SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

Understanding the Symbolism of Water Baptism and the Promise of the Holy Spirit

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:

MEMORY VERSE: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11, NKJV)
READING: Matthew 3:1-12
EXTRA READING: Daniel 1-3

MESSAGE: HAVE YOU BEEN BAPTIZED

The ministry of John the Baptist was a pivotal moment in biblical history, serving as a powerful prelude to the coming of Jesus Christ. His message was simple, yet radical: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). John’s call was not just a suggestion; it was an urgent summons for a nation to prepare its heart for the Messiah. As people from Jerusalem and all over Judea flocked to him, they were baptized in the Jordan River as an outward sign of their inward repentance and confession of sins.

This practice of water baptism, as administered by John, was a symbolic act of washing away the past. It was a public declaration that a person was turning away from their old, sinful life and preparing to embrace a new one. It was a powerful and necessary step, but as John himself made clear, it was only a beginning.

The Two Baptisms: Water and Spirit

John the Baptist’s ministry was focused on repentance and preparing the way for the Lord. However, he knew his work was incomplete without the one who was to come after him. John declared, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11).

This distinction is crucial. Water baptism is the outward declaration of an inward decision to follow Jesus. It symbolizes dying to your old self—being buried in the water—and rising to a new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-7). It is a public testimony of your salvation.

The baptism with the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is the infilling of God’s divine presence. The “fire” John spoke of symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s power to consume the very nature of sin within a person. It is the Holy Spirit who enables a believer to live a godly life on a daily basis.

The Necessity of the Holy Spirit

While water baptism is a beautiful and important step in a believer’s journey, it is not a magical charm against sin. As the text suggests, living in habitual sin after being baptized contradicts the very essence of the act. Water baptism is a symbol of a new beginning, but it is the Holy Spirit who gives you the power to live that new life.

The Holy Spirit is not an optional extra for the Christian life; He is a necessity. He is the one who:

Enables you to say no to sin: He gives you the power to resist temptation and to walk in righteousness.
Counsels and helps you: He provides divine wisdom and guidance for every situation.
Teaches and reminds you: He brings God’s Word to your memory and gives you insight into its meaning.

We must actively seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and learn to surrender the control of our lives to Him daily. This is not a one-time event but a continuous process of allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Without Him, our attempts to live a holy life will be fruitless.

A Call to Purity and Surrender

When John the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he saw through their superficial religiosity. He called them a “brood of vipers” and challenged them to “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” He knew that their mere participation in the ritual was not enough. They had to prove their repentance by a change in their lives.

Likewise, it is not enough for us to have been baptized in water. We must also be filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing His fire to purify our hearts and enable us to live a life that produces good fruit. The question, “Have you been baptized?” extends beyond water to the deeper reality of the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in your life.

Have you truly prepared your heart for the Holy Spirit? Are you living a life that reflects the new nature you received in Christ?

PRAYER POINTS

I have prepared my heart for You; Holy Spirit, come in.
Holy Spirit, lead the way as I go out every day.
Holy Spirit, possess our teeming youths for a glorious tomorrow.

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 365

My heart is open to Thee, dear Lord,Come in, Come in,My faith is clinging to Thy dear word,Come in, Come in:
Come not to tarry, but stay, dear Lord,

All shall be Thine love can afford

Here in my heart ever make

Thine abode

Come in, Come in.
Yes, there is room in my heart, dear Lord,Come in, Come in;Thy presence makes Heaven real to me,Come in, Come in;
I kept Thee standing outside so long,Come in, Come in,I pray Thee pardon this shameful wrongCome in, Come in.
I hear Thee knocking at my heart’s door.Come in, Come in,I’ll keep Thee waiting outside no moreCome in, Come in.

Amen.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Is water baptism necessary for salvation?

A: The Bible teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Water baptism is an important and commanded step of obedience for a believer, a public symbol of the salvation that has already occurred in the heart.

Q2: What is the difference between being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving the Holy Spirit at salvation?

A: Every believer receives the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14). Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a separate, ongoing experience of allowing Him to take full control of your life, giving you power for service and a deeper walk with God.

Q3: How do I know if I have been baptized with the Holy Spirit?

A: The Bible gives several signs of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, including a boldness in sharing the Gospel, a renewed desire for God’s Word, and a newfound ability to overcome sin. Some traditions believe speaking in tongues is the primary sign, while others focus on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The ultimate sign is a changed life that bears fruit for God’s kingdom.

Question and Answer

Q1: What does water baptism symbolize, according to the article?

A: Water baptism symbolizes dying with Jesus and rising to a new life, and it is the outward declaration of an inward decision to follow Him.

Q2: What did John the Baptist tell the Pharisees and Sadducees to do?

A: He told them to bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Q3: According to the article, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life?

A: The Holy Spirit enables a believer to live to please God on a daily basis, teaches and reminds them of God’s Word, and gives them the power to say no to sinful advances.

Q4: What two baptisms are mentioned in the message?

A: The two baptisms are water baptism and baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire.