“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of… the doctrine of baptisms…”

 -Hebrews 6:1a.

Notes:

The author of Hebrews states the doctrine of baptisms as being one of the main foundational principles of a Christian. But what exactly are the doctrine(s) of baptisms?  In order to answer this question, we must first begin with what the word doctrine means. The word doctrine in scripture means teaching that is specifically related to holiness and godliness. It is not the same as theology.  Therefore, the forms of baptisms that are mentioned in this passage both relate to godliness in the life of the believer. The second word we need to define is baptism.  This word means to be fully immersed or submerged into something.  In the Bible, two types of baptisms that we typically need instructions/teaching s on that produce the fruit of godliness/holiness in our lives are:

1. Water Baptism- When a believer is immersed in water symbolizing his/her new life in Christ. Jesus gave us an example of this by being baptized himself by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  This is a commandment for every believer immediately following salvation. Examples of believers being water baptized are in: Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41, Acts: 8:13, Acts 8:38, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:5, and Acts 22:16.  
2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit- This is when the believer is filled or immersed in God’s Spirit.  All believers have been baptized into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), but not all believers have been baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit enables a believer to operate in power to be a witness.   Jesus also gave us an example of this immediately following being baptized by water in the Jordan.  The Bible says that the Spirit descended upon Him.  If the Apostles, who walked with the Lord for 3-1/2 years and even saw Him alive after His death, were commanded by Jesus to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1), how much more do we need to be filled in order to be a witness?  Examples of Christians being filled with the Spirit are in: Matthew 3:16, Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, Acts 8:16-17, Acts10:44, Acts 9:17, and Acts 19:6.

An example of the type of baptisms together:

“When they heard this (born again by the Gospel), they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (water baptism). And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them (baptism in the Holy Spirit); and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”  -Acts 19: 4-7 (Description Added)

Willing to Take the Challenge?

Have you been water baptized since you believed? If not, it is important that you arrange a time to do so and be obedient to the Lord in this area.

Have you received the Holy Spirit in fullness since you believed? If you hesitate to answer yes to this question, then you need to be. How do you get filled? 

Humble yourself before Jesus, earnestly ask him to fill you, and receive it by faith.  The important thing is that you keep seeking until you have received.