Should believers ever be baptized twice? | Acts 19:1-10 (Part 1) | Join The Journey Podcast

All right, all right, join the journey, All right, all right, join the journey, family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're listening to Join [music] the Journey listening to Join [music] the Journey listening to Join [music] the Journey Podcast with your host, Emma Daughter. Podcast with your host, Emma Daughter. Podcast with your host, Emma Daughter. >> Thanks for joining. This week, we're >> Thanks for joining. This week, we're >> Thanks for joining. This week, we're reading Acts [music] 19:1-10. reading Acts [music] 19:1-10. reading Acts [music] 19:1-10. And it's here that we encounter one of And it's here that we encounter one of And it's here that we encounter one of the the the more, or should I say, potentially more more, or should I say, potentially more more, or should I say, potentially more confusing moments in the book of Acts. confusing moments in the book of Acts. confusing moments in the book of Acts. Paul meets a group of disciples who've Paul meets a group of disciples who've Paul meets a group of disciples who've been baptized in John's baptism, been baptized in John's baptism, been baptized in John's baptism, but haven't yet received the Holy but haven't yet received the Holy but haven't yet received the Holy Spirit. And this raises some important Spirit. And this raises some important Spirit. And this raises some important questions. questions. questions. What does it mean to receive the Holy What does it mean to receive the Holy What does it mean to receive the Holy Spirit? And what's the difference Spirit? And what's the difference Spirit? And what's the difference between John's baptism and Christian between John's baptism and Christian between John's baptism and Christian baptism? And should believers ever be baptism? And should believers ever be baptism? And should believers ever be baptized twice? And what should we make baptized twice? And what should we make baptized twice? And what should we make of this unique moment in redemptive of this unique moment in redemptive of this unique moment in redemptive history? history? history? Before we jump to conclusions, let's Before we jump to conclusions, let's Before we jump to conclusions, let's zoom out and remember that this isn't zoom out and remember that this isn't zoom out and remember that this isn't the first time in the book of Acts that the first time in the book of Acts that the first time in the book of Acts that we've encountered a unique experience we've encountered a unique experience we've encountered a unique experience involving someone receiving the Holy involving someone receiving the Holy involving someone receiving the Holy Spirit.

Spirit. Spirit. In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, the In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, the In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles, just as Jesus promised. apostles, just as Jesus promised. apostles, just as Jesus promised. Luke wrote, "And they were all filled Luke wrote, "And they were all filled Luke wrote, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them in other tongues as the Spirit gave them in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." That's Acts 2:4. utterance." That's Acts 2:4. utterance." That's Acts 2:4. This marked the birth of the New This marked the birth of the New This marked the birth of the New Testament church and the beginning of a Testament church and the beginning of a Testament church and the beginning of a new era in God's redemptive plan, new era in God's redemptive plan, new era in God's redemptive plan, the church era. the church era. the church era. Then, in Acts 8, after many Samaritans Then, in Acts 8, after many Samaritans Then, in Acts 8, after many Samaritans believed the gospel and were baptized, believed the gospel and were baptized, believed the gospel and were baptized, Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem. Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem. Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem. Luke tells us, "Then they laid their Luke tells us, "Then they laid their Luke tells us, "Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the hands on them, and they received the hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." That's Acts 8:17. Now, Holy Spirit." That's Acts 8:17. Now, Holy Spirit." That's Acts 8:17. Now, this laying on of the hands and this laying on of the hands and this laying on of the hands and receiving the Holy Spirit wasn't because receiving the Holy Spirit wasn't because receiving the Holy Spirit wasn't because the Samaritans were second-class the Samaritans were second-class the Samaritans were second-class believers and needed something extra. believers and needed something extra. believers and needed something extra. Rather, Rather, Rather, God was visibly demonstrating that the God was visibly demonstrating that the God was visibly demonstrating that the same Holy Spirit who'd been given to the same Holy Spirit who'd been given to the same Holy Spirit who'd been given to the Jewish believers at Pentecost was now Jewish believers at Pentecost was now Jewish believers at Pentecost was now being given to the Samaritans as well, being given to the Samaritans as well, being given to the Samaritans as well, uniting these two historically divided uniting these two historically divided uniting these two historically divided people into one church.

