"NEW TESTAMENT SALVATION - BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"

Good Evening to All!

Before we get started on this post, I just want to make sure that you understand that while this is completely Biblically based, it is my intention not to teach, but to give you something to think about. Maybe it will bring some questions to your mind that makes you want to start looking scriptures up in your Bible, or even ask your own Pastors about them. It is not meant as a lesson as I don't have the teaching credentials let alone the degree or knowledge to do so. The things I post are taken strictly from the reference section of my Bible and the Scriptures.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit. The baptism with, by, in or of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) is part of New Testament salvation (John 3:5) Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Romans 8:1-16; (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. (Ephesians 1:13-14) In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Titus 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

The phrase describes how the believer is immersed in and filled with God's Spirit. In Acts, the terms "baptized, filled, received, fell on, came upon, and poured out the give on" all describe this experience (Acts 1:4-5) And, being assembled together with them ,commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. More reference verses for this include Acts 1:4;10:44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-6). It is promised to all who believe on Jesus and obey His Word.
(John 7:38-39) He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)More reference verses are Acts 5:32; 11:15-17; 19:2; (Galatians 3:14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Ephesians 1:13) Already quoted.

The bible records five historical accounts of receiving the Holy Spirit or (Holy Ghost) in the New Testament church: the Jews, the Samaritans, the Gentiles, the apostle Paul, and the disciples of John at Ephesus. This record actually establishes that this baptism of the Holy Spirit is for EVERYONE, and is accompanied by the initial sign of tongues. (Mark 16:17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. speaking in tongues means speaking supernaturally as the Spirit gives utterance, in a language the speaker has never learned. (Acts 2:1-11) (Luke 11:14) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Acts 2:39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Three of the accounts explicitly describe speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of receiving the Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, a sound of wind signified the coming of the Spirit and tongue-like flames signaled the availability to each person, but speaking in tongues "as the Spirit gave them utterance" was the initial sign of each individual filling (Acts 2:1-4). Tongues convinced skeptical, astonished Jews that the Gentiles had just received the Holy Ghost; tongues alone sufficiently identified this as the pentecostal experience (Acts 10:44-47; 11:15-17). The Ephesian disciples also spoke in tongues as the first sign of receiving the Spirit (Acts 19:6) Tongues are implicit in the other two accounts. An unnamed miraculous sign indicated the exact moment the Samaritans received the Spirit; its prior absence denoted they did not already have the Spirit despite joy, belief, and baptism, and it was so spectacular that Simon the Magician coveted the power to bestow the Spirit with this sign (Acts 8:5-19). Acts 9:17 mentions Paul's experience without description, but 1 Corinthians 14:18 says he spoke in tongues often.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the normal, basic New Testament experience with God, the birth of the Spirit. The Spirit is the rest, guide to all truth, adopter, intercessor, seal, earnest of the inheritance, and the sanctifier (Isaiah 28:11-12; John 16:13; Romans 8:15, 26; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2).

The Bible is the sole authority for salvation. The basis of salvation is Christi's death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation comes only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; and the application of grace and the expression of faith come as a person obeys Acts 2:38, thereby receiving the new birth of John 3:3-5.

Someone can receive the Holy Spirit by repenting, having faith in God,k and asking God for Hisw gift. when a person receives the Holy Spirit, he receives power to overcome sin and live a holy life (Acts 1:8; Romans 8:4, 14). IF he LETS the Holy Spirit CONTINUALLY FILL (control and guide) him, he will bear the fruit of the Spirit and become Christ-like (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Answers to last night's Bible Challenge "Plagues and Afflictions" are as follows:

1. c ) speech impediment (Exodus 4:10-16)
2. d) leprosy (Exodus 4:6-7)
3. b) leprosy (Numbers 12:1-10)
4. a) a bronze snake on a pole (Numbers 21:4-9)
5. d) he was lame (2 Samuel 9:3-6)
6. b) Asa (2 Chronicles 16:12-13)
7. c) falling through an upstairs lattice (2 Kings 1:2-4)
8. b) the pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-4)
9. a) Ananias (Acts 9:17-18)
10. d) James (James 5:14)

Good Night to All and May God Bless!