What is baptism?
Baptism derives from the Greek Word bapto which means to submerge totally into a fluid substance. By total submersion is meant, that the person is totally submerged into the water. In baptism we see that when the person submerges into the water, he enters the water in an old state and arises from the water (after submersion) a total different person.
John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4,5). He baptised in and water. Jesus was baptised by John the Baptised in water, not because He needed repentance for His sins, for He was not with sin, but to fulfil all righteousness (that is to perform completely whatever is right(Matt 3:13-17).
In Luke 2:22 we read that Jesus was presented unto the Lord forty days after His birth, but was baptised when He was thirty years of age. This was when He understood what His purpose in this earth would be (Mark 1:1-5). So we can confidently conclude that Baptism is a deed of obedience. If Jesus got baptised how much more we need to be baptised then!
Romans 6:4-11 tells us a bit more about the baptism. We read that through the baptism we are died and we were buried with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the death be the glorious (power) of the Father, so we too might (habitually) live in newness of live.
What does baptism mean?
In Romans 6::4-11 we find the meaning of baptism and the result of baptism. We read in verse 5 that through the baptism we arose into a new life with Christ. Then it goes on to tell us that as we are new creatures in Christ, sin has no power over us anymore. What does this mean? It simply means that sin can not hold you anymore. The power it had upon you, was lost at baptism. It does not mean that you will not sin anymore, it simply means that the power of sin has been loosened in your life. You have a way out of sin. Through our faith in Christ, sin has lost its hold on your life. Read Ephesians 4:21-24 and Colossians 3:3-15 to understand what the difference is between the old and the new sinful nature.
What happens after baptism?
We read in Acts 2:2-4 that the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is what we call the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This usually happens after the baptism of water. I say usually, because sometimes the baptism of the Holy Spirit may occur before the water baptism. The Lord chooses to baptise as he pleases and thinks right just as with Cornelius and his family (Acts 10). However, we see that most of the time the baptism of water precedes the baptism of the Holy Spirit. What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? It is the baptism when we receive the Holy Spirit. A manifestation of this is usually that we start to speak in other tongues.
Tongues is a language of the Spirit, which we cannot understand with our rightful minds, but our spirit does understand it. Our spirit bears witness with the Spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:16). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a supernatural seal that we became part of the body of Christ. It is a baptism that holds two facts: we are baptised in the Holy Spirit and the other one is that we are baptised with fire. This is the difference between the water baptism and the Holy Spirit baptism.
Jesus compares the Holy Spirit with the wind, which although could not be seen with the naked eye, it is present as it manifests itself. We see the manifestation of it. John 3:7-8 tells us so. We cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we can see the manifestation of It.
Blessings of the Baptism
The baptism has an incredible meaning in the supernatural world. This is so because we have chosen to surrender our lives totally to Jesus. We have seen that with the baptism we have died, were buried and arose with Jesus from the death. We now, trough our step of obedience, have free access to the throne of God. We are free from sin and sin no longer has a hold on your life. Through the baptism we enter into a new life. This has specifically a great meaning in the supernatural. We perceive the Lord more, we hear His voice more clearly, our spiritual eye opens for the things from God. Our whole relationship with the Lord becomes more intimate, closer. This is the reason why prior to being baptised, the devil will do everything possible to keep you from baptism. You will experience sometimes heavy attacks, and thing may seem to go all wrong prior and shortly after baptism, but just remember, this is the evil one who only wants to stop you, Press on, get baptized and enjoy your new relationship with the Lord. It is worth it.