people into one church. people into one church. Next, we get Acts 10. Next, we get Acts 10. Next, we get Acts 10. In Acts 10, the gospel reaches Gentiles In Acts 10, the gospel reaches Gentiles In Acts 10, the gospel reaches Gentiles through Cornelius and his household. through Cornelius and his household. through Cornelius and his household. While Peter was still preaching, Acts While Peter was still preaching, Acts While Peter was still preaching, Acts 10:44, the Holy Spirit fell on all who 10:44, the Holy Spirit fell on all who 10:44, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. heard the word. heard the word. Peter and the Jewish believers were Peter and the Jewish believers were Peter and the Jewish believers were astonished as God had unmistakably shown astonished as God had unmistakably shown astonished as God had unmistakably shown that salvation and the gift of the Holy that salvation and the gift of the Holy that salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit belonged to the Gentiles as well. Spirit belonged to the Gentiles as well. Spirit belonged to the Gentiles as well. Peter responded by then asking, Acts Peter responded by then asking, Acts Peter responded by then asking, Acts 10:47, 10:47, 10:47, "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people who've received the Holy these people who've received the Holy these people who've received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" Spirit just as we have?" Spirit just as we have?" So, when we arrive in Acts 19, So, when we arrive in Acts 19, So, when we arrive in Acts 19, we shouldn't necessarily assume that we shouldn't necessarily assume that we shouldn't necessarily assume that Luke was giving us the ordinary pattern Luke was giving us the ordinary pattern Luke was giving us the ordinary pattern for every believer in every generation. for every believer in every generation. for every believer in every generation. Throughout Acts, these unique moments Throughout Acts, these unique moments Throughout Acts, these unique moments accompany the gospel's expansion into accompany the gospel's expansion into accompany the gospel's expansion into unique new people groups. unique new people groups. unique new people groups. Each one serves as a visible Each one serves as a visible Each one serves as a visible confirmation that Jesus was building one confirmation that Jesus was building one confirmation that Jesus was building one church, empowered by one spirit, but church, empowered by one spirit, but church, empowered by one spirit, but made up of people from many backgrounds.

made up of people from many backgrounds. made up of people from many backgrounds. So, with that larger story in mind, Acts So, with that larger story in mind, Acts So, with that larger story in mind, Acts 19 becomes much easier to understand. 19 becomes much easier to understand. 19 becomes much easier to understand. As I thought about this passage, As I thought about this passage, As I thought about this passage, interestingly, I was reminded of my interestingly, I was reminded of my interestingly, I was reminded of my middle school experience. When I started middle school experience. When I started middle school experience. When I started middle school, that school was actually middle school, that school was actually middle school, that school was actually brand new. We were the first class of brand new. We were the first class of brand new. We were the first class of sixth graders to ever walk through those sixth graders to ever walk through those sixth graders to ever walk through those doors. doors. doors. The first class would spend three The first class would spend three The first class would spend three consecutive years in that school, and consecutive years in that school, and consecutive years in that school, and there would never again be a first class there would never again be a first class there would never again be a first class to have gone sixth to eighth grade from to have gone sixth to eighth grade from to have gone sixth to eighth grade from Jose M. Lopez Middle School in San Jose M. Lopez Middle School in San Jose M. Lopez Middle School in San Antonio, Texas. Antonio, Texas. Antonio, Texas. And because we were the first group to And because we were the first group to And because we were the first group to go all the way through, go all the way through, go all the way through, there were certain things that we did there were certain things that we did there were certain things that we did upon entry into the 6th grade that all upon entry into the 6th grade that all upon entry into the 6th grade that all of the students who followed in our of the students who followed in our of the students who followed in our footsteps would actually never have to footsteps would actually never have to footsteps would actually never have to do. do. do. For example, For example, For example, because we were the very first students because we were the very first students because we were the very first students to use the lockers in the 6th grade area to use the lockers in the 6th grade area to use the lockers in the 6th grade area of the school, of the school, of the school, we had to pull out these little white we had to pull out these little white we had to pull out these little white tabs. No other student would ever have tabs. No other student would ever have tabs. No other student would ever have to remove one of those white paper tabs.

