The Eternal Spirit Pentecost — Willie Mullan

The Meaning of Baptism as Immersion

That we're looking at the baptism of the Spirit this evening, and all of you must know that they're half arrayed themselves, arguments and debates down through the years around this mighty doctrine, the baptism of the Spirit.

They won't debate or won't argue, we believe that, Carmel. We just want to make the Bible do the work. And if you watch the Bible, let's see what the Bible says. That's the idea of Bible readings. But this word baptism is a word we must look at, of course, because it's the same right through the New Testament.

No matter what baptism you're looking at, it has a certain meaning. Of course it must have the same meaning the whole way through, it's a word, isn't it? Let me show you its innermost meaning first of all.

Come to John's Gospel, chapter 13, please. The Gospel of John, chapter 13, and our Lord Jesus Christ is in the upper room with his disciples. And you remember how he washed their feet and left in this particular example.

We'll begin at verse 21. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, looking round at each other, doubting of whom he spake.

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, which Jesus loved. It was John himself, this is the way he hides himself by taking these sort of lovely phrases, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

He then, lying on Jesus' breast, saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, and it's the word dipped that we're at.

Because this happens to be the word baptism, it's an old Greek word. Translated dipty, and it's the word baptism come from in the Greek. Of course the word dipped is the meaning of baptism. And you would have bothered getting sprinkling out of dipped, wouldn't you?

This is what Jesus was doing. The common dish was in the middle of the table. And Jesus took a morsel, and when he had dipped it, yes, it's immersion. In fact this word is the word burial. When we talk about believers baptism, we talk about being buried.

And it's dipped, it's put under. It's the very same idea that Lazarus is crying. The man in the hell is crying to Abraham and saying, Send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger. And when he dips the tip of his finger, he's burying it in the water.

It's immersion. And there is no argument about it. It's easy the whole way through. So that dipped, they used to call the Baptist, and the Brethren, and the Pentecostals, and the Apostolics. They used to call them dippers.

Well it's perfectly right, that's exactly what they are. Yes, now that's what we've got to get the hold of. We've got to get this quite clear now. And we've got to carry this thing into everywhere where we find this baptism.

No matter what baptism it is. We've got to carry it into baptism of the Spirit too, and we'll find we do. Now let's have a look at all the different baptisms for a moment. It will not take us too long.

John's Baptism of Repentance

Let's go to Matthew's Gospel, chapter 3. Gospel by Matthew, and we're at the third chapter. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his path straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leatheren girdle about his loins, and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Now this is what is usually called the baptism of John.

Sometimes it's called John's baptism. Sometimes in the scriptures it's called the baptism of repentance. I just want you to get the phrases. It's John's baptism. It's the baptism of repentance. I want you to get the hold of this.

That John was the forerunner who came before the Lord Jesus. And you know the spirit of God was upon him. In fact, he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. That's quite something, isn't it?

And when this man went out to preach, the country was shaking. And he was getting the nation that had got away from God. The nation was far away from God. And he was getting them to the place of repentance.

That there would be a people ready when the Lord would come. And this dipping them in the Jordan, was just signifying this. That they had been so long and so far away from God, that they deserved to die.

And they needed to go down into death. And this is what they were submitting themselves to, as they repented. And it's just dipping them in the Jordan and burying them. And they're confessing that this is exactly what they need.

I don't think there's any problems with that. I want you to notice this. Way down at the end of the chapter. Verse 13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now. For thus it behoveth us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered it. Now I don't want you to think that when Jesus was baptized by John.

That this was the baptism of repentance. That's why I'm making it a second issue. I believe that John buried him in the river alright. When we read of John in John's Gospel chapter 3. It says he was baptizing down at Salem in Jordan.

Because there was much water there. There was plenty of water. And the sprinkling was the mode. You wouldn't need plenty. They had to bury him. Now what is this baptism that our Lord Jesus is going through.

You see our Lord Jesus Christ. Who was in the form of God and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. And taken upon him the form of a servant. And he had come to this planet of ours. As God's servant.

We were looking here on Sunday morning at God saying behold my servant. We were just looking at the servant of Jehovah. And as the servant of Jehovah. He must be the substitute for sinners. He was the Lamb of God.

And he's submitting himself to this because. He's actually saying in this testimonial of baptism. They deserve to die but I will die for them. And I'll go in and I'll go under. Don't get them mixed up.

That is not believers baptism. You can see the baptism of John. It was the baptism of repentance. You can see the baptism of our Lord Jesus. Righteousness demanded that he take his place. He had come to die for poor lost sinners.

