Into The Acts of the Apostles...

Acts 1:3-5
As we enter the Book of Acts, we discover almost immediately that the promise of the Father is the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:1-17
When the Apostles were at Jerusalem, they, along with many others, were joyously filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance (ability to speak). The amazed onlookers from many nations who heard them speaking with tongues asked, 'What meaneth this?"  Then Peter explained the promised coming of the Spirit and went on to preach Christ and the original apostolic plan of salvation.

Acts 2:36-38
When the people who heard Peter's words believed that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior, they were sorry for their sins and asked Peter and the Apostles what they should do.  Peter replied by preaching the message Jesus commanded to be preached in Luke 24:45-49.  In light of this, consider the three elements of the Plan of Salvation that Peter preached in verse 38:

1. Repentance

2. Remission of Sins Through Baptism in Jesus' Name

3. Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

NOTICE: Acts 2:38 is the fulfillment of the birth requirements Jesus mentioned in John 3:5 that were necessary to enter the Kingdom of God!

• Water Birth = Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ!
• Spirit Birth = Infilling of the Holy Ghost!

Now, let's look at some more examples of people being born again of water and the Spirit as the Word Jesus gave His apostles continued to be preached throughout the Book of Acts...

Phillip preaching to the Samaritans in Acts 8

NOTICE: Some people say when they experienced joy; or when they believed in Jesus, or when they were baptized, they were automatically filled with the Holy Ghost. But what does the Word say?

Acts 8:5-8
Did they have great joy?

Acts 8:12
Were they baptized in His name?  Did they believe in Jesus Christ?

Acts 8:14-17
Did they receive the Holy Ghost as a separate and distinct experience?

Peter preaching to the Gentiles in Acts 10

NOTICE: Some people say being religious is enough, or that the Spirit-baptism evidenced by tongues was only for the day of Pentecost.  If the Bible says this is true, then it is true.  But the Word shows us through Cornelius' experience that this is not true... then it is not....

Acts 10:1-2
Was Cornelius a religious man?

Acts 10:5-6
Did God have more for him to do?

Acts 10:44-46
Did they receive the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues after the day of Pentecost?

Acts 10:47-48
Did they still have to be baptized in Jesus' name?

Paul preaching to John's disciples in Acts 19

NOTICE: Many people who are believers have not even heard about the Holy Ghost that is promised to them.  Also, some people say it is not necessary to be baptized or re-baptize (if you were baptized by John the Baptist, would you think it would be necessary to be re-baptized using a different baptismal formula?)  Others say it does not matter what is spoken when you are baptized.  If the Bible indicates it does not matter, then it does not matter...but, what if the Bible shows us it DOES matter?

Acts 19:1-2
They were believers, but had they heard of or received the Holy Ghost?

Acts 19:3-5
Did those baptized by John the Baptist have to be rebaptized in Jesus' name?

Acts 19:6
Was receiving the Holy Ghost accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues?

We have found that the Apostles preached the following message:
• The life of Christ and His death, burial and resurrection
• Repentance toward God and belief in Jesus Christ baptism in water by immersion in Jesus' name
• Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (which was accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking
• with other tongues)

Now, let us read what the Apostles had to say about the message of salvation they proclaimed in the Book of Acts. We can do this by reading the epistles (letters) they wrote to their converts.