In this article, we will examine what it means to be saved (born again), who Jesus Christ is, what he did on the cross, why it is good news for humanity, and why we all need a savior. We will also look at water baptism, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and how to grow as a disciple of Christ.

Get a Bible and prayerfully read the verses in the article to see what Jesus did for you on the cross because of his great love. Be reconciled with God today!

Part 1: How to Be Saved and Have Eternal Life

You must be born again.

Do you have peace with God? Do you know where you will spend eternity when you leave this world? This is a decision that every person should give serious thought to. Eternity beckons to everyone of us. As sure as the sun rises in the east, each of us shall leave this world one day and face eternity in one of two places. We shall either spend our eternity with God in heaven or be separated from him forever in hell. This decision is one every single one of us has to make while we are alive.

God is our creator, and we cannot bypass him and ignore him when it comes to our eternal destinies. He has given us the chance to know him and make things right with him while we are alive; after death, it will be too late.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a religious man, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:3-4). It did not make sense logically to Nicodemus, yet that is the path to salvation. Jesus responded, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). To be born again is to be born of the Spirit of God.

Martin Luther, the great Protestant reformer, wrote, “Born once—die twice; born twice—die once.” This great spiritual truth is the key to eternal life. Our natural birth cannot save us since we are born into sin. To be reconciled to God and have eternal life, we must be born a second time (spiritually), and then we shall only die once (physically). Those who are only born once will die twice (physically and spiritually). Jesus Christ gives us spiritual rebirth. You must be born again.

Human beings are born sinners.

All men are sinners. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We are all born with a sinful nature because we are descendants of Adam and Eve, the first humans. Adam and Eve listened to Satan in the Garden of Eden and sinned against God. They did this by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which led to their nature being corrupted and becoming sinners (read Genesis 3). This act of rebellion and disobedience made the entire human race sinners.

“Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

God desires a relationship with us and for us to be his children. However, our sins separate us from God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you” (Isaiah 59:2). God is a righteous and holy God who hates sin, and therefore, sinners cannot have peace with him or spend eternity with God. Additionally, no one can fulfill God’s righteousness and perfect standards by their own effort because we are naturally slaves to sin.

The Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As it is written, “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

God loves us but hates sin. The bad news is that all of us are born sinners, and that means none of us can have peace with God or enter heaven in our natural, sinful state. The good news is that God, by his great love and mercy, has provided a way for us to be born again, be saved from our sins, sinful nature, and the sentence of sin, have peace with him, and be reconciled to him for all eternity.

That way is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who came to earth to die in our place to make atonement (payment) for our sins.

Who is Jesus Christ, and what did he do?

Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and is himself God (John 1:1). Jesus was God incarnate in the flesh. Born of a virgin mother and without a sinful nature, he lived a sinless life in the body. He then gave himself up out of love to die on the cross for his creation. Jesus bore the sins of the world upon himself as a sacrificial lamb. This was according to God’s divine plan and because of his great love for us. Jesus thus became the perfect sacrifice and ransom for our sins. He is the only sacrifice for sins that is acceptable to God because he is blameless (read Isaiah 53:6; I Peter 2:24).

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

Whoever repents (turns away) from his sins and his old way of life and believes in him and his sacrifice on the cross receives eternal life.

The Bible says that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus on the cross was accursed and forsaken of God (Galatians 3:13) and faced the wrath of God that was ours because of our sins (Isaiah 53:10). It was an exchange of love. What manner of love is that Jesus shows us, that he took our punishment, though he did no wrong?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1

God gives us the chance to turn to Jesus while we are alive. He does this by presenting opportunities for us to hear the good news of what Jesus did on the cross. If we reject him and die in our sinful state, we are eternally lost and perish in hell. Jesus died to save us from eternal separation from God. He made the way.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

The Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ

The good news, called the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, is what Jesus accomplished on the cross. It is good news because Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves (freeing us from the power and penalty of sin).

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

The justice of God (that he must punish sin and the soul that sins must die) was satisfied by Christ’s death for the sins of all who believe in him. As a result, salvation is now available to all (John 19:30).

“He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4:25).

Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead was evidence of his power over death and hell. Those who believe in him will likewise never die or perish! Jesus, being sinless, was able to overcome sin, death, hell, and the devil and purchase eternal salvation for all who place their trust in him.