Therefore it was right. Now if you've got the chapter. There's so much about baptism in this third chapter. You see verse 6 said. All Judea had come out from the region round about Jordan. And were baptized of him in Jordan.

Confessing the sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism. He said unto them. Oh generation of vipers. Who have warned you to flee from the wrath to come. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.

You see there were some people turning up at the baptismal service. On the banks of Jordan and they weren't right with God at all. And Pharisees and Sadducees were not right. And right through all the days of the ministry of Christ they were not right.

Our Lord had to say. You're putting on a show outside. So he had to rebuke them. And he said this to them. Verse 9. Think not to say within yourselves we have Abraham to our father. For I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And now also the X is laid onto the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which bringeth forth not good fruit if shewn down and cast into the fire. And just watch the fire there very carefully. Indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.

That's what we were talking about. This John's baptism unto repentance. He that cometh after me is mightier than I. Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. As different baptism.

Mind you that's got the same meaning. Cause the Holy Ghost is going to put you into something. Dip you in it too. But we'll find out what that is in a moment. Yes. But please don't be thinking this is the same thing.

He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And he's looking round at those who have truly repented. Those who are going to be the followers of Christ. He shall baptize you. And watch the shawl because that's future.

And you know who the baptizer is this time. It is not John. It is the Lord Jesus and he shall. And he shall baptize those who would be followers of his. But I think at the same moment he swept his eyes round the crowd.

And here are these Pharisees and Sadducees. And he said he shall baptize you with fire. Into the fire. And don't you be telling this word fire on. And think it's some sort of emotional experience you know.

Cause it happens to be the judgment here. I don't think we read right. That's the trouble. Cause you see. We have looked at John's baptism. Baptism of repentance. And we have looked at our Lord Jesus Christ being baptized.

And we have looked now. At what is going to be and what we need to think about tonight. The baptism of the Spirit. Our Lord baptizing true believers. But then there would come a day. When our Lord Jesus will baptize.

Those who are not followers with fire. Now if you think that there is any question. We'll read on. We'll read verse 11 over again. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. But he that cometh after me is mightier than I.

Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And with fire. And one of the old manuscripts says. And he shall also baptize with fire. Now watch this bit. Whose hand is in his hand.

And he will fully purge the floor. Gather his wheat. Into the garner. And you know what the wheat represents. But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. I hope you got that bit. Because that's just the two things.

Because he is going to put the wheat into something. Dipping it in by the power of the Spirit. And we'll come to what the dipping into means in a moment or two. There will come a day. When there will be a great white throne set up.

And those who have rejected and despised the Christ of God. They will be come to. The Holy Ghost. The lift. Did you get that bit? Of fire. And therefore good to. I don't think there is any bother with this word.

Christ's Baptism at Calvary

Let's have a look at another one. Let's see here. Let's have a look at Luke's Gospel. Chapter 12. Luke's Gospel. Chapter 12. Our Lord Jesus Christ is speaking here. And he is saying this. Verse 49. Luke's Gospel.

Chapter 12. Verse 49. I am come to send fire on the earth. And what will I if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with. Now this is long after John had baptized him at Jordan. What is he talking about?

He is talking about Calvary. He is looking at the cross. And he is calling it his baptism. I have a baptism to be baptized with. You see he could see the cross. And he could see that when he became the Lamb of God.

And all our iniquities on him were laid. And he became the substitutionary sacrifice. He knew that all the waves and billows. And he would be dipped. Sometimes when I am arguing with some of the boys who think they are theologians.

And they talk to me about sprinkling. I just say look at this now. I have a baptism to be baptized with. Would you like to say that Calvary was a sprinkling? Because I would think you were a fool. Calvary was no sprinkling.

Wave and billow. You cannot just imagine all this. Against him. Came over him like a flood tide. And he went down into the depths where there was no standing. For goodness sake stop talking to me about sprinkling.

Would you? And to practice it down around the corner there. I am not a protestant at all. Let's get you out of the lot. This is dipping. And you can't have dipping. It won't work will it? I think you can see all these baptisms can't you?

You can see the baptism of John. He was on to repentance. And you can see the baptism of our Lord Jesus. And you can see what we are going to go about tonight. The baptism of the Spirit. And we will come into the open with that in the morning.

And you can see this baptism with fire too. And what's more unquenchable fire. What is more unquenchable literal fire. They come to argue with me about this you know. Some fellow says literal is it? That's what I say.

Says prove it. I says I'll take you back to Sodom and God. God burned Sodom until the very ashes. As Abraham looked over the plain he could see the smoke from the ashes. And when it talks about Lot's wife.

