HOW
BELIEVERS RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
Pastor
J.C. O’Hair
We are told in Galatians 3:14 and
Ephesians 1:13 that Christ died on the cross that believers might receive the
Holy Spirit by faith. “After that ye believed” in Ephesians 1:13 is the Greek
participle (pisteusantes) and should be translated “believing.” ‘‘Believing, ye
received the Holy Spirit.”
Note the questions in Galatians 3:2 and
3: “ . . Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of
faith? Are you foolish? having begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect by
the flesh?”
The Holy Spirit, like eternal life,
salvation and God’s righteousness, is God’s free gift to any believing sinner
who will receive God’s grace and God’s Son.
It is sad, but true, that there are many
really saved people who say that they do not know if they have, or have not,
received the Holy Spirit. Some Christians misinterpret the question of Paul in
Acts 19:2, “believing, received ye the Holy Spirit” and doubt whether the Holy
Spirit is given to any who do not obey Luke 24:49, and tarry for the Holy
Spirit. “Since ye believed” in Acts 19:2, is also from the Greek
“pisteusantes”, “believing:”
In this age and dispensation of grace
Ephesians 2:8 to 10 is altogether true, salvation is by grace without works,
religious or otherwise, without praying or agonizing. Also we should believe
Ephesians 1:3 and 1:19 and 20. Note these statements: “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with ALL spiritual
blessings in the heavenlies in Christ.” “And what is the exceeding greatness of
HIS POWER TO USWARD who believe, according to the working of His mighty power;
“Which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at
His own right hand in the heavenlies.”
If the believer, saved by grace, is
blessed with ALL spiritual blessings in the heavenlies, and the MIGHTY POWER OR
GOD is his, because he is a believer, then with ALL blessings, why seek a
second blessing? If too the believer is provided with ALL POWER and all grace
(II Corinthians 9:8), why seek for more? Let us not seek a second blessing
until we exhaust the ALL blessings. God’s way is: “Be it unto you according to
your faith.” Unlimited spiritual resources are on deposit for the believer who
is in Christ. All believers are in Christ, So, spiritually, the believer in
Christ is a multimillionaire and can never exhaust his riches and blessings and
power and grace in Christ. Christ’s riches are the believer’s riches.
In this age of grace believers do not
receive the Holy Spirit and Holy Spirit baptism on the installment plan. A
Christian is a “Christ one” - one anointed and sealed by the Holy Spirit unto
the day of redemption, (II Corinthians 1:21 to 23) (Ephesians 1:14 - 4:30).
There are no short cuts to the Spirit -
filled life. Walk in the Spirit is God’s instruction. (Galatians 5:24 and 25 -
Romans 8:4).
What is necessary for the development of
the physical man? Good Food - Good Water - Good Air - Good Exercise - Good
Rest.
What is necessary for the believer who
would be filled with the Holy Spirit? Regular and systematic Holy Spirit Bible
Study. Much Prayer. Do not pray or tarry or agonize for more of the Holy Spirit
Who is a Person, but that the Holy Spirit may have more of you as you obey
Romans 8:4. Real Holy Spirit worship. Remember Mary and Martha. Mary chose the
better part. Worship first and then service - (I Thessalonians 1:19 and 10).
Assembling with other saints for public worship. Walking in the good works of
Ephesians 2:10. Witnessing, walking and waiting for God’s Son from heaven, as
we walk in the Spirit and manifest the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16 to
26).
You cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit
by responding to altar calls, or second blessings calls, unless that response
means obedience to God’s spiritual laws. Development from childhood to manhood,
whether physical or spiritual, is gradual and unceasing obedience to certain
laws or rules.
What is THE GOSPEL
Believing Christ died, that's HISTORY.
Believing Christ died for YOU and ROSE AGAIN, that's SALVATION.
Read 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
Cspivey1953@gmail.com
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