Jesus said, “You must be born again (John 3: 3-7)”. When asked what this meant, he said, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3: 3-6).

This is what Peter said in different words on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). If you want to enter the kingdom of God, we need to be baptized in water and filled with the Spirit. This may surprise many who understand that simple faith is enough. What do other scriptures say?

After that ye believe, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit which is the earnest (pledge) of our inheritance (Ephesians 1: 13-14). He that believes and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16: 16-20). Our new birth clearly begins with believing Jesus. In an emergency, as with the thief on the cross, this is enough. But the normal new birth process includes baptism in water and in the Spirit. The jailer was told, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. But he was baptized the same hour of the night (Acts 16: 30-33). Baptism (Mark 16: 16-20) was clearly part of the package.

Believers and the Spirit

We must be a believer to receive the Spirit. But not all believers have received the Spirit. Paul asked some disciples, Have you received the Holy Spirit, since you believed (Acts 19: 1-6)? Believers should receive the Spirit (Johm 7: 37-39).

The Seal of God

The Holy Spirit is God’s seal on believers (Ephesians 1: 13-14, 2 Corinthians 1: 22). Many claim faith, but only God sees the heart. Since the Spirit is a person, we do not receive him in pieces. He comes to dwell on those who trust Jesus, empowering them in every way to be like him. Those believers who have not receive the Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues; need to seek him urgently, to confirm themselves in the Bible faith. Do not trust your own heart. Let God give you his full three-fold witness, of water, blood and spirit (1 John 5: 8-10). Only the Spirit can lead you into all truth. Let him fall on you, as on the disciples at the beginning (Acts 11: 15). There is no other way to have a true Bible ministry (Hebrew s 2: 3-4, Romans 15: 18-19).

Maxtol