First we must define a “believer” in Jesus. It most often means one who believes that Jesus is who the Bible says that He is.
Next we have to define what it means to be “born again”. Jesus defined being “born again” as being “born of water and the Holy Spirit” (John 3:3&5).
The argument is that a “believer” who is not “Born Again” can be POSSESSED by a devil …
James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
but a “believer” who has been “Born Again” cannot be POSSESSED by a devil.
1 John 5:18 “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”
Now we see examples of people “believing” and being “baptized” in water but not being “born again” “of water and the Holy Spirit” such as Simon the Sorcerer. So yes people can still have a devil after being “baptized” in water but not after being truly “born again” of “water and the Holy Spirit”. The difference is the result. Are they Free FROM Sin or not? This is how John defined “children of God” as opposed to “children of the devil” (1 John 3:10).
The Biblical Doctrine of Baptism Acts 2:38:
- Repentance/Turning away FROM Sin. See Acts 3:19, Acts 26:18
- Be Born Again / Baptized to Jesus Christ in water for the Remission of Sins. See John 3:3-21, Romans 6:3-7, Colossians 2:8-15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 3:7-10
- The gift/seal of the Holy Spirit resulting in being kept free FROM Sin. See Ezekiel 36:25-27, Romans 8:1-9, John 17:20-23, 1 Corinthians 6:17
Next we must define the difference between being OPPRESSED by a devil as even Jesus (Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 4:1-11) and Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) were and being POSSESSED like the man of the tombs (Mark 5:1-20) and the woman with the spirit of divination (Acts 16:16-18). Of course a person who is not born again can be OPPRESSED and sometimes even POSSESSED, and of course a born again person can be OPPRESSED but they cannot ever be POSSESSED because the seed of God (the Holy Spirit) remains in them (1 John 3:9, John 1:32-34).
