Initial Salvation

Eph 6:11-18 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We must put on the whole armour of God in order to be able to stand in the evil day! Not just truth, not just faith, not just the Word of God, not just the Spirit, but all of these things together are essential to getting and staying saved!

What does it mean to be saved?

Yeshuwah - the Hebrew word used in the Old Testament for “salvation,” means deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity, health, help, to be open, to be at liberty, to be in safety

Soteria - the Greek word used in the New Testament for “salvation,” means deliverance, health, protected, preserved, to be whole.

Salvation - defined according to Webster’s Dictionary means 1. The act of saving or being saved; preservation from destruction; rescue. 2. In theology, the redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death; the saving of the soul through the atonement of Jesus.

Salvation includes the following doctrines:

1. Regeneration - This means spiritual rebirth, a renewing and conversion of our spiritual state. Jesus taught that we must be “born again” or remade because we were made in the likeness of sin. (John 3:1-8, Titus 3:3-6) When our spiritual man is renewed to the state that God first intended, we are regenerated.

2. Reconciliation - This means putting an end to a division in a relationship. Sin had separated us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but Christ brought us near by His blood (Ephesians 2:13). By applying the blood of Christ to our lives, we are able to remove the division that sin had caused between us and God, this is called reconciliation.

3. Redemption - To buy back. We were sold under sin, (Romans 7:14) but Christ paid the price to buy us back with His blood (I Peter 1:18-19). When Christ died on the cross, He provided redemption.

4. Adoption - to make a son. Because Adam sinned, mankind was considered the children of Satan (John 8:39-44 I John 3:8-10), but the work of Christ made it possible to be His children (I John 3:1-3). When we receive the Spirit of God, we becomes the sons of God, this is adoption. (Galations 4:5-7)

5. Ransomed - To free by paying a redemptive price. Because of sin, we were taken captive by Satan (Hebrews 2:14-15 II Timothy 2:26), but Jesus came and paid every demand that our souls could be set free (I Timothy 2:6); we were ransomed.

So “To be saved” means to have had a spiritual rebirth, a born again spirit, to have removed all barriers between you and God, to have been bought back and submitted to that freedom, to have received the spirit of adoption and become one of God’s sons, and to have been freed because of the price of sin that was paid by Jesus Christ.

“To be saved,” is important! So, what do I do to be saved?

The initial process of salvation:

1. You must have Faith.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Believing that God exists, cares about us, and will reward those that diligently seek Him is the first step of Salvation. You must believe that all of God’s Word is true, and have a willingness and readiness to obey it! Doubt hinders our ability to receive the promises in God’s Word. We must NOT let traditions, desires, past experiences hinder the understanding and obeying of God’s Word!

Some teach that simply believing in God and that Jesus loved us enough to come and die for us is the only step required for salvation. One scripture used is the following:

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This scripture is absolutely true: We can never do anything on our own to deserve salvation for it is a gift of God, and we are saved by grace (grace is when God gives us something that we did not deserve). We must take this scripture in context with the “whole armour of God” and use every scripture about salvation. James teaches us that faith ALONE will not save us:

James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

In other words Faith alone can’t save us, and Works alone can’t save us. True Faith causes Works. If you really believe in God and that Jesus did pay the price for your sin, then you will OBEY (Works) all of God’s Word. Believing in God is the first step, but does not in itself constitute the only requirement for salvation. Notice what Jesus said:

Mark 16:15-17 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Jesus himself said that if a person believes and is baptized, then he will be saved. If believing and simple faith were the only requirements to being saved, then why did Jesus add baptism to it? Also verse 17 of the above text mentions some signs that will follow a true believer. If just believing is all that is required, then why are signs of salvation given? James removes all doubt that an “easy believism gospel” is false:

James 2:19-24 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

The devils also believe in God, but they do not OBEY His word! We all know that Satan and his demons are not saved. James goes on to point out that Abraham believed in God’s Word, but it was his Works (or actions) that indicated his true faith. If you really believe, you will act! Verse 22 says that by works, Abraham’s faith was made perfect. “Perfect” here means “mature.” Just because we believe in God’s Word and have faith that God will perform it does not mean we have true, mature faith. Mature faith, or true faith will have works following it. This does not contradict with Ephesians 2:8-9, because Works do not bring the faith, but rather true faith brings works.

