Q. Was receiving the Holy Spirit without baptism just for the initial period when the Holy Spirit was first given, or is it for now also?

A.   In the book of Acts, chapter two, we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit to the earth on the day of Pentecost. Jews from 16 nations had gathered together and heard of the wonderful works of Yahweh. Upon learning that their sins were responsible for the Savior’s death, the question was asked, “Now what can we do? “ Peter told them what to do—get baptized:
   Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38 AV.
   Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls,
Acts 2:41 AV.
   About three thousand Jews and Israelites received the word and were baptized, and given the Holy Spirit. Note that it was Peter who was the spokesman for the Apostles. He was fulfilling the commission given him earlier by Yahshua:
   And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My assembly; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven, Mt. 16:18-19 AV.
   Following up on the promise that Peter would be given the “keys of the Kingdom,” we note the unusual activity of the Holy Spirit being given on two separate occasions even before baptism to two different groups of people (not of Israel), but Samaritans and Gentiles. First came the Samaritans:
   But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of Yahweh, and the name of Yahshua Messiah, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of Yahweh, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: (For as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Master Yahshua.), Acts 8:12-16 AV.
   While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify Yahweh. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the [name of Yahshua]. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days, Acts 10:44-48 AV.    
   Peter and the Apostles understood the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Samaritans and the Gentiles even before baptism was evidence from Yahweh that all races are acceptable candidates for baptism into the body of Messiah. All are expected to repent from worldly ways and walk in the way of Yahshua. Baptism is the key to the Kingdom (Mat. 16:19) and Yahshua is the door, (John 10:9). He is also the Judge in the first resurrection (2 Cor. 5:10, Rom.14:10-12).
   Note that baptisms are done by immersion into Yahshua’s Name. We look upon all baptisms not in the Savior’s true name as a type of John’s baptism. That is, a baptism of repentance where one has done what he/she understood at the time. Baptism into “Yahshua” means the “Salvation of Yahweh,” but “Jesus” has no meaning in any language, (Read our mini-study on the deeper meaning of baptism).

 
                   
         
     
                   
               
                         
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