to remove one of those white paper tabs. to remove one of those white paper tabs. We did so because we were the first to We did so because we were the first to We did so because we were the first to use the lockers. use the lockers. use the lockers. When you start middle school, getting When you start middle school, getting When you start middle school, getting your first locker is exciting, but can your first locker is exciting, but can your first locker is exciting, but can also be a little nerve-wracking. Will I also be a little nerve-wracking. Will I also be a little nerve-wracking. Will I be able to get it open? Will I forget my be able to get it open? Will I forget my be able to get it open? Will I forget my combo? What if I forget which locker is combo? What if I forget which locker is combo? What if I forget which locker is mine and awkwardly walk up to someone mine and awkwardly walk up to someone mine and awkwardly walk up to someone else's and stand there trying to open else's and stand there trying to open else's and stand there trying to open it? it? it? When school started, you'd get When school started, you'd get When school started, you'd get instructions, an instructions sheet that instructions, an instructions sheet that instructions, an instructions sheet that told you which locker was yours, told you which locker was yours, told you which locker was yours, the combination, the code to get it the combination, the code to get it the combination, the code to get it open, and how to open it. open, and how to open it. open, and how to open it. But again, because my class was the But again, because my class was the But again, because my class was the first 6th grade class to come through, first 6th grade class to come through, first 6th grade class to come through, our instructions had that extra step. our instructions had that extra step. our instructions had that extra step. Pull out the white tab. Pull out the white tab. Pull out the white tab. What we did was formative. It got the What we did was formative. It got the What we did was formative. It got the lockers ready for years and years of lockers ready for years and years of lockers ready for years and years of use. use. use. But what all the other students did But what all the other students did But what all the other students did after us was after us was after us was normative. normative. normative. It's normal for them to open their It's normal for them to open their It's normal for them to open their locker for the first time without having locker for the first time without having locker for the first time without having to remove a tab.

to remove a tab. to remove a tab. In fact, every student after us, In fact, every student after us, In fact, every student after us, they never had to pull a tab. they never had to pull a tab. they never had to pull a tab. Now, Now, Now, what would be crazy and socially awkward what would be crazy and socially awkward what would be crazy and socially awkward is if when my younger siblings were is if when my younger siblings were is if when my younger siblings were starting middle school, I I told them, starting middle school, I I told them, starting middle school, I I told them, "Hey, you got to look for that tab. You "Hey, you got to look for that tab. You "Hey, you got to look for that tab. You got to show up. You got to find it to got to show up. You got to find it to got to show up. You got to find it to get your locker open. As you progress get your locker open. As you progress get your locker open. As you progress through the year, you've got to remove through the year, you've got to remove through the year, you've got to remove this this white this this white this this white tab, this white piece of paper. tab, this white piece of paper. tab, this white piece of paper. No one would know what they were talking No one would know what they were talking No one would know what they were talking about. My siblings, my youngest siblings about. My siblings, my youngest siblings about. My siblings, my youngest siblings are 6 years younger. That are 6 years younger. That are 6 years younger. That By that time, that wasn't a step By that time, that wasn't a step By that time, that wasn't a step anymore. anymore. anymore. They could just enter the combination They could just enter the combination They could just enter the combination and open the locker like normal. and open the locker like normal. and open the locker like normal. Now, good news is this is a hypothetical Now, good news is this is a hypothetical Now, good news is this is a hypothetical example. I I didn't tell my siblings example. I I didn't tell my siblings example. I I didn't tell my siblings about that tab. I don't think they asked about that tab. I don't think they asked about that tab. I don't think they asked about it. I don't even think they knew about it. I don't even think they knew about it. I don't even think they knew that when I was in sixth grade, we had that when I was in sixth grade, we had that when I was in sixth grade, we had to remove that from the lockers. to remove that from the lockers. to remove that from the lockers. It's a silly illustration. It's a silly illustration. It's a silly illustration. But, there are believers throughout the But, there are believers throughout the But, there are believers throughout the history of the church who've made a history of the church who've made a history of the church who've made a similar mistake in real life, thinking similar mistake in real life, thinking similar mistake in real life, thinking that what was done the first time that that what was done the first time that that what was done the first time that was formative needed to be done every was formative needed to be done every was formative needed to be done every time, when in fact that action was not time, when in fact that action was not time, when in fact that action was not normative.

