If we turn to the account given in the Acts of the Apostles of the conversion of the people of Samaria, we shall find the same order observed. Philip went down to that city, taught them the word, which they believed, they repented of their sins, and were baptized; then Peter and John came and conferred upon them the Holy Ghost.[A]
[Footnote A: Acts viii.]
Then, again, when Paul found a number of men in Ephesus, who claimed to have been baptized unto John's baptism, yet had not so much as heard of the Holy Ghost, Paul was careful to rebaptize them—since there seemed to be some doubt as to the validity of their first baptism—before he conferred upon them the Holy Ghost.[A]
[Footnote A: Acts xix.]
It appears from these circumstances that faith, repentance, and baptism, precede the reception of, or the baptism of, the Holy Ghost, and are, in fact, prerequisites to a reception of it. This order, in respect of these principles and ordinances, is further sustained by other passages of scripture.
The Holy Ghost dwells not in unholy temples. Therefore man, as a prospective temple of the Holy Ghost, must receive preparatory cleansing before he can hope to become a temple of God, temple of the Holy Ghost.
In writing to the Corinthian Saints who had received the Holy Ghost, Paul says: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God."[A]
[Footnote A: I. Cor. vi:19.]
And again: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy which temple ye are."[A]
[Footnote A: I. Cor. iii:16, 17.]