When will I receive the Holy Spirit?
The following blessing we discuss is receiving the Holy Spirit. We could write hundreds of books on the Holy Spirit, but we will cover this subject briefly and concisely. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and explores the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). This means that the Holy Spirit knows everything about God and is part of the Trinity of God at the same time. The Holy Spirit not only constitutes a power (Acts 1:8) but is also a personality with feelings (Ephesians 4:30), has a mind (John 16:7-13), the ability to speak (Acts 13:2), and a will (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Holy Spirit knows no beginning or end and lives eternally. At Pentecost, He came to earth to fill every believer. Before Pentecost, He rested on some important people, such as prophets and kings. After Pentecost, He came for everyone who is a believer. The Holy Spirit is a promise of Jesus and the Father and was prophesied in the Old Testament and during Jesus' life on earth.
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. (Acts 1:4-5)
The Holy Spirit is a promise of a great blessing of God's Kingdom. It is one of the greatest miracles: the Holy Spirit, God himself, dwells in believers. Although the Holy Spirit is the pledge for every believer, some may allow the Holy Spirit into their lives more and experience it more intensely than others. In addition to the topics we cover here, the Holy Spirit is also actively engaged in the blessings of the previous chapters. We cannot separate the blessings of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Let us look at some critical moments of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Repentance
The life of a Christian begins at repentance when a person gives his life to Jesus and decides to follow Jesus. The Holy Spirit is an integral part of this repentance. It is actually impossible for someone to come to faith without the Holy Spirit. This is because the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and encourages righteousness and judgment.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (...). (John 16:7-8)
It is also grace from God that someone repents from this evil world and decides to follow Jesus.
Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. (Acts 16:14)
Whenever we read the Bible, we learn that God wants everyone to come to faith and no one to be lost (Ezekiel 33:11). I believe God does everything possible to reach people with His gospel. It isn't God's fault that people don't acknowledge Him as their Father. It is man's responsibility, and no one can apologize for not knowing (Romans 1:18-23).
Everyone receives the Holy Spirit during repentance. From the moment of repentance, the Holy Spirit assists us in various ways. In this section, we will briefly explore—what I believe—are five events that take place when a person Repents and accepts Jesus.
1. The Holy Spirit is 'the proof' that we belong to God and will deliver us from this evil world and take us into heaven in the future. The Bible talks about being sealed with the Holy Spirit and the pledge of the Holy Spirit.
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Being blessed with the Holy Spirit means that believers are the identifiable property of God. In addition, a seal implies authority and means that we have been equipped to do God's mission, which we will cover in Part 3. Pledge suggests that we have received the Holy Spirit as a down payment. We have received from God the Father His Spirit, enabling us to know that God will also pay us in total, and we may spend eternity with Him. With this 'down payment' of the Spirit, we may now stand in God's ministry, fulfill His mission, and live holy lives.
2. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. This means we no longer live according to our flesh, the sinful lusts of the past, but walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us in our ways and empowers us to understand what we should and shouldn't do. This is a great miracle of God: through the sacrifice of Jesus, God can dwell in us, and we don't have to spend a day alone.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Romans 8:9)
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we have an ongoing connection with God the Father in heaven. We don't need human intermediate connections to get in touch with God; we need the Holy Spirit. Through this indwelling, God is always close to the believer.
3. The Holy Spirit testifies that we are a son or daughter of God the Father.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out: Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:14-16)
This implies the existence of a great love relationship between God and us. God sees us as His children, and the Holy Spirit testifies this to our Spirit. We are included in the family of God and may treat God as our heavenly Father.
4. The Holy Spirit guides us in our ways. This is because the Holy Spirit dwells in us and wants to guide us in our decisions. In this context, we consider big choices, such as choosing studies, changing jobs, or entering important relationships. We can also think of the 'smaller' decisions, where the Holy Spirit tells us what is right and wrong.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
This automatically brings us to point 5. The Holy Spirit wants to sanctify us on earth, and this sanctification starts with repentance. This ongoing process leads to our final goal: to become like Jesus.
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
For all these things, it is up to us to determine how much leverage the Holy Spirit has in our lives. If we give the Holy Spirit little or no space, He can't do anything. If we give the Holy Spirit a lot of space, He can accomplish a lot, and we will become more and more like the Lord Jesus.
