Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit the same as water baptism?
No. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct spiritual work, not water baptism. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit places every believer into the Body of Christ. This is the only true baptism of the Holy Spirit for today, and it is not water baptism.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 12 uses the human body as a comparison: as the body is one and has many members, so also is the body of Christ, and all believers are brought into it without losing their individuality. He then points to 1 Corinthians 12, where it says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." Les teaches this is the only true baptism of the Holy Spirit for today, and every believer must have it or they will not be in glory. If you have this baptism, your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. He stresses this is not water baptism, but a work of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation that places us into the Body of Christ. He notes it applies to all believers, not just the most spiritual.
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.