Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Yesterday we saw Simon the sorcerer believe and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ along with the others in Acts chapter 8. Then we saw that Simon was denied the baptism of the Holy Spirit because his heart wasn’t right before God. Since Simon believed and his heart wasn’t right before God, I can only think that Simon believed with his mind and not his heart.

This once again reassures me that salvation does not come from baptism. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward condition, it is an expression of faith from a heart that has already changed, already convicted, and surrendered unto God.

Now this baptism of the Holy Spirit is a marvelous and mysterious event that has been denied within some circles because in their minds God would never take up residence within sinful man. What did Jesus say?

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

In some circles this denial goes so far as to even refuse the baptism of the Holy Spirit and not even entertain studies on the matter.

Now I ask this and I am trying to forget my past teaching and open up this one question for an honest and open dialogue.

If you love Jesus with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and you keep His Words; how can any lack of asking, or lack of prayer, or forgoing the laying on of hands stop Him from keeping His promise?