I agree with steve.
Both baptisms are stated as commands, by Yahshua (Jesus). They are thus only optional when someone is not willing to obey in those points. However, I will state that being baptized in water seems much simpler for most people, as many have trouble for whatever reason receiving the Spirit baptism for empowerment. Though we can say it is because of unbelief, and that is true, we are all overcoming unbelief still at some level and have none been perfected in faith. So, we exercise patience and just keep encouraging those who have not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, to keep seeking. I always recommend for those struggling with such to just read the Scriptures on the matter aloud over and over and listen to good preaching on the subject, that states it is for all, including you, as promised in the Scriptures, only believe and receive. I recommend this for any promise the children are having trouble believing they receive, because it is written that faith comes by hearing, and hearing of the Word of God. So, they need to hear what the Word says on the matter, to build their faith up to receive.
A double-minded man will not receive (James 1) - but as we hear the Word on the matter, over time our minds are renewed on the subject, and we can become single minded.
Don't listen to those who rob people of faith in the promises with their preaching, telling the children their Father doesn't want them to have something his Word promised them. Such preachers call God a liar by doing such. From such turn away.
1 John 2:5 MKJV But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.
1 John 5:2-3 MKJV By this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and keep His commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.
When a preacher/teacher says the commandments are a burden, and a heavy yoke that needed removed, they are ignorant. The yoke removed is the sin debt, when we were living in rebellion and living according to the law of sin and death. John the apostle clearly states that the true commandments of the true law of God are not burdensome. What makes people think so is this problem:
Romans 8:6-8 MKJV For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (7) because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be. (8) So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Sadly, many preachers/teachers in Christian history have been carnally minded themselves, and coddled the people in their sins (transgressing of the law of God). Paul tells us in Romans 8:6-8 exactly what cause people to be against the law of God, and it isn't the new covenant or Holy Spirit - it is the old carnal mind that is rebellious.
Again, the law we are set free from, even according to Paul's writings, is the law of sin and death, which all of the rebellious and wicked are living by, which is worldly and carnal.
The two laws were stated all the way back to the garden of Eden, in the tree of life (godly thinking - the Word), and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (carnal thinking - the serpent's word/temptation to appeal to the carnality of man).
We always have those two choices - to eat of the Word, or to eat of the law of sin and death. Unbelievers, not regenerated by the Holy Spirit, have the Word veiled to them - just like the Cherubim and flaming sword kept Adam and Eve from getting to the tree of life. That veil is removed in Messiah and we can begin to know the Word of Life for ourselves again, entering into the Kingdom.
Your servant in Messiah,
David
