Holy Spirit You are Welcome Here

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” -Luke 3:21-22

Do you remember the day you were baptized?  It was September 19, 1981 I was 9 years old and my father stood next to me getting baptized as well.  I remember being so excited.  I wanted God to have control of my life.  I saw him as my protector, someone I could go to with anything. 

It's funny, I still feel that way today, but those feelings really stand out in my memory on that day.  Our scripture passage today tells us that, “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.”  Why?  Jesus was perfect.  He did not need to repent.  He did not need his sins forgiven.  He was living a perfect life without need of a Savior.  He was the Savior!

So why was he baptized?  I believe it was an act of obedience.  The father wanted him to be baptized to show us what to do and to be introduced from Heaven.  Scripture says, “heaven opened up and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well please.’”

Did you know, the Holy Spirit did not fill many people in the Old Testament the way he does today. When we read the Old Testament, we see a few people such as Joshua, Saul, David and limited others who God said the Spirit was in.

The Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus resurrection, to help us communicate with God. Now when we accept Christ into our heart, it is the Holy Spirit who takes up residence.  When you pray, it’s the Holy Spirit who takes those prayers to the throne of the Father. 

It is the Holy Spirit who we feel moving in us comforting us, directing us, and convicting us of sin; leading us to repentance.  Just as the Holy Spirit came down and rested on Jesus, he has come down to all who believe in Christ and confess him as Lord.  

We can trust that God will be there for us.  He knows what is happening in our lives and we have a counselor guiding us everyday.

More Powerful than Water

Water is powerful. A flood can destroy your house in a second. An unchecked drip can rot your house over a several year period. Besides being powerful, water also brings something powerful.

 

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Peter spoke these words, from today’s reading, Acts 2:29-41, in Jerusalem during Pentecost.

 

What a blessing baptism is. Water and the Word of God: a common liquid coupled with profound wisdom that transcends human understanding. Baptism.  Simple, but effective.

 

The Lord saved the Jews from Pharaoh’s army about 3400 years ago. The Jews were slaves in Egypt, and Moses was God’s instrument to afflict the Egyptians with 10 plagues. Eventually Pharaoh relented and released the Jews. However, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army to crush the Jews. God parted the waters of the Red Sea allowing the Jews to cross. With the Egyptians still on the sea bed, God released the water and the army drowned.

 

God used water to save the Jews from its enemy.

 

When we are baptized, Satan, can no longer touch us. Sure, he can wreak havoc in our lives, but our souls belong to God.

 

God uses water to save Christians from its enemy.

 

Joshua led the Jews through the Jordan River to Canaan. Out of water, the Jews came to their Promised Land.

 

Our baptism ensures us eternal life with God. Out of water, Christians come to their promised land, Heaven.

A theologian would say baptism Justifies us. That is, baptism makes us right with God.

 

Baptism is more than that. Peter tells us the Holy Spirit enters us on our baptism.

 

The Holy Spirit allows us to have faith and be aware of, if not fully understand, God’s Plan and Christ’s Mission. In addition, it equips us with the skills necessary to carry out that Mission, the Mission of the Church.

 

Baptism also Sanctifies us. It allows us to reach out to others.

 

Baptism: Justification and Sanctification!

 

Yes, water brings the Holy Spirit, more powerful than water itself!