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Jesus & the Holy Spirit

Did Jesus wait to preach until He was 30 because that was when He become filled with the Spirit after baptism? But, Jesus is the Spirit, right? I've just been thinking about this lately and going back & forth with it. I must admit that I haven't looked into it deeper on my own but just wanted to see your thoughts on it. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 10, 2012 at 4:37pm

Yes they are at times but isn't He a beautiful Savior to reveal them to us? I just love when I learn so many new things about Him. Since moving to Texas, I have let "life" get in the way & have gotten out of my word. My husband said he's never seen me out of the word as much as I have been lately. I go to a weekly Bible Study but it's pretty cut & dry (sorry Max Lucado but the truth is the truth). It doesn't require much studying if any. It does call for self-evaluation but without the word, what does it matter what I evaluate about myself. Thanks for the reply brother.

Permalink Reply by Colby on December 6, 2012 at 5:02pm

Luke 1:15 says, "he [Jesus] shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 6, 2012 at 5:37pm

So the Spirit that descended on Him, was it just an example for us? I've always believed we receive the Holy Spirit once we're saved. Is this an example of the baptism of the Holy Ghost? Am I making this more complicated then it has to be? lol

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Permalink Reply by Colby on December 6, 2012 at 6:52pm

John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament Prophets, practiced a baptism for the "remission of sins." The multitudes flocked to him to be baptized in the River Jordan. When our Lord, who was sinless, sought out John to be baptized, John was puzzled and hesitant to comply. He said it was Jesus that should baptize him.

So why did Jesus, who was sinless, go to John to be baptized? Was it just to set an example for us or does it have a deeper meaning? If so, what? Was it to show Jesus' humility and his humanity? Was it to show (as a loud voice came from the Father in heaven and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus) John the Baptist convincing proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah?

Good questions, Tammy!

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 10, 2012 at 3:03pm

Maybe it was to show those about the Trinity

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 10, 2012 at 3:05pm

Did those who were baptized by John have to be re-baptized after conversion? I've often wondered how John could baptize for remission of sin tho I know it was foretold.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on December 11, 2012 at 11:36am

The answer to your question is that the ones whom John baptized would indeed experience another baptism.

Don't laugh at me but I think we get some things backwards sometimes and this is one of them and because we do we don't really understand the true meaning of water baptism. There is a beautiful meaning to it. Very beautiful! IMO :)

Let me explain.

There are two different things that happen regarding the Spirit who lives within us. The Baptism of the Spirit and the Filling of the Spirit. These are not synonymous in my POV. I know I could be wrong. I am teachable :) My questions mean I am still learning. It's my current understanding.

But my thoughts are this: We are baptized in the Spirit when we are born again. The Spirit does not baptize anyone. Jesus baptizes us in the Spirit. I think the Baptism of the Spirit is actually the same thing as being born again -- they are one and the same.

This is the new birth.
(1 Cor 12:13) "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body . . . and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

John the baptist said, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:7-8.

Jesus told Nicodemus about being born again.

The Holy Spirit does not baptize. Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus saves us. New birth.

The filling of the Spirit happens throughout a believer's life. The NT is full of it. We drink to the fill of the Spirit after being baptized in Him -- after being born again.

The purpose is to unite us into one Body.

There are many experiences in the NT of people experiencing fillings of the Spirit and receiving His power and presence.

People do have encounters with the Spirit and experiences of the Holy Spirit after being born again.

I think the new birth is the Baptism and then we experience fillings. For ministry and for living.

What does this have to do with water baptism?
Many people think that the Baptism of the Spirit is the same thing as the filling of the Spirt, and I think they are missing out on a beautiful truth about the meaning of Spirit Baptism and it means being Born Again.

When you look at Jesus as being the Baptizer and the Spirit as being the "living element" so to speak in which and with which we are being baptized by Jesus -- How beautiful is that! Jesus baptizes us at new birth -- just totally immerses us into the Spirit and we are born again!

It's all God and it makes the new birth so meaningful. All the Scriptures about being immersed in water as a symbol of what really happens at new birth -- they all make so much sense in that light. To me, anyway.

Like Acts 2:38, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 11:16, "John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Titus 3:5. One of my favorites.

Then we drink of the Spirit -- are filled -- throughout our lives continually and sometimes the Spirit ebbs and then flows again. We can grieve the Spirit. We can have an Elijah under the broom tree experience.

We can be filled again and again and grow thirsty and dry and return to the well. Many many times.

During His ministry, Jesus never baptized anyone with water but His disciples baptized people. Jesus Himself submitted to water baptism but it was the baptism of John the Baptist and had nothing to do with being born again. Jesus did not have a sin nature or need new birth. Why did Jesus let John baptize him? In Matthew 3:15, Jesus answers the question which John also asked.

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

The prophecies about the Messiah were being fulfilled, one of which was:

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”^[a]

Blessings,
Amanda

PS Water baptism doesn't save us. Jesus saves us. Water baptism is a symbol of the new birth. IMO

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on December 11, 2012 at 11:55am

Yes. The believer's baptism. We see it in Acts 8 when the eunuch asks Philip, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” (NIV)

Some manuscripts include here Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on December 6, 2012 at 9:12pm

Hi Group,

May I toss in a couple of farthings in this great discussion?

Tammy, my answer to one of your discussion questions......about why Jesus waited until He was 30 years old before starting His ministry: In the Book of Numbers, Chapter 3, God set up the tribe of Levi as the priestly tribe. In Chapter 4 are God's instructions for priestly duties and requirements concerning all the different families.

There are six references from 4:3 to 4:47 for the minimum age to be a priest.........30 yeard old (50 years maximum).

Now I know Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, and eventually the Law would be fulfilled by Him.......but it's my submission, Jesus was adhering to that requirement of 30 years as a wise way to start out. At least the Jews couldn't hold that against Him.

So, one of the first acts before launching His ministry was to be baptized. Interesting....in Mattthew 3:14-15, "But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" (15) But Jesus answering said to him,"Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him."......................Could "all righteousness" been Jesus showing the way, the truth and the life for all His followers to subscribe to down through the ages?.........Setting the example?

Plus......in all four Gospels ( Matt. 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, and John 1:32) ....a reference to the Spirit, as a dove lighting on Him afterwards. Would that phenomenon be illustrative of Peter saying in Acts 2:38, " And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."..................Now, we know that Jesus did not have to repent any sins because He truly was 100% God and 100% man. Oh, and if there are those that question how can that be..........just tell them to add that question to - Where, when and how did God come from originally???

I believe Jesus did these things to show future disciples to follow and echo His trail-blazing.

Then, oh yeah,......right after His baptism, The Holy Spirit led Him out to the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

First, He intentionally weakened Himself by fasting 40 days and nights. Then whupped Satan by using God's Word(could that be another lesson for us.....early in our walk......expecting a trial right off the bat....and how to deal with it?).

Soon afterward, Jesus began His ministry (Matt. 4:17).

One more thing.... When one is "full of the Spirit" ( Peter, Stephen, etc.) his or her heart, mind, and soul is focused 100% on God and zero on self. How long can a human maintain that equation?

O.K......that ought to stir a few thoughts.....

Grace and Peace.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on December 10, 2012 at 3:02pm

Thanks Richard. I sent my husband the same question & told him to study up on it while he was on his last flight. He also gave me the info about the age of the priests.