"So we have these three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and all three agree" (1 John 5:8)
Baptism by spirit is an external sign of inner renewing and purifying through regeneration. The Spirit and the blood are spiritual expessions, working together in regeneration: the blood for forgiveness of sins, the Spirit for the renewal of the whole nature.
There is spiritual oneness in the Spirit and the blood. Through the blood we obtain the Spirit, as through the blood we are redeemed and purified to recieve the Spirit. Only through the blood can we pray with confidence to recieve the Spirit.
There may be some sin in your life of which you are hardly conscious but which grieves the Spirit and drives Him away. The only way to avoid this is to believe that "the blood of Jesus his Son, cleanses us from every sin" (1 John 1:7). Your only right to approach God is through the blood of the Lamb. Come with every sin, known or unknown, and plead the blood of Christ as your only claim to forgiveness.
But do not be content with just the forgiveness of sins. Accept the fullness of the Spirit which comes by the blood of Christ. Do not for a moment doubt that you have a right through the blood to the fullness of the Spirit.
As one who has been redeemed by the blood, give yourself to God as His purchased possession, a vessel ready for Him to use, a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
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