And talks about Sodom. At the end of the New Testament. It talks about Sodom being burned with eternal fire. Oh but it was very literal. Burned the houses and all that. And the ashes were there and the smoke went up.

We don't want to go into all those details tonight. I'll go up so many avenues I'll never get where I'm going to. Let's have a look at believers baptism for a moment. We're at Acts of the Apostles chapter 8.

Believers' Baptism and the One Body

The Acts of the Apostles. And we'll be back at this chapter before the night's over so you'll remember about it. But we've got to take it little by little for all the young people and help them as much as we can.

And it is Acts 8. Verse 5 to save time. And then Philip went down to the city of Samaria. And preached Christ onto them. Now I know that that was a big thing for him to do. Because you know the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.

And you know there were some of these old saved Jews. In Jerusalem. And they were brought up you know to be separate from the Gentiles and the Samaritans. And let's get the hold of this tonight. That that separation was a divinely taught separation.

It was you know. It was God that said this nation is not to be numbered among the nations. And when God set up the Passover. He said let no stranger eat of it. There were so many things that they were taught.

And they were divinely taught. And they were separated all the days. But God is going to change it now. If you don't know anything about dispensations it's a pity of you. Because there's a great change coming here.

Because Jews and Gentiles are going to be dipped into one body just in a minute. Yes God was going to start a new thing. It wasn't Israel anymore just for a moment or two. He was laying them aside. He was going to form a body.

Which is called the church. And he was going to form it by the baptism of the Spirit. But we'll go carefully. Just take it along easy. Here's Philip going down to Samaria and some of the old Jews would rear up you know.

Just like some of the tight old brethren. I wouldn't let you go nowhere. I shall go where God wants me to go. It's been my policy all my life. And if I think the Lord Jesus wants me to go somewhere. I shall not be asking you.

You have nothing to do with me. You are not my Lord. And there's no deacon or elder or Baptist in this world is my Lord. I have only got one Lord. And thank God for that. If I can just manage to get right what he wants.

It will have to suit everybody else. And if they want to argue it's okay. Here's Philip. He must have been made to this sort of stuff. In spite of all their talk he went down to Samaria. And preached Christ unto them.

Mind you God was with him. Because it says down in verse 12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God. And the name of Jesus Christ. They were baptized. Talking about babies.

They talking about believers. When they believed. They were baptized. You know all believers should be baptized. You see it's not joining the Baptists or anything. I hope you haven't got that idea. It's doing this.

It's when I'm dipped. In under the water. Buried. Immersion it is. I'm testifying to this whole world and all the demons that care to look on. That when Christ died. I died. When he was buried. I was buried.

And when he rose again. I rose again. That's believers baptism. Don't bother about that is it? So I think you can see all this can't you? It's always putting in true. It's always brilliant. It's always immersion.

It's always dipping is the easiest way. Never anything else. The whole way through. Now let's have a look at. We're only starting now. Great. All right. Let's go to the Acts of the Apostles chapter 1 please.

Pentecost and the Corporate Baptism of the Spirit

Acts of the Apostles chapter 1. And our Lord Jesus is talking to his own here. And it says in verse 3. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion. By many infallible proofs. Being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

And being assembled together with them. Commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem. Stay in Jerusalem. But wait for the promise of the Father. Which said he ye have heard of me. For John fully baptized with water.

But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. And he knew this not many days hence. That is what we want to look at. Because there's been so many ideas worked into this. And I don't know why. There's so many phrases used that's not correct at all.

Not even scriptural. Not to be found in the Bible. Not at all. I don't want to go on with the filling of the Spirit. Because that's going to be our subject for next week. And I want to tell you. That I don't know any other truth about the Spirit of God.

So precious and so necessary. As this truth about being constantly being filled with the Spirit. And I can't go into that tonight. But I want to show you this. Look at Acts 2. You know this is not many days hence.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come. They were all with one accord. And I want you to get the all in here. Because that's very important. 120 names were mentioned in the other chapter. And they're all crowded into a big upper room.

It must have been a big upper room. They're all there you know. And there must have been some big men among them. And some wee men. There must have been some very out and out followers of Christ. And some who were maybe not as out and out.

There was one accord. It says when the day of Pentecost was fully come. They were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly. Just like the clap of your hand. There came a sound from heaven. The hours of a rushing mighty wind.

I want you to get the hours off. Because it was not a rushing mighty wind. It was hours off a rushing mighty wind. This is the only way that Luke can describe it. It was a sound. And he's trying to think what to say.

It was a sound hours off a rushing mighty wind. And the sound filled all the house. Where they were sitting. And please let me underline for you just now. That they were sitting on the floor. Because they tried to tell me.

