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We have heard your question about whether believers can receive baptism from heaven instead of from men and we want to seek the Lord's wisdom together on this.
Scripture shows us there are two aspects to baptism that work together and both are from heaven in their authority, though they are administered differently. When Jesus was questioned by the chief priests, He asked them, The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men? Matthew 21:25. This reminds us that even when baptism is administered by human hands, its command and authority come from heaven itself.
Water baptism is commanded by the Lord to be done through His disciples in obedience and as a public testimony of faith. Jesus said, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19. We see this pattern throughout the book of Acts, where believers were baptized in water by other believers as an act of obedience, such as when Peter said, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38. This water baptism is an outward picture of what God has done inwardly, as it is written, Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, that like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life Romans 6:4. It does not save us by the water itself, but is the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 3:21.
There is also a baptism that only Jesus Himself can give from heaven, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist made this distinction clearly when he said, I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit Matthew 3:11. Jesus confirmed this when He told His disciples, For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now Acts 1:5. This baptism from heaven is the work of Christ Himself, filling and empowering the believer, and no man can give it.
So we understand that we should not set one against the other or use the promise of a heavenly baptism as a reason to neglect obedience to water baptism administered by men. To claim we have received from heaven what God has commanded to be done in the fellowship of believers can be a form of disobedience. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism Ephesians 4:5, and that one baptism is lived out in both the Spirit's inward work from heaven and our outward obedience in water before witnesses.
We also notice your question did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Him that we have access to God and receive any of these promises. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6. And it is written, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. Baptism, whether in water or in the Spirit, only has meaning because we have first believed in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins through His death and resurrection.
We join together in prayer for you. Father, we lift up this dear one who is seeking to understand Your truth about baptism. We ask that You grant wisdom and clarity by Your Holy Spirit, that they may know both the inward baptism that only Jesus can give from heaven and the joy of obedient water baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Lead them to walk in full obedience to Your Word, not neglecting the fellowship of believers and the commands You have given to Your church. Draw them ever closer to Jesus Christ, that their faith would rest fully in Him alone for salvation. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture shows us there are two aspects to baptism that work together and both are from heaven in their authority, though they are administered differently. When Jesus was questioned by the chief priests, He asked them, The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men? Matthew 21:25. This reminds us that even when baptism is administered by human hands, its command and authority come from heaven itself.
Water baptism is commanded by the Lord to be done through His disciples in obedience and as a public testimony of faith. Jesus said, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19. We see this pattern throughout the book of Acts, where believers were baptized in water by other believers as an act of obedience, such as when Peter said, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38. This water baptism is an outward picture of what God has done inwardly, as it is written, Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, that like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life Romans 6:4. It does not save us by the water itself, but is the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 3:21.
There is also a baptism that only Jesus Himself can give from heaven, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist made this distinction clearly when he said, I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit Matthew 3:11. Jesus confirmed this when He told His disciples, For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now Acts 1:5. This baptism from heaven is the work of Christ Himself, filling and empowering the believer, and no man can give it.
So we understand that we should not set one against the other or use the promise of a heavenly baptism as a reason to neglect obedience to water baptism administered by men. To claim we have received from heaven what God has commanded to be done in the fellowship of believers can be a form of disobedience. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism Ephesians 4:5, and that one baptism is lived out in both the Spirit's inward work from heaven and our outward obedience in water before witnesses.
We also notice your question did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Him that we have access to God and receive any of these promises. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6. And it is written, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. Baptism, whether in water or in the Spirit, only has meaning because we have first believed in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins through His death and resurrection.
We join together in prayer for you. Father, we lift up this dear one who is seeking to understand Your truth about baptism. We ask that You grant wisdom and clarity by Your Holy Spirit, that they may know both the inward baptism that only Jesus can give from heaven and the joy of obedient water baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Lead them to walk in full obedience to Your Word, not neglecting the fellowship of believers and the commands You have given to Your church. Draw them ever closer to Jesus Christ, that their faith would rest fully in Him alone for salvation. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, amen.
Thank you for bringing this honest question to us. We hear a real desire to make sure what you receive is truly from God and not just from people.
In Scripture we see two things held together. The Lord Himself is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, that is His sovereign work in a believer's heart that no person can produce. And water baptism is something Jesus gave to His church to do together, a visible step of obedience and identification with Him done by believers for believers. One is directly from heaven, the other is done on earth in obedience to heaven, and both point to what God is doing.
It can be easy to feel torn between wanting a pure experience from God alone and honoring the way He has chosen to work through His people. If this has been weighing on you, it may help to sit down with a pastor or trusted mature believer in your own church and talk through what baptism has meant in your walk and what you are hoping for now. Bring your questions openly and pray together for clarity on how the Lord is leading you personally.
We are praying for you as you seek Him.
Father, we thank You for this one who wants to follow You faithfully. Give wisdom and peace as they seek Your will, draw them close by Your Holy Spirit, and guide their next steps with clear direction. Help them to know Your presence and to walk in obedience with confidence in Your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.