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death.” Revelation 1:8

“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:9

“Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

Jesus preached that we must repent (acknowledge that we are sinners, confess our sins, and turn from our old way of life of enmity with God) and believe in him. When we believe in him, we become new creatures as his Holy Spirit comes to live within us, giving us a new righteous nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus will come back again one day.

This present world has an expiration date. It has an end, as all temporary things do. Jesus promised while he was on earth that one day he would return. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)

He will come back, and every eye will see him, including those who have rejected him (Revelation 1:7). He will destroy his enemies and reign on earth for 1,000 years. And after that millennial reign, all that ever lived from Adam, great and small, dead and alive, will stand before God in the great white throne judgment to be judged and give an account for their lives (read Revelation 20:11-15).

Those who rejected Jesus and lived in sin will receive the sentence of eternal damnation in the lake of fire and live separated from God for all eternity by their own choice. However, those who were true believers and disciples of Jesus will be ushered into joy and eternal life in the new Jerusalem in their resurrected bodies. The new Jerusalem is the city God has prepared for those who love him (Revelation 21:2-4).

The Bible says there will be a new heaven and a new earth after judgment day; all will be made new. There will be no more death, sorrow, pain, tears, or sin, for the former things will have passed away. This is the blessed hope of all Christians. This is what awaits those who trust in Jesus for all eternity.

Salvation is by grace through faith.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation is a gift. Jesus died for our sins as an act of love because we had no way to save ourselves and be reconciled back to God because of our sins and rebellion. We receive this gift of salvation and reconciliation to God through his blood by faith. Faith means trust, belief, or confidence in God. Grace is the unmerited favor and kindness of God towards humanity. By placing our confidence and trust in Jesus’ atonement for our sins through his death and resurrection, we are saved.

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10

Historical and intellectual beliefs and knowledge about Jesus cannot save anyone. Our own goodness cannot save us because we can never be good enough for God. Jesus desires a living and absolute trust in Him for salvation from sin. This requires first an admission that one is a sinner and cannot save oneself, and that without him they are doomed. With that admission and realization, one must then cast oneself fully as a drowning, helpless, hopeless, and dying man upon the cross and person of Jesus Christ as the only hope for life and salvation. This is the faith God seeks and the faith that saves.

Grace is not a license to sin.

It is important to note that grace is not permission to continue living in sin. God’s grace enables and empowers us to please him and live righteous lives by the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” Colossians 1:22-23

Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus.

In the first sermon preached after Jesus’s resurrection, the crowd asked, “What shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:37-38

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21

A man asked the Apostle Paul and Silas in the Bible, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:30-31

Repentance is a complete change of mind. It is a turning away from a life without God to absolute trust in Jesus Christ only for salvation.

New creation in Christ

We are born again and saved from our sins when we genuinely believe (in our hearts) in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross for us, repent of our former sinful and rebellious way of life (acknowledge and confess our sins and turn away from them), and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior with our whole heart and being. If you truly believe in what Jesus accomplished for you on the cross and turn from your former life, you will receive his life in exchange for yours and receive eternal life. You will become God’s child. The Holy Spirit will come and live inside you and make you a brand new creature. You will pass from death to life.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

“As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12

The Bible says that all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior have their names written in His Book of Life in Heaven. This is one of the books that will be opened and checked on the day of judgment to grant souls admission into heaven (Revelation 20:12, 15).

Steps to be saved or born again

The process of salvation can be summarized by the following ABCs:

1. Admit

Admit that you are a sinner and have sinned against a holy God. Acknowledge that you cannot save yourself and need a savior. Mention and confess all your sins to Jesus and ask him to forgive you.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one.’” (Romans 3:10)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

2. Believe

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross for you. Trust that by his death and resurrection, he paid the price for your sins, and that if you place your trust in his sacrifice, he will make you a new creature, and you will be born again. Have faith and trust that Jesus will give you his life and his Spirit, reconcile you to God, and give you eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

3. Confess

Confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord. Make this confession boldly with your mouth henceforth. Tell someone that you have been saved. Continue to confess that Jesus is Lord, not just in word but in deed. You do this by following him, learning more about how to please him, obeying him, and growing as a Christian.

