The question of whether there is a “second blessing” experience after salvation is an important one for Christians to consider. There are differing views on this topic, but ultimately it comes down to what the Bible teaches.
Those who believe in a definitive second blessing point to passages like Acts 8:14-17, where people who had believed and been baptized experienced a subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues. They also point to Romans 12:1-2 which encourages believers to be continually transformed by the renewing of their minds, as if sanctification is an ongoing process after salvation. And 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 speaks of God sanctifying believers completely, indicating some see entire sanctification as a second stage.
However, those who do not hold to a theologically distinct second blessing point to other passages of Scripture. Salvation itself is described as multifaceted in the New Testament. When someone is saved they are justified (declared righteous) before God (Romans 5:1), regenerated (born again spiritually) by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:15), sanctified (set apart) positionally in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2), and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). All of this occurs at the moment of faith in Christ for eternal life (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Therefore, while there are multiple aspects to salvation, theologically they comprise one unified whole. The disciples in Acts 19 who received the Spirit subsequent to their conversion is explained as their conversion to Christ under the teaching of John the Baptist being prior to Pentecost and the Spirit being given to the church. The experiences of Romans 12 and 1 Thessalonians 5 speak not of a one-time second blessing but the continual process of spiritual growth and maturing in Christlikeness that follows conversion. Hebrews 10:14 explains that Christians have been perfected forever, positionally sanctified completely.
In conclusion, while Christians certainly do and should experience growth in Christ after salvation, the New Testament does not appear to teach a definitive theological second blessing but rather an unfolding of all that happened at the moment of salvation. Christians are instructed to continually grow in obedience, be filled with the Spirit, become more like Christ, and allow God’s sanctifying work to have its full effect in their lives. Yet positionally, they are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10) and have everything needed for godliness (2 Peter 1:3) from the moment of salvation moving forward.
This does not negate that Christians may have specific experiences subsequent to conversion that significantly impact their walks with God. But biblically defining these as a theologically distinct second blessing is difficult to substantiate from Scripture. Growth, maturity, obedience and dependence on the Spirit’s power certainly follow salvation. Christians who want God’s fullness in their lives seek to yield themselves to Him throughout their lives, not just at the moment of salvation. But this is the unfolding of the salvation blessings already received rather than additional subsequent blessings.
In conclusion, while some Christians testify to specific post-conversion spiritual experiences, the biblical data does not appear to substantiate a formal theological category called a “second blessing” that happens at some point subsequent to salvation. Rather, Scripture emphasizes growth, maturity and the full manifestation of all the blessings in Christ that were received when someone was born again by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
The key is for believers to continually yield themselves to God, walk in the Spirit, renew their minds with Scripture, obey God’s commands, and seek to allow the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to transform them increasingly into the image of Christ. This process begins instantly at salvation but continues throughout the life of a Christian. The Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes it well in describing salvation and its benefits as having been accomplished by God for believers but also being worked out progressively in their lives.
So in short, the sanctification, growth, and maturing of a believer subsequent to salvation should not be confused biblically with a theologically distinct second blessing experience. All that the New Testament teaches about salvation encompasses both the moment of conversion and the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. Christians seek to rely fully on the Spirit’s power and God’s enabling grace to walk out this growth process, described in passages like Philippians 2:12-13: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.” But this is part of the whole of salvation, not a separate subsequent blessing.
The key questions for Christians seeking God’s fullness are: 1) Have you experienced biblical salvation by repenting of sin and trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross for forgiveness of sins?, and 2) Are you continually yielding yourself to God, saturating your mind with Scripture, praying, fellowshipping with other believers, witnessing, obeying God’s commands, and relying on the Spirit’s power to apply your salvation blessings more fully? As long as the answer to these questions is yes, a Christian can have full assurance of possessing every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) based on God’s promises in His Word.
While some label impactful post-conversion spiritual experiences as a second blessing, the biblical emphasis is on the sufficiency of the salvation blessings Christians already possess in Christ, and the importance of continual growth and maturity through walking by the Spirit who lives within them. Specific experiences may or may not occur, but the priority is yielding oneself to God based on the completeness of salvation in Christ and allowing Him to more fully manifest His life in and through a believer by the Spirit’s power. For Christians seeking greater spiritual maturity and fruitfulness, the focus is not seeking a one-time second blessing but ongoing dependence and growth in Christ.
In summary, while the continual sanctifying work of the Spirit subsequent to salvation is biblical, this process is more accurately understood as the maturation and increasing manifestation of the multifaceted salvation already fully possessed by Christians in Christ, not as a separate and definitive second blessing experience.
Christians who have questions on this topic are encouraged to study the relevant Scriptures thoroughly. And all believers seeking greater walk with God are encouraged to rely fully on the Spirit working in them to apply God’s truth in their minds and produce spiritual fruit in their lives, based on the completed holiness and spiritual blessings they already have in their union with Christ by faith. The Christian life is lived “from rest to rest” based on Christ’s finished work.
Though differences on this issue exist within Christianity, God’s Word calls believers to unity within the body of Christ. Sincere Christians can study this topic and still arrive at different conclusions. Yet in humility, love and shared connection to Christ, unity can be maintained. The priority is helping all Christians have full assurance of their perfect position and blessings in Christ, and encouraging the continual growth and dependence on the Spirit that will result in greater Christlikeness and spiritual maturity to the glory of God.
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