SERIES - Baptism of Repentance, baptism in the Holy Spirit- Pr. Antonio Nasser

Read: Mark 1.1-7
John, the Baptist, first came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. He showed to the world "who" would come after him. Now, we show Jesus to our world. Let’s learn from this text:

The Baptism of Repentance
Repentance has 3 essential steps:

1. To recognize our errors/faults. If anyone wants to grow, he/she must call sin as sin!
2. To ask for forgiveness. The forgiveness cancels the debt through love - God’s love. We are not innocent but forgiven sinners. Jesus died in our place to pay for our debts before God.
3. To abandon our sins. If we do not change, then sorrows will only come to us. To change our lives, we must have a willing and positive attitude. This is totally necessary after having been forgiven by God. We have become new people, HIS people.
   

“...One more powerful than I....”
Jesus has all power. Nothing is impossible for Him:

1. His birth was powerful: trouough a virgin: Mathews 1:18-21
2. His life was powerful: Mark 10:46-52
3. His teachings were powerful: Mark 1:22
4. His death was powerful: Mark 15:39
5. His resurrection was powerful: Mark 16:1-6
   

“I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

1. The disciples of Jesus Christ baptize with water (Matthew 28:19). Water baptism can only be administered to all those who have repented of their sins, who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls, and who give clear evidence of their salvation (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12).
2. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit è A powerful visitation of God in our lives. Let’s seek this powerful tool for our ministries.The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience in which the believer yields control of himself to the Holy Spirit.[1] Through this he comes to know Christ in a more intimate way,[2] and receives power to witness and grow spiritually.[3] Believers should earnestly seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.[4] The initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.[5] This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the experience of the new birth.[6]
   [1] Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:5; Eph. 5:18
   [2] John 16:13-15
   [3] 2 Cor. 3:18; Acts 1:8
   [4] Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8
   [5] 2 Cor. 3:18; Acts 1:8
   [6] Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46