The Baptism
After the Holy Spirit affects the believer during repentance and leads the believer in his ways, the Holy Spirit desires to do even more. This is called baptism in the Holy Spirit, and it involves a person being immersed in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This can occur during, just after, or very long after repentance. God wants to give everyone baptism in the Holy Spirit, so it depends on when we receive it. For God, it does not matter whether you ask for baptism in the Holy Spirit one minute or eighty years after repentance: He wants to give it to us. The promise of this baptism isn't for extraordinary people but for everyone. Nevertheless, it is essential to take notice of a baptism in the Holy Spirit and ask God for it. Let us first look at what baptism in the Holy Spirit does and then at how we can be baptized in the Spirit. We study some points made available by God. It is possible that someone has been baptized with the Holy Spirit but cannot yet do everything. When this is the case, you may ask God for this, and He will provide it.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is when a person is immersed in the Holy Spirit. The experience of the Spirit is important, and I don't believe it can go unnoticed. After Jesus' ascension, the disciples had to wait for baptism in the Holy Spirit. After this baptism in the Book of Acts, the disciples walked into Jerusalem, and Peter took the floor. He said what baptism in the Holy Spirit does.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)
1. Through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, all sons and daughters of God can have dreams and see visions. God wants to reveal His plans to His children, and this occurs through dreams and visions. Furthermore, they will prophesy. This is made available today and applicable to all believers. Anyone can prophesy and communicate God's words to others. There is a distinction between the ministry of the prophet and the gift of prophecy. The prophet has received the gift and revelation from God, which gives the prophet more authority. Believers with the gift of prophecy may prophesy but must be mindful always that it is for edification, comfort, or encouragement. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul explains how prophecy works, showing that it is available to all. We can learn to prophesy, and we may aspire to do so.
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (...) But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. (1 Corinthians 14:1-3)
Prophesying, having dreams, and seeing visions are features we can learn from the Holy Spirit. The first important thing is understanding God's voice, which can also be an exercise. I recommend finding someone who has already discovered the gift of prophecy and asking to practice with this gift together.
2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit allows us to pray in tongues. Speaking in tongues is the language of the Holy Spirit and cannot be understood by anyone (unless the Holy Spirit explains it to someone). It is a direct connection between man's Spirit and God the Father with the help of the Holy Spirit. Tongue language is for your edification and is always the perfect prayer to God because the Holy Spirit prays for us.
And these signs will follow those who believe: (...) they will speak with new tongues (…). (Mark 16:17)
Speaking in tongues is something we can request from God. We may trust God to give it when we ask Him about it. It may be awkward or difficult to start speaking in tongues. Hence, it will help to find people who can speak in tongues and ask to practice together. It can also help people worship God with music and then move on to speaking in tongues. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to venture out speaking in tongues.
Finally, it is essential to note that there are different forms of tongues. One form is the personal tongues explained above. Another form is congregational tongues, which take place in the congregation. Congregational tongues need to be translated and serve to help the congregation. Personal tongues don't need translation and take place in personal prayer.
3. We receive power from God through baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit until the Spirit comes upon them with power.
(...) for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. (...) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:5-8)
Previously, when I read this text, I assumed it entailed only the power to persevere in faith. But if we study this word, it isn't just the power to persevere; it is also a supernatural power we receive from God. The word "power" comes from the Greek word "dunamis" which means "power," "ability," or "strength." If we search Bible texts that refer to the same word, we learn that Jesus also possessed "dunamis" and was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't always have this power; it came after He was baptized by John the Baptist and spent forty days and nights in the desert. When Jesus went out of the desert, it says:
Then Jesus returned in the power (dunamis) of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. (Luke 4:14)
Jesus could perform miracles because He received the power of the Holy Spirit. We can also perform miracles, not from our strength but because we have received the power of the Holy Spirit. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is present and available to us.
(...) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power (dunamis) toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (...). (Ephesians 1:19-20)
What was it that Jesus could do with this power? This is an essential question because everything Jesus was able to do with the power of the Holy Spirit, we are also capable of doing with the same power.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:12)
Let us examine some things Jesus did on earth. We have been blessed by God to do the same.
- Healing the sick. (Luke 5:17 & 6:19)
- Casting out demons. (Luke 4:36)
- Resurrecting the dead. (John 11)
- Performing supernatural miracles, such as food multiplications and speaking against the storm. (Acts 2:22)
- Teaching and preaching the Word of God.
The Lord Jesus accomplished all this through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Part 3, we will explore this in depth. The power of the Holy Spirit is a significant and essential part of God's Kingdom because, from this power, we have been given authority and power to do the above things.