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10

“Whoever will confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:12

Salvation Prayer

If you have believed the gospel message, decided to follow Jesus, and would like to accept him as your Lord and Savior, go on your knees and pray to him from your heart. In your own words, confess all your sins to him, acknowledge that you have sinned against him, and ask him to forgive you. Confess to him that you believe he is the Son of God, the savior of the world, and the only way to the Father and heaven. Pour out your heart to him in your own words, and ask him to fill you with his Holy Spirit. It is with the heart that we believe, and by faith, we are made righteous (justified).

The Bible says, “Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37. If you call on him sincerely, he will not reject you.

If you have prayed sincerely and placed your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation with all your heart, the Bible says you are now a new creature. You have been born again and have received a new nature from Jesus Christ! The Bible says heaven and the angels are rejoicing with you now that you are born again and your name is written in Jesus’s Book of Life in heaven (Revelation 20:12, 15; Revelation 21:27).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

Now that you are born again, fix your mind to live for Jesus always, get to know him through his Word, the Holy Bible, pray to him daily, and obey him all the days of your life so that you can make it to heaven when you leave this world.

This is posted as a separate article here: How to Be Born Again and Have Eternal Life.

Part 2: Growing as a Disciple of Jesus Christ

The Bible says if you are saved, you are a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, your old nature and life are gone, and you are born again. You’re now a child of God. The Holy Spirit now lives in you and will empower you to live a godly life. However, nurturing your new life of salvation is important. You’re like a baby that needs to grow by consuming the right food. There are things you must do to grow in your relationship with Jesus.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Below are four basic things you need to do to grow in your faith. These essentials will start you on the journey to learning more and growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ:

1. Bible reading

You will chiefly grow in your relationship with God by studying the Bible, which is the word of God, daily. The Bible contains God’s will, commandments, instructions, desires, and promises for us. Read it out loud if possible. Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to learn the recorded teachings of Jesus Christ, as this will help you know what Jesus taught about the kingdom of God and being his disciple.

After the gospel books, read the rest of the New Testament book by book, followed by the Old Testament. God’s word helps us know him and his will for our lives.

Don’t only read the word of God; read with the desire and determination to OBEY everything you read. It is obedience that will help you become spiritually strong, mature, and productive in your Christian walk.

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2

“That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

Read this article for more on how to study the Bible, and also get a free Bible reading plan: How to Study the Bible – 12 Effective Ways

2. Prayer

Pray daily and talk with Jesus about everything as your friend, lord, and savior, and you will learn to hear and know his voice and obey him. He will speak back to you. Remember, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, lives inside you now and is with you always. The Holy Spirit will help you and teach you how to pray and direct your life.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Read this article for more on how to pray: How to Pray: 12 Lessons From the Lord’s Prayer

3. Daily devotion (Quiet time)

Daily devotion time, also known as quiet time, is a set-aside time each day where a born-again believer spends time studying and meditating on the word of God, praying, and communing with God. I would advise you to spend at least one hour in daily devotion for maximum benefits (half an hour studying the word and half an hour in prayer) and increase the time as you grow in faith and discipline.

Morning hours are the best time before you begin your day. Spending time with God before anything else sets the pace for the rest of the day; it also shows our devotion to giving God the best and first of everything we have. Adjust your waking time in the morning to factor in time with God, and watch how it changes and improves your life. You can also have your devotional time in the evening if this works best for you; just make it consistent to make it a habit.

4. Fellowship

Pray to be led to a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching gathering of fellow believers you can fellowship with, grow with, and serve God and one another. Ask God to direct you to the right church that’s rooted in his word, discipleship, and preaching the gospel. It is important to pray about this so that you do not join a false church.

It is important to be part of a gathering of believers because you are now a member of the body of Christ and the family of God. Growth is easier in a community.

“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

You can also read this article for more keys for spiritual growth: 7 Keys to Spiritual Growth from the Life of Jesus

Part 3: Importance of Water Baptism for the Believer

The Bible tells us that new believers should be baptized by immersion in water upon repentance and salvation. Jesus’ last command to his disciples was to preach the gospel to all and baptize believers.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16

Baptism is one of the two ordinances Jesus left to the church. The other is the Lord’s Supper. These two ordinances are for born-again believers and are not optional, being the commands of the Lord.

