One of the main things that should attract us to being baptized is not just the forgiveness of sins, but the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
Let me explain.
The very first sermon of the NT Church taught us:
“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” (Acts 2:38 KJV).
Repentance and baptism bringing about the reception of the Holy Spirit — should intrigue us.
Our sins are taken away and replaced with God’s Indwelling Spirit.
Now, people can see when you have been baptized, because you just got wet. But, how can they tell, if you have received the Holy Spirit?
Obedience is how you can tell if someone has the Holy Spirit.
That is what the LORD told the prophet Ezekiel.
“I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).
That to me is one of the most significant verses in the OT, which puts into perspective Acts 2:38.
Perhaps you have already heard about the Promise of the Spirit?
“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14).
But, did you know something as simple as water baptism could be so significant?
Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).
Notice the Loyalty Oath taken and given at baptism, in the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event, declares Jesus as Lord. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [confession with the mouth implies the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event], and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
But still, it isn’t a debate whether water or grace through faith saves us.
It is Jesus that saves us.
What should become clear is that the Gift of the Holy Spirit preached by Peter at Pentecost
Isn’t you possessing the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit possessing you.
By our obedience to something as basic as water baptism, we were given the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Just listen to how Peter and the other apostles put it in the Book of Acts:
“And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32).
Did you notice that?
Obeying the command to be baptized gave the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.
But, Jehovah’s promise of Ezekiel 36:27 was:
“I’ll put My Spirit in you”
and
“Cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.”
What dawned upon me (over long years) is the Holy Spirit causes us to walk in His Statutes, keep His judgments, and do them. It meant
The Holy Spirit inspires us to obey God.
Praise God!
When the OT prophets and NT apostles were inspired to pen the words of Scripture, they were not taking rote dictation.
I have come to the conclusion that
The giving of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of God securing and guaranteeing our obedience.
Hallelujah!
Not just securing our obedience to be baptized, but guaranteeing our obedience for everything!
Paul expressed his heart to the Thessalonian disciples, as I do to you:
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).
May you be inspired to obey God!
Heavenly Father, if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more are You willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask You. Pour out Your Spirit upon us. Teach us to do Your will. Your Spirit is good. Lead us into the land of uprightness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Return quickly. Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 