normative. normative. And when we mistake what is formative And when we mistake what is formative And when we mistake what is formative for what is normative, for what is normative, for what is normative, we can get into theological trouble we can get into theological trouble we can get into theological trouble really, really fast. really, really fast. really, really fast. So, in today's passage, So, in today's passage, So, in today's passage, Paul met a group of disciples in Ephesus Paul met a group of disciples in Ephesus Paul met a group of disciples in Ephesus and quickly realized something was and quickly realized something was and quickly realized something was missing here. Something's missing in missing here. Something's missing in missing here. Something's missing in Ephesus. They'd received John's baptism, Ephesus. They'd received John's baptism, Ephesus. They'd received John's baptism, but they hadn't even heard about the but they hadn't even heard about the but they hadn't even heard about the Holy Spirit, that the Spirit had come, Holy Spirit, that the Spirit had come, Holy Spirit, that the Spirit had come, that the Spirit had been given. So, that the Spirit had been given. So, that the Spirit had been given. So, after explaining the full gospel, after explaining the full gospel, after explaining the full gospel, telling them about the good news of telling them about the good news of telling them about the good news of Jesus, they received Christ, Paul Jesus, they received Christ, Paul Jesus, they received Christ, Paul baptized them, and then as the gospel baptized them, and then as the gospel baptized them, and then as the gospel was now spreading into this new region, was now spreading into this new region, was now spreading into this new region, Paul laid hands on them and they Paul laid hands on them and they Paul laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. received the Holy Spirit. received the Holy Spirit. It's a fascinating passage that raises It's a fascinating passage that raises It's a fascinating passage that raises an important question. an important question. an important question. Is this how conversion is supposed to Is this how conversion is supposed to Is this how conversion is supposed to work for every believer? work for every believer? work for every believer? Or is something unique happening here in Or is something unique happening here in Or is something unique happening here in the book of Acts? the book of Acts? the book of Acts? Some people call this progression, the Some people call this progression, the Some people call this progression, the idea that they received Christ, were idea that they received Christ, were idea that they received Christ, were baptized, and then had hands laid on baptized, and then had hands laid on baptized, and then had hands laid on them and received the Holy Spirit. Some them and received the Holy Spirit. Some them and received the Holy Spirit. Some people call that people call that people call that a second blessing or a second filling.

a second blessing or a second filling. a second blessing or a second filling. And the question then is, is that what And the question then is, is that what And the question then is, is that what we should be doing today? Do I need a we should be doing today? Do I need a we should be doing today? Do I need a water baptism and this Spirit baptism? water baptism and this Spirit baptism? water baptism and this Spirit baptism? And the simple answer, here at And the simple answer, here at And the simple answer, here at Watermark, we would say is no. Watermark, we would say is no. Watermark, we would say is no. When you receive Christ, when you become When you receive Christ, when you become When you receive Christ, when you become a believer, confessing with your mouth a believer, confessing with your mouth a believer, confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your that Jesus is Lord and believing in your that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead, heart that God raised him from the dead, heart that God raised him from the dead, that's Romans 10, you're saved. You're that's Romans 10, you're saved. You're that's Romans 10, you're saved. You're sealed with the Holy Spirit at the sealed with the Holy Spirit at the sealed with the Holy Spirit at the moment of belief as Ephesians says. moment of belief as Ephesians says. moment of belief as Ephesians says. That's all you need. You don't need That's all you need. You don't need That's all you need. You don't need anything extra. anything extra. anything extra. The story we read in Acts 19 is The story we read in Acts 19 is The story we read in Acts 19 is formative, not normative. formative, not normative. formative, not normative. Remember the outline for the book of Remember the outline for the book of Remember the outline for the book of Acts? Acts? Acts? Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, ends of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, ends of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, ends of the earth. It's as Acts 1:8 reads, "But the earth. It's as Acts 1:8 reads, "But the earth. It's as Acts 1:8 reads, "But you will receive power when the Holy you will receive power when the Holy you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Spirit has come upon you. Spirit has come upon you. And you will be my witnesses in And you will be my witnesses in And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." and to the end of the earth." and to the end of the earth." Everything Luke records is the Everything Luke records is the Everything Luke records is the progression of that mission moving progression of that mission moving progression of that mission moving forward.

