The Lord's Baptism
The Lord's Baptism in the New Covenant is a response and confession of faith, not a means to the end of Spirit Baptism.
G.W. North emphasizes the significance of Peter's command on the day of Pentecost, where he instructed the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, promising the gift of the Holy Ghost. North clarifies that while the timing of receiving the Holy Spirit in relation to water baptism is not explicitly stated, Peter's declaration marks a pivotal moment in the New Covenant, offering promises that were not available before. He points out that water baptism is a response to faith rather than a prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit, distinguishing it from John's baptism. The sermon highlights the transformative nature of baptism in the Christian faith and its role in the believer's journey. Ultimately, North underscores that Peter's message was groundbreaking, moving beyond previous understandings of baptism and the Holy Spirit.
Text
There is no mistaking what Peter meant on the day of Pentecost. When people responded to the gospel, he commanded them to repent and be baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Reading this account of the first administration of water baptism in the Christian era, we discover that although Peter did not plainly say so, he meant that consequent upon their obedience to his command to be baptised and as a direct result of it, they could expect to receive the Holy Ghost. Whether some received the Spirit before water baptism or none received until afterwards is not clear, nor at this point does it much matter.
What Peter is doing here is moving out into the glory of the New Covenant and boldly making promises in a way not possible before; he is pioneering.
Excluding the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man in Israel, including Peter himself, received the Holy Spirit at Jordan; John had made no such promise as Peter was then making. Reception of the Holy Ghost was not made dependent upon being baptised then, and neither did the apostle make it so in his day. Neither John Baptist nor Christ nor any of the apostles made water baptism the condition for reception of the Spirit. Water baptism is always to be found in scripture as a response and confession of faith, as here, never as a means to the end of Spirit Baptism.
Suffice it for us to observe that Peter did not definitely say 'Repent ... be baptised ... in order that ye may receive'. The cardinal fact that emerges is that although this baptism incorporated into it, all the blessing which was available by John's baptism, namely remission of sins, it certainly is not John's baptism.
Sermon Outline
- The Lord's Baptism in the New Covenant
- Peter's Command to Repent and Be Baptized
- The Gift of the Holy Ghost
- The Significance of Water Baptism
Key Quotes
“What Peter is doing here is moving out into the glory of the New Covenant and boldly making promises in a way not possible before; he is pioneering.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- Water baptism is a vital response to faith in Christ, but it is not a condition for receiving the Holy Spirit.
- The New Covenant brings bold promises and a new era of faith and salvation.
- Faith and obedience are the keys to experiencing the gift of the Holy Spirit.