What if I asked you the following question:

Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?

You might be thinking: what a bizarre question?  Wes, you must be in some very deep theological error.  Everyone knows that during the new birth, we also receive the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, it would be an insult to ask the Lord for something we already possess…..right?

But, what if Paul the Apostle just met you, thought you were a believer, and asked you this question? How would you have responded to him?  This actually took place with some people he met while traveling:

It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  – Acts 19:1 (NASB)

In today’s e-teaching, we’ll explore what Paul’s question really meant and how you too can have a personal encounter the Holy Spirit – if you desire.

Background of Acts 19

Paul was on one of his missionary journeys.  Apollos, a ministry partner and teacher, had stayed behind at Corinth teaching and exhorting the believers there. As Paul passed through the high inland plateau of Asia Minor, he came to Ephesus, a roman province in Asia. Coming across some “disciples”, the first question he asked them was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed”?

Paul’s question revealed an interesting truth: Simply believing in Jesus does not equate to receiving the Holy Spirit – at least not in the sense he had defined it. He had somehow discerned that the Holy Spirit’s presence was missing amongst them. Their response to him was interesting:

And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” – Acts 19:2 (NASB)

He proceeded to drill deeper: 

And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” – Acts 19:3 (NASB)

In other words, if you didn’t hear about the Holy Spirit at baptism, you were obviously not baptized in Jesus’ name. It must have been unto someone else. His suspicion proved true. They were actually disciples of John the Baptist: 

And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” – Acts 19:3 (NASB)

 With this new insight, Paul reveals the purpose of John’s ministry and the gospel to them.  They believe and get water baptized:

Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. – Acts 19:4 (NASB)

Now that these Ephesians were freshly born again, Paul returns to full circle to his original question about receiving the Holy Spirit. After laying his hands on them, the Holy Spirit comes on them from on High. Immediately they begin speaking in tongues and prophesying, just like his fellow kingdom workers did years before on the day of Pentecost:

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. – Acts 19:5 (NASB)

Because this was the first question out of Paul’s mouth to new disciples, it indicates just how important it was to Paul for believers to receive the person of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to them years later (e.g. the book of Ephesians) and reminded them of their experience of salvation and when the Holy Spirit came upon them:

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. – Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)

Later on in his letter he instructs them to continue being filled. He did not want them thinking that their initial experience with the Holy Spirit was sufficient for their entire Christian walk. He wanted them to continue in the stream of God’s river: 

Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.  – Ephesians 5:18 (ISV)

Many translations will say “but be filled with the Spirit”. In the original text however it translates ‘keep on being filled’, or ‘filling to be filled’. This implies an initial filling, and then the need to keep it up.

Wait a minute, are you saying that as a believer I need to receive the Holy Spirit? Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. However, we must first define ‘receive’, which we will do a bit later.  But first, let’s look at more New Testament examples of where people received the Holy Spirit.

The Example of Jesus Himself

Jesus, as God’s Son, modeled to us on earth how we should live in God. In many respects, we are to walk as He walked. Below are several significant events which He modeled for us to follow (in chronological order):

1. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit — we need to be born of the Holy Spirit
2. Jesus was water baptized — we need to be water baptized 
3. Jesus received the Holy Spirit from on High – we need to receive the Holy Spirit from on High
4. Jesus started His ministry — we need to walk in our unique callings/ministry also after 1-3.

Let’s review #2, #3, & #4 as they occurred with Jesus:

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized (#2),and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (#3) in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of Heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry (#4). Luke 3:22-23 (NASB)

He then walked out of the Jordan river full of the Spirit of God, ready to begin His earthly ministry.

Examples of believers receiving the Holy Spirit

As we are about to see, this model Jesus left us was the very same one the early church applied. The three key experiences Jesus experienced (new birth, water baptism, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit) were the apostles’ primary goal for others (as Paul demonstrated with the Ephesians). Christ’s true followers had been given the authority and command (Matthew 28:20, Acts 1:4-5) to help facilitate these experiences for others that desired them.

The delivery of teachings and doctrine to believers usually came after these experiences (just like the book of Ephesians was written afterwards). With new believers in the church today, often doctrine is delivered first, and experience later (or not at all). It was the exact opposite with the early church. Experience was offered first, and doctrine was offered second.

Here are a few examples:

Note: The order between water and Spirit baptism (e.g. receiving Him) may vary.

1. The believers and apostles in Jerusalem

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 (NASB)

Pentecost entailed saved disciples, at least 120, receiving a subsequent experience with the Holy Spirit. Jesus described this to them in advance as receiving the promise of the Father for power. They received several days (at least 10) after being born again. See John 20:22 for the record of when the apostles got saved. This example is somewhat unique from the others listed below because the Lord waited until the day of Pentecost had fully come before He poured out His Spirit on them. He did this for prophetic implications. This waiting period isn’t required for new believers today, as you will shortly see.

