Sunday Supernaturally: Baptized, Immersed, Overwhelmed, and Saturated

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,  (2)  until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  (3)  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.  (4)  And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;  (5)  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:1-5 ESV 

I get a little buzz every time I read this passage. What Jesus began to do and teach, He equipped us to continue. After the resurrection, He visited His disciples and did 2 things: First, He gave them many infallible proofs of His resurrection. He is alive and He wanted to be sure that they knew it. He hasn’t changed. He is alive, He wants us to know it, and He will provide infallible evidence to prove it. Second, He spoke to them about the kingdom of God. He wanted them to be equipped with the knowledge of the kingdom and the power of the Spirit.

I think it’s important that He gave them some specific instructions. He commanded them. “Do not leave Jerusalem until you receive the promise of the Father.” That promise was simple: “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” The direct comparison is to the baptism of John, which was an immersion in water as a picture of repentance and commitment. The word “baptism” comes from a Greek word meaning “to dip. The Complete Word Study Dictionary says it can be translated immerse, overwhelm, or saturate, as well as baptize.

As we go to gather with the saints, let’s go with the expectation that Jesus will be in our midst and that He will show Himself to be alive. Let’s also commit to not leaving until we have experienced, whether for the first time or the hundredth time, the wonder of being baptized, immersed, overwhelmed, and saturated with the precious and powerful Holy Spirit. It’s the Father’s promise, and we need it to fulfill our calling on earth.