baptized in the spirit
"It is He Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit." —John 1:33
Many people talk about being "baptized in the Spirit." By this, they usually mean having a renewal of their life in the Spirit. However, the Bible considers being baptized in the Spirit to be the same as being baptized, and not a renewal of life in the Spirit. Thus, many people use the phrase, "baptized in the Spirit," in an un-Biblical way.
Although these people are wrongly using Biblical terminology, they are "right on" pastorally. We have a great need to renew our being baptized in the Spirit. Through sin and selfishness, many baptized people have stifled (1 Thes 5:19) and saddened the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). If we are to live the Christian life as the Lord intended it to be lived, we must stir into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6-7).
Today's Scriptural readings invite us to renew our life in the Spirit. Look at Jesus, the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29). Let Him free you as He freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Let Him take away your sins and the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). "Follow the Lamb wherever He goes;" be pure and uncompromised with the ways of the world (see Rv 14:4). Receive a renewal of being baptized in the Spirit today.
Prayer: Father, may I want the Spirit as much as I want to breathe.
Promise: "I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." —Is 49:6
Praise: Praise Jesus, Whose Spirit makes all things new again. Alleluia, Come, Holy Spirit!
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Seek the Gifts of the Spirit, or our four series of tapes on Gifts of the Spirit starting with audio AV 3A-1 or video V-3A.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 28, 2010
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