Understanding the Holy Spirit Baptism

[live2blieve]

I consider your perspective false.

I understand. Please consider the overall will of God. According to the Bible, Yahweh's will is summed up in the following words of the Apostle Paul about the Savior:

“Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second” (Hebrews 10:8,9).

The first is natural, physical or visible and the second is spiritual or invisible:

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual (1 Cor 15:46).

This is how the first (Old, natural) covenant was replaced by the second (New, spiritual) covenant by the Messiah (Jeremiah 31:31-36, Hebrews 8:7-13).

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross (Colossians 2:13,14).

The first is physical circumcision, which is replaced by spiritual circumcision. Yahweh's elect were first physical Jews (circumcised in the flesh), but after the day of Pentecost (the coming of the New Covenant), God's elect (exemplified by the physical Jews) are those circumcised in the spirit:

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:28,29).

Accordingly, there are two baptisms: the first baptism is the washing of the body with natural, physical water, and the second baptism is the washing of the soul with spiritual water or the Word of the Gospel (John 15:3, John 7:38, Ephesians 5:25, Titus 3:5):

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25).

 

[Hopeful 2]

I understand.

I don't think you do.

 

[Dougcho]

What happened on Easter night when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after his resurrection long before Pentecost?
Joh 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

IMO, they were born again at this point.

 

[Hopeful 2]

IMO, they were born again at this point.

Thomas wasn't with them at the time that happened, so when was he reborn ?