Baptism and the work of the Holy Spirit

On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the crowd, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’’ (Acts 2:38).

The work of the Holy Spirit is explained in several different ways in the Bible, and so it is vital to look at this extremely important part of your walk as a disciple of Jesus.

Born of the Spirit

The Scriptures talk about the necessity of being “born of the Spirit.” Jesus said the following in a private meeting with the religious leader Nicodemus. “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5).

Being “born of the Spirit” is referred to as the “new birth.” The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit, who places the believer in a right relationship with God. It is a work of God, not of humans. John wrote, “You were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God”.

Jesus told His disciples at the Last Supper that the Holy Spirit had been with them, but would soon be in them. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the crowd, “Repent and be baptised, 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38).