Very often people misunderstand the difference between the new birth and baptism with the Holy Spirit. Can anyone be baptised with the Holy Spirit without being born again? The answer seems very obvious but the truth is that there are many who, being “born of the flesh”, don’t use their intelligent faith – they believe that this is possible. It is impossible for someone to receive the Holy Spirit if he hasn’t experienced the new birth. How can anyone be sealed with the Spirit before his birth? First is the new birth and after comes the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
The same goes for baptism in water: the person repents of his sins and then goes through the waters. How can anyone be baptised in water if he isn’t yet repentant? Unfortunately, this happens very often, but it doesn’t bring about any practical results – there is no newness of life after this baptism. The only difference is that the sinner went into the water dry and came out wet. Nothing else! The person’s life remains the same even though he was “baptised in water”.
The number of people who are “baptised” without being converted are countless, and so are those who claim to be “baptised with the Holy Spirit” Speaking in strange tongues is not a sign of being baptised with the Holy Spirit; it’s the fruit of this baptism that is a true sign.
He who is baptised with the Holy Spirit receives power, not only to help others, but especially to be a reference of the Lord Jesus in this world. When Jesus was raised from the dead, He appeared to the disciples and He breathed on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”(John 20.22) In this moment the disciples were born of the Spirit but their baptism took place on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2)
May God bless you all abundantly,
Bishop Edir Macedo