So what then is the next step? By believing that God’s Word is true, we then have faith to act and the first action is the second step of becoming saved:

2. You must truly repent. True repentance is seeking God’s forgiveness for our sins. When a person sins, they don’t sin against a preacher, or against a church, they sin and hurt God. Some people feel that they really do not need to repent but Paul teaches otherwise:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Every human being has sinned and fallen short. We inherited a sinful nature from our parents who inherited a sinful nature from their parents . . . all the way back to Adam and Eve. Everyone must repent.

True repentance is much more than just a sinner’s prayer though. True repentance is an action: a change of direction.

2 Cor 7:10-11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

True repentance brings a “Godly sorrow.” This is not condemnation or judgment for what you have done, or the bad feeling that we get when we get caught do something that we shouldn’t: that is a “worldly sorrow.” Godly sorrow convicts us to the point that we realize that we must change the way we act. If a person says that they repented, but do not change their sinful actions, then their repentance was no good. They believed that God would forgive their sins, but then they did not let their faith in God bring works. If you do not love God enough to stop doing the things that are contrary to His word, then why bother repenting?

Repentance is commanded by God’s Word:

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

“Perishing” does not go along with the definition of “being saved,” and unless we repent, Jesus said, we will perish.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Jesus did pay the price for our salvation, but that does not mean everyone in the world is automatically saved. We must obey God’s word to attain our salvation and we are commanded to REPENT. When on the Day of Pentecost, the people asked Peter what they must do to be saved Peter summed up the initial process of salvation nicely:

Acts 2:38-39 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.

Repentance was the first step, but not the only step, which brings us to the next step of salvation:

3. You must be Baptized. In Mark 16:16, Jesus commanded us to be baptized:

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Peter commanded baptism:

Acts 2:38 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.

Philip commanded baptism:

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Paul commanded baptism:

Rom 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Gal 3:26-27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Acts 19:4-5 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Baptism is a essential part of salvation! HOW then are we to be baptized?

Baptizo - Greek word for “baptism” means to be immersed, fully submerged beneath water.

Every time someone was baptized in the New Testament, they were completely submerged beneath water (See list below of all New Testament Baptisms)! No one is ever sprinkled. Even Jesus was completely immersed:

Matt 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

If Jesus was standing on the banks just getting sprinkled, then why did He have to come “out of the water?” Jesus was down in the water with John the Baptist. Baptism means to be completely covered with water, and to believe in just sprinkling is to believe a lie: you need to get baptized!

By what formula should we be baptized?

EVERY TIME someone was baptized after the day of Pentecost, they were baptized “in the name of Jesus.” NOT “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Let’s look at these scriptures:

Acts 2:38 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.

Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:3-5 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

What about Matthew 28:19?????? Many religions ignore every other instance of baptism in the Bible and baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” because of a misinterpretation of Matthew 28:19. Let’s look at this scripture and see if it contradicts the rest of the Word of God, or supports the other scriptures:

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus commanded His disciples to go baptize in “the name” of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. In all of the other scriptures (listed above), Jesus’ disciples obeyed this command by baptizing in “the name of the Lord Jesus.” Either Jesus’ disciples, who were with Jesus daily and heard Him give the command, were wrong, or the multitudes of religions today who insist on baptizing in the titles are wrong! A realization of what Jesus really said shows that the disciples did obey Jesus by baptizing “in the name of Jesus.” Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19 to baptize in the “name” not “names.” There is only one name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost and that name is Jesus.

John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Jesus stated that he had come in “my Father’s name,” what was His name? Jesus Christ. So the name of the Father is Jesus.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Now Jesus says that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, will be sent “in my name.” What was His name? Jesus Christ. So the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus.

Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

When Mary gave birth to the Son of God, she was commanded by the angel to call His name Jesus. So the name of the Son is Jesus.

The disciples did not disobey Matthew 28:19, they understood what Jesus was saying and they obeyed it exactly by baptizing “in the name of Jesus.” Rather than repeating what Jesus had said, as many religions do today, the disciples obeyed what Jesus said! Peter put it this way:

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

And Zechariah put it this way:

Zech 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

And Paul put it this way:

Eph 4:5-6 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Of all the different ways that religions today baptize, only one baptism is correct, and that is the baptism commanded by Jesus and practiced by His disciples. If you have been baptized any other way but being completely covered in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you must be rebaptized!

What happens at baptism?

The remission (forgiveness and washing away) of our sins.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Acts 2:38 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.

What else happens at baptism?

