How to Receive the Holy Spirit

by Nathan Zimmer | Aug 11, 2020 | Blog, Fresh Bread Devotionals, Holy Spirit

Learning how to receive the Holy Spirit is a vital part of living in the fullness God has for us as Christians. As we will see today, being filled with the Spirit equips us as Christians to preach the Gospel.

If you missed it, last week we talked about who the Holy Spirit is as Our Helper. That post is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to who the Holy Spirit is, and today we will see some more of who the Holy Spirit is on our lives.

Jesus had the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit equips a believer to preach the gospel. Jesus, Himself, did no miracles before being filled with the Spirit.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:16-17 KJV

The “Spirit of God” – the Holy Spirit – came upon Jesus and after that we see Jesus leaving to go start His ministry.

The Apostles had the Holy Spirit

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence
Acts 1:4-5 KJV

The apostles (those who followed Jesus throughout His ministry) also were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus talking to His disciples before leaving for heaven spoke of the Holy Spirit saying that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the “promise of the Father” spoken about in Acts 2:17-21.

In many places in Acts it says, “filled with the Holy Spirit” giving the reason why the apostles were able to do the great works they were doing.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…” (Acts 4:8)
“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.” (Acts 13:9)
And so on…

The Spirit brings the power, boldness and anointing to see God’s word preached and signs and wonders following.

Other Christians had the Holy Spirit

But the Holy Spirit was (and is) not just for the apostles. In Acts 1:14 it says,

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

and then later on it continues in verse 15,

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)”

Even Mary the mother of Jesus was filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-2)!!

All Christians regardless of age, race or any other standing need to have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is available to anyone who will ask.

The Holy Spirit is for believers TODAY

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Ephesians 5:18 KJV

The word “filled” here is in the Strong’s Greek Concordance is number 4137. The word means to complete. You are not complete as a christian until you receive the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 8:14-17 we see…

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received 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 the Holy Ghost:
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 the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:14-17 KJV

It says here, “only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”. If you use the word only it’s because there is something else available too.

“John only bought a bagel.”

They had not yet received the Holy Spirit. They were not complete.

The Holy Spirit brings boldness and completion to a Christian’s life. Without Him, you are not equipped to preach the Gospel.