26 new name ; lor Christ himself was baptized by the Spirit into the name ol God; that is, was taken up into God and the things of God, which are himself, as into the truth, wisdom, justice, mercy, power, &c. and all the whole flesh or humanity of Christ, even all his members are baptized into the same name of God with him, and so are called by his new name; so that this name of Christ, this new name, which is given us by God, through the baptism of the Spirit, is infinitely better than that name which is given us by parents or god-fathers in water baptism. 3. Christ’s baptism translates us into a new world *. “ Except a man be born of that water, which is the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” No man can possibly enter into the church of the New Testament, which is the kingdom of God, but through the baptism of the Spirit; the baptism of the Spirit makes a new creature, and this new creature enters into a new world, which is the new Jerusalem that comes down from God out of Heaven. 4. Spirit baptism enables us to the same work with Christ; that is, to the ministry of the New Testament; saith Christ, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he hath anointed me to preach,” Isa. Ixi. 1. And he began his ministry from his Spirit baptism, which did immediately follow his water baptism, but was in no sort- one baptism with it; and having through the opening the heavens received the Spirit which taught him the name of God, he presently began to teach the name of God to others ; and Christ himself was not a minister of the New Testament, but through the baptism of the Spirit. Now all belieVers that are anointed with him in his unction, or, which is all one, are baptized with him in one baptism of Spirit, are anointed and baptized to the same ministry : for the anointing of the Spirit is the teaching of God, and they that are taught of God themselves ought also to teach others; and the Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of prophecy, and they that have received that Spirit must prophesy, as it is written, “ It shall come to pass in the last days, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all fiesh, and your sons and daughters
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=