Signs Shall Follow
The baptism in the Spirit is the only baptism from which signs follow, and it is synchronous with water baptism.
G.W. North explores the significance of baptism in his sermon 'Signs Shall Follow', emphasizing that true signs and ministry follow not from mere water baptism but from the baptism in the Spirit. He argues that while water baptism is important, it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that truly signifies being born again. North highlights that both Peter's command on Pentecost and the experience of the Israelites demonstrate that water baptism and Spirit baptism occur simultaneously. He asserts that the Lord intended for believers to understand this connection, reinforcing that one cannot be saved without the baptism in the Spirit.
Text
It is commonly considered among Bible teachers that Mark wrote his Gospel at Peter's dictation, so we will examine a statement made by him in chapter 16 verse 16. There is some degree of uncertainty and may be even some controversy about what the Lord intended us to understand by His use of the word 'baptised' here. Although the text does not certainly say so, except water baptism be given unwarrantable powers, reason would have it that the Lord who is Reason can only be meaning Baptism in Spirit, whereas unbelievers have been baptised in water. Certain it is that the signs and ministry which follow believing, spoken of in verses 17-20, do not follow from mere water baptism. The only baptism from which signs follow is Jesus' baptism in the Spirit. Therefore since the Lord only spoke of one baptism, and only one is referred to in verse 16, it is a possible deduction and almost certainly follows that water baptism and Spirit Baptism were regarded by Him and the apostles as synchronous. No-one is unsaved because they are not baptised in water, but no-one is born again unless baptised in Spirit.
There is One Baptism
There can be no doubt that the baptism which Peter commanded unto the people on the day of Pentecost was in water. And since there is no further reference to, or use of the phrase 'the Baptism in the Spirit' (as a result of which all the apostles were fairly agog, glowing and flowing and bursting with Life), it can fairly be assumed that all the new converts were baptised in the Spirit when they were baptised in water. Certain it is that this is exactly what Peter meant to convey to them when he said, 'ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost'.
This concept of truth is entirely consistent with the scripture in 1 Corinthians 10, wherein we are told that the Children of Israel were all baptised unto Moses. This took place in one baptism in the cloud and in the sea. The whole stated purpose behind the commandment to be baptised was that they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The very way in which Peter phrased his instructions leaves little possible doubt that Peter intended and expected them to be baptised in the Spirit and who can deny that it happened synchronously?
Sermon Outline
- The Baptism in the Spirit
- The Baptism Commanded by Peter
- Scriptural Evidence
- 1 Corinthians 10 - The Children of Israel
- The Purpose of Baptism
Key Quotes
“No-one is born again unless baptised in Spirit.” — G.W. North
“The only baptism from which signs follow is Jesus' baptism in the Spirit.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- To be born again, one must be baptized in the Spirit.
- Water baptism and Spirit baptism are not the same thing, but they are synchronous.
- The gift of the Holy Spirit is received through baptism in the Spirit.