Bible Question: WHAT CAN ACTS TELL ME ABOUT BAPTISM AND BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HOW THE TWO ARE LINKED? |
Bible Answer: Acts 1:5 The "Apostles" are told that "they" will be baptized with the HS. They are already saved and have the indwelling of the Spirit(John 20:22) Now comes Pentecost and they are filled with the Spirit and begin speaking in tongues. This gets everyones attention and fullfills Joel's prophecy and helps to usher in the new church with power. Then we have Peter's sermon. He tells them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Period,end of sentence, new thought, and they will receive the HS. Now go to the many stories of specific people being converted. They were told the Gospel Message and they all had the exact same identical response to it, they were Baptized for the forgiveness of sins(note Matthew 26:28). Carefully examine what they were told and what was their response. Better yet, examine their response 1st, now go back and think what they must have been told to have that response, well they were all told Peter's sermon(repent and be baptized), obviously. In some cases Apostles would lay hands on people and give them the ability to Speak in Tongues(more spiritual gifts), but this was after they were saved 1st. |