The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is regeneration, the new birth. God sovereignly directs new life into the hearts of the elect. It is the impartation of a new nature whereas the old was dead.
It is a quickening, a calling, a drawing, resurrection, translation, new creation and a "circumcision of the heart." All these describe a different aspect of the new birth. The Holy Spirit washes and renews us, baptizing us into the body of Christ, We are mystically joined to his universal body of believers. God is active in this birth and man is completely passive. It is not progressive but immediate and effectual. It is supernatural and actual.
It takes place below the level of consciousness. Like a new born babe he is not aware of his existence. He will acquire that consciousness as it grows. In Acts 2:37 it is described as a pricking.
It is the flow of spiritually fresh blood in an otherwise spiritually dead body. With the eyes of a child he ask "what must I do"? The new born have to be parented. Disciples are born and have to be taught the ways of Christ.
Perhaps most people, if not all, are unaware of their new birth. It does not come by the whims or desires of man. It blows like the wind and the source and direction is unknown. It is brought about by the Word of Christ, spoken in creation terms. God spoke and it came to be. It is effectual to whom he speaks. God's word never return void!
It is irresistible. Those whom the Father draws are effectually and wonderfully added to Christ's Church.
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3 comments:
Excellent post. You gave the truth of 1 COR.12;13, and Regeneration.
Blessings,
Brother Paul
You've got to be kidding when you say that most people are unaware of their new birth. Amazing.
anon
Why should that be amazing to you. You were not aware of your first birth. You never knew you were born until you learned of your birth. Someone had to teach you your birth day.
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