Baptism happens after repentance and believing in Christ and symbolizes our being buried in death with Jesus and resurrected with him to newness of life. It is a public declaration of our new life in Christ and belonging to the body of Christ. (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:4). 1 Peter 3:21 also says that baptism is a “pledge of a clear conscience toward God.” Salvation is not complete without baptism.

Jesus was baptized

Jesus set the example for us by being baptized by John the Baptist before he began his public ministry. He said it was to fulfill all righteousness: an act of obedience. We must do likewise.

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

“But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.” Matthew 3:14-15

The new converts in the Book of Acts were all baptized immediately after salvation.

In the book of Acts in the Bible, we find that all who believed in Jesus Christ in the early church were immediately baptized by immersion in water. (Read Acts 2:37-41, 8:36-38, 10:47-48, 16:13-15, 16:27-34, 18:5-8, 19:1-5, 22:14-17). Baptism is the visible, public confession that one has been born again!

In the very first sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the first believers, “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…Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.“ Acts 2:38, 41

Paul was baptized 3 days after conversion when the Lord Jesus sent Ananias to lay hands on him to receive his sight and the Holy Spirit! Ananias then baptized him immediately after. (Acts 9:17-19).

The Ephesian disciples whom Paul found unbaptized due to ignorance were baptized immediately by him (Acts 19:1-5).

Not to be baptized is disobedience to Jesus

The significance of baptism cannot be overstated. Some people view it as optional or not important. Others think it is not urgent and take years to be baptized, or do not get baptized at all. Still others choose baptism methods not found in the New Testament, such as baptizing babies or baptizing unbelievers. But Jesus obeyed the Father and was baptized, and we should follow his example and do likewise.

Not getting baptized is clear disobedience to the Lord’s commands and a declaration that we do not belong to the body of Christ. If we love Jesus, we MUST keep his commandments (John 14:15). The apostles of Jesus took his command seriously and baptized all the new converts immediately after they received the Lord, usually on the same day when possible.

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12

Baptism is an outward sign of the believer’s new life

There were no extensive baptism classes in the early church, and it did not take weeks, months, or years to baptize converts. It was immediate. Once new converts understood the message of salvation and made that decision, they were immediately baptized. Baptism was considered an essential part of the new believer’s experience of salvation to signify their new life. At baptism, the new converts were proclaiming to the world that they were dying to their old life and rising with Christ to a new life. It was public so that there would be witnesses.

Religion and church institutions have made this matter very complex, and I believe it is a device of the devil so that baptism is not taken seriously, people can die without baptism, and new converts are robbed of the power of baptism for their Christian walk.

I think it is very wrong for churches to keep people for months or even years without getting baptized for no good reason. It should be taken seriously and done as soon as possible because Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” It is the Lord’s command, and it is how we publicly identify with his death and resurrection.

The significance of water baptism

1. Public baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ

In the act of immersion in the waters of baptism, the believer is ‘symbolically’ united with Jesus in his death and resurrection. It is a special experience that a new believer should not be robbed of.

“Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4

“And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12

2. Rising to new life in Christ

There is a profound spiritual experience that occurs at baptism, and once the believer rises from the waters of baptism, their conscience (not their sins; the blood of Jesus alone cleanses sin) is truly washed, and they rise to a newness of life. It is a mystery, but anyone who has been properly baptized can attest to its power. Everything the Lord asks us to do is not a mere formality but has real meaning and blessing, and power attached.

“And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21

Some people have had special experiences where they were delivered from demonic bondage and sinful habits during baptism. On the day of my baptism, I witnessed many people have demons leave them as they rose out of the water in loud shrieks. I heard a testimony shared on YouTube about a man who had his tattoos disappear after rising out of the water at baptism. God can do anything, and people have had special experiences of freedom during baptism. Some have also experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit as they rose from the waters speaking in tongues. In the early church, they encouraged people to fast for a day or more before their baptism, and I believe this was in expectation that God would do something great for them.

3. Baptism into the body of Christ

At baptism, we are also baptized into Christ, into the body of Christ, and clothe ourselves with Christ. This means that if we reject baptism, we are excluding ourselves from the body of Christ. In fact, in the early Church, new believers could not partake in holy communion (the Lord’s supper) unless they were baptized.

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ, have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27

Baptism – Who and How?

