Have You Been Baptized...

In the Spirit?

Photo from last year’s Baptize California 2025. Baptism worldwide event planned for May 24, 2026 baptize.org

Have you been Baptized in the Spirit? There’s more than one way to find out.

Reading through the Bible: II Kings 10-14/John 1-2

John clinched his witness with this: “I watched the Spirit, like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him…The One who authorized me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and stay, this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ (John 1:32-34)

There are a lot of people in John the Baptist’s day, who get baptized with water. They hear about this strange guy eating grasshoppers and foraging for honey in the wilderness. When they go out to see him, he dunks them in the Jordan River. He baptizo-es them (Greek root verb). He immerses them in water.

The religious leaders want to know why. “If you’re neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize?”(v.25)

John explains that he baptizes with water, in preparation for people to be Baptized in the Spirit. He empties their lives of sin. A person they don’t recognize will soon come and fill them with God’s presence.

Anyone can dunk someone in the water. Only Jesus has the authority to soak them in the Spirit.

How will the disciples know when they have been baptized in the Spirit?

Charismatics and Pentecostals might claim that the disciples will know that they have been Baptized in the Spirit when they speak in tongues. Jesus, however, suggests another litmus test. By their fruit you will recognize them… (Matthew 7:16 & 20)

“He goes on to point out that Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven….Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus does not say that by your gifts (prophesy or miracle working) they shall know you. Rather, by your fruits: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Being immersed in the Spirit is relational, not transactional. It’s not, “Give me what I want for myself.” Rather, “Give me what I need for others.”

Writing…

Jesus doesn’t say others will know you have been Baptized in the Spirit because of the numbers of people you dunk in the Pacific Ocean. I think He is more likely to point us to the names of those who grow the Fruits of the Holy Spirit together in places like Maple Avenue Ministries.

On Saturday, August 16, 2025 Maple Avenue Ministries holds a Baptismal Service of our own. We meet on what we like to call the “Third Coast”. (Michigan has the most shoreline of any contiguous state). Our little stretch of that “Third Coast” on baptismal day is Lake Michigan at Tunnel Park.

Pastor Winfred Burns II, baptizes Alex, with me assisting. However, I think there is an unseen Baptizer present, the Holy Spirit. How do I know? By the fruit that continues to grow in and around Alex’s life almost a year later (see photo below).

Building…

Water baptism (whether for infants or adults) puts a seed in the soil. However, in order for that seed to bear lasting fruit it needs the ongoing nurture of a beloved community. Alex has that at Maple Avenue Ministries. Alex shares that at MAM.

Have you been baptized by the Spirit? Jesus encourages us to check our fruits.

So, you tell me…What do you see in the picture above, not quite a year after Alex is baptized in water? What do you want others to see in you?

There’s more than one way to find out.