2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Imagine if you can that you just woke up and you are in a new land, without any idea of how you got there. All that you know is from that dark past you left behind. Did you imagine that past or was it real?

This is the dilemma of the born again. In the Kingdom of God, upon which you have just entered, the old things have passed away and all things are new. It would probably be much easier if upon acceptance of Jesus Christ we were carried away to a new land. But we are not are we?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The only reasonable explanation that makes any sense of this verse is that the world didn’t change, you did. I suspect the reason that the expression “passed away” is used is to tell you that who you were before no longer has a hold on you. Since the Word of God is true, then what is it about our past that seems to keep us from discovering who we are in Christ?

Our memories have a strong hold on us.

We have the memories of the past but that is not our new reality. Satan would like to hold your mind on the past and convince you that you have not changed. We have entered the Kingdom of God and in that Spiritual Realm God is Supreme and He is the only One with the Power to enact His will for us in this new relationship.

John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Yesterday we saw the Lord sending Ananias to Saul in the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ananias was to lay hands upon Saul and give him sight. We cannot have ears to hear and eyes that see without being baptized of the Holy Spirit. Only one who has the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit can baptize another. That was evident from John 1:33.

Anyone can baptize with water, it does not save you. If you have been taught that water baptism saves, receive this correction, it does not.

Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

The baptism of repentance is symbolic that repentance must come before salvation. If you have prayed that prayer of faith, “Lord be merciful unto me a sinner.”, then that symbolizes your baptism of repentance. Then you may come to believe by faith on Jesus Christ and be saved. Then comes the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which must be administered by one who has the abiding Spirit of God by the laying on of hands.

Acts 8:18a And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given …

1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

What is next? How do I get from here to there?