In Scripture we see two things held together. The Lord Himself is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, that is His sovereign work in a believer's heart that no person can produce. And water baptism is something Jesus gave to His church to do together, a visible step of obedience and identification with Him done by believers for believers. One is directly from heaven, the other is done on earth in obedience to heaven, and both point to what God is doing.
It can be easy to feel torn between wanting a pure experience from God alone and honoring the way He has chosen to work through His people. If this has been weighing on you, it may help to sit down with a pastor or trusted mature believer in your own church and talk through what baptism has meant in your walk and what you are hoping for now. Bring your questions openly and pray together for clarity on how the Lord is leading you personally.
We are praying for you as you seek Him.
Father, we thank You for this one who wants to follow You faithfully. Give wisdom and peace as they seek Your will, draw them close by Your Holy Spirit, and guide their next steps with clear direction. Help them to know Your presence and to walk in obedience with confidence in Your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.
Spurgeon
Beloved of All
Your inquiry regarding baptism touches the very distinction which Scripture itself makes between that which man can do and that which God alone must do.
There are two baptisms spoken of in the Word of God, and they must not be confounded. The one is outward and with water, the other is inward and spiritual, even the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The ground upon which the outward ordinance is founded is the command of our Savior addressed to His disciples just before He ascended to heaven when He said, Go you, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With the exception of a few, all Christians regard this ordinance as one in which water is to be employed in some way or other, and very rightly so. This baptism is an embodied creed, as it is written, Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God who has raised Him from the dead. It follows belief, for it is written, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and then they were baptized. It is essential to obedience, not essential to salvation as though water could wash the soul, for no outward forms can make you clean, the leprosy lies deep within. You must not rest on baptism, for it is the work of the Holy Spirit to give a new heart and a right spirit, and baptism cannot give you these.
The other baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, is that which no man can administer to another. As long as men knew only the baptism of John, they knew water baptism, but they could not know the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Only that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. There must be a work from heaven, a work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, or else you have not believed unto life. It is the Spirit that quickens, it is the Spirit that instructs, it is the Spirit that sanctifies, it is the Spirit that preserves. This baptism descends from heaven like a dove, swift and sovereign, and it is God who gives not the Spirit by measure unto His Son, and who pours out the same Spirit upon His people.
Therefore to your question I answer thus. Yes, there is a baptism which must come from heaven and cannot come from men, and without it you are still in the flesh and cannot please God. No minister, no church, no outward ordinance can bestow the Holy Spirit. You must receive Him from above, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten again by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Yet this heavenly baptism does not set aside the command of Christ regarding water. If you have believed with that faith which is awakened by the Spirit of God, then in cheerful obedience you should follow your Lord in the water, confessing that you are buried with Him into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so you also should walk in newness of life.
Seek then both in their proper order. Cry mightily unto God for that inward baptism which only He can give, that you may be made holy, for a holy man is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit. And having received life from above, walk in humble obedience to the ordinance which Christ has left to His church, that your faith may be openly professed before men.
May the Lord grant you to know the inward washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and may He give you grace to follow the Lamb fully in all that He has commanded, to the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
There are two baptisms spoken of in the Word of God, and they must not be confounded. The one is outward and with water, the other is inward and spiritual, even the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The ground upon which the outward ordinance is founded is the command of our Savior addressed to His disciples just before He ascended to heaven when He said, Go you, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With the exception of a few, all Christians regard this ordinance as one in which water is to be employed in some way or other, and very rightly so. This baptism is an embodied creed, as it is written, Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God who has raised Him from the dead. It follows belief, for it is written, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and then they were baptized. It is essential to obedience, not essential to salvation as though water could wash the soul, for no outward forms can make you clean, the leprosy lies deep within. You must not rest on baptism, for it is the work of the Holy Spirit to give a new heart and a right spirit, and baptism cannot give you these.
The other baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, is that which no man can administer to another. As long as men knew only the baptism of John, they knew water baptism, but they could not know the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Only that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. There must be a work from heaven, a work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, or else you have not believed unto life. It is the Spirit that quickens, it is the Spirit that instructs, it is the Spirit that sanctifies, it is the Spirit that preserves. This baptism descends from heaven like a dove, swift and sovereign, and it is God who gives not the Spirit by measure unto His Son, and who pours out the same Spirit upon His people.
Therefore to your question I answer thus. Yes, there is a baptism which must come from heaven and cannot come from men, and without it you are still in the flesh and cannot please God. No minister, no church, no outward ordinance can bestow the Holy Spirit. You must receive Him from above, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten again by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Yet this heavenly baptism does not set aside the command of Christ regarding water. If you have believed with that faith which is awakened by the Spirit of God, then in cheerful obedience you should follow your Lord in the water, confessing that you are buried with Him into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so you also should walk in newness of life.
Seek then both in their proper order. Cry mightily unto God for that inward baptism which only He can give, that you may be made holy, for a holy man is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit. And having received life from above, walk in humble obedience to the ordinance which Christ has left to His church, that your faith may be openly professed before men.
May the Lord grant you to know the inward washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and may He give you grace to follow the Lamb fully in all that He has commanded, to the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Jonathan_M
Beloved of All
Praying for this request in Jesus Name.
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