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

The verse above tells us that there is only one baptism. The Bible makes it very clear that:

Baptism is for born-again believers. This eliminates infant and child baptism because babies and children cannot make a conscious personal decision to be born again.
Baptism is by immersion. Every baptism in the New Testament, including Jesus’s baptism, was done by immersion into water, which is the only way to symbolize being buried with Christ and rising again to newness of life. In very rare cases where it is not possible to immerse someone, the early church fathers permitted water to be poured on someone, but one should make an effort to be baptized by immersion, even if it is in a tub.
Baptism formula: Jesus instructed the disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). In the Book of Acts, after Jesus’s resurrection, it is recorded that new converts were baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5).

What about those who die before baptism?

There are unique cases where people die before they have had a genuine opportunity to be baptized after getting saved. God knows the truth in each situation. But it is different if you’re deliberately postponing it out of rebellion, disobedience, or dismissing it as not important.

You will have no excuse before God and cannot use the thief on the cross as your excuse. God knows all things. If your church is not taking baptism seriously, it is up to you to find someone to baptize you. When it comes to obeying God, you should always obey God rather than men.

Baptism is not optional.

Baptism is not optional because it is a command of our Lord and essential to salvation. I urge you to make haste and be baptized immediately if you are born again but not baptized. It is also important for us who preach the gospel to make every effort to ensure new converts are baptized. Amen.

This is posted as a separate article here: Importance of Water Baptism for the Believer

Part 4: How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a supernatural experience in which a believer receives power for the Christian life and service to God. This experience happens after salvation. It is also often called being filled with the Holy Spirit or receiving the Holy Spirit. The term “baptism in the Holy Spirit” was first used by John the Baptist when he foretold what Jesus would do for believers.

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

In this teaching, we will look at the Holy Spirit’s role in believers’ lives and the baptism in the Holy Spirit in greater detail:

However, it is important to note that all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit immediately after salvation. It is the Holy Spirit in the believer who confirms (by inner witness and regeneration) that one is now a child of God. Unbelievers do not have the Holy Spirit. Upon being born again, the new believer has the Holy Spirit living with and in them. They are sealed with the Holy Spirit as belonging to God (Ephesians 1:13). They become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).

“For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20) and the Spirit of Truth (John 15:26). He is also called the Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14), the Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4), and so much more. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is sent by Him (Jesus) to his disciples and proceeds from the Father (John 15:26). He is also called the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).

It is the Holy Spirit who was sent by Jesus from the Father to be WITH us (born-again children of God and the body of Christ) and IN us after he ascended back to heaven. This intricate relationship reveals the Oneness of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” John 15:26

The Holy Spirit’s role before salvation

It is important to note that the Holy Spirit’s work begins before salvation. It is He who convicts souls of sin, showing men the need for a savior. The Holy Spirit always glorifies Jesus by leading souls to him.

“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:8-11

The Holy Spirit’s role in believers’ lives after salvation

Holy Spirit, our helper and sanctifier

Jesus called the Holy Spirit our helper/advocate/comforter. He told his disciples that after his resurrection, he would ask the Father to send another helper who would be with them forever (John 14:16-18; Acts 2:33). The Holy Spirit is our helper, guiding us through this world as children of God. He prepares us for heaven by sanctifying us as we submit to Him; He is our sanctifier (1 Corinthians 6:11).

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16-18

The Holy Spirit seals us and identifies us as God’s children.

The Holy Spirit comes to indwell the born-again child of God and seal and identify them as a child of God. He is the guarantee that the believer belongs to God (Romans 8:16, Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit allows us to call God ‘Abba Father’ (Galatians 4:6, Romans 8:15). Once we become born again, we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. He marks us as God’s possession (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The Holy Spirit, our teacher and guide

The Holy Spirit is the primary teacher of the child of God. The child of God must learn to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and know his voice. It is he who teaches us all things (John 14:26; 1 John 2:20, 27). He guides us into all truth. Whatever he hears from Jesus, he speaks and tells us things to come (John 16:13-15).

