The Fast of Daniel—Day Four

• 
  
• 
  

Born of the Holy Spirit and baptism in the Holy Spirit

These are two completely different things. However, the baptism in the Holy Spirit depends on being born of the Spirit.
The Fast of Daniel aims to meet two key points:

First, lead those who have a sincere heart to the new birth.
That is, being born of the Holy Spirit.

But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (the Spirit of God).John 1:12-13

Jesus said: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6

Second, lead those who have already been born of God to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…Acts 2:1-4

Those were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost had already been born of God.

The apostle Paul only had the authority to lay hands and administer the baptism in the Holy Spirit after being certain that those disciples were born of God. Take a look:

He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism (baptism with water).”

Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:2-6

Can people who live in sin receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Can those who are enslaved by sin receive the Holy Spirit?

No, no and no!

How can Jesus fill someone who lives and loves sin with His Spirit?

That would be a complete contradiction; it’s like saying that a righteous person agrees with an act of injustice.

First, they must die to sin and then repent.

Second, they must call upon the Lord Jesus for their salvation.

These acts of faith will show the person’s willingness and sincerity to the Holy Spirit, who – in turn – will come upon them to perform the miracle of the new birth.

Look at what happened in the past:
After the apostle Peter pointed out their sins, the Jews asked him: What shall we do?

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized (in water) in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:37-38

This means that, first you must repent (new birth), and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (baptism in the Holy Spirit).

Repentance is not a feeling of remorse.

Repentance is acknowledging your sin and abandoning it immediately. Then, learning to hate it and run away from it.

Again: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit only happens after the new birth.

Can a sincere person be born of the Spirit and right after, receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Sure!

Who can possibly stop an act of God?