"Baptism by Spirit"
by Rev. Christine 6/8/03

Today is the celebrated Sunday of Pentecost. Pentecost is traditionally celebrated 50 days following Passover. It was originally celebrated by the Jewish people as the first harvest of the year, and the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. The new year back in the days of Jesus began with the Spring Equinox. They celebrated for one day with the temple being filled with worshipers from all over flocking to the Holy City to bring their sacrifices.

As a Christian holiday it represents the first harvest of Jesus Disciples. The day that they had awaited as promised by Jesus the Christ for the comforter that shall come in his place. Just prior to ascending Jesus tells his disciples in Luke 24:49, "And I will send upon you the promise of my Father; but remain in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high."

And, in Acts 1:4-5, "Wait for the promise of the Father, which, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

John the Baptist had baptized with water. Water representing the purification of lower desires and emotions, and the willingness to live a life following the Law of Moses. Baptism by water prepares the person to follow the chosen path as a disciple, or student, of Christ Jesus. It is our commitment to live a life of loving God with all our heart and mind, and loving our neighbor as our self, being of true service.

We then prepare ourselves in mind, body and soul for the next level of spiritual unfoldment by having our daily spiritual practices of prayer and meditation, and actions that follow demonstrating our faith. Then the day comes of the long awaited fulfillment of the promise "You to can do these works, and even greater works than these." The Baptism by Spirit brings the power of the Christ within to do these great works.

When John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, he saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and as it rested upon Jesus John heard the voice say, "The one upon whom you see the Spirit descending and resting, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit." John 1:33.

This long awaited day of the Holy Spirit, is the second birth that Jesus spoke to his followers about, "You must be born again in Spirit." This is more than just a change in mental attitude, it is a change that effects the whole person in mind, body and soul. No longer living as a human being, but now as a spiritual being made in the image and likeness of God.

The Christ within has taken its rightful place risen from the manger of our consciousness. The mystical marriage of mind and heart is complete, and are charged with the power of the Christ within to step forth into the world to teach, heal, and awaken the dead. I will be speaking next week more on the actual works of the Disciples.

Here we have some 2000 years ago, a band of frightened disciples in hiding and waiting not knowing of the day and hour that this great Spirit of the Holy Ghost would ascend upon them. But, in faith they wait, and when the 12 are gathered in the upper room – The Holy City, the Spirit enters,

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." Acts 2-6.

We are reminded here that the house, is our body temple, and all our spiritual or power faculties are risen together in our Holy City, our Tree of Life is fully ignited in a receptive state awaiting the Presence of the Holy Spirit to enter and empower; the 12 and the One – 13 is the Christed – the Crown of Glory.

We are warned to in the parables to be prepared, to be in waiting, and use what we do have wisely. And, not go forth as the foolish virgins without our oil or spiritual essence. But, to wait in the Holy City until the power from above descends, and then the good works come forth. Prematurely going forth prior to the new birth will only bring barren works.

I remember in my early years on my spiritual path, excited to teach, but not yet grounded – my foundation had not been laid. After a short time I came to a point where I had taught all that I had to give at that time, and then my classes ended abruptly. I was just a beginner on a long path.

Eventually I sought to get my training and found Divine Science. This too took many years, and this time I was in no rush. And, even when I was first called to the ministry I refused saying that I wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment.

The act of being ordained into the ministry, is a symbolic act, but somewhere in spirit it begins to take hold and when ready the call comes. Like Jesus calling to Lazarus to awaken and come forth. We too once the spirit descends must come forth and share our gifts with the world. Or, else like the parable of the talents – the one that hides and saves his talent, does not increase, and what he does have is eventually taken away.

The Christian world is waiting for the Second Coming of the Christ; in traditional or orthodox Christianity it is believed that Jesus Christ will return to reign as ruler on earth. In the New Thought tradition, this second coming is the Christ coming forth within us to witness God’s Kingdom on earth.

Christ Jesus told the Disciples that he would return in their lifetime. And, so the Holy Spirit of the Christ did return, and lived amongst them and was them. And, the Holy Spirit the Christ Spirit, lives individually among us today as the Christ within – first as the babe in the manger, and then later as the light of the world. Each one of us having our own special gifts to share with the world.

I have prepared a ceremony for us today, a symbolic Spiritual Baptism ceremony to take root and bare much fruit. I wasn’t sure to do this individually or as a group; who here today would like to participate in this ceremony please raise your hand.

In today’s ceremony of baptism, you are baptized by water and by the Holy spirit. Water symbolizes your emotional nature and the subjective level of your being, and it also represents cleansing. At the moment of baptism you are cleansed of the past and your reactiveness to life as the Holy spirit lifts you to the great ministry of Light and Love and your creative response to life.

In John 4:14 , Jesus said, "Whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

And, in John 20:21-22, Jesus said "Peace be with you; just as my Father has sent me, so I send you. And when he had said these things, he encouraged them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit."

What you are choosing today is to be awakened into the light, and then to acknowledge and to do the job you came here to do – to live your divine mission. Even if you think you do not know exactly what this mission is, choose to remember it now.

From this day forward, practice the spiritual principles that you now are true, and do what it takes to live a God-centered life. Keep opening up and asking for your work on hearth to be revealed to you. Ask for what you need whenever you need it, and in this way establish that real, certain connection with God, so that you may continue to move to higher levels of healing, living and loving.

We stand in support of you in this sacred moment and support the spiritual truth of you from this day on.

Now close your eyes and place your hands on your heart and take a moment to see if there is anyone or anything you need to forgive. Is there anything you’d like to forgive your self for? And through this forgiveness, give yourself permission to take this next step. In your heart, acknowledge what you know about your life’s work, or ask God to reveal it to you now.

Open your eyes. (Dip rose in water and sprinkle on head) I baptize you, in the name of the Father-Mother-God, in whom you live, in the name of the Christ that lives within you and in the name of the Holy Spirit, the moving creative principle of all life. Know that your life is God’s life; that love is now the guiding principle of your life; and that your life is an everlasting life of light.

Next we will do as Jesus did. (Place hands on the person’s head) Say: "Receive ye the Holy Spirit." and breathe on them.

Place hand on forehead anoint with oil, "Christ within you the hope of glory." Matthew 5:14-16, "Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

(Place hand on middle of chest at Thymus: "Know that as you pray and meditate in order to build the connection with the ‘Still, small voice’ you will grow spiritually quickly. Consider yourself blest and very loved by God!"

"You may now go forth into the world knowing the power and presence of God is always with you."

Is there anything that anyone would like to share about this experience today.