That the only way you can get the baptism of the spirit. Is by rolling on the floor in some places. If you believe that that's such. I can tell you they were sitting. I can tell you they were not even praying.

They were just sitting. I can tell you they were waiting. And I can tell you they were waiting at Jerusalem. And it's nearly 2000 years ago. And if you come round to me. A fellow said to me. I met him one morning.

I said where are you coming from? He said I was waiting on the Holy Ghost coming. Where were you waiting? Not in the school room is it? Well I said you're about 3000 miles too far away from the spot. And you're about 2000 years too late.

I'm afraid you can't do that. You don't have this every week you know. Oh we're going to see that. Look at this. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like hours off fire. And this is where we get this fire mixed up with all the other times we get fire.

And this wasn't fire. It was like hours off. It wasn't fire at all. It's the only way you can describe it. And they're always praying for fire. I'll tell you when the fire comes. It'll be judgment. We'll be very careful about it now.

This wasn't fire. This was like hours of fire. And it sat upon each of them. Disappearance sat upon each of them. And at the same psychological second they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Not one or two of them you know.

Not the big fellow that prayed it through in the corner. Not at all. Not the sanctimonious fellow over on the other side. No. I'm going to shock you when I tell you this. I'm going to shock you. When I tell you there are three things in this book that you should on the line and remember forever more.

The Threefold Argument Against Individual Spirit Baptism

First one. Nowhere in this book is it said of an individual that he was baptized with the Holy Ghost. Nowhere. It is always accompanied. And what the Lord is doing here. This is what Pentecost is all about.

We were looking at Pentecost the other week. And it's the two laws being weighed. Because this was the moment in God's calendar when he was going to put both Jew and Gentile by the power of the Spirit into one body.

He was going to sink them into one body. It was done at Pentecost. It was the baptism of the Spirit. Oh yes. But you know at the same psychological second the church began. In full steam they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.

And I shall ask the question next week. Did that filling do forever more? You'll find out it didn't. Not a bit of it. But the baptism did forever more because they were put into one body. I want you to get the hold of this.

Nowhere in the book is it said that an individual that he was baptized. And nowhere in this book in the epistles anywhere from here right through to the end of the book is there an exaltation to be baptized by the Spirit.

Nowhere. I hear folks going around the young believers and saying you know what you need now you need to be baptized with the Spirit. Where is it? I want to know. I want to know where in this book right from Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians right through to Revelation.

I want to know where once there is an exaltation to be baptized with the Spirit. I want to know. And I'll tell you you don't know. That sometimes when truth is going people run you. Dear God we'll try and learn.

It is true that no individual was ever baptized. It is true that nowhere in this book is an exaltation. It is true thirdly that nowhere in this book does it say that Jesus Christ was baptized over the Spirit.

How could it be? If he is the head of this body how could he be baptized into his own body? So it was never said of him. It was said he was led of the Spirit. He was anointed of the Spirit. He was strengthened of the Spirit.

I know all about that. But nowhere. Nowhere is this trite talk. Nowhere. I want to put you over this very carefully. Let's go back to Matthew chapter 3. Matthew chapter 3. And I want you to notice this again.

I purposely passed it because I think this is the way I should teach it. John is speaking here in verse 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. But he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.

He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Who is he talking to? An individual? Not on your life either. He is talking to all this great crowd that has repented and is going to follow the Messiah when he comes.

They were all true followers were going to be baptized. Not a person. This is what the baptism of the Spirit is about. That up to Pentecost. So many good old Jews left all and followed him. So many dear women followed him.

Throughout every town and village where he went. So many Gentiles followed him. We would feed you. The moment came when the Holy Ghost was going to take these individual followers. And he was going to get them into the body of Christ.

Which is the church of which Christ is the head. And this wonderful thing began on earth at that moment. And the moment you were saved you were put into the church. And if you are not in the body you are not saved.

Look you can't find it anywhere. Watch this. Let's go to 1 Corinthians. And I think this clinches it of course. 1 Corinthians. And we are at chapter 12. 1 Corinthians 12. And he is talking here about the gifts of the Spirit.

But don't let's get taken up too much with that just now. Let's just try to get taken up with the body. This body was formed when Jews and Gentiles were dipped into one body by the Spirit. Verse 12. For of the body is one.

1 Corinthians 12 verse 12. For of the body is one and hath many members. And all the members of that one body being members are one body so also is Christ. The body is called Christ at times. How wonderful.

Because he is the head and these are his members. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. Isn't that quite clear? I want to ask you. You see these Corinthians. Paul is writing to them. He knows more about them than we will ever know.

