No need to review I'm quite familiar with them. I have looked at this hard because I want to understand the truth.
Then let the scriptures say what they say when they say this:
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit." Hebrews 6:1-3 (KJV) SO, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and
gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:3-4 (KJV)? Which is why Paul cautioned Timothy:
"Do not be hasty [presumptuous?]
in the laying on of hands, . . ." 1 Timothy 5:22 (ESV)
I would politely suggest that in Acts 19 you are calling the laying of hands a baptism when the bible does not. It say "the Holy Spirit came on them".
Jesus is the baptizer. It is the baptism of Jesus Christ which is one of the (3) manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The first (2) were NOT baptisms. However,I am NOT calling the "laying on of hands", anything but a vehicle because it was the means Jesus used to baptize/gift followers.. These disciples of John, [who had already been baptized in water for the remission of sins], Paul, by the laying on of his hands administered the gift of Jesus. Paul simply prayed, much as Peter spoke when speaking to Corneilus' household of unbaptized by water, believers. Proving God will perform in whatever way He choses. so much now for the minutia in critical matters which explain themselves..
The bible calls Cornelius being baptism with the Holy Spirit baptism but not in Acts 19. No where in scripture is receiving the Holy Spirit by laying of hands called a baptism.
Receiving the Holy Spirit is NOT a baptism but the receiving of the same Spirit Jesus had in Him; the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was born with it. We, who are of Him were born again, received what Jesus possessed from His natural birth. He never had a need to be "born again". We do.
Jesus experienced (2) baptisms before beginning His ministry. Both were recorded by Luke 4:1-14 KJV and Matthew 3:13-17 KJV. (1) was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, the "coming upon", symbolized by the descending upon Him.
If we look at Acts 2:38 it says "be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"
One baptism but a giving of the Holy Spirit.
Forgiveness of sins = Water baptism, the outward revealing of "the desire to be a part of something". [The thief on the cross was not permitted to do this because of his circumstances and yet was still saved.]
Baptism into a life of continual worship = Baptism in the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ which carries with it the "unction to function".
Remember, Jesus was baptized in/by those (2) baptisms before being sent into the wilderness to be proven/tested/tempted.
Ref: Manifrestations of the Holy Spirit: Actual presence:
"With" you, John 14:17;
"Indwelling" in you, John 20:22;
"Upon" you, Luke 24:49.
Jesus the baptizer = Luke 3:16.
Acts 1:5 (KJV 1900)
"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Acts 1:5 KJV
