Receiving the Holy Spirit

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After you have made Jesus Christ lord in you life and believed that God raised him from the dead you are saved, born again, made whole with the gift from God, holy spirit. That holy spirit is also power from high, power to work signs, miracles, and wonders.

Pentecost was the first day that is was available for people to become born again. By the obedience, sacrifice, and death of Jesus Christ as payment for Adam's sin, man could now be redeemed and regain the status of sons of God. On Pentecost, after Christ's death, holy spirit was poured out on the apostles first.

Jesus Christ instructs the apostles:

Acts 1
:8 But ye shall receive [lambano] power [dechomai],
        after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
    and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
        and in all Judaea,
        and in Samaria,
        and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

On the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2
:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,
    they were all with one accord in one place.
:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
    and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
    and it sat upon each of them.
:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, [pneuma hagion holy spirit, the gift]
    and began to speak with other tongues,
        as the Spirit [pneuma - God, the Giver] gave them utterance.

There are two different Greek words used for 'receive' in the Bible, dechomai and lambano. From examining the usages in the Word of God dechomai is to receive something subjectively, to receive, by one's own decision, spiritually, inwardly, receive inherent power. Lambano is to receive objectively, into manifestation, into evidence in the senses realm, outwardly. When the apostles received the holy spirit they showed it forth in the senses realm, they spoke in tongues. Not understanding which word for 'receive' is used has caused confusion and misunderstandings in biblical studies.

A great example of both words is in Acts where Philip had gone to Samaria and preached the Word, and performed many healings and cast out devils. When people believed they were baptized with the holy spirit. Simon, a sorcerer that had bewitched the people with lying signs and wonders, also believed and was baptized.

Acts 8
:13 Then Simon himself believed also:
    and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip,
    and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
:14 Now when the apostles
        which were at Jerusalem
    heard that Samaria had received [dechomai -- spiritually] the word of God,
    they sent unto them Peter and John
:15 Who, when they were come down,
    prayed for them, that they might receive [lambano -- into manifestation] the Holy Ghost: [pneuma hagion]
:16     (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them:
        only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
:17 Then laid they their hands on them,
    and they received [lambano] the Holy Ghost. [pneuma hagion]
:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given,
    he offered them money,

The people of Samaria believed on the lord Jesus Christ and were baptized with the holy spirit but they had not manifested the holy spirit yet, they didn't know that was part of the package. After Peter and John laid their hands on them they received into manifestation the holy spirit. Like the apostles, they spoke in tongues and Simon saw that.

We must realize that there is more to salvation than just receiving the holy spirit. God gave us power to manifest, in the senses world, the gift He has given us. This added spiritual blessing is our legal right.

Acts 2
:38 Then Peter said unto them,
        Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
        and ye shall receive [lambano] the gift of the Holy Ghost.
:39   For the promise is unto you,
        and to your children,
        and to all that are afar off,
        even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

We are called, and the promise God talks about is defined in verse 33. Let us read the context. This is still the day of Pentecost and Peter is addressing the crowd that had gathered because they heard the apostles speak in tongues and magnify God.

:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David,
        that he is both dead and buried,
        and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
:30 Therefore being a prophet,
        and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him,
    that of the fruit of his loins,
        according to the flesh,
    he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,
    that his soul was not left in hell,
    neither his flesh did see corruption.
:32 This Jesus hath God raised up,
        whereof we all are witnesses.
:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted,
        and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,
    he hath shed forth this,
        which ye now see and hear. [the speaking in tongues]
:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens:
        but he saith himself,
            The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
:35       Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,
    that God hath made that same Jesus,
        whom ye have crucified,
    both Lord and Christ.
:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,
    and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,
        Men and brethren, what shall we do?
:38 Then Peter said unto them,
        Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
        for the remission of sins,
        and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
:39 For the promise [the gift of pneuma hagion - holy spirit] is unto you,
        and to your children,
        and to all that are afar off,
        even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The promise of holy spirit is unto us now. What did the apostles do on Pentecost? They spoke in tongues. Many have heard and believed and are born again but do they all speak in tongues? Do you manifest the holy spirit? The same situation occurred in Acts 19.

