It is commonly considered among Bible teachers that Mark wrote his Gospel at Peter's dictation, so we will examine a statement made by him in chapter 16 verse 16. There is some degree of uncertainty and may be even some controversy about what the Lord intended us to understand by His use of the word 'baptised' here. Although the text does not certainly say so, except water baptism be given unwarrantable powers, reason would have it that the Lord who is Reason can only be meaning Baptism in Spirit, whereas unbelievers have been baptised in water. Certain it is that the signs and ministry which follow believing, spoken of in verses 17-20, do not follow from mere water baptism. The only baptism from which signs follow is Jesus' baptism in the Spirit. Therefore since the Lord only spoke of one baptism, and only one is referred to in verse 16, it is a possible deduction and almost certainly follows that water baptism and Spirit Baptism were regarded by Him and the apostles as synchronous. No-one is unsaved because they are not baptised in water, but no-one is born again unless baptised in Spirit.
There is One Baptism
There can be no doubt that the baptism which Peter commanded unto the people on the day of Pentecost was in water. And since there is no further reference to, or use of the phrase 'the Baptism in the Spirit' (as a result of which all the apostles were fairly agog, glowing and flowing and bursting with Life), it can fairly be assumed that all the new converts were baptised in the Spirit when they were baptised in water. Certain it is that this is exactly what Peter meant to convey to them when he said, 'ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost'.
This concept of truth is entirely consistent with the scripture in 1 Corinthians 10, wherein we are told that the Children of Israel were all baptised unto Moses. This took place in one baptism in the cloud and in the sea. The whole stated purpose behind the commandment to be baptised was that they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The very way in which Peter phrased his instructions leaves little possible doubt that Peter intended and expected them to be baptised in the Spirit and who can deny that it happened synchronously?
Be the first to react on this!
G.W. North (1913 - 2003)
G. W. North was born in London England in 1913. As a young man he became aware that the Lord was calling him into the work of the ministry. At timely stages the Lord placed folk in his path who were able to direct him into the truth of heart purity and a more expansive understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He held pastorates in Kent and Bradford. By the late 1960s, following a significant period of ministry in Liverpool, he began a more itinerant ministry. This led him to many parts of the world, and occupied him until well into his eighties. His powerful preaching and the unique sense of the Lord's presence, which seemed to brood over his meetings, were always intensely challenging.The true secret of his remarkable ministry stemmed from his personal communion with the Lord Jesus. To him, 'entering the holiest' was not merely a theological concept; it was a distinct spiritual reality - and the central feature of his spiritual life. It was here, in the place of worship, that his revelatory ministry found its source. He preached from understanding and conviction. He was never the echo of another, nor did he take on board the ebb and flow of various contemporary emphases. He was not a man of 'books'; he soaked himself in Scripture and allowed it to saturate his heart and mind. Truly, this is a man who has lifted up a standard for the people. Mr North went to be with the Lord on 29th April 2003, shortly after his ninetieth birthday.