The Holy Spirit will always glorify Jesus by taking what’s of Jesus and declaring it to us (John 16:14). He brings to the believers’ remembrance all that Jesus has spoken (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit never contradicts or goes outside the scriptures. He glorifies Jesus and always draws men to Him. Any spirit that glorifies anything or anyone apart from Jesus is not the Holy Spirit.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Bible talks about the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate experience available for believers after salvation.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers

When the believer is baptized with the Holy Spirit, they receive the power that enables them to witness for Jesus boldly and do the work of the ministry. The boldness the Holy Spirit gives is supernatural and not the result of personality or effort. We see in Acts 2 how the once cowardly Peter became bold and willing to die after he received the Holy Spirit.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Holy Spirit baptism activates supernatural spiritual gifts in believers.

The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts as he chooses to serve God (1 Corinthians 12), preach the gospel, and build up the body of Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural, and they tend to be awakened in the believer once they are filled with the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12 gives a list of spiritual gifts, which includes prophecy, healing, miracles, etc.

Many receive the gift of speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of being filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit. Tongues are a heavenly prayer language given to believers to communicate supernaturally with God (1 Corinthians 14:2). There are different kinds of gifts of tongues, and tongues can serve as a sign to unbelievers, like in Acts 2. The gift of tongues is also given to certain believers to give a message to the Church. This is usually accompanied by the gift of interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:27-28).

Holy Spirit baptism in the early Church

The Book of Acts gives us many examples of believers being baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit. Each situation was different.

The first disciples

When Jesus was ascending to heaven after his resurrection, he told his disciples, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you (the Holy Spirit); but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.

10 days later, on the day of Pentecost, while the disciples worshiped God and waited for the filling of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had instructed them, the Holy Spirit fell upon them. He filled them, and they spoke with other tongues (read Acts 2).

The disciples were already born again, but Jesus asked them to wait for the baptism of the Spirit to receive power from on high. After this experience, the apostles preached the gospel with a power and authority that they did not have before. They also performed signs and wonders. This was despite the immense persecution that followed them as they preached.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4

The Samaritans

In Acts 8, Philip the evangelist preached to many in Samaria who got born again and baptized them in water. Afterwards, the apostles Peter and John went to Samaria and discovered that the new converts had not yet been baptized with the Holy Spirit. They prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit by laying hands on them. This passage proves that one can be born again without receiving the baptism of the Spirit. Peter and John were able to verify this.

“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-17

Cornelius, his relatives, and friends

The first Gentile converts, Cornelius and those in his house, were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues while Peter was preaching the gospel to them (Acts 10:44-46 and Acts 11:15-16). Cornelius and those in his house did not have Peter lay hands on them. They simply got baptized in the Holy Spirit as they listened intently to the Word of God. They were filled with the Holy Spirit even before baptism.

The believers at Ephesus

In Acts 19:1-7, Paul asks a group of converts he meets at Ephesus if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed in Jesus. They said they had not. Paul then proceeded to baptize them in water, laid hands on them, and prayed, and they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.

“Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:1-2

In every account in the Book of Acts, the converts spoke in tongues after baptism in the Holy Ghost. Some received the baptism immediately upon salvation, some long after salvation, others after water baptism, and some before water baptism.

How to receive the Holy Spirit

There is no particular formula for receiving the Holy Spirit except for faith in God and his promise, as we have seen in the examples in the Book of Acts. Some were filled while worshiping and praying, others while listening to the preaching of God’s word, and others by the laying on of the Apostles’ hands. Some were filled before baptism, and some after baptism. Others received the baptism of the Holy Spirit immediately upon salvation, while others received it long after salvation.

Ask in prayer by faith.

You can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit in many ways. You can ask God to fill you while in prayer or while worshiping, as the disciples did on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The disciples locked themselves in that upper room for 10 days, waiting in faith for Jesus to give them the promise of the Holy Spirit. And he did. You likewise ask in faith, believing what Jesus said in Luke 11:18, that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Do not give up. This promise is for you. The key is faith. All of God’s gifts are received by faith.

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13

Laying on of hands

You can also receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by a Holy Spirit-filled servant of God. This is what happened in Samaria and in Ephesus through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. But please make sure you ask God to direct you to a born-again minister or Bible-believing church.

When you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you will know. It is a wonderful and evident experience. You will receive boldness and power you didn’t have before. You will receive the gift of tongues if you desire and believe.

As children of God, we should know that we can have a personal and intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. He was left with us here on earth when Jesus went to heaven. He is our helper and not only dwells with us but is in us.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

This is posted as a separate article here: How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

You can download this teaching as a PDF to share for evangelism or discipleship here.

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