"Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, 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. This promise belongs to you and to your children and to all who are far off, to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” Acts 2:38-40
Peter says things in a certain order here, but elsewhere in the same book it is stated by Peter in the opposite order (Acts 10:44-47. The answer? You can be baptized in the Spirit before or after water baptism! I was baptized in Spirit before water baptism.
The point is, repent and receive the *HOLY SPIRIT* which will happen if we truly believe on Christ!
"Whoever believes in Me, just as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” (He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)" ~John 7:38, 39
"Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." Proverbs 1:23
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:31-33
"obey" here is literally "persuaded" (Strong's G3980). We obey when we are persuaded by God. And we are persuaded and obey when we believe!
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13
“So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10 (HCSB)
Dear God our Father and our Lord Jesus, open our ears, eyes and hearts to receive Your precious truths! Only through the righteousness, promises and mercy You provide through your Anointed Son, Jesus the Christos!
Amen, and amen!
