Do you need a “second baptism” or a “second blessing”?

Quick Answer: Do you need a “second baptism” or a “second blessing”? No, all believers are baptized into the Spirit at salvation when we believe. At that time, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), and we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). We are complete in Christ, and we do not need anything more than what we already have in Him.

Diving Deeper: Some teach that believers need to receive an additional baptism of the Holy Spirit to obtain a “second blessing” after salvation. However, this is not Scriptural. When we believe the Gospel, we are made complete in Christ and we lack nothing (Colossians 2:10). We are given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4).

We are complete, because we have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection and have thereby become a new creation (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). This one-time spiritual baptism placed us in God’s Spirit. In fact, the entire Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – lives within us from the moment we believe (John 17:23; Galatians 4:6).

While it’s true that we need to be baptized in the Spirit, this occurs at salvation and is a one-time event. We do not need more of God after salvation. Remember that Jesus promised us we would never hunger and never thirst for more (John 6:35).

God has given Himself freely and completely to us. We’ve been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3), and we are sealed in God’s Spirit forever (Ephesians 4:30).

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. Have you ever been taught you needed to be baptized into a “second blessing” of God’s Spirit after salvation? What were your thoughts?
2. How does understanding what truly happened to us at salvation bring clarity?
3. React to this statement: Believers don’t need to hunger and thirst for more of the Spirit.