HAVE YE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT? - J. C. O'Hair

HAVE YE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT
Pastor J. C. O’Hair

TRUTH WITHOUT COMPROMISE 

The interesting question and answer in Acts 19:1 to 4 has confused many Christians. The question Paul asked of certain Jews, who had received John the Baptist’s baptism, is: “PISTEUSANTES, received ye the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 19:2). Not “since ye believed,” but “at the time ye believed.” These men believed the wrong thing for the age of grace. (Acts 19:3 to 6).

The same Greek participle of the word “believe,” in Paul’s question in Acts 19:2 is translated, in Ephesians 1:13, “after that ye believed.” Here again the Greek is “PISTEUANTES, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”; “sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30).

“PISTEUSANTES” should be translated “believing” or “on believing.” It is the participle of the verb “believe.”

Christians, who have stressed Holy Spirit baptism as a Divine work subsequent to and separate from Holy Spirit salvation, have tried to prove by Acts 19:2 and Ephesians 1:13, that there might be a short or long period between the time of the believer’s salvation and the time that he receives Holy Spirit baptism for sanctification. They perhaps have not read II Thessalonians 2:13 or I Corinthians 6:11.
In support of their teaching they quote John 14:17, the words of Christ when on earth, “the Holy Spirit dwelleth WITH you; and shall be IN you.” They quote also Luke 24:49, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” These men of God were thus instructed before the advent of the Holy Spirit.

They quote also Acts 1:5, “Ye shall be baptized with (in) the Holy Spirit not many days hence.”

They offer as proof for their second work of grace, the fact that the twelve apostles received the Holy Spirit several years after they became disciples of Christ. Could the apostles have received the Holy Spirit before the Spirit was sent down from heaven? Let us not fail to reckon with John 7:38 and 39 and John 16:7 to 9; for in these Scriptures we learn that the twelve apostles lived the other side of Calvary before the Holy Spirit was sent down from heaven; before the beginning of the dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles. We are not living in the land of the Jews, in the days of the Son of man with those disciples, who were saved before the dispensation of the grace of God began. (Ephesians 3:1 to 3).

The apostles had to wait several years for the advent and baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, the 3000 Jews, saved on the day of Pentecost, did not wait very many minutes for Holy Spirit baptism. They murdered the Son of God, but they received the Holy Spirit when they were saved by obeying Acts 2:38.

In this age of grace believers do not have to tarry for the baptism, the anointing, or the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Not one of these is a future experience with a saved person. The very moment the believing sinner is saved, he becomes a baptized member of the Body of Christ. (I Corinthians 12:13). If a person has not received Holy Spirit baptism, that person is neither saved nor in the Body. There is one Body and one baptism. (Ephesians 4:4 and 5). (I Corinthians 12:13).

At the very same moment of salvation, the believing sinner becomes a “Christ One,” a “Christian.” That means that he has received from God, “the anointing.” “Christ” (Christos) means “Anointed.” A Christian is one whom God has anointed by the Spirit. That anointing remains. (II Corinthians 1:20 to 22 - I John 2:26 to 28). The sealing remains (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit is receive by faith in Christ and his redemptive work without striving, praying, or tarrying. (Galatians 3:14).

Saved by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is the truth of II Thessalonians 2:13. When saved, the believer receives all of the Holy Spirit: for the Holy Spirit is a Person. Then and there the believer is blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies, and all the mighty power of God is placed at his disposal. (Ephesians 1:1 to 3 - Ephesians 1:19 to 23). No person with “all blessings” needs a “second blessing.”

“Be it unto you according to your faith.” Holy Spirit baptism produces salvation.

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Posted By- Cecil and Connie Spivey

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