Acts 19
:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth,
    Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus:
    and finding certain disciples,
:2 He said unto them,
        Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?
    And they said unto him,
        We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
:3 And he said unto them,
        Unto what then were ye baptized?
    And they said,
        Unto John's baptism.
:4 Then said Paul,
        John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance,
            saying unto the people,
            that they should believe on him which should come after him,
                that is, on Christ Jesus.
:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,
    the Holy Ghost came on them;
    and they spake with tongues,
    and prophesied.
:7 And all the men were about twelve.

God expects us to manifest the holy spirit when we become saved. It is due to a lack of knowledge of the Word of God that we have not. The Church, the Body of Christ, the Grace Administration began at Pentecost with the apostles being filled with the holy spirit and manifesting that spirit by speaking in tongues as God gave them the words. Subsequently, God's commandment to the church is:

Acts 2
:38 Then Peter said unto them,
        Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
        for the remission of sins,
        and ye shall receive [lambano] the gift of the Holy Ghost.
:39   For the promise is unto you,
        and to your children,
        and to all that are afar off,
        even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

In Acts 1:4, 5 Jesus commanded the apostles to receive the holy spirit, pneuma hagion. In Matthew 28:19, 20 Jesus instructed the disciples to go and teach "all things whatsoever I have commanded you." The apostles had to wait at Jerusalem until they received the holy spirit on Pentecost; we no longer need to wait. We are to receive the holy spirit, that power from on high, for the promise is unto us, our children, and unto as many as the Lord our God shall call.

We are called at this time and hour to walk in the fullness of the spirit that God has given us.

Ephesians 5
:1  Be ye therefore followers of God,
        as dear children;
:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us,
    and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

:14 Wherefore he saith,
        Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,
        and Christ shall give thee light.
:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly,
    not as fools,
    but as wise,
:16 Redeeming the time,
    because the days are evil.
:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise,
    but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
:18 And be not drunk with wine,
        wherein is excess;
    but be filled [pleroo filled to capacity] with the Spirit;

Redeem the time - make the best use of your time, the days are evil. They were evil in the 1st century and they are evil now. Now is the time to be filled with the spirit of God. We have been given power for Christian service, power for Christian living, and power for effective witnessing. God's power in His Children is being evidenced daily. The light of God's Word is shining powerfully among His people, the veil has been lifted. Come before God with meekness and reverence and ask Him how to walk with Him greater every day.

John 16
:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
    he will guide you into all truth:
        for he shall not speak of himself;
        but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
        and he will shew you things to come.
:14   He shall glorify me:
            for he shall receive of mine,
            and shall shew it unto you.
:15 All things that the Father hath are mine:
    therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus Christ had a personal, viable relationship with his Heavenly Father and now all that is his is ours. Remember the great principle? God's spirit teaches His creation in you which is now your spirit and your spirit teaches your mind then it becomes manifested in the sense realm as you act. God gives revelation to those filled with pneuma hagion and will guide you into all truth. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, keep knocking and it shall be opened unto you. As you turn to God and put on the mind of Christ you will see the glorified Christ more clearly. The more we walk in the power and authority that we have been given the more we will become like Christ.

I John 3
:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
    that we should be called the sons of God:
    therefore the world knoweth us not,
    because it knew him not.
:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God,
    and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:
    but we know that,
        when he shall appear,
        we shall be like him;
            for we shall see him as he is.
:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

I eagerly anticipate the return of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. At that time we shall be made like him to live eternally as he is. Until that time we are given power for abundant living. Let us keep the hope before our faces; as we do so we will cleanse ourselves from the world.

Romans 8
:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin;
    but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you,
    he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The effect of the indwelling holy spirit and power of God on your life is to quicken, make alive, your physical body.

:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors,
        not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
:13   For if ye live after the flesh,
        ye shall die:
        but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body,
        ye shall live.
:14   For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
        they are the sons of God.
:15   For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
        but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
            whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
        that we are the children of God:
:17 And if children, then heirs;
        heirs of God,
        and joint-heirs with Christ;
    if so be that we suffer with him,
    that we may be also glorified together.

It is imperative that we recognize who we are and what we have available to us; we are ambassadors now (II Cor 5:20) filled with power from on high. We can now walk spiritually in everything we do. Blow to smithereens the deeds of the body and live for God.  Every time we speak in tongues it is a witness that Christ is in us; we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; that truly thrills my soul.