The blood of Jesus is applied to our lives. Some people have erroneously taught that the blood of Jesus is applied at repentance, the Blood is not applied until baptism:

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Heb 10:18-19 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

If without the shedding of blood, there is no remission, and we are baptized for the remission of sins, then the blood of Jesus is applied to our lives at baptism. If we when we have washed our spiritual “robes” in water, we make them white in the blood of the Lamb, then the blood of Jesus is not applied to our lives until baptism.

What does NOT happen at baptism?

The giving of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God):

Acts 2:38 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.

Peter said that if you Repent, and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, you SHALL receive the Holy Ghost. He did NOT say that if you Repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, you HAVE ALREADY received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

While Peter was still preaching at Cornelius’ house, the Holy Ghost fell upon Cornelius and his household. After they had received the Holy Ghost Peter commanded them to be baptized. If the Holy Spirit is given at Baptism, then how did they receive the Spirit BEFORE they were baptized?

This leads us to the next step:

4. You must receive the Holy Ghost (also called in scripture the Holy Spirit, Spirit or Truth, Comforter, Living Waters, and Breath of God)

Jesus commanded that we must be born of the Spirit:

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Being “born of water” is a reference to water baptism in Jesus name, but being born “of the Spirit” is something else as we just discussed in talking about Cornelius.

John the Baptist taught that Jesus would one day baptize us with the Holy Ghost separate from water baptism:

Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Jesus referred to this prophecy when commanding His disciples to go and tarry in the upper room just before the Day of Pentecost:

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.

When the Day of Pentecost finally came the Holy Ghost (The Spirit of God) did come as promised:

Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Ghost did not come when the followers of Christ had believed on Christ, because they had believed on Him and followed Him for three years already. The disciples were not standing in water, they were in a house and there were too many of them ( about 120 people) to all be in the bathtub or some other holder of water! The Spirit did not come when they repented, because Peter and many other of the disciples had repented much earlier in the Gospels. The baptism of the Spirit was a separate occurrence!

How then, did they know that they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Every time someone receives the Holy Spirit in the Bible, they began to speak in tongues!

Peter said that he Prophet Joel had prophesied about it:

Acts 2:16-18 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (The actual prophecy is found in Joel 2:28)

The Prophet Isaiah prophesied about it:

Isa 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 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.

The tongues are not the Holy Ghost, but they are a sign that we have received the Holy Ghost! While we are speaking in tongues, God’s Spirit is coming into our life and regenerating our spirit!

Let’s look at several instance recorded in scripture of people’s initial salvation experience:

The Day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

When the first 120 were filled with the Holy Ghost, the began to speak with other tongues! Notice that no human taught them how, but the Spirit instantly taught them! We do not teach people how to speak in tongues, if a person asks God for the Holy Ghost and begins to praise God for the Spirit, God will instantly fill that person with the Holy Ghost if the person has truly repented of their sins. When the Spirit of God come in, then the person’s praises will instantly turn from praises in the native language, to speaking in an unknown tongue! We are not to seek the tongues, but to seek the Spirit; if we seek the Spirit, then the tongues will come! A sure way not to receive the Spirit is to beg God for the tongues, because you are placing more importance on speaking in tongues that on receiving God’s Spirit. When we receive God’s Spirit, the tongues are a natural occurrence.

Acts 2:38-39 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.

When the eyewitnesses to the Day of Pentecost asked Peter what they must do to get right with God, Peter told them the same thing that I am telling you: Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and then you shall receive the Holy Ghost. Some people teach that this is not for us today, but Peter said that it was a promise for the people that day, and their children, and their children, and even the children afar off (which is us)! This experience is for us today!!!!!

Philip preaching in Samaria:

Acts 8:12-17 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. . . . 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Philip had preached at Samaria, the people had believed and had been baptized, but when Peter and John came down to the revival, they prayed that the people might receive the Holy Ghost because verse 16 says, the Holy Ghost had not yet fallen! When Peter and John laid their hands on the people, they did receive the Holy Ghost AFTER believing and being baptized!

A Sorcerer named Simon was present watching when Peter and John prayed for the people to receive the Holy Ghost in chapter 8, notice Simon’s response:

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

The Bible says that “Simon saw” that they received the Holy Ghost. How did Simon, another human being, “see” God’s Spirit coming into another person’s life? Because whenever a person receives the Holy Ghost, they begin to speak in tongues!! Simon did not see “the Spirit” coming in, but saw the sign of the Spirit of God coming in: The tongues.

