choice: we can be filled with the joy of the Lord through the Holy Spirit, or try to find our happiness in a bottle.

Not There Yet?
I believe the coming days will be tumultuous beyond our imagination. Scripture tells us that during the last days there will be tribulations like the world has never seen. Christians will need to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to survive, let alone draw others to Jesus Christ. How will they do that?

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13

Get with God every day. Meet with Him early, even before the sun comes up, like Jesus did. Read His word and pray. And if you’re not meeting regularly with people who are filled with His Spirit and seeking Him with all their heart, find a group that is. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25).

Most importantly, ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. He will do it…
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  – Luke 11:13