BORN AGAIN: Initial salvation, or being born again, is the experience of the Gospel or Good News, which includes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We participate in His death through repentance, in His burial through baptism, and in His resurrection as we are filled with the Holy Ghost. We must repent, asking God to forgive us for sinning against Him (Psalm 51:4). God's goodness leads us to repentance, but He does not force us (Romans 2:4). Repentance involves turning away from sinful habits of the spirit, mind, and body by serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Baptism is for the remission of sins. Without baptism, our sins cannot be buried or washed away. We must be immersed underwater, for "We are buried with him by baptism unto death" (Romans 6:4). We must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; no other names or titles will suffice, as the Bible states, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
• Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is the most significant experience one can have. It is the only way anyone can be born again of the Spirit (John 3:3-5). The Bible refers to it as a "treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Corinthians 4:7). The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God entering and living in the human body: "As God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them" (2 Corinthians 6:16). When someone receives the Holy Ghost, they will speak in other tongues, just as they did in the Bible on the day of Pentecost and throughout the church age (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-6).