140224 Baptism of the Spirit

2 Peter 1:20,21
  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Guessing and tradition are nothing to God's Word. If there is no private interpretation, then there is either none available, or only God's interpretation counts. Let's read what is written.

Act 1:5  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

This sets a new way of doing things. The dramatic thing that happened not many days from the Ascension was the outpouring of the holy spirit in Acts 2:

Acts 2:4
  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:38
  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:41
  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Since the last mention of baptism was of the Spirit, that is what is happened here. Later in Acts, the Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized with water, but further records didn't use water. In fact, there was a correction recorded in Acts 10 and 11.  In his excitement, Peter went back to the standard taught while Christ walked the earth:

Act 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Later, he returned to the standard set at the beginning of the Book of Acts:

Act 11:16  Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians addresses wrong thinking, and one of the first items Paul mentions concerns baptism:

1 Corinthians 1:13-17 
  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1 Corinthians 12:13
  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. Death is not a friend, it is an enemy. The Son of God lives. Baptism of the Spirit is not through death, but through life. Christ was raised from the dead and dies no more. He is the first of many who shall rise when Christ Jesus returns. The dead in Christ shall rise. According to Figures of Speech Used in the Bible by E.W. Bullinger, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 is a parambole, a brief insertion. The thought leading to verse 29 come directly from verse 19.

1 Corinthians 15:16-19,29
  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
  Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

Then, he tells people to wake up and believe the Truth. Acts marks a change in who would be called God's People. Formerly, God's people were those of Abraham's children who proceeded from Isaac and Israel and kept the Law. After the Day of Pentacost, all in any place could believe to be born again of God's Spirit. Christ rose, so that is our promise that we will rise, too. We are not baptized to die, but to live.