Peter preaching at the House of Cornelius:

Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Peter was preaching to Cornelius’ household, and the Holy Ghost fell on those that were there. Verse 45 states that those of the circumcision (the Jews) were astonished because they realized that these Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost. How did they know that they had received the Holy Ghost? Verse 46 gives us our answer: “because they heard them speak with tongues.” A person can receive the Spirit before being baptized, but still must be baptized: Peter “commanded them” to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Paul preaches to the disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus:

Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Paul asked the disciples of John the Baptist the question, “have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” They had believed on Jesus Christ and even been baptized according to John’s baptism, but Paul wanted to know if they had received the Holy Ghost. Receiving the Holy Ghost is important! The disciples responded by saying that they had never heard of the Holy Ghost. Paul then decided to check how they were baptized. He commanded them to be rebaptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After they were baptized the correct way, Paul laid his hands on their heads and the Holy Ghost came upon them and they spake with tongues!

Sometimes the person prophesied, sometimes they glorified God, sometimes they were restored their sight or some other miracle, but -- no matter what else happened -- a person receiving the Holy Spirit ALWAYS spoke in tongues! Jesus spoke about it like this:

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Jesus described it as feeling like rivers of living water flowing out of your belly! When a person receives the Spirit of God and they begin to speak a heavenly language, in the spirit it does seem as if it is just flowing out of you! Notice that verse 39 states that until Jesus was glorified (died and resurrected in a glorified body and ascended into heaven) that the Holy Ghost was not yet given. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, people did not receive the Spirit of God in their lives, it was poured out beginning on the Day of Pentecost.

Jesus’ words are still true today: anyone who believes on God and obeys the scriptures will receive the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. Humanity did not invent this process, GOD invented this process, and by following it we are simply obeying His Word!

Is receiving the Holy Ghost necessary?

Absolutely! As we mentioned before, Jesus commanded us in John 3:5 to be born of the water and the Spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Notice that we don’t receive power after baptism, or after repentance, but after the Holy Ghost comes. We need power to overcome temptation, traps of Satan, and our own fleshly desires. This power comes only after the Holy Ghost comes.

Rom 8:9-10 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Paul said that we are “in the Spirit,” if “the Spirit of God dwell in you,” and if we have not the Spirit of Christ, then we are none of His. When we are saved, though, we become sons of God, so if we are none of Christ’s if we have not His Spirit, then we must have His Spirit to His sons!

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;

Titus stated that we are saved according to God’s mercy by the regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost! When we receive the Spirit of God in our lives, our spirits are regenerated (made new), and our relationship with God is restored to what it should be.

What really happens when we say “we have received the Holy Ghost” into our life?

When God placed Adam into the Garden of Eden, He permitted him and Eve to eat of every tree in the Garden except the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

If man did eat of the tree, then in the very day that he had eaten, he would die. We all know that Adam and Eve did eat of the tree, but they did not physically die that same day. In fact Adam lived to be 930 years old (Gen 5:5)! We also know that God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19), so something died when Adam and Eve ate of the tree. It was not his mental body that died, because Adam and Eve raised three sons and taught them to give sacrifices to the Lord. If it was not his physical body or his mental ability, then what died? When Adam was created, He was also created with a spirit. Man’s spirit is the part of man that recognizes that there is a God. This is the part of Adam that died when Adam and Eve ate the fruit.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Because Adam sinned, that “death” that was a result of sin was passed to all of his offspring! We all are born with a dead, dormant spirit that needs to be “regenerated” as we mentioned earlier. Believing and having Faith in God causes us to be able to believe in God’s Word but does not in itself bring our dead Spirit back to life. Repentance asks God to forgive us but does not “quicken” our Spirit back to life. Baptism washes away those sins and covers those sins in the blood of Jesus, but does not restore that relationship that was lost when Adam sinned. When we receive the Holy Ghost, what actually happens, is that God’s Spirit awakens our dormant spirit, and that relationship that Adam once had with God is restored! We must not stop short of receiving God’s Spirit!

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

If we have had our spirit “quickened” back to life by receiving God’s Spirit, then when the rapture of the church takes place, we will go. The rapture is when Jesus will come back to get his bride, the church, and our bodies are changed from mortal bodies to being able to fly through the air and meet Him in the sky to live forever with Him (see I Corinthians 15:50-56)! Only by having the Spirit of God will our bodies be changed to be able to live eternally. Us receiving the Spirit of God is our ticket up!

If a person speaks in tongues after initially receiving the Holy Ghost are they receiving the Holy Ghost all over again (and again... and again...)?

