- Blog Navigation
- Blog Home
- /
- Blog Archive
What does it really mean to be “Born Again in the Spirit”?
In this first part of the ‘Born Again in the Spirit’ series, Brother Ajit Leons speaks on the different kinds of Baptism and what it means to us
John 3.1-7: Jesus and Nicodemus: To be born again in Spirit
Jesus answered, “I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
“How can a grown man be born again?” Nicodemus asked. “He certainly cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time!”
“I am telling you the truth,” replied Jesus. No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. A person is born physically of human parents, but he is born spiritually of the Spirit. Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again.
Some churches equate ‘Baptism in the Holy Spirit’ to being ‘born again in Spirit.’ They assume that the mere ritual of dipping in water amounts to baptism with the Holy Spirit; in other words it makes them ‘Born again Christians’. Regarding “Baptism,” however, the Bible speaks of two kinds, namely ‘Baptism with Water’ and Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Another kind of baptism which the Catholic Church practices is ‘Child Baptism.’
Baptism with Water
This baptism was executed by none other than St. John the Baptist, named thus for the practice of baptizing with water. (Mathew 3.6; Mk 1.5; Luke 3.16; John 1.26, 31). John the Baptist also tells the people the meaning and the purpose of his baptism:
Mathew 3.11: I baptize you with water to show that you have repented…
John 1.31: …I came baptizing with water in order to make him known to the people of Israel.
Luke 3.3: …Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.
This is confirmed beyond doubt by the words of St. Paul given below;
Acts 19.4: Paul said, “The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him – that is, in Jesus.”
John 4.2: Jesus himself did not baptize anyone; (with water) only his disciples did.
This is specifically noted so as to rectify the error made in John 3.22 and the mistake in the report quoted in John 3.26, that Jesus baptized people with water.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire
Who can baptize with the Holy Spirit?
It is John the Baptist himself, who announces to the people about the ‘Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire,’ which would be given by the one who came after him, meaning our Lord Jesus Christ. He also witnesses Jesus Christ. (Mathew 3.11-13, 16-17; Mk 1.7-8, 9-11; Luke 3.16-17,21-22; John 1.30-34,27 – Baptism of Jesus)
Jesus confirms the words of St. John the Baptist regarding the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and goes further to say that the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to his children.
Luke 24.49: And I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised. But you must wait in the city until the power from above comes down upon u.
John 14.16, 26: The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you. …I will send him to you from the Father, and he will speak about me.
Acts 1.4-5…Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
How do we do the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is effected through the ritual of baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ and/ or by those who have received the Holy Spirit placing their hands on the people, as given in the readings below. As one can give only what one has; those who had the Holy Spirit could give the Holy Spirit to others. Anyway, even when such baptism is done in this manner, Jesus Christ is the one who causes it through the persons placing their hands.
On receiving and being filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles (Acts 2.1-13) become empowered and boldly begin their mission of spreading the Good News and preaching Jesus Christ, and praising God, speaking in strange tongues, healing, and so on; like a powerful spiritual awakening.
Acts 2.38:Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn from his sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit…”
Acts 8.14-17: The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had received the word of God, so they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9.1-19 (The Conversion of Saul to St. Paul): A Christian in Damascus named Ananias had a vision in which Jesus tells him that Saul had a vision in which a man named Ananias placed his hands on him so that he could see again, therefore, Jesus asks him to go to Saul. Although Ananias expressed his apprehensions in going, Jesus told him of his purpose of making Saul his witness. So Ananias went and placed his hands on Saul saying, “…the Lord…sent me…so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”…he was able to see again…he …was baptized…
Acts 10.28-29,34-35 (Acts 11.1-10) & 44-48(Acts 11.15-17) (Peter’s education and Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit):
When Peter was unwilling to go to Gentiles, God corrects him. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his message. The Jewish believers…were amazed that God had poured out his gift of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speaking in strange tongues and praising God’s greatness…Peter spoke up: “These people have received the Holy Spirit, just as we also did. Can anyone, then, stop them from being baptized with water?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…
Acts 19.1-4, 5-6: Paul … arrived in Ephesus…found some disciples and 2asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
“We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit,” they answered.
“Well, then, what kind of baptism did you receive?” Paul asked.
“The baptism of John,” they answered.
Paul said, “The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him – that is, in Jesus.”
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul placed his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them; they spoke in strange tongues and also proclaimed God’s message.
Another way of receiving the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is directly through faith in Lord Jesus Christ or the words of Jesus Christ, i.e. the Word of God as noted under.
Acts 11.17: It is clear that God gave those Gentiles the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ…
John 6.63; What gives life is God’s Spirit; man’s power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God’s life-giving Spirit.
Acts 5.29, 32: Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God not men…We are witnesses…we and the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to those who obey him.”