The question,” can you receive the Holy Spirit without baptism or water baptism,” is a very common question many believers ask especially if they are new converts in the Christian circles.
To answer this question correctly, of whether one can receive the Holy Ghost without water baptism, we need to look at what the bible says with reference to some bible verses.
If you read God’s word carefully, it seems to show that one can receive God’s Spirit without water baptism in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
In the old testament in 1 Samuel 16:13, we can see that King David was filled with God’s Spirit without being baptized when the prophet Samuel anointed David with oil when he was selected to be the King of Israel.
We also have numerous accounts in the new testament of believers receiving the Holy Spirit without being baptized yet such as in Acts 10:44-46 were only hearing God’s word was required to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Does it mean that you must not be baptized? Of course, not because the Lord Jesus Christ commands every true believer in Him to be baptized to signal their aliveness in Him and that they are dead to sin or their old sinful lifestyle.
To further answer the question,” can you receive the Holy Spirit without baptism,” I will try to further show you it’s possible to receive the Holy Spirit without baptism with reference to the bible verses below.
Can One Receive The Holy Ghost Without Baptism?
The answer to that question is yes, you can receive the Holy Spirit without being baptized. Jesus Christ said in John 7:37-39, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.
Implying that anyone who believes in Him, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Now, this He said about the Spirit to those who believed in Him that they were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus Christ was not yet fully glorified.
John 20:22-23 shows us that the disciples of Jesus Christ were able to receive the Holy Spirit when He merely breathed on them. This took place after Christ Jesus had risen from the dead.
Also, we see at Pentecost that 3000 believers there received the Holy Spirit without being baptized. Acts 2:1-4 says “When the day of Pentecost came they were all together in one place.
Then, suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Ghost.
These are one in many examples that show that you can receive the Holy Spirit without water baptism. Still, you need to be baptized so that you can receive the Holy Ghost in its fullness after receiving your salvation.
Yes, you can receive the Holy Spirit without being baptized but it won’t be in its fullness and this will show in your lack of boldness and fear that only gets removed when you receive the Holy Ghost in a complete package after water baptism.
Why Are All Believers Commanded To Be Baptized?
The Bible is clear that baptism is for all believers. The word baptize means, “to immerse”. It is not a sprinkling of water and it is not done in any way other than full immersion.
When Jesus Christ was baptized, He came up out of the water and the Spirit descended on Him. This was a picture of what happens when we are baptized into Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us!
Several passages in Scripture teach us that baptism is necessary for one’s Christian life if one wants to be effective in ministry (Colossians 2:12-13; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
We also know from Scripture that all who believe in Jesus Christ are saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Therefore, if you are saved by faith alone, then why get baptized?
The answer lies in the fact that Baptism isn’t about getting saved or receiving salvation but about the Lord Jesus Christ getting glorified in our lives signaling we are alive in Him and dead to sin.
When we get baptized we publicly declare our faith and obedience to Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). It’s just like when we go to church every Sunday morning. It’s not about getting saved, but it’s about publicly declaring our allegiance with God.
Please bear in mind that water baptism isn’t what gets you saved as salvation and eternal life only comes from Jesus Christ and is obtained when you repent of your sin and accept Christ as your personal Lord and savior in your life.
Is The Holy Spirit Part Of Baptism?
No, the Holy Spirit is not part of baptism but is involved in the baptism of believers. The baptism of believers is a picture of our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). It is also part of our confession that Jesus is Lord (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The Bible does not teach that we are baptized into the Holy Ghost. Rather, it teaches that we are baptized by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5). In addition, it teaches that we are baptized with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
It is true that many Christians have experienced what they call “baptism in the Holy Spirit” after they were baptized and spoke in tongues afterward. But this experience cannot always be equated with baptism itself.
The Bible teaches that we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we believe (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14). This happens before or at the same time as our baptism (see above bible verses).
See Also: Does Everyone Receive The Holy Spirit? [ If Not Why?]
How Does One Receive The Holy Spirit?
In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is called the promise of God (Ephesians 1:13). This promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He lived a sinless life, died for our sins so that we can be saved from our sins, and enjoy eternal life with God in heaven when we die and leave this physical world.
The Holy Spirit is also called “the Helper,” because he helps us to know what pleases God, to do what pleases him, and live every day as a Christian should.
Christians are called to live as Jesus did, with love, grace, and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit helps us to do this by working through us when we pray, read Scripture, worship, and serve others.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we receive the gift of salvation through faith in him. When we receive salvation in this way, we receive not only forgiveness of sins but also eternal life (John 3:16).
Then we become children of God and members of God’s family (John 1:12-13). We become partakers of God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), which means that we have been made holy or set apart for His purpose.
So, in short, one receives the Holy Spirit in part or measure when they immediately become born again by accepting Christ Jesus as their personal savior as God’s Spirit indwells in every new believer to help them to live righteously and to renew them.
Water baptism follows suit to receive the Holy Ghost in its fullness so that we can be effective in God’s Kingdom and proclaim the gospel with boldness, which would otherwise be impossible if you haven’t received the Holy Ghost in its fullness via water baptism.
See Also: 7 Sure Signs The Holy Spirit Is Working In You.
Over To You.
I hope the above post on the question, “can you receive the Holy Spirit without baptism has thoroughly answered your question and helped you know that it’s possible to receive the Holy Spirit without water baptism in measure.
However, you still need to be baptized if you want to receive the Holy Ghost in full measure so that you can be effective in the ministry the Lord Jesus Christ has called you into.
In closing, if this post has edified you spiritually, let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share before you leave. Stay blessed.
Read Also.
- What Happens When The Holy Spirit Touches You?
- 10 Signs The Holy Spirit Is Speaking To You [For Sure].
- 10 Warning Signs The Holy Spirit Has Left You[ For Sure.]
Sharing is caring.