I do believe that when we are bapized we receive the Holy Spirt. There are plenty of verses that clarify that.

But I have a question on two verses, Acts 8:12-17, and Acts 10:44-48. In Acts 8, we read how Phillip BAPTIZED people, but they did not receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John laid their hands on them.

Romans 8:9 says if we have not the spirit of Christ, we are none of his. That suggest even though they were baptized by Phillip, they were not children of God until they received the Holy Spirit.

I have read a commentary in my Catholic Bible that says they did receive the Holy Spirit, just not in the fullness until their confrimation. I do not understand. Where is it stated "not in the fullness" it says they did not receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John laid their hands upon them, please explain.

And Acts 10 says how people had already had faith and the Holy Spirit, and then they were Baptized. Please explain.

-- Jason Baccaro (LegendsRborn@aol.com), May 06, 2003

Answers

Dear Jason,

Get a new Catholic Catechism, as has been suggested by Paul and I think John. It is a great place to see the scriptures applied to Catholic teachings.

I was once where you seem to be and I found, with deep satisfaction, that the home, the Catholic Church,I questioned (a long time ago and for different reasons than my difficulties now) was exactly where I belonged.

I miss her embrace and long for her, but she does not reach her hand out to me and those in similar positions, instead she embraces those who do wrong and in doing so encourages others to similar scandalous behaviors. That tears my soul apart and has done tremendous damage to my children. I wait for her to repent and keep waiting.

Karl

-- Karl (Parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), May 06, 2003.

here...

baptism is a rebirth into the church, washing the stain of original sin from our souls. we are given a small part of the Holy Spirit in these moments, but not all of it

when we are confirmed there is a laying of the hands, and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit to influence us in our catholic growth. in this way we are filled with the Holy Spirit on confirmation, not baptism as some would believe.

-- paul (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), May 07, 2003.

Water baptism is just that. Its symbolic. It represents the death, burial and resurrection. Now being baptised by the Holy Spirit is different. Example....

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

John the Baptist clearly stated there was a difference between water baptism, and being baptised with the Holy Ghost.

-- Rico (xricoxsuave@aol.com), May 07, 2003.

Rico, yes John the Baptist baptism was a baptism of repentence. One of the last Old Testament symbolic cleansings pointing towards the Messiah.

But the baptism of the Holy Spirit or being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is different, and began to happen after Christ reserection.

Acts 19:2-6

And Paul, could you give me some scripture on what you said, thanks.

-- Jason Baccaro (LegendsRborn@aol.com), May 07, 2003.

Is anyone going to post scripture where someone physically laid hands on someone and they were baptised with the Holy Spirit?

-- Rico (xricoxsuave@aol.com), May 07, 2003.

Go to the web site "Biblical Evidence for Catholicism"

There is a magority amount of information on baptism.

-- Jason Baccaro (LegendsRborn@aol.com), May 07, 2003.

jason, i could give you some scriptural reference, but youve already given the passages i know to back up what i say. most of my arguements rarely reference scripture anyway, though, as i tend to just state what is confirmed in my catechism as opposed to tackling the incredible field of apologetics directly. im also not much of a sola scriptura type.

-- paul (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), May 07, 2003.