2. The believers in Samaria

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them…- Acts 8:14-16 (NASB)

Philip preached and Samaritans believed. Afterwards, Peter and John from the apostolic community visited them to pray for and lay hands on them to also receive the Holy Spirit. Notice they had already received the word of God (they believed). The most important objective for the apostolic community was ensuring these new believers receive the fullness of Holy Spirit. These Samaritans received perhaps several days after they believed and were water baptized.

3. Paul in Damascus

Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17 (NASB)

Saul (Paul) has a personal visitation by Jesus Christ Himself. He is converted and becomes blind. A man named Ananias receives a vision by night. His assignment to Saul (Paul) was for two specific reasons:

1. 1. To regain sight
   2. To be filled with the Holy Spirit

Note that Ananias addressed Paul as a “brother” (a believer). Therefore, Paul was first filled with the Holy Spirit three days later at a house in Damascus following his encounter with Jesus on the road.

4. The seekers/believers in Caesarea

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. Acts 10:44 (NASB)

Peter goes to Cornelius’ house to preach by divine coordination. The Spirit of God fell on those that heard and believed. This occurred during their salvation. Peter, a chapter later, describes the event to the Jerusalem Council as the gentiles receiving the baptism of the Spirit just as he himself did on Pentecost (see Acts 11:16-17).

5. Timothy

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.- 2 Timothy 1:6 (NASB)

Just like Paul reminded the Ephesians of their experience, he does so again here with Timothy. We know that Paul was talking to Timothy about receiving the Holy Spirit and not some specific spiritual gift because the next verse says, “For God has not given us a Spirit of…”. making reference that the gift Timothy received was indeed the Spirit Himself.

Summary of Examples

Above are five instances in scripture where the Holy Spirit fell upon believers after their new birth experience. Only in one instance did it occur during/around the same time they heard the gospel (at Cornelius’ house). From these examples, as well as numerous other biblical passages not referenced, we can conclude:

• Helping people receive the Holy Spirit was the main priority of the apostles and others (e.g. Ananias helping Paul) immediately after they received Jesus Christ.
• The phrases received, filled, baptized, & fallen upon all describe the same event.
• Receiving the Holy Spirit is a specific and memorable event in the life of believer. It is also necessary to achieve maximum effectiveness in each saint’s ministry.
• The Lord often imparts the Holy Spirit to believers through the hands of someone having spiritual authority.
• The Father desires that each individual believer today receive His promise of the Holy Spirit.
• Receiving the Holy Spirit often results in some external manifestation (e.g. speaking in tongues, prophecy, etc.).
• The early church desired that each person experience the new birth, water baptism, and the receiving the Holy Spirit within the shortest amount of time possible.
• Receiving the Holy Spirit plunges one into a deeper spiritual realm with God.  Supernatural living becomes the norm. Our spirit become increasingly sensitized to God’s workings. The Holy Spirit begins revealing to us many things in many ways – starting with revealing to us the glory and person of Christ.

 

My testimony 

At some point, our theology about God must give way to our experiential reality with Him. Below is my own personal story and initial encounter with the Holy Spirit. It is important to realize that God varies His experience from person to person. Yours may occur much differently.

Many years ago, this promise of God came to my forefront. One day while away on a weekend sabbatical I began asking for it. I lifted up my arms and face toward Heaven.  I began to express a sincere and heart felt thirst for the person of the Holy Spirit in my life.  Then suddenly, He came.  First He came upon me gently.  Then quickly and powerfully. I felt Him to begin to saturate me beginning at the top of my head. My physical body, even my bones and ligaments, became consumed with His presence. I felt the very breath of God coming in and out of my lungs.  At times during my experience, it became difficult to breathe, but I knew it was His breath sustaining me.  I wept inconsolably, but did not know why.  Everything around me faded away. and I was left face-to-face with the Creator of the Universe. 

His love for me as His child and His glory became so overwhelming I could no longer stand. I don’t recall falling per se, but rather His hand guiding me to the ground gently as He continued to move through me.  I felt what seemed like streams rushing through every faculty of my mind. I had heard and read about His love and goodness, but because of the Holy Spirit, I was actually tasting it and touching it first-hand. I physically felt what seemed to be like electric energy. I remained on the floor for quite some time, fully yielding to everything God was doing in and to me. Waves of His love and power would flow through me at times like billows in the ocean. When this was happening, I had no perception of time nor of my surroundings.

