Baptism: Water AND Spirit

"... for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5)

Sometimes, it feels as though you can never be clean, doesn't it? 

I spent some time looking at this verse, trying to figure it out. We know that John baptized with water -- Jesus says "Truly baptized," which I take to mean John's baptism was right before God, and truly signified cleanliness before God. So why does Jesus make the distinction?

I think this goes back to the beginning. Genesis 2:7 says

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

We are both physical and spiritual beings. God first formed man's physical body, and then breathed His own breath to give him life. So while it makes sense that baptism -- the washing with water -- symbolizes the cleansing of our physical sin, this second baptism carries it a step further. 

When we sin, we sin in the flesh. This point is made in the New Testament on several occasions. And so a physical baptism of water cleanses that sinful flesh. Yet, Jesus also makes the point that sin begins in the heart. 

 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire....  

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28)

In other words, it's not enough to be clean on the outside. Instead, Jesus gives us His spirit -- not only to empower us to do His work, but to sanctify us and make us clean before Him. As Paul says in Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

 Thank God for baptism of both water and spirit. Thank Him that, no matter the strength of our own sin, He can wash it away, from the inside out!