The baptism of water which qualifies one for membership in the church does not assure one of the spiritual rebirth necessary to regain the presence of God. The "right" to receive the Holy Ghost is bestowed upon a person when he is confirmed a member of the Church and after he has been baptized by water. But unless a person fully repents of his sins and actually receives the Holy Ghost, he cannot be sanctified and be born again spiritually. (See Alma 7:14, 21; 3 Nephi 27:19-20; and John 3:5.) Thus Alma correctly asked his brethren of the Church, "have ye spiritually been born of God?" (Alma 5:14.) (See also material listed after Alma 7:14.)