He had gone to Corinth. He had founded the assembly there. He knew every man and woman in it. He knew the people that had things to say about them and terrible things. But he is saying this. Look, look.

We have been all baptized by one Spirit into one body. They weren't all holy you know. Try to tell me after the holy first. Well alright we will try this out. If we went to the third chapter of the Corinthians.

He says I could not speak unto you as unto the Spirit. You are carnal. You walk as men. The strife and division. They fought the bit out. But they were in the body. Unless you want me to argue with you.

I think this is rubbish we hear at times. Greatest lot of rubbish that ever was in the face of this earth. Because it is not in this book at all. You see they are all here. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.

You can see this quite clearly can't you? Have a look at your notes there. And if we were looking at the baptism. There are some prophetical references. And we have almost touched those. Like our Lord Jesus saying.

Ye shall be baptized. Not many days hence. That is a prophetical reference. He just knew that when he would go back to heaven. And be glorified. And be made the head of the body. Then he would send the Holy Ghost.

And the Holy Ghost would take these individual followers. Jews and Gentiles. And they would baptize them into one body. And that is a prophetical reference. And then of course there are some historical records.

Doctrinal Implications and Spiritual Gifts

And we will come to that in a moment. We will put that by for just a moment. But there are some doctrinal remarks. In this book about the baptism of the Spirit. And the doctrinal remarks. Just these. That the body was formed.

That is a doctrinal remark. The body was formed by the baptism of the Spirit. And the unification of members of the body were brought into being. And then the impartation of gifts. And we will come to that in these studies.

You see as we are saved. We are put into this body. Dipped into the body. And God has set off in the body to replace him. Some you know apostles and some prophets. Some this that and the other. And there is nobody in the body that has a place.

And has a function. And God holds him responsible to move there. He doesn't want him to be a paralyzed member. And we will go into all the gifts you see. Can't I think that sometimes people don't know something about the gifts.

They talked about the gift of miracles. That was a wonderful gift in the early days you know. And there is something about the gift of miracles when we come to it. The fellow that had the gift of miracles could never be beaten.

See I know a man who told me he had the gift of miracles. And I said I heard about you being around with a fellow who had cancer. He sort of didn't do too well. He died. He says it was his faith. He says his faith has got nothing to do with miracles.

When the Lord rolls away the stone Lazarus is in there. And that body is stinking now. It's going into corruption. Where would the faith be? It's the miracle that works now. Of course there's the gifts of healing.

Oh come to them too. You'll need faith then. But you see they don't know how to differentiate. But I want you to get these things. You know there is the prophetic references in this book. And the historical records.

The doctrines and remarks. Now I think I need to do with these historical records this evening. Let's go back to the Acts of the Apostles chapter 8. You know they come to argue with me about this. And we'll see.

The Samaritan Believers and Apostolic Confirmation

Now this is Philip again. And he's going down to Samaria. And we must remember this. Verse 5. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. And there was a great crowd saved.

And they were baptized. And it says in verse 14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God. They sent unto them Peter and John. Now I want you to get this.

Because these are two of the apostles. Two of the pillars of the church. Not too sure about all this. But they are coming down to see about it. Who when they were come down prayed for them. That they might receive the Holy Ghost.

I want you to get this bit. For as yet he was fallen upon none of them. Only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Philip went down to Samaria. And preached Christ to these Samaritans. And when these Samaritans really truly believed.

They were baptized. But the Holy Ghost had not come. And then it says verse 17. Then laid their hands on them. And they received the Holy Ghost. Now this is the sort of verse they come to argue with me.

I want you to get the whole of this. I want you to get it in truth. Because I don't think you are allowed to take this out of its context. And make something new out of it. I don't think you are allowed to do that.

And I won't allow you to do it. We've got to go back to Samaria. We've got to see the courage of Philip to preach Christ to these Samaritans. Samaritans that the Jews wouldn't touch. But he feels he's got to go out with the Gospel.

The Lord told him to go. And of course these men trusted Christ. And they were baptized. But the Holy Ghost had not come. You see if you could see the land in those days. You know they had a temple up in Samaria.

And they had a temple down in Jerusalem. And when the woman of Samaria was talking to our Lord Jesus. She said you say Jerusalem is the place to worship. And we say this mountain is the place. Because they had no dealings with one another.

And they had two different temples and two different religions. And God was going to see in his wisdom that this wouldn't go on. So for the moment he withheld the spirit from the Samaritans. They were true believers remember.

He must get these Jews and these Samaritans together. To recognize one another. Now let's get this. I want you to get this. This is Peter and John. And they're down in Samaria now. And it says in verse 17.