836.htm

836.

RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR SANCTIFICATION
BEFORE OR AFTER BAPTISM?

In Hebrews 12:7, 8 and 14, while addressing baptized spiritual sons of God, Paul said: "Pursue peace with all people, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord". This proves that water baptism is the beginning of a loving and progressive process of spirit cleansing by God, and is not that one is immediately sanctified by it. Otherwise, they would not have been in need of further sanctification. Hebrews 12:6 says: "…for whom Jehovah loves He disciplines; in fact He scourges (chastises) everyone whom He receives as a son." Of course, this scourging is the sanctification of His sons to a righteous standing before Him, for them to be finally declared righteous by Him. The disciplines of Jehovah to those sons that do not "give out" (in their spirits) are in this way having righteousness imputed to them by God through His corrective disciplines by Holy Spirit. (Job 33:14-24. Rom 8:33).

The forgiveness of past sins through baptism does not make or give one a righteous disposition. Also, one's request to God for a clean conscience (through baptism) does not immediately wash away one's unclean conscience. Baptism symbolizes one's request to God for His help in directing one's life in such a way before Him as to gain a clear conscience; that all this may progressively take place in addition to one having worked out the "will of the nations" (loose conduct) and ceased running in this same course. (1 Peter 3:21 to 4:4).

CORNELIUS.
Cornelius was a Gentile believer in The Christ and the "good news", and was baptized after receiving Holy Spirit (Acts Ch.10), as were many of his friends and relatives. After receiving a corrective vision from God, the apostle Peter said: "For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him". (Acts 10:34,35). This indicates that as it was Peter who was sent for (a Jew), baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ (V.48) (Cornelius and the others with him having received Holy Spirit already), that God would continue to show by His Holy Spirit the same impartiality in this order and regard thereafter, until finally anointing the last of His spiritual sons from the nations. This is in harmony with the imparting of Holy Spirit to those producing its "fruits" (its Kingdom disposition).

Those not anointed with Holy Spirit, but who from their hearts have outwardly symbolized their dedication to God through Christ, have also been 'buried' in death as to past sins (Rom 6:11); walking thereafter in a newness of life. Furthermore, being justified or declared righteous by God, as described in Romans 8:33, is acquired only by those that have been trained by His disciplines. (Heb 12:11). At times this righteous justification is through Jehovah's grievous disciplinary training. This is the meaning of being led by God's Spirit, so that we may finally partake of His holiness. This gives the reason why Paul under inspiration asked: "Who will file accusation against God's chosen ones?" – meaning that those who do are interfering, and are judging God and His works in connection with His sons. (1 Peter 2:20-23).