The proper way to understand the two baptisms is to see that FIRST there must be a baptism with the Holy Spirit (which is the same as receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost), and immediately after that there must be Christian baptism by immersion. Both are equally important, since water baptism is a commandment of Christ.
At the same time we should be perfectly clear that water baptism does not regenerate anyone, since regeneration is supernatural and internal, and only the Holy Spirit can regenerate a sinner.
Agree- Baptism of the Holy Spirit, is a Spiritual Gift from God, occurs by Gods Spiritual ACT, and (since the time of Jesus' teaching of the New Covenant)
is given and received Before a Water immersion Baptism.
Somewhat disagree- A Water Baptism IS necessary or required; (for the Souls Salvation)
After receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
A Water Baptism is: a "requirement" of manmade Churches; to Become a "Member" of "that" manmade Church.
* That "Water Baptism" is recorded in the records of "that manmade Church, by men".
* A man may choose to relinquish his membership to that Church, go to another Church, and prove his Water Baptism, BY Letter sent from the original Church to the new Church, and the man is thereafter, accounted "as" a member of the new Church he has chosen. (Negating the need to be "re-water Baptized).
Water Baptism has become a "tradition of manmade Churches", to BE Water Baptized, in a manmade Church, before witnesses of men, as a record of testimony that man "HAS RECEIVED Baptism of the Holy Spirit".
By a man being "a manmade Church Member", Other men in the Church, in the Community; can thereafter "KNOW"...
HOW TO TREAT, that individual.
TREAT that person "as a Brother/Sister IN Christ" ?
TREAT that person "as one who can be behaviorally, or Spiritually challenged in discussion or corrected" ?
Its NOT about, (mocking, bullying, arguing, etc.)
It IS ABOUT, knowing HOW to engage conversation with another person, BY KNOWING...IF they ARE "still" in a beginning stage, LEARNING ABOUT GOD....OR IF....they have "surpassed" the LEARNING ABOUT "stage"...TO KNOWING GOD.
On this OPEN FORUM, there is alot of disagreements; (debates ABOUT the "understanding of the Word of God") but LITTLE; of understanding, OF is one SPEAKING to a BROTHER "IN" Christ...
WHO KNOWS CHRIST?
Or one WHO is "still in the beginning phase",
Of LEARNING ABOUT CHRIST the Lord and GOD?
IMO ^ that is a "condunrum", and "bottomline basis", for many "Debates" / "Disagreements" on an Open Forum, such as this.
To the Point- I disagree, Water Baptism is a "necessary" or "required" Act, (at any point in time); to receive or have or keep;
the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
CASE in Point -
At no time, does Scripture reveal...
1) All of Jesus' chosen Disciples were "Water Baptized".
2) The "saved" Thief hanging next to Jesus, was NOT "Water Baptized".
Water Baptism WAS a prelude - an introduction of WHAT was to COME.
Just as the "WATER FLOOD" of the Earth WAS a prelude - introduction of WHAT is to COME upon the EARTH...
Washing First, as men WASHED their Flesh, before entering the House of God,
and the FIRE purification. (Gods supernatural ACT, IN men, and ON the Earth).
Glory to God,
Taken