forward. forward. The gospel began in Jerusalem at The gospel began in Jerusalem at The gospel began in Jerusalem at Pentecost with the Jewish people. It Pentecost with the Jewish people. It Pentecost with the Jewish people. It spreads through Judea, Samaria. We see spreads through Judea, Samaria. We see spreads through Judea, Samaria. We see it go to Asia and it extends to reach it go to Asia and it extends to reach it go to Asia and it extends to reach the ends of the earth. It is spreading. the ends of the earth. It is spreading. the ends of the earth. It is spreading. Acts 19 is highlighting another Acts 19 is highlighting another Acts 19 is highlighting another important transition in that important transition in that important transition in that progression. progression. progression. Paul encountered disciples who'd Paul encountered disciples who'd Paul encountered disciples who'd responded to John the Baptist's message responded to John the Baptist's message responded to John the Baptist's message of repentance, of repentance, of repentance, but they hadn't yet heard the full but they hadn't yet heard the full but they hadn't yet heard the full message about Jesus's death, message about Jesus's death, message about Jesus's death, resurrection, and the gift of the Holy resurrection, and the gift of the Holy resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was a unique moment. John's Spirit. This was a unique moment. John's Spirit. This was a unique moment. John's baptism looked forward to the coming of baptism looked forward to the coming of baptism looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. Whereas Christian baptism, the Messiah. Whereas Christian baptism, the Messiah. Whereas Christian baptism, water baptism, looks back to the water baptism, looks back to the water baptism, looks back to the finished work of the Messiah. finished work of the Messiah. finished work of the Messiah. Once Paul explained who Jesus is and Once Paul explained who Jesus is and Once Paul explained who Jesus is and what he'd accomplished, these disciples what he'd accomplished, these disciples what he'd accomplished, these disciples placed their faith in Christ, they're placed their faith in Christ, they're placed their faith in Christ, they're baptized in his name, and then received baptized in his name, and then received baptized in his name, and then received the Holy Spirit. the Holy Spirit. the Holy Spirit. Luke wasn't describing the ordinary Luke wasn't describing the ordinary Luke wasn't describing the ordinary experience of believers today. experience of believers today. experience of believers today. He was showing the final movement from He was showing the final movement from He was showing the final movement from God's preparatory ministry into the new God's preparatory ministry into the new God's preparatory ministry into the new covenant reality inaugurated by Jesus.

covenant reality inaugurated by Jesus. covenant reality inaugurated by Jesus. So, So, So, does this mean Christians today should does this mean Christians today should does this mean Christians today should seek a second baptism, the laying on of seek a second baptism, the laying on of seek a second baptism, the laying on of hands, a a later experience of receiving hands, a a later experience of receiving hands, a a later experience of receiving the Holy Spirit? the Holy Spirit? the Holy Spirit? The consistent teaching of the New The consistent teaching of the New The consistent teaching of the New Testament is no. Testament is no. Testament is no. We don't need to seek that out. We don't need to seek that out. We don't need to seek that out. While Acts, yes, it does record several While Acts, yes, it does record several While Acts, yes, it does record several unique transitional moments in the unique transitional moments in the unique transitional moments in the spread of the gospel, spread of the gospel, spread of the gospel, the epistles show us a lot about the the epistles show us a lot about the the epistles show us a lot about the ordinary experience of every believer ordinary experience of every believer ordinary experience of every believer after the book of Acts. Paul writes in 1 after the book of Acts. Paul writes in 1 after the book of Acts. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:13, Corinthians 12:13, Corinthians 12:13, "For in one spirit, we were all baptized "For in one spirit, we were all baptized "For in one spirit, we were all baptized into one body, and all were made to into one body, and all were made to into one body, and all were made to drink of one spirit." The idea is that drink of one spirit." The idea is that drink of one spirit." The idea is that every believer is united to Christ and every believer is united to Christ and every believer is united to Christ and incorporated into his body by the Holy incorporated into his body by the Holy incorporated into his body by the Holy Spirit at conversion, Spirit at conversion, Spirit at conversion, not at a later event or a second not at a later event or a second not at a later event or a second baptism. baptism. baptism. The New Testament also teaches that the The New Testament also teaches that the The New Testament also teaches that the Holy Spirit is God's seal and guarantee Holy Spirit is God's seal and guarantee Holy Spirit is God's seal and guarantee of our salvation from the moment that we of our salvation from the moment that we of our salvation from the moment that we believe. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul believe. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul believe. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes, writes, writes, "In him you also, when you heard the "In him you also, when you heard the "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your word of truth, the gospel of your word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, salvation, and believed in him, salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy were sealed with the promised Holy were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our Spirit, who is the guarantee of our Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance."

