Acts 2:37-42
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?”
Then Peter said to them, “REPENT, and let EVERY ONE OF YOU BE BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
And with many other words he testified and EXHORTED THEM (WARNED THEM), saying, “BE SAVED FROM THIS PERVERSE GENERATION” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
YOU MUST GET BAPTIZED ON YOUR OWN FAITH, NOT BECAUSE YOUR PARENTS WANTED YOU TO DO IT, OR EVERYONE ELSE EXPECTED IT FROM YOU.
Mark 16:16 (JESUS SPEAKING)
He who believes AND IS BAPTIZED will be saved;
NOTE: The man who died on the cross did not need to be baptized because Jesus did not establish the new covenant. He descended to hell (Abraham’s Bosom). The man went to paradise with him there (Matt 12:40/1 Peter 3:18-20/Eph 4:9-10).
Baptism was immediate all over Acts. The Jailer for example was baptized immediately in the middle of the night (after midnight) when he believed (Acts 16:25-34).
Acts 1:4-5 (JESUS SPEAKING)
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, BUT YOU SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT NOT MANY DAYS FROM NOW”
Acts 1:8 (JESUS SPEAKING)
BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
SO WE GET POWER “WHEN” THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU.
Luke 4:1
Then Jesus, being FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
After his fast…..
Luke 4:14
Then Jesus returned IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT to Galilee,
THAT IS INTERESTING…
Acts 2:2-4
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were ALL “FILLED” WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
John 14:15-17 (JESUS SPEAKING)
IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. And I will pray the Father, and HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER HELPER, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you…
John 14:26-27 (JESUS SPEAKING)
But the Helper, THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID.
Often, people received the Holy Spirit by other people by laying their hands on them and praying for them to receive Him (the Helper).
Acts 8:14-17
….. they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For AS “YET” HE HAD FALLEN UPON NONE OF THEM. They had ONLY been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. THEN THEY LAID HANDS ON THEM, AND THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 19:6
And when Paul had LAID HANDS ON THEM, the HOLY SPIRT CAME UPON THEM, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.