your understanding isn't feeble at all...That's exactly the way it works...And here are some words from the "First Pope"...
Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Notice,,,filled with the Holy Spirit, without baptism...
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
You are on the mark...
Me and Thee are divided. The Holy Spirit is not the source of that division