The Bible teaches that there are three immediate acts taken upon your being in salvation:
1] the regeneration of your soul.
2] the receipt of the Holy Spirt.
3] the death of your old man.
Peter’s sermon at Pentecost demonstrates these three acts. When the Jews asked what must they do to be saved Peter announces, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”
The fact they would ask what must they do is a reflection to their regeneration. For there were many in the crowd who did not ask that question witnessing their lack of regeneration. Then Peter says to be baptized which is a sign of being baptized into the death of Christ and raised into newness of life. Finally, he says you will receive the Holy Spirit.
These three acts lay the foundation for the Christians new life. Now as a regenerated being they are reconciled to the living God, being raised from the dead in baptism reflects the writings of Paul as he says things like “your life is hid with Christ in God”; “your are seated in the heavenlys” and “now that you are risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Jesus Christ sits at God’s right hand”. In other words you have passed from death to life. You are now alive forever unto God through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. You are no longer dead in sin, living in the kingdom of darkness but have been translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.
Finally, receiving the Holy Spirit means you can now know the things of God. Prior to receiving the Spirit you did not know God for the things of God are known by the Spirit of God but now you have received the Spirit and are therefore able to know God.
Views from an Evangelist 