For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power (dunamis). (1 Corinthians 4:20)
God's Kingdom consists of the power of the Holy Spirit, which is full of signs and wonders and transforms people's lives. The Kingdom does not consist of pious words and a powerless sermon; it consists of power and clearly showing people God is at work. The power of the Holy Spirit also consists of the gifts of the Spirit, which we will cover in Part 3 of this book. These gifts are intended to serve one another and are a command of God.
To experience the power of the Spirit in our lives, it is essential to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and ask for the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus says we receive the Holy Spirit when we ask for Him.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:13)
Furthermore, obeying the Holy Spirit and doing as He asks is crucial. This allows the Holy Spirit to work more through us (Acts 5:32). In conclusion, there is much power in prayer, worship, and fasting. It is good to worship God and elevate His Name. When we do so, we give the Holy Spirit more room to fill us with His power.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
4. The Holy Spirit provides boldness. The Holy Spirit grants us the courage to proclaim all about the gospel to those around us. God wants to make us courageous and strong, enabling us to reach others with the gospel of the Kingdom so they, too, will be blessed with the good news.
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)
This text instantly shows how we can live in God's boldness. This is because we are praying to God for boldness, and in Acts 4, we read that the Holy Spirit immediately answered prayer and filled people with boldness. This is a blessing for ourselves, as we aren't afraid to express our deepest desires to others. Simultaneously, it is also a blessing for others as they hear the way to salvation and realize that we have a good God who wants to be their Father.
The fruit
We will conclude by discussing the fruit of the Holy Spirit, an expression found in the Book of Galatians.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22)
In Chapter 6, we read about the blessing of salvation. We don't have to follow our inherent nature with all sinful lusts any more. Instead, we are redeemed from sin, which allows us to live a holy life. In Chapter 7, we read about the new creation in Christ. This creation results from the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and consequently, we cease to do the past's sins and commit to doing God's good qualities. The fruit of the Spirit demonstrates the good qualities of God that we may apply in our lives. The Holy Spirit doesn't want us to mature into one or a few fruits. The Spirit wants us to mature in all the fruits, and we must grow in all the fruits as we progress in our journey with the Holy Spirit. Most importantly, it is the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit intends to give us these good fruits, guide us along our paths, and discipline us when we head in the wrong direction. In the second place, we shouldn't wait passively for the fruit to start growing out of the blues. Allowing the Spirit and the Word of God to guide us will enable the fruit to grow rapidly. So, these traits aren't automated processes that overwhelm us; we must allow the Spirit to actively lead us and say 'no' to our sins and lusts. From our nature, we pursue the following traits:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
These qualities are the exact opposite of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). In other words, we should realize, on the one hand, that a holy walk of life is a blessing from God and the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, it is our responsibility that the fruit grows. We cannot blame the Holy Spirit if, for example, we are overly impatient or lack self-control. We can compare it to the fruit in horticulture. It is the responsibility of man to sow a seed, water it, and tend it well. If man handles the seed and the fruit well, the fruit will grow. If man doesn't water and look after the fruit, it will die or not grow to its full potential. The same scenario applies to the fruit of the Holy Spirit. If we don't handle the fruit carefully, it won't develop optimally, and we will remain stuck with bad qualities. If we manage the fruit appropriately and allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, the fruit will grow and become great.
How do we live in the fruit of the Spirit? Besides the exhortations of chapters 6 and 7, we will highlight one principle: letting the Holy Spirit lead us. In the chapter on the fruit of the Spirit, Paul writes:
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
Paul urges us to walk in the Holy Spirit. By 'walk,' Paul means our entire walk of life, i.e., our religious parts and every part of life—even life after Sunday morning. We should allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in everything, killing the flesh and growing the fruit. If one is led by the Spirit, the desires of the flesh will not be fulfilled, but he will live a holy life with the Holy Spirit.
This chapter isn't a comprehensive listing of everything the Holy Spirit does or can do in a believer's life. We have looked at some key points about the Holy Spirit's blessings, but the Holy Spirit wants to perform much more than has been covered in this chapter.
Summary
The Holy Spirit is a promise of a great blessing of God's Kingdom. It is one of the greatest miracles: the Holy Spirit, God himself, dwells in believers. The Holy Spirit enters the life of a believer the moment he repents and starts following Jesus. At that moment, the Holy Spirit is the believer's pledge and seal, dwells in the believer, and testifies with our Spirit that we are children of God. We receive His guidance and are sanctified by Him. In addition, Jesus wants to bless us with baptism in the Holy Spirit, causing us to have dreams, see visions, prophesy, pray in tongues, receive power, and become bold. Finally, we covered the fruit of the Spirit and saw that the Holy Spirit guides us to develop great fruit with the good qualities of God. In allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will function in all these blessings.