Have You Received the Holy Ghost Since You Believed?

 There are varying views and beliefs concerning the Holy Ghost…whether it’s necessary for salvation or merely optional to receive it, whether a person receives it as soon as they believe on Jesus or do they need to seek for it, what is the sign that a person has been filled with the Holy Ghost.

 

Despite varying views and thoughts, there is only one that matters and that is God and what His Word reveals.  So, as we open our Bibles we need to open our hearts and pray that God gives us a mind to understand His Word and what it says concerning the Holy Ghost.

 

WHAT DID JESUS TEACH?

Jesus taught in John 3:5-7…

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; (natural birth)
 and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (spiritual birth)
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

 

Jesus taught we must be born again of water (which is baptism in His Name) and of the Spirit (which is the infilling of the Holy Ghost).  Without it, we cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. We MUST be born again just as Jesus said.

 

WHAT DID THE APOSTLES TEACH?

Paul said in Romans 8:9,15-16…

9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit,
if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of  His.

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.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God 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.

 

Paul taught that we need the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us.   According to Scripture, if you do not have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within you, you don’t belong to Him.  Without His Spirit, we do not belong to Christ.  We are not a part of His family/His church/His bride.  So receiving the Holy Ghost is necessary!

 

The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of adoption to us and is witness that we are now the Children of God.

 

The Holy Ghost is the seal that we receive and is a downpayment from God until we inherit eternal life….  Ephesians 1:13-14

…In whom also after that ye believed,
ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.

 

 

WHAT MUST I DO?

Peter’s response on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38-39 when asked “What shall we do?”…

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. 
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.”

 

First, we must repent of all sins.  Turn away from everything that displeases God.
Next, we must wash away those sins through baptism in His name.

          Repentance grants us forgiveness of sin.

          Baptism washes them away.

And God promised we can receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

The Holy Ghost is a Gift that God has promised to us if we will receive it.

 

Most denominations believe in receiving the Holy Ghost, but many believe you receive it when you confess Jesus as your personal Savior and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

We’re going to look at more Sciptures to see what God’s Word defines as the evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost.

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE OF RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST?

 

The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost. (John 7:39)

…The Holy Ghost was not yet given;
because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

 

Read Acts 2:1-4

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,

they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,

And it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,

And it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,

And began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

In reading this we see as the Holy Ghost came on the Day of Pentecost that…

1. There was a sound as of a rushing mighty wind which filled the house

2. There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire that sat upon each of them

3. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and

4. Began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

So, what is the evidence of the Holy Ghost?  How do we know if someone has truly received the gift of the Holy Ghost?

 

Read Acts 2:5-12

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men,

out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad,

the multitude came together and were confounded,

because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another,

Behold, are not these which speak Galileans?

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and dwellers in Mesopotamia,

and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia,

in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome,

Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians,

We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another,

What meaneth this?

 

 

After the Holy Ghost was poured out, a crowd began to gather.

          *The crowd was comprised of those who lived in Jerusalem or had made
             the Pilgrimage from other parts of the world to celebrate the Harvest.

          *They were amazed because they heard those who were in the Upper
             Room (the ones who received the Holy Ghost and were speaking in a
             language other than their native language) speak the wonderful works of
             God in a language they did not and should not be able to speak in.

 

The word Galilean was used as a name of contempt – when they called them that, they were speaking in a derogatory way against them.

*Refers to the Jews and Gentiles who inhabited the region of Palestine

*Majority were lower class tenant farmers & laborers (herders or fishermen)
           *Thought of as backward and unsophisticated

 

In Acts 4:13 – Peter and John were looked upon as ignorant and unlearned which caused the priests in the Temple to marvel at their teachings.

This is why they were amazed to hear them praising God in their native tongue.  They were considered to be too uneducated to be able to speak their language.

 

But does that prove that’s the evidence of the Holy Ghost? 

 

Some believe “Joy” is the evidence of the Holy Ghost.

          You can have joy when a new baby is born, but that’s not the Holy Ghost

          You can have joy when you get a new car or new house, but that’s not the
                   Holy Ghost

 

Acts 13:52 says “and the disciples were filled with joy AND with the Holy Ghost” showing there is a difference.

 

 

 

Old Testament prophesy foretold in Isaiah 28:11-12

 

“For with stammering lips and another tongue

will He speak to this people.

To whom He said,

This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest;

and this is the refreshing: ….”

 

 

 

 

 

Read Acts 8:5-19
          Vs 5-8 ….Phillip was evangelized the city of Samaria.  Many mighty miracles
                      took place and people were converted because of it.
          Vs 9-13 ….Everyone was baptized after they believed.
                      Even Simon the scorcerer believed what Phillip was preaching and was
                      baptized as well.

          Vs 14-18  …..Peter and John came to Samaria after they heard the people
                     were receiving and obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

They then prayed for them to receive the Holy Ghost.   The people:

                   Believed

                   Were Baptized

                   But hadn’t received the Holy Ghost yet (vs 16)

They received the Holy Ghost when they laid their hands on them and prayed (17)

 

We know Simon saw some tangible, undeniable evidence that proved to him they received the Holy Ghost (vs 18-19) – when he saw that people were receiving the Holy Ghost, he thought they were performing a magic trick and offered to pay them for them to reveal to him how they made that to happen. While that particular passage does not say they spoke with new tongues, we know he saw something that peaked his interest.  Scripture supports Scripture as we’ll continue looking at what that evidence was that Simon saw…..

           

Read Acts 10:44-48 – Peter came and preached the Gospel to Cornelius/household

{44} While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

{45} And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

{46} For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

{47} Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

{48} And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

 

In this passage we find….

          The Gentiles received the Holy Ghost just as the Jews received in (Acts 2:4)

          The Jews were astonished…how did they know they received the Holy Ghost?

          Vs 46…for they HEARD them SPEAK WITH TONGUES

          Vs 47…Peter confirmed they received the same Holy Ghost as those present   
               with him had received on the Day of Pentecost – they spoke with tongues
           Vs 48…commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord.

 

Read Acts 19:1-6

Paul, in his missionary travels, came across disciples during his travels.  He was excited to find that they believed on Jesus.  His first question to them was, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?”  They responded that they hadn’t even heard about the Holy Ghost yet. 

 

Next, he asked how they were baptized.  Finding that they had only been baptized by John the Baptist, he began to expound the scriptures to them and explain that John’s baptism was just preparation for Jesus’ baptism.  Notice what he does next....he baptizes them correctly in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Afterward, he laid hands on them and as he began to pray, they were filled with the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking with other tongues.

 

 Act 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,

Act 19:2  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.

Act 19:3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Act 19:4  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.

Act 19:5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

 

*** Notice Paul did not ask, “have you received the Holy Ghost since you were saved?”  He asked, “have you received....since you believed.” 

 

Believing is just the first step for he that comes to God must believe that He is (Heb 11:6).  Jesus in Mark 16:16 states, “he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved.”  Believing is important, but that’s not all there is.  We will look at many more Scriptures that explain and show us that being baptized in the name of Jesus and receiving the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues are not to be left out or considered optional.  

 

*** If it does not matter how you are baptized or whether or not you receive the Holy Ghost, Paul would not have taken the time to correct their error, rebaptize them, then pray for them to receive the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Consistently throughout the Book of Acts, we find where those who received the Holy Ghost SPOKE in OTHER TONGUES.

 

In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus said there are signs that are to follow a believer…

And these signs SHALL FOLLOW them that believe;

In My Name shall they cast out devils;

They shall speak with new tongues;

They shall take up serpents;

And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;

They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

 

If you’re a Believer, these signs should be following you.  You SHALL speak with NEW TONGUES!

 

1 Cor 14:18, Paul said…. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all;

 

In 1 Cor 14:39, He also instructed that no one is to forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

 

Tongues is the evidence of the Holy Ghost.  When a person instructs another that they don’t need to speak in tongues, they are forbidding the Holy Ghost.

 

**A pastor may do that on a rare occasion when they discern that it is not of God.  The devil will mimic tongues**

 

There is a difference between speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Holy Ghost and the gift of divers kinds of tongues.

 

When you receive the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues for the first time, it is evidence that God now has control of your tongue and has bridled your tongue.

Keeping the tongue bridled afterward takes work on the part of the Believer – it takes staying prayed up and full of the Holy Ghost and self-control.

 

There is a difference between the Tongues given when a person first receives the Holy Ghost and the Gift of Divers Kinds of Tongues (a Gift of the Spirit)

 

Many believe they are one and the same but the Bible reveals differently.

 

If we want to know HOW to be saved….

we look to the Book of Acts – that is where the birth of the Church is recorded and we can find evidence of how the first believers came to be saved = They believed, repented, were baptized in Jesus Name, and were filled with the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues.

 

Then to grow as a Believer in Christ and learn how to be a Christian and what we need to continue to do AFTER we’re saved….

we look to Romans through Jude = where we find instruction, correction, admonition, and inspiration. It is there that we learn how to operate in the Spirit and the 5 fold ministry that God has ordained for His Church.

 

The gift of divers kinds of tongues is an additional gift AFTER receiving the Holy Ghost given to some to be used for the edification of the Church body.

 

1 Cor 12:4-11

Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, 

but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit whithal.

For to one is given by the Spirit

The word of wisdom;

To another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit.

To another faith by the same Spirit;

To another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles;

To another prophecy;

To another discerning of spirits;

To another divers kinds of tongues;

To another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit,

dividing to every man severally as he will.

 

Divers kinds of tongues are usually (but not always) followed by the interpretation of tongues. A message will be given in tongues followed by someone being used by the Spirit to interpret that message.

 

Divers (Different) kinds of tongues can also be a prayer tongue which is used by a person fighting spiritual warfare.

Speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Holy Ghost can often be understood by a person of another nation.  But the Divers kinds of tongues can be a prayer tongue of intercession speaking mysteries that only God understands.

 

 

1 Cor 14:2

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaking mysteries.

 

1 Cor 12:28

And God hath set some in the Church,

First apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,

After that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,

diversities of tongues.

 

When Paul continued on in Vs 30 to ask, “do all speak with tongues?” he was not saying that not every believer would speak in tongues, otherwise, he would be contradicting the very words and teaching of Jesus in Mark 16:17-18 where He said that speaking in new tongues is a sign that SHALL follow a believer.

 

Paul is referencing the gift of divers kinds of tongues which will be dispersed for the edification of the Church as God decides and wills. 

 

He encouraged the Believers to covet the best gifts (1 Cor 12:31) and to desire spiritual gifts that follow after salvations (1 Cor 14:1)

 

One of the greatest deceptions the devil has perpetrated on mankind is that:

1.      they either do not need the Holy Ghost to get to Heaven

2.     or that they receive it at the moment they receive Jesus as their Savior without any evidence that Jesus has come into their heart.

 

He gets people to question, “Does God’s Word really say….?”  “Do I really need to?”

Why?  Because he knows that the Holy Ghost gives us power over him and gives us power to overcome sin.

 

Acts 1:8 – And ye shall receive POWER after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

 

Peter and John were arrested for healing a weak helpless 40+ year old man and preaching Jesus.  They were asked, “By what power or by what name have ye done this?” Peter was FILLED with the Holy Ghost as he responded that it was by the Name of Jesus Christ that the man was made whole.  Then as they began to pray, the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 4:7-31)

 

They used the name but was the Holy Ghost necessary?

The reason the 7 sons of Sceva were unable to cast out devils was because they did not have the Holy Ghost.  They tried to use the Name of Jesus but they did not have the Holy Ghost operating in them.  They had no power over those devils which sent them running. (Acts 19:13-16)  The Holy Ghost gives the Power! 

I could go on and on showing Scripture after Scripture about the power of the Holy Ghost and the necessity of receiving it. 

 

There is something about the Power of the Holy Ghost!

 

Colossians 1:27 - …which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

It is the Spirit of Christ residing in us.  Why would anyone not want to receive it?

 

Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?