One Spirit, One Life: Debunking the Two-Stage Christian Experience

You may come from a background where the expectation was that there are two stages to the Christian life: first becoming a Christian, and then being baptised by the Holy Spirit. Paul clearly says that this is not the case (Romans 8:9). If you do not have the Spirit of Christ, you do not belong to Christ. So, cast that notion out of your mind. We love the people who preach that doctrine—our brothers and sisters—but we disagree with them on this point because there is no Christian life without the Holy Spirit. If you do not have the Spirit of Christ, then you do not belong to Christ.