[artplumber]

Originally posted by Victor
OK - can a born again christian "in the know" please chime in and explain why then we need to be "baptized in the holy spirit"?

The key lies in your own question. The Christian life requires a rebirth, which is a spiritual one ("born again"). It is only symbolized by physical baptism. Hence, if the real rebirth happens, it is not necessary to take part in the symbol. The symbol can be powerful in many other ways, for instance, as a testimony to other individuals. A misunderstanding could arise from assuming that the symbol represents the actual rebirth.

As for the Holy Spirit, you'd have to ask a more specific question. Acts 1:5 describes a particular instance of baptism by the Holy Spirit (and is the basis for the Pentecostal interpretation), but many other passages speak of baptism without this wording - for instance later in Acts 2:38 Peter states "repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins...."