About Michael O`Flaherty (Expert=8663) Expertise Did you know that the Bible does talk about the concept of the trinity? Did you know that Jesus did claim to be God, and that unless He washes you, you will not get into heaven? If you want a spirited debate about your beliefs in relation to the Bible, please ask. I will warn you; you might be challenged. Friendly debate only!
Expert: Michael O`Flaherty (Expert=8663) - 3/28/2006
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Hi...
Is the Holy Spirit for believers today?
thanks
Mr. B
Answer -
Hi Mr. B!
Sure! Jesus states in John 3:5 that water and Spirit are the only way into heaven. According to Peter, we receive the water and Spirit by repenting and being immersed into the name of Jesus through water:
AC 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
So yes, the Spirit is for believers of all ages. I pray that you have repented and are immersed into the naJesus as well...
God bless you!
In Jesus Name!
Michael
Are you saying that water baptisim saves? The thief on the cross was saved, but didn't have water baptisim? Secondly, in Mark 16:16,17...talks of signs accompanying believers who have been baptised. Is this referring to water only, or to Spirit Baptisim, with the manifestation as 1 Corinthians 12 states?
thanks
Mr. B>
Answer -
Hi!
Certainly God can forgive whoever he wants. But note that the thief died under the Old Law – Jesus was not glorified yet.
Again, Jesus states that you must be born of water and Spirit to enter heaven. I don't know any other way to put it:
JN 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
You can also look at Paul's statements too:
AC 22:14 "Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'
RO 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Mark 16:16 states this:
MK 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Believes and is baptized = saved
Does not believe = condemned
AC 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Finally, our Lord Jesus was baptized into water even though he didn't need to. He was showing us as our great teacher that we should do the same. At that very moment, the Spirit descended on Him just like it does to those who believe, repent, and are immersed. Again, Peter states that we should repent and be baptized into Jesus FOR the forgiveness of our sins. It does NOT say repent and believe in Jesus to be saved, and then you should be immersed. Mark 16 does NOT say "he who believes and is saved should be baptized." That is changing the very Word of God.
If you have not taken this step, you should do so “to fulfill all righteousness…� Jesus did!
God bless you!
In Jesus Name!
Michael
www.oflaherty.com/mo.htm
Sir: Paul met some believers in Jesus at Ephesus,(Acts 19:1-7) and asked if they had received the Holy Spirit, since they believed. And their answer was no, they hadn't even heard of this. Paul asks them into what baptisim did they undergo, and they said Johns water baptisim.
Paul replies that Johns water baptisim was a baptisim of repentance. Then went on to explain the need of receiving the Holy Spirit baptisim. And they did...
Paul writes much on the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and the signs that one has indeed. John also writes of the need, work, and purpose of the Holy Spirit in the believer and the evidence of such.
Would you not agree that there are several baptisims spoken of in the new testament? Even a baptisim of fire, as mentioned by Jesus Himself?
Sincerely
Mr. B.
Answer Hi Mr. B!
Sure; I agree totally. However, when you quote Acts 19, understand that they were immersed into water. In other words, they were baptized through water into the name of Jesus. And then they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just like Acts 2:
AC 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth; Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
