Ahhh! Thanks for bringing this to my attention, T6! I was looking at Acts 22:18 KJV. But, on that note, it is interesting:
Acts 22:16 KJV "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
I conclude Paul's sins were figuratively washed away by calling on the 'name' of the Lord. Being baptized in the 'name' of the Jesus is quite commonly referred to in the NT. And, I delve deeper into Jesus' ancestry being the foundation of His 'name' referring, thereto. So, being baptized in the 'name' of Jesus involved the ancestral illumination Jesus was (and is) Messiah. Why didn't pre-repentant Paul & Co. accept Jesus as Messiah? They just didn't believe? Paul and those Pharisees were quite astute in the OT. They had legal grounds for saying Jesus wasn't Messiah. Jesus was a descendant of Pharez (Matthew 1:3, Luke 3:33), eldest twin son of Judah, prophesied progenitor of Messiah (Isaiah 65:9), and Judah's daughter-in-law, Tamar (Genesis 38:24, 29, 30). The quandary of Jesus' day was how could Messiah be a descendant of Pharez, conceived and born out of wedlock (Genesis 38:24, 26, 29), from a relationship contrary to Leviticus 18:15 KJV, Leviticus 20:12 KJV, Leviticus 21:7 KJV, Leviticus 21:9 KJV, Leviticus 21:13 KJV, and Leviticus 21:14 KJV? That's what pre-repentant Paul's OT fluent running buddies were saying (John 8:41 KJV). Then, how was Paul's perception of Jesus, changed? He was baptized in the 'name' of Jesus. God wrote the aforementioned Levitical Law, and only God could change it... and, He did... and there's vastly more to that story!
Paul being figuratively washed of his sins involved his lack of understanding Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. Paul was running with the Pharisee religious elite who'd tainted Paul's perception of who Messiah could be based on Mosaic Law. Speaking of such aforementioned laws, how does one Biblically reconcile Jesus being Messiah, then? I conclude, Paul was figuratively washed of his misperceptions of OT law that precluded Jesus' authenticity... Paul was washed of his sins being baptized in the 'name', the ancestry of Jesus. I'm of no resolve that Paul was or wasn't water baptized. But, Paul was clearly, in my mind, baptized in the 'name' of Jesus... His authenticity, despite Levitical Law to the contrary.
You are indeed quite astute to do so, I humbly suggest!
I can't totally disagree with your perception that Paul was water baptized; I cannot find clarity. With all due respect, either way, water baptism (as was John the Baptizer's) does not hold a candle to being baptized in the 'name' of Jesus, His ancestry, His divine origin, irrefutable knowing that Jesus is Messiah, full cognizance Jesus is the Son of God... a job for the Holy Spirit (Matthew 14:26 KJV). Yet, other than as happened to Paul, I submit being baptized in the Holy Spirit is not a one-fell swoop, a 20-gig download, respectfully.
I appreciate your bringing up Ephesians 4:5 KJV, and do agree with you this verse is taken out of context in my mind. There is only ONE Spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit, per se. There are multiple types of baptisms beginning with water, and Spiritual, and the twain are not mutually exclusive in my understanding. In other words, one can achieve either, or both; but, I don't see the option of both, or none. Speaking of other baptisms... Jesus' baptism was by "fire" involving ancestral "division" as He mentioned in Luke 12:49 KJV, Luke 12:50 KJV, Luke 12:51 KJV, Luke 12:52 KJV, Luke 12:53 KJV... noting Jesus intentionally failed to mention "division" between father-in-law, and son-in-law. And, I direct your attention to John 18:13 KJV being that collusion (John 11:47, 48, 49, 50, 51) was imperative for Jesus to fulfill the commandment He received from His Father (John 10:17, 18, 19, speaking of "division").
I admire your "with" distinction, T6. Luke tells us John the Baptist was "filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15 KJV). JTB's mother Elizabeth "was filled with the Holy Ghost" (Luke 1:41 KJV. After his birth, JTB's father "Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost" (Luke 1:67 KJV, Luke 1:68 KJV). Even promptly after Jesus' birth came Simeon, and "the Holy Ghost was upon him" (Luke 2:26 KJV, Luke 2:27 KJV, Luke 2:28 KJV, Luke 2:29 KJV, Luke 2:30 KJV).
I trust clearly you see here there is more than one kind of baptism, per se. How does one reconcile Jesus' post-resurrection words in John 20:21 KJV, John 20:22 KJV? I can only conclude receiving the Holy Ghost is not a one-fell-swoop, 20-gig download, respectfully, although I do suggest such happened to Paul. If you'll tolerate my humor, I've not seen a light shining around anyone, lately.
I trust you hear the distinction between water baptism, and Spiritual baptism? These two baptisms are not mutually exclusive, and John the Baptizer was certainly "filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15 KJV). I am curious when you think Peter was referring to "us at the beginning"? Was Peter referring to Pentecost (Acts 2:4 KJV)? Before Jesus ascended (John 20:20 KJV, John 20:21 KJV)? Perhaps, before?
With respect to your notion "with"; possessing the Holy Spirit is the key issue in our minds, if I may be so presumptuous. Those accounts in Luke substantially suggest being "filled with" the Holy Ghost, or the Holy Ghost "fell upon" Simeon, although not "baptized", per se. So, I do respect being filled "with" the Holy Ghost, although such is evidently not a 20-gig download, respectfully. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but the "in" aspect of being baptized "in" the Holy Ghost may suggest to you that submersion "in" water accomplishes the task? Clearly there's no mention folk were baptized 'with' the 'name' of Jesus. Folk were baptized "in" the "name" of Jesus, which I perceive being OT knowledge that refutes the Pharisee notion Jesus couldn't be the ancestrally authentic Messiah being Pharez is in His ancestry.
Please explain the greater significance of being baptized "with", or "in" the Holy Spirit to help me understand your posture, T6, if you will? How is this significant to you?
kayaker