I was told by others this happened for nearly 30 minutes. After eventually standing up, I could still feel His power reverberating inside me.  As I walked back to my room, I realized my body felt lighter. For the rest of the night I was unable to speak. I could not even utter the name of Jesus without tears flowing.  From that night until now, I often sense the same presence of the Holy Spirit and His voice, “I am with you, I am in you, I am for you, I am upon you, and I love you”.

Meeting and receiving the Holy Spirit is only the beginning. Having Him flowing in our lives is the most precious and intimate relationship that anyone can have in this world. He is a true friend that will never leave your side and will help you in all things.

What does it mean to receive the Holy Spirit as a believer? Here is the million-dollar question!

We do not have to intentionally receive the Holy Spirit or even have knowledge of His existence to be born again. We do however have to willfully receive Jesus Christ to be. When we believe in Jesus, the Spirit of God automatically does several things for us:

• He regenerates us, causing us to be born of Him
• He causes us to immediately partake of what Jesus died for on the cross (the forgiveness of our sins)
• He plunges (baptizes) us into the Body of Christ, like a fish is plunged into the ocean
• He raises us to life
• He takes up residence in us
• …Much more but we cannot cover it all in this teaching

All of these things are automatically done by the work of the Holy Spirit. They require no effort on our part when we receive and welcome the person of Jesus into our lives.

On the other hand, when we receive the Holy Spirit, we intentionally focus on welcoming Him as another unique person of the Godhead (in addition to Jesus) into our lives. We do not ask Him to take up residence. He has already done so. Rather, we ask him to take over the residence! We do not ask Him to reside in us. We ask Him to rule over us.

How to receive Him

This teaching is ultimately aimed to guide you into a personal encounter with the unseen person of the Holy Spirit, if that is your desire.

To receive the Spirit of God after believing is like welcoming someone of royalty into your home. You open the door for them, acknowledge their presence, and humbly allow them to come and take over your home as they see fit. Because He is already in us, when we receive Him, He begins filling us from the inside out while at the same time Christ pours Him out on us from above.

Just like receiving Jesus, the promise of the Holy Spirit is received by believing and being fully convinced that the Father wants you to have this gift. We simply receive by faith. This is what Paul meant when he said:

He redeemed us so that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. – Galatians 3:14

Notice Paul says we have been redeemed so we might receive the promise of the Spirit. It is fully contingent on us believing that this promise is for you today. Every gift of God is received by faith. This includes the gift of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: 

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? – Galatians 3:2

The book of Galatians was clearly written to believers who had already received the Father’s promise, just like many other recipients of Paul’s letters.  Once we read the New Testament letters with this in mind, many other passages become very clear.

When the Holy Spirit comes upon us it will result in such a life changing experience that if someone were to ask us if we have received, we would be able to answer without hesitation “Yes!”. Paul understood this in Acts 19 when he asked the question to the disciples in Ephesus. He would not have asked it if the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit was not a profound, real, memorable, and life changing event in their lives.  

Therefore, if you are not sure if you have received, then it is very possible you have not. Receiving the Holy Spirit will always result in a dramatic difference in one’s spiritual life.  God varies the experience from person to person. If you have received, continue receiving by stirring up the gift inside you and keep on being filled.

Steps to receiving

Below are some practical steps I’ve used to help others in the Body receive:

1. Believe that Jesus Christ actually desires for you to receive the Holy Spirit. Believe it is a gift for you personally.
2. Close your eyes, and simply focus on Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father.
3. Begin to open your mouth and ask Jesus for the Holy Spirit. Feel free to lift your hands, signifying your faith and openness to receive and welcome Him fully into your life.
4. Give a little time for the Lord to work.  Do not rush it.  Then, with full surrender begin to receive, opening up yourself to the Holy Spirit, and allowing Him to do whatever He wants to do in you and upon you.
5. Begin thanking Christ and giving Him praise.
6. Take your time.  Receive by faith, not feeling.
7. If necessary, find someone who has received and ask for their guidance.

Did YOU receive the Holy Spirit when YOU believed? If not, why wait any longer?

Common misconceptions:

• “Being filled with the Holy Spirit was just for the early church”. No. It’s offered to every born-again child of God.
• “I received when I got saved”. My response to this is, how do you know?
• “Doesn’t the bible say we have all been baptized by the Holy Spirit?” No. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says we have all be baptized into the body by Him. Meaning, all believers were submerged into the family of God when they believed.
• “The bible says I have received all things pertaining to life and every spiritual blessing in Christ so there is nothing more for me to receive”. The authors (Peter and Paul) were talking to people they knew had already received the promise of the Father and tasted of the heavenly gift.  If Paul believed every believer receives every single spiritual blessing when they get born again then he would have never asked the question “have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed” to folks he thought were believers.

If you need some additional guidance, I am available by email and will be glad to pray with you.