The Fullness of Salvation: Repentance, Baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”— Acts 2:38

The gospel is the greatest gift ever offered. But like any gift, it must be received—and God, in His wisdom, has revealed exactly how we are to receive it.

In Acts 2, when the crowd heard Peter’s bold preaching about Jesus, they were cut to the heart. “What shall we do?” they asked. The answer was clear, simple, and powerful: Repent. Be baptized. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

These are not optional elements. They are the threefold expression of a heart fully turning to God. When we respond in this way, we receive the full gift of salvation—not just forgiveness of sins, but also the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Not One Without the Others

Sadly, many Christians today either downplay or outright reject one or more of these essential responses to the gospel.

• Some dismiss the need for baptism, treating it as a symbolic gesture rather than the moment of new birth.

• Others ignore the role of repentance, failing to turn away from sin with genuine sorrow and surrender.

• Still others neglect the Holy Spirit, either reducing Him to a vague theological concept or avoiding the ongoing, daily submission He requires.

But Acts 2 makes it clear: these are not separate experiences for the ultra-committed. They are part of one faithful response to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Walking by the Spirit

When we are baptized into Christ, we receive forgiveness—but also something more: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Paul describes what this looks like in Galatians 5. He contrasts the “works of the flesh” (which are obvious and destructive) with the “fruit of the Spirit”—the natural result of a life surrendered to God.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”— Galatians 5:16

This is more than just behavior management. It’s spiritual transformation. A healthy tree bears good fruit—not by effort alone, but because it's rooted in the right soil. Likewise, a Spirit-filled life will naturally produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These aren't things we force. They are evidences that we are living in step with the Spirit.

The Spirit-Filled Life Is Not a One-Time Event

Yes, we receive the Holy Spirit at baptism—but the filling of the Spirit is something we must pursue daily. Paul says, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25). That implies movement, awareness, intentionality.

It takes effort to say no to the flesh. It takes humility to submit to the Spirit. And it takes faith to trust that God is working in us—even when we don’t feel particularly “fruitful.”

So What Does This Mean for Us?

If you’ve been baptized into Christ—praise God. That’s the beginning of your walk. But don’t stop there. The Spirit is not just a gift you receive once; He is a companion you walk with daily.

Repentance isn’t a one-time tearful moment; it’s a posture of the heart. Baptism isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting point. The Holy Spirit isn’t a mystery to avoid; He is the power that changes everything.

Let’s be people who receive the full gift of salvation—not just in word, but in faithful response. Let’s be fellow pilgrims who walk in step with the Spirit, bearing fruit that reveals the life of Christ in us.

Until the Journey is Complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim