WHEN DO WE GET THE HOLY SPIRIT?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EARNEST OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE HOLY SPIRIT OF POWER?

IS THERE CONDITIONS TO RECEIVING IT?

The above questions are extremely important to all of us in God’s church in these end times.

We should all want the Holy Spirit. We need to know when we get it and exactly what we are receiving when we do get it.

WHEN DO WE GET THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Earnest of the Spirit

Firstly, we will discuss the receiving of the earnest of the Spirit.

When we get the Holy Spirit varies from person to person. This largely depends on what God has in mind for that person. If God is going to use a person in a special way, that person may receive the Holy Spirit in a special way, or time. This great event will vary. However, in the greatest amount of cases most would receive it at the laying on of hands after baptism.

Notice what happened in the case of John the Baptist, this was a great man in God’s eyes, remember Christ said, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. Here we see that John actually received the Holy Spirit before his birth.

Luk 1:15  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

John’s mother, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit while she was pregnant with John, at the time Mary came to visit her.

Luk 1:41  And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Here we see that when you get baptized you receive the Holy Spirit.

Luk 3:16  John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Act 1:5  for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Act 8:17  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Notice the following scripture, these people were baptized after receiving the Holy Spirit.

Act 10:47  “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

The following scripture shows that the earnest of the Spirit was given to the gentiles when Peter spoke to them. Just as the earnest of the Spirit was given to the disciples when they were baptized.

Act 11:15  And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

Act 11:16  Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT AND THE HOLY SPIRIT OF POWER?

The Holy Spirit of Power

Now to the little understood subject of receiving the Holy Spirit of power.

This is of vital importance to us, that we understand the difference between the earnest of the Spirit and the Holy Spirit of power.

The earnest of the Spirit is given at the beginning of God’s calling so we can obey and grow in faith, love, and belief, and all the fruits of the spirit towards God.

The Holy Spirit of power is given when the knowledge of eternal life is revealed to the called person and accepted by them. This is revealed knowledge and comes from the Father.

When we receive the earnest of the Spirit, we are called.

When we receive the Holy Spirit of power we are chosen.

Notice the following scriptures on this vitally important subject, the receiving of the Holy Spirit of power.

Rom 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2Co 13:4  For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

Act 1:8  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.”

2Ti 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Mic 3:8  But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin.

This scripture below, is extremely plain, in verse 2 elect is translated as chosen in some Bibles.

Why are they chosen? Because they have the knowledge of the Father. They have the Holy Spirit of power. How plain and simple.

1Pe 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1Pe 1:2  elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Luk 24:49  Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Before we receive the Holy Spirit of power, God has revealed to us the knowledge of eternal life. We must believe and accept this knowledge as a child. We must be willing to grow, to learn, to believe God. We must prove all things, study and ask God to help us in our search of the scriptures and of our own hearts. Do we want to believe God?

Do we want to learn new knowledge about the Father and Christ in these last days?

Are we just happy to accept things without proving them, without looking up every scripture to see if it is correct? Are we happy to do this because we don’t want to rock the boat, or risk being put out of the church?

Who are we serving God or man? Who do we want to please God or man? Who do we obey God or man?

These are difficult questions and ones that must be answered honestly. We must search our deepest feelings on these things. The stakes are just too high to lie to ourselves. Eternal life is at stake. We must be honest with ourselves before it is too late.

Back to the receiving of the Holy Spirit of power. There is a vital difference in the receiving of the two phases of God’s Spirit.

The earnest of the spirit enables us to understand and obey and believe God. This is given to us when we are called. But we must grow from there, work at our spiritual state. When God decides we are ready to be shown the knowledge of eternal life, He reveals it to us. If we accept this new knowledge, we receive the Holy Spirit of power.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

1Ti 2:4  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

This knowledge is the knowledge of eternal life, it carries great responsibility with it. That is why God must be very sure who He reveals this new knowledge to.

IS THERE CONDITIONS TO RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT?

What must we do to receive the Spirit?

It requires, belief, obedience, faith, and we must ask God for it.

BELIEF

Belief is vitally important. If we do not believe the new knowledge that God gives us, we simply will not receive the Holy Spirit of power and then have eternal life. This is extremely important.

Notice the following scriptures on belief.

2Th 2:13  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,

Joh 7:39  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

OBEDIENCE

Obedience to God is a condition of receiving the Holy Spirit of power and then eternal life.

Act 5:32  And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Heb 3:18  And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?

FAITH

If we want eternal life, and the Holy Spirit of power, we must have faith. Faith can be asked for. God will increase our faith.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Luk 17:5  And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

We must liken the getting of the Holy Spirit of power to the entering the Promised Land.

Ten out of the twelve original spies found the Promised Land fearful. They knew it was a fantastic place, but they lacked the courage and faith in God to face the giants and the inhabitants of the land.

We must face the difficulties that the new knowledge will bring, believe God, trust in Him. Have faith in Him. This new knowledge will be like the giants appeared to the spies. However we must have strength and courage in accepting the new knowledge.

When the spies searched out the Promised Land it was a test from God to see if they would be able to accept the situation put before them. Today is no different. This new knowledge is a test from God to see who will accept it, who will believe it, who will ask God for guidance and ask God to open their minds to understanding.

If we want eternal life, if we want the Holy Spirit of power, if we want to be firstfruits, then we must accept this new knowledge.