inheritance." inheritance." Notice the sequence. Notice the sequence. Notice the sequence. They heard the gospel, they believed, They heard the gospel, they believed, They heard the gospel, they believed, and were sealed and were sealed and were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Likewise, Romans with the Holy Spirit. Likewise, Romans with the Holy Spirit. Likewise, Romans 8:9 says, "Anyone who does not have the 8:9 says, "Anyone who does not have the 8:9 says, "Anyone who does not have the spirit of Christ does not belong to spirit of Christ does not belong to spirit of Christ does not belong to him." It's Romans 8:9. him." It's Romans 8:9. him." It's Romans 8:9. There is no category for an acts on for There is no category for an acts on for There is no category for an acts on for a a a who belongs to Christ but does not have who belongs to Christ but does not have who belongs to Christ but does not have his spirit. his spirit. his spirit. Yet, this doesn't mean that the Holy Yet, this doesn't mean that the Holy Yet, this doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit's work in our lives never Spirit's work in our lives never Spirit's work in our lives never deepens. Throughout the New Testament, deepens. Throughout the New Testament, deepens. Throughout the New Testament, believers are repeatedly commanded to be believers are repeatedly commanded to be believers are repeatedly commanded to be filled with the spirit. Ephesians 5:18. filled with the spirit. Ephesians 5:18. filled with the spirit. Ephesians 5:18. Meaning Meaning Meaning we're to continually yield ourselves to we're to continually yield ourselves to we're to continually yield ourselves to his leading, control, and empowerment. his leading, control, and empowerment. his leading, control, and empowerment. Followers of Jesus, we may experience Followers of Jesus, we may experience Followers of Jesus, we may experience seasons of renewed boldness, conviction, seasons of renewed boldness, conviction, seasons of renewed boldness, conviction, joy, or spiritual growth, joy, or spiritual growth, joy, or spiritual growth, but these aren't the result of receiving but these aren't the result of receiving but these aren't the result of receiving the spirit for a second time or being the spirit for a second time or being the spirit for a second time or being baptized in the spirit.

baptized in the spirit. baptized in the spirit. Instead, Instead, Instead, they're the ongoing work of the spirit they're the ongoing work of the spirit they're the ongoing work of the spirit who has already taken up residence in who has already taken up residence in who has already taken up residence in every believer from the moment of every believer from the moment of every believer from the moment of salvation. salvation. salvation. Now, Now, Now, for some people, this conversation can for some people, this conversation can for some people, this conversation can be really tough. be really tough. be really tough. Maybe they've been hurt by a church that Maybe they've been hurt by a church that Maybe they've been hurt by a church that practiced spirit baptism or felt like practiced spirit baptism or felt like practiced spirit baptism or felt like they weren't spiritual enough or they weren't spiritual enough or they weren't spiritual enough or spirit-filled enough. spirit-filled enough. spirit-filled enough. Conversations around this topic can be Conversations around this topic can be Conversations around this topic can be hurtful, hurtful, hurtful, abrasive, confusing, or even divisive. abrasive, confusing, or even divisive. abrasive, confusing, or even divisive. But God intends his word to be a light But God intends his word to be a light But God intends his word to be a light to our feet, to our feet, to our feet, not a stumbling block or something we not a stumbling block or something we not a stumbling block or something we trip over. trip over. trip over. Faithful believers see this topic Faithful believers see this topic Faithful believers see this topic differently. differently. differently. But whenever we struggle to understand But whenever we struggle to understand But whenever we struggle to understand something in God's word, something in God's word, something in God's word, it isn't because God's not good or isn't it isn't because God's not good or isn't it isn't because God's not good or isn't trustworthy. trustworthy. trustworthy. It's because we are broken and make It's because we are broken and make It's because we are broken and make mistakes. We don't always get it right. mistakes. We don't always get it right. mistakes. We don't always get it right. So, as with any interpretive challenge, So, as with any interpretive challenge, So, as with any interpretive challenge, it's always important that we don't just it's always important that we don't just it's always important that we don't just look at one passage in isolation look at one passage in isolation look at one passage in isolation or one book in isolation, but rather or one book in isolation, but rather or one book in isolation, but rather zoom out and ask, "What else does the zoom out and ask, "What else does the zoom out and ask, "What else does the Bible say about this?"

Bible say about this?" Bible say about this?" And as we saw today, asking that And as we saw today, asking that And as we saw today, asking that question can help bring a lot of question can help bring a lot of question can help bring a lot of clarity. clarity. clarity. But that's all we've got time for. So, But that's all we've got time for. So, But that's all we've got time for. So, as always, I'm so glad we're [music] all as always, I'm so glad we're [music] all as always, I'm so glad we're [music] all on this journey abiding in Jesus on this journey abiding in Jesus on this journey abiding in Jesus together.