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NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question: Was the baptism of the Holy Spirit only on the Apostles on this Pentecost? |
Bible Answer: No, God is still pouring out His Spirit today. Acts 2:38-39 says "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 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." In this statement, Peter made the gift of the Holy Ghost available to all that are called of the Lord to be Christians. He told those listening to him that day that the gift was for them, and their children (those who came after them) all that are afar off (speaking of other future generations beyond their immediate children) and even as many as the Lord would call (that means throughout history). In John Chapter 3 Jesus said man had to be born of the water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God. The Apostles carried the concept forth as baptism in water and the receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost that in their day and today also comes with an outward physical manifestation, the initial sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit give the utterance. This experience is available to every believer. The Bible teaches that God may fill a believer either before or after water baptism is administered. We believe baptism at some point is a necessity, however, because Jesus said in Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Water baptism is a faith issue. Just as God told Noah that He was sending a flood and told Noah to build a boat, He tells believers today that they are under condemnation until they wash away their sins calling on the name of the Lord. Just imagine what would have happened to Noah and his family if he had not built the boat! To receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, you do not have to beg God for it. First, take a moment to confess and repent of any sin in your life. If you have not yet asked Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour, then the sinners prayer would be appropriate. Then thank God for His forgiveness. Next tell God that you wish to receive the gift of His Spirit and begin to praise Him and thank Him for working in your life. Praise Him out loud. The Lord loves to hear the fruit of our lips in praise to Him. Keep on praising and pushing through until you feel His presence and watch what happens next! You may feel an intense tingling sensation all over your body. Tears of joy may flow from your eyes, and your lips and tongue may begin to shake and stammer. At this point you may spontaneously begin speaking in another language or feel the urge to say words that you don't understand. Try to say them until a clear language is being spoken. Remember it is still you who form and speak the words "as the Spirit gives the utterance." God does not force himself on people and will not take you over or "possess" you. You will understand what Isaiah meant when he said: Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. May God bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit! |