Is the Holy Spirit Baptism only for believers?

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Paul made sure those who had only believed on the Messiah also received the gift of the Holy Spirit. When he met twelve Baptist believers (followers of John the Baptist), he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. They said that they had not heard about a Holy Spirit baptism. They explained they had only received the John-the-Baptist baptism, but they wanted all God had for them. Paul baptized them in water in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he laid his hands on them they received the gift of the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues and even prophesied.

Being baptized with the Spirit is a separate experience from being born of the Spirit or water baptism. There are three different baptisms or works of the Holy Spirit. We who have the gift of the Holy Spirit need to enlighten all the Christians who have not received and pray for them to receive the gift with speaking in tongues. It is not proselyting or imposing ourselves on others, but simply helping God’s children receive all that Jesus provided for them. Part of the purpose of this book, especially these scriptural proofs, is to help you show Christians that this experience is biblical and for them today. Jesus told the disciples that when they received the gift of the Holy Spirit that they were to witness to others (see Acts 1:8; 19:1–7).



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