No. God uses tongues for several other reasons AFTER a person has received the Spirit. Just because a person is speaking in tongues after they have received the Spirit, doesn’t necessarily mean that they have lost the Spirit and need to be refilled. The tongues are only the first sign of the infilling of God’s Spirit, after the initial infilling, God may use tongues in any of the following ways:

1. Build up one’s faith.

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

A person that has already received the Spirit of God, may “pray in the Holy Ghost,” by speaking in tongues. They are simply allowing God to choose the words to pray for themselves and building up “their most holy faith.”

2. Intercessory prayer.

Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Sometimes a Spirit-filled believer may feel a burden to intercede for someone else. When the believer begins to pray, God may instantly take control of their tongue and they may begin to pray in an unknown language, or simply pray with “groanings.” What they are saying in the Spirit, is simply whatever the will of God is at that moment. Perhaps they are interceding for God to work out a situation that they know nothing about! In any case, despite our limited knowledge, God is able to use us more effectively for His kingdom when we yield ourselves to intercessory prayer.

3. A regeneration of the Holy Spirit after one has grown spiritually weak.

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;

Again we refer back to Titus 3:5. Just because a person believes in God and His word, Repents of his sin, is Baptized in the name of Jesus, and receives the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, does not mean that they will never sin again. Believing, Repentance, Baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit are just the steps to “getting saved.” We must then stay saved, and learn and obey the rest of God’s Word. If we sin after we have “gotten saved,” our Spirit returns to a dormant state. Therefore a person who sins after the initial infilling of the Holy Ghost may after repenting find themselves being “re-regenerated” as the Spirit once again makes our spiritual man new. A person who is not speaking in tongues for the first time, may simply be refreshed and allow the Holy Ghost to refresh his spirit simply as a “time of refreshing,” and the regeneration may be needed for spiritual weariness instead of sin.

4. The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation

1 Cor 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

The Gift of Giving Tongues in a group of believers, and the subsequent interpretation of those tongues is a special gift of the Spirit that God uses to speak directly to a gathering of His people. When this happens, one person may feel the burden to suddenly speak aloud in tongues. This will be followed by either the same person or another Spirit-filled believer giving an interpretation in the native language spoken by the group. This should only happen if the person in charge (minister, pastor, etc...) allows it and no more than 3 such tongues and interpretations should go forth in a meeting (study I Corinthinans chapters 12 and 14). This Gift is listed with other gifts such as the gift of prophecy (foretelling of the future), the gift of knowledge (God gives you knowledge that is impossible for you to know under normal means), discerning of spirits (the ability to name the types of spirits that we encounter in a situation), and the working of miracles, etc... . These Gifts are Gifts OF the Spirit. In other words, one cannot be used in the gift of tongues and interpretation until after they have received the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. Paul goes on to explain this principle:

1 Cor 12:11-13 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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.

All of the gifts mentioned in I Corinthians chapter 12 are given by the ONE spirit of God that has been given to the body of Christ. If we have received God’s Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, then we are eligible to receive these gifts, including the gifts of tongues and interpretation.

So if God uses someone to perform a miracle does that mean that they have the Gift of Miracles?

Absolutely Not! Miracles were performed by Jesus’ disciples and other prophets long before the Gift of the Holy Ghost was ever poured out (Luke 10:1-19). When Moses went before Pharaoh, the Egyptian magicians did signs and wonders also (Exodus 7:12). The Gift of Miracles and Gift of Healings are a special Gift given at times to Spirit-filled believers, but not all miracles and healings in our lives are a result of someone being used “in the gifts,” some are just simple obedience to God’s Word. (For example see James 5:13-18)

What about I Corinthians chapter 14?

Let’s look at Chapter 14 in context. It is part of Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. The people that Paul is writing to have already believed in God, Repented, been Baptized in Jesus’ name, and received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. We know this because Paul refers to it in the first chapter:

1 Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

So the church in Corinth had already followed the Biblical plan of Salvation! The entire book of I and II Corinthians are written to Spirit-filled believers! They would be able to be used in the Gifts of the Spirit. Because of a lack of teaching, however, the church at Corinth were abusing the Gifts of the Spirit. Their church services had disintegrated into nothing more than interpretation after interpretation and prophesy after prophesy. We know this because Paul takes up three entire chapters to teach on the subject. The church in Corinth also needed teaching in taking communion and the proper order or authority in the home (chapter 11). So let’s look at I Corinthians chapter 14 in context:

