"Much of my material is adapted from:  The Promise by Tony Evans"

1.                  There is a baptism, 1 Corinthians 12:13

…To baptize is to be immersed or dipped into something.

2.                  There is a transformation when you become a Christian

…2 Corinthians 5:17

3.                  The baptism is different from the filling and indwelling of the Spirit.

…Baptism happens when you become a Christian and become identified with Christ

…Filling is when you allow yourself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit

…Indwelling refers to the permanent residence of the Holy Spirit within us

4.                  Jesus is the one who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit

…Matthew 3:11

…The Holy Spirit does not baptize us
 

5.                  Baptism puts you into a new spiritual environment.

…You are now in one body (1 Cor. 12:13)

6.                  There is only one baptism of the Spirit

…Ephesians 4:4-5

7.                  You have all of the Holy Spirit that is available.

…”The question in the Christian life is not, How much of the Holy Spirit do you have?  But, How much of you does the Holy Spirit have?” –Tony Evans

…The Holy Spirit is already there, but you might not be giving him all of yourself.

…You are complete, Colossians 2:10

8.                  Every Christian has the Holy Spirit

…Romans 8:9, No Spirit, no Christianity

…Baptism has to do with your position, not your practice on Christ

…Galatians 3:27, You are clothed with Christ

…But even with the Spirit, you might not be living the life you should

      --Galatians 1:6

      --Galatians 4:9

…Baptism may not change your spiritual practice

…Baptism does give you access to a spiritual life

9.                  When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit…

…You gain a new life

--John 3:5-6 

--John 7:37-39

      …You gain a new identity

--Romans 6:1-5

--You are part of a new Kingdom with a new destiny

            …You gain a new unity

                        --You become part a one body 

                        --Disunity is a spiritual issue

            …You gain new ability

                         --1 Corinthians 12:11

            …You gain a new nature

                        --2 Corinthians 5:17

10.              What about speaking in tongues?

…All Christians do not speak in tongues

…Paul says not all Christians speak in tongues, 1 Corinthians 12:30

…All Christians are called to be spiritual, Colossians 1:28

…Scripture does not teach that tongues is a necessary sign of baptism

…Scripture does not teach a time gap between conversion and baptism 

…In Acts, the gift of tongues is used as a physical sign of the Spirit’s coming

This week:

Think about how you are different since you became a Christian. 

What are some of the ways God is using you?  If you are not sure God is using you, pray and ask God to show you how you might be used.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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