Born Again at Salvation and Baptised in the Holy Spirit for Power
Text: John 3:3-8; Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-4; John 20:19-23
Beloved, today we come to a vital biblical teaching that every believer needs to understand clearly: the difference between an unbeliever who hears the gospel, believes, repents, and is born again by receiving the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation—and a believer who, after being saved, is baptised by Jesus in the Holy Spirit as a subsequent, empowering experience.
This is not about dividing the body of Christ or creating controversy. It is about rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) so we can live in the fullness God has promised. Let’s walk through Scripture step by step.
1. The Unbeliever Who Believes the Gospel and Is Born Again
Imagine a person lost in sin—dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), separated from God. One day, they hear the gospel: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). By grace through faith, they repent, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 16:31).
At that exact moment, something supernatural happens:
- They are born again—born of the Spirit (John 3:3-8). Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot see or enter the kingdom of God.”
- The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within them permanently. “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9).
- Their body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
- They are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
- They are baptised by one Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)—united to Jesus and to every other believer.
This is regeneration, the new birth. It is essential for salvation. Without this indwelling of the Holy Spirit at conversion, there is no salvation. Every true Christian has received the Holy Spirit in this way the moment they believed.
2. The Believer Baptised by Jesus in the Holy Spirit—After Salvation
But Scripture reveals something more—a distinct, subsequent experience where Jesus Himself baptizes the believer in (or with) the Holy Spirit. This is not to get saved; it is because we are already saved. It is empowerment for witness and service.
Jesus promised it clearly: “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:5, 8).
This baptism is about being fully immersed or overwhelmed by the Spirit upon you—for power, boldness, spiritual gifts, and effective ministry. It is not required for salvation (salvation is by faith alone), but it is God’s provision for living victoriously and fulfilling the Great Commission with supernatural enablement.
Look at the pattern in Acts:
- Samaritans believed and were baptized in water, but the Spirit had not yet come upon them until the apostles laid hands (Acts 8).
- Cornelius and his household believed, and the Spirit fell on them with tongues (Acts 10).
- Ephesian believers received the Spirit with tongues and prophecy after Paul laid hands (Acts 19).
In each case, they were already believers—saved—before this empowering came.
The Apostles: A Perfect Biblical Example
The clearest illustration is the apostles themselves. Before Pentecost, they were already believers—born again—but they lacked the power and boldness.
After Jesus rose from the dead:
- He appeared to them in the locked room “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). He showed His wounds, and they believed fully—joy filled their hearts.
- Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). This was a significant moment of imparting new life—the indwelling Spirit for regeneration. They were born again, forgiven, and commissioned.
- Thomas later declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Their faith in the risen Messiah was solid.
Yet, even after this, they remained in fear—hiding behind locked doors. They had assurance of salvation, but no boldness to proclaim the gospel publicly.
Then came Pentecost. Jesus baptized them in the Holy Spirit as promised (Acts 2:1-4). The Spirit came with wind and fire; they were filled and began speaking in tongues. Fear fled! Peter, once denying Jesus before a servant girl, now stood boldly before thousands, preaching Christ crucified and risen. Three thousand were saved that day (Acts 2:41).
What changed? Not their salvation—they were already born again. What changed was the baptism in the Holy Spirit—the empowerment that delivered them from fear, filled them with boldness, and equipped them to preach with signs following.
Why This Matters Today
Beloved, many in the church today are born again—saved, sealed, indwelt by the Spirit—but living in fear, timidity, or natural strength alone. The gospel proclamation often lacks the power and demonstration seen in Acts.
What Has Hindered The Church?
Much confusion comes from the doctrine of cessationism, which teaches that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit (such as tongues, prophecy, healing, and miracles) ceased after the apostolic age or the completion of the New Testament canon. Cessationists often merge these two experiences into one, denying the ongoing miraculous gifts and power of the Spirit today, and insisting that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is simply the indwelling at conversion with no subsequent empowering experience. But Scripture shows they are distinct: one for salvation (indwelling at new birth), the other for service (baptism for power afterward). This false doctrine has robbed the modern Church of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, leaving countless believers without the fullness of supernatural power, boldness in witnessing, and signs following the gospel (Mark 16:17-20). As a result, much of the Church today appears weak and the proclamation of the gospel often lacks the demonstrative authority and miraculous confirmation that marked the early believers.
Jesus is still baptizing believers in the Holy Spirit today! He offers this gift to every saved child of God who hungers and asks (Luke 11:13). Seek Him in surrender, prayer, and faith. Expect to be filled, to speak in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (as the initial evidence in Acts patterns), and to walk in boldness, power, and signs following (Mark 16:17-20).
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, baptize us afresh in Your Holy Spirit. Remove fear, ignite boldness, and empower us to be Your witnesses to the ends of the earth. Amen.
Go forth in the power of the Spirit—not just saved, but Spirit-baptized and on fire for Jesus!
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In Christ’s love,
The Reach NZ Ministry Team
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