Chapter 11 teaches principles of authority in the home and church, and principles in the taking of communion. Chapter 12 teaches on the Gifts of the Spirit and how they all are really from one Spirit, the Spirit of God living inside us. Chapter 13 teaches that all the gifts and power in the world are useless as tools if not used and administered in love. Chapter 14 teaches how that the gift of tongues and interpretation should not be the majority of the service and explains why. I Corinthians chapter 14 is a reference to the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation and not in any way a reference to the other way God uses tongues (The initial sign of the infilling of the Holy Ghost, building up our most holy faith, intercessory prayer, etc... see list above). Paul is teaching on the gifts of tongues and interpretation not on receiving the Spirit of God. Paul is simply stating that everything should be done decently and in order (14:40) and a person speaking in tongues while everyone is praying or praising is out of order. In fact Paul goes out of his way to make sure they realize that he is NOT commanding that they stop speaking in tongues:

1 Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Paul is stating that He talks in tongues more than all of them, but that in a church setting it more fruitful for Paul (who was a minister) to teach in the known tongue so that the non-Spirit-filled believers would learn (see verses 23-25). While this is true, Paul is not stating that the church should not speak in tongues at all, but rather not ONLY speak in tongues. Paul goes on to state what a normal church service should include:

1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Paul says that when we have a church service, or a gathering of believers, that it is all right for everyone to have a psalm (song), a tongue, a revelation (when something in the scriptures stands out so that understanding comes in a new way), and -- if someone is used in the Gift of Tongues for the edification of the church -- it’s okay for someone to interpret. Paul is telling us that songs, tongues, revelatory preaching, and interpretation of the Gift of tongues is always in proper order in the church service, AS LONG as it edifies or helps the church service.

1 Cor 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

This scripture is placing guidelines on the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation and does not refer to someone speaking in tongues when receiving the Holy Ghost, building up our faith by praying in tongues, or intercessory prayer. Paul is saying that if there is to be tongues and interpretation, let there be no more than three per service. If there is no interpret, then let that person speak in tongues in a way that is to himself and to God, in other words, not to allow his speaking in tongues a distraction. If everyone in the church service is verbally praising God, then someone speaking in tongues will not disturb the church, as he is speaking to himself and to God, and is not speaking in tongues for the benefit of the church but for the benefit of himself (building up his holy faith or regeneration...see above) or the benefit of God (intercessory prayer). If a person is speaking in tongues for the benefit of the church, there should be an interpret, but not all tongues are for the benefit of the entire church! There was no interpret at the Day of Pentecost or at any of the Biblically recorded incidents listed above where people received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues!

Paul was definitely not forbidding people to speak in tongues as he continues to say in verses 39 and 40:

1 Cor 14:39-40 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

He did NOT say to forbid to speak with tongues, but rather DO NOT FORBID to speak with tongues. In other words, it is always in order for tongues in a service and Paul did not intend for us to remove the various uses of tongues from our life, but rather, in the case of the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation, “let all things be done decently and in order.”

If a person is used in the Gifts of the Spirit does that mean that he is saved?

Not necessarily. A person must have had at one time received the Holy Spirit to be given a Gift of the Spirit, but that person could have turned away from God’s Word and now be living in sin.

Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

While in context, this scripture is in reference to God not turning permanently away from Israel, it also teaches a principle of God’s giving. Once God has given a gift, He does not necessarily take it back because a person returns to a lifestyle of sin. Sometimes God leaves portions of the gift in that person’s life as a constant reminder of what that person is missing out on by not walking with God. Which leads us to the next point:

Is receiving the Holy Ghost the last step to being saved?

No! Once a person has believed on God with Faith, Repented, been Baptized in Jesus’ name, and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, then they must grow in knowledge of God’s Word and relationship with Him.

I Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

We keep God’s Spirit abiding in us by “keeping His commandments.” What we have stated above is the process of “Initial Salvation.” This is what a person must do at first to enter into the kingdom of God. None of us, however, have made it to heaven yet, as the Lord has not yet returned! We now enter into the phase of “Continual Salvation” where we learn God’s Word and learn how to better obey it every day! God has given us His guidebook for living a life that is pleasing to Him, and everyday we will dwell in him, only if we are keeping His commandments! David said it this way:

Ps 119:10-12 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

We must learn the Word of God so that we do not sin against God, that is why, after Acts there are so many books of the Bibles that were letters written to the church (Romans through Revelation). The books of the New Testament from Romans through Revelation are written to people that had already believed and had faith in God, Repented of their sins, Been baptized in Jesus name, and received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues! If those people had already reached a point of eternal security, then why all of the letters instructing them on how to act after their initial salvation experience!?! We will answer many more questions about Salvation in the next lesson on “Continual Salvation.”