“Holy Spirit”
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7
Holy Spirit is the manifestation of God’s Spirit. He is part of the Godhead, present from the creation of the world, and part of the “Us” referenced in the creation of man and the scattering of people at Babel leading to new languages (Gen 11:7). Holy Spirit, throughout the Bible, sets individuals apart as kings, prophets, holy people and with special gifts and abilities (see Exodus 31 for Bezalel the artisan). He also sets individuals apart as children of God, as the temple of God and collectively the house of God after they have repented and been cleansed from all sin. Jesus Christ stated that it was necessary that He go away so that we would receive the Comforter (the Holy Spirit). Holy Spirit glorifies Christ and testifies of Him. He leads believers into all truth, tells them of things to come and brings things to remembrance. He also convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:7).
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the one and only sin listed in Scripture as unforgivable. This is how it is described as within the context of Scripture: “All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. it is described as attributing the Holy Spirit with the devil.” (Mark 3:28-30).
“Baptism”
Baptism is a command from Jesus Christ in addition to repentance. Jesus first and foremost preached repentance (Matt 4:17) and then baptized disciples (though it was His disciples not Himself that baptized) (John 4:2). Jesus set the precedent for baptism when He got baptized, and we know that no servant is greater than their master, and that whoever is perfect will be like their master (Luke 6:40).
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” - Matt. 5:13-17
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” - Acts 2:38
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” - Matt. 28:18-20
One does not belong to God if they do not have the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9). One cannot receive the Holy Spirit of God without the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). One cannot receive remission of sins without repentance, and one has not truly repented if they have not confessed and forsaken their sins (Prov. 28:13)
“Repentance”
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” - Luke 13:3
There can be no salvation without repentance. Repentance is a turning from sin according to the scriptures. Metanoia; which describes it as a change of mind that leads to a change in actions. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” - Prov 28:13. God extends His mercy to those who repent from evil and come into the light and truth of the gospel. Those who are in sin and not subject to the truth of the gospel make themselves enemies of God by their works (Colossians 1:21), and the Word provides us with the reality of the consequences of not turning away from sin. Those who repent from their sins and become baptized with the understanding of their commitment to obedience and righteousness, will be able to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit because they are now cleansed as vessels to be filled with Him. If now filled with Him, then sanctified and must continue in righteousness. The Holy Spirit is Holy and will only dwell in cleansed temples.
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Tim 2:20-21
“Prayer”
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” - Luke 18:1
Prayer is a spiritual discipline for every believer. How else can a believer grow in intimacy with God without communicating with Him? Jesus said, “for I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” (John 12:49) and “for I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38).
He is recorded throughout the gospels withdrawing from crowds to pray to the Father (Luke 5:16) and waking early to commune with Him (Mark 1:35). If Jesus was not in communication with the Father, He would not have known what to speak, where to go or what to do in accomplishing the Father’s will. So we also, must continue in prayer as instructed by the Son. It is not a suggestion nor a simple statement but a command from the Lord. Apostle Paul affirms the Lord’s words when he says to pray without ceasing. Prayer is not just offered up for material things. We pray with thanksgiving and supplication, in intercession for others and according to the will of God (1Thessalonians 5:16-18, 1 Timothy 2:1).
We know according to John 9:31, that the Lord does not listen to the prayers of sinners (except it be a prayer of true repentance) but that He hears those who do His will and live in righteousness. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15) and we know that whatsoever we ask, we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1 John 3:22). If one regards iniquity in their heart, the Lord will not hear them (Psalm 66:18).