WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED

The Bible records in detail the experience which completely changed the lives of those who accepted the gospel preached by the disciples of Christ. Men from very humble backgrounds began to preach boldly and effectively concerning the resurrection of Christ and miracles of healing appeared in their ministry. In effect they continued the ministry which Jesus himself began to relieve the suffering of mankind.

The experience which wrought this change was called the Baptism or Infilling with the Holy Spirit. This was fire from heaven which empowered the early church and which Jesus promised to all (John 7: 37-39). This was Salvation! The living waters of Salvation. Yet in this modern age when whole nations are nominally “Christian”and there are “churches” on every other street corner we hear practically nothing of the work of the Holy Spirit and we witness a corresponding absence of any demonstration of God’s power.

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Over many centuries the nation of Israel was unable to keep God’s law or realize the spirit of it. When Jesus was crucified His disciples deserted Him. After the resurrection they could not recommence working the miracles they had worked during His natural life. identified this inability as a spiritual lack and promised that He would give men a new spirit. He decreed that the spirit would be His own, the HOLY SPIRIT(Acts 2:16-18). This would be the making of the New Covenant.

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit then becomes the source of God’s power for services as in Bible days. Through the Spirit we actually experience the person of Jesus Christ. (Read Ephesians 3:16-21 and John 16:13-14). In fact the Lord made it quite clear that to receive both He and the Father one must received the Holy Spirit. (John 13:20).

RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

We do not receive the Holy Spirit in stages or over extended periods of time as some would have us believe. We either have or have not received the Holy Spirit (see Acts 19:1-6). We do not receive the Holy Spirit when we believe on Christ (see Ephesians 1:13 and Acts 19). Nor do we necessarily receive the Holy Spirit when we are baptised (see Acts 8:16). This is a completely separate experience for those seeking salvation.

What the New Testament does record is that when people received the Holy Spirit they began at the same moment to speak in new languages. The words were identified by foreigners as being words of praise to God (Acts 2:8). Peter, the Apostle, used this amazing sign as proof that people had received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33 and Acts 10:45-47). This was the sign to unbelievers. (1 Cor. 14:22). This God-given ability stands today as the only Bible evidence that the Spirit of God has entered into a man or woman.

Although many have testified to other experiences it is only when the earnest seeker speaks in tongues that we can say with scriptural authority that he has received the Holy Spirit. From that point he is called to “Walk in the Spirit” and bring forth the fruits of his experience.
The apostate “churches” have opposed this wonderful salvation experience for centuries…cold powerless tradition has replaced the personal “Presence of the Lord”. All over the world men and women are being filled with the Holy Spirit with the Bible evidence of speaking in a new language. Jesus said “These signs shall follow them that believe… They shall speak with new tongues.” (Mark 16:17).

HOW TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

Firstly repent, secondly be baptized by full immersion in water, thirdly ask and expect to receive the Holy Spirit. You will speak in tongues, you will be born again. There are absolutely no other requirement save these which are born of simple faith (Luke 11:11-13). We don’t have to attain some standard of goodness or obey written laws (Galatians 3:2). Nor do we need a course of religious instruction. God is limited only by the degree of trust we have in Him. Realise that this is the way you start as a Bible believer. It is not a reward for previous service or faith.

Jesus said: “Except a man be born of water (by baptism) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not an “optional extra” in the Word of God. Rather it is God’s seal or pledge that we are saved (Ephesians 1: 13-14).
It is the condition of admittance into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12). The Spirit keeps us saved (2 Thess. 2:13). The Bible therefore offers no assurance for those who choose to remain outside this freely offered experience.
We pray that these words will bring this vital experience of Christ into the lives of all who read them for you can prove them true. We are also warned that “no other Gospel” is to be preached (Gal. 1:8). To preach less than the Holy Spirit Baptism for salvation is a disaster.

For those who wish to study the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, more fully from their own Bibles we list the following scriptures. These are only a few of those which can be studied.

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT [SCRIPTURES]