A person can be moved or touched by the POWER of the Holy Ghost but will not receive or experience any of the GIFTS of the spirit without having received the GIFT of the Holy Ghost. Whenever you see someone having the Gifts of the Spirit, you can know that they have received the Gift of the Holy Ghost which comes with a number of spiritual Gifts. One such gift is the ability to speak by the POWER of the Holy Ghost which carries your message into the hearts of those who do not have the Gift of the Holy Ghost. (Search the scriptures for “Tongue of Angels”)
So, when someone starts speaking in tongues (A gift of the Spirit), it is a sign that they have already received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. That is why Peter said the following:
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?(Acts 10:44-47)
Also, John the Baptist received the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb, prior to baptism, without the laying on of hands. D&C 84:27
If a person says they received the Holy Ghost and with it the gifts of the spirit which only come by having received the Gift of the Spirit/Holy Ghost, are are we going to say, “No you didn’t…Because you didn’t get it from my recognized authority/process…” And all the while they are casting out devils, healing the sick, speaking in tongues and enjoying the other fruits of the spirit…LOL we’re so funny and prideful as to think our way is THE ONLY way…
Did you notice that the ordinance used to “give” the gift of the Holy Ghost doesn’t say, “I give unto you the gift of the Holy Ghost” or I bestow upon you the Holy Ghost” or any other way of “Giving” a “Gift”. Instead, it orders or commands you saying, “I say unto you, RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST!”
Going back to the Aaronic Priesthood: Pay attention to every ordinance of the Aaronic priesthood, they are ALL focused on making us worthy to receive the Holy Ghost. The Sacrament even tells us, “that you may always have his spirit to be with you… The Sacrament is the modern version of animal sacrifice, tells us the if we can remember the blood and body of Christ that was shed for us, then perhaps we will have His spirit to be with us. Every principle and ordinance of the Lower law aims to help us to be worthy of the Holy Ghost. Repentance, baptism, Sacrament, atonement, Laws of carnal commandments, etc…
Water Baptism is the physical symbol of the spiritual Baptism of Fire. Now, consider that not many people want to be Physically Baptized by fire as a symbol of the spiritual baptism of fire. It’s not good for the hair or skin and if you aren’t completely submersed in fire, then you have to do it again until you get it right… LOL, If you survive, then you are a Saint. If not, well we are glad you tried to convert all the same…
As you could imagine, there wouldn’t be a lot of converts. The spiritual fire purifies us, like a refiners fire or burning a needle in a flame to burn off impurities. But it does so unseen from the inside out. So, water which is used to clean the outward vessel becomes a very good physical symbol for the Baptism of Fire. You can be dunked in it without any adverse effects, it is relatively safe. It doesn’t hurt, uh, usually.
Water symbolizes being clean of purified. But the Fire actually does the cleaning and purifying. so, if you receive the baptism of Fire which actually cleans, then you do not need the symbol of being cleaned that doesn’t do anything.
The water Baptism doesn’t actually clean you spiritually, the Fire Baptism does. The water is only the symbol of becoming clean.
The baptism of fire is what purifies your soul so that the Holy Ghost can dwell in you. The Holy Ghost does not dwell in unholy Temples. you are the temple of God/the Holy Ghost. If you have the presence of the Holy Ghost, you are at that moment clean. You have been purified as if by fire.
« Back to Glossary Index