Baptism
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Here baptism followed the preaching of the word. But they did not receive<br />
the baptism of the Holy Spirit until the apostles laid hand on them.<br />
Acts 8:16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they<br />
had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.<br />
Acts.8: 18 Spirit was given through the laying on of Apostles hand.<br />
Here they were given the instructions in Jesus and then baptized. Then they<br />
received the Holy spirit. There is no order we can assign to the baptism of<br />
Holy spirit.<br />
What is the conclusion? Is baptism a necessary or sufficient condition for<br />
receiving the Holy Spirit?<br />
How do we understand this verse now?<br />
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the<br />
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the<br />
gift of the Holy Spirit.<br />
Receiving of the Holy Spirit does not follow from baptism, but from believing<br />
Jesus.<br />
Galatians were asked point blank this very question: "This only would l learn<br />
of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of<br />
faith?" (Gal.3:2). The answer was obvious-God's gift of salvation was<br />
received the moment they heard the word of the Gospel and accepted its<br />
invitation. It was certainly not as a result of being baptized. So we come to<br />
the basic conclusion:<br />
<strong>Baptism</strong> is neither necessary nor sufficient to be saved or to receive the<br />
baptism of the Holy Spirit.<br />
What does this salvation mean here? For personal salvation baptism is not<br />
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