Today's Passage - John 1:32-34

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 1: 32-34   Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the spirit came down from heaven as a dove and remained on Him.  I would not have known Him , except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit came down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."        When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, a strange event happened!  There was a voice from heaven saying : " This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Not only so, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus as a dove.  This is the only the Biblical verse where Trinity God appeared all three at the same time: The Holy Son was on earth,  God's voice descended from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended as  a dove.  Not only was this a testimony for the Trinity God, John 1:33  also   states clearly the importance of the coming of  the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit will come upon all  who have been baptized.  In other words, Jesus Christ is the one who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit,  and as a result the Holy  Spirit descended as a dove not only upon Jesus Himself, but this also upon  us as  a consequence of our baptism of the  Holy Spirit by Jesus.        What is baptism by the Holy Spirit?   There are two types of baptism by the Spirit  as described in the Bible.  The first is recorded in I Corinthians 12: 13 where the Holy Spirit is the one who conducts the baptism, as a result we become the body of Christ.   The pre-condition for us to experience this Spirit descending upon us as a dove like   Jesus had experienced, is to become a part of the body of Christ.  It is also because we are part of His body, we are now united as brothers and sisters, and this is the first baptism with the Holy  Spirit.       The second type of baptism is recorded in John 1:33 where Jesus is the one who conducts the baptism with the Holy Spirit for us.  This brings forth power similar to that given by the  Holy Spirit .  Act 1:5 and 1:8   unite  this type of baptism with the testimony  of power:  when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we will receive power.   This second kind of baptism by the Spirit is what we are in need of.  We have  to be part of the body of Christ first, then Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit  like a dove.  We will  have strength to lead a victorious life as a result.        How can we receive this baptism of the Holy Spirit from Jesus Christ?  First ,  we have  to understand our needs, come before the Lord and  recognize our shortcomings.  Pray to God asking for His Spirit to come upon us, so that our strength may be renewed.  Secondly, we need to seek actively and long for this Spirit,  without which we would not succeed.   Thirdly , we need to submit to His will.  Act 5:23 states that the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him.  Lastly, we need to wait upon the Lord as God has His sovereignty. God will bestow us with His grace in His own time. Let up seek together for Him.                  Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you because you have willingly given us your Holy Spirit. You are also the one who baptizes us with this Spirit.  We pray that we may be a channel of blessing through the Holy Spirit.  Fill us and grant us fully with this Spirit.  With thanksgiving we pray, in the name of our victorious Jesus, Amen!