Tag Archives: receiving the Spirit

The Apostle Paul has been preaching in Ephesus, and was preaching the True Gospel. He was preaching specifically to Jews – followers of John the Baptist – who believed in the Jesus Who was to come, but had never heard that Jesus had come. These were people had repented, and had been baptized by John. They left John’s side before Jesus revealed Himself, and going back to Ephesus, never heard that Jesus had come! Ephesus is 615 miles from Jerusalem, several weeks journey back in those days. There was no Internet, radio, or even print newspapers. They just didn’t know. God sent Paul to Ephesus to tell these believers the wonderful truth that Jesus had not only come, but died on the Cross and rose from the grave – and whosoever believes on Him shall be given eternal life.

Have You Received the Holy Spirit Since You Believed?

Acts 19:1-2 KJV 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 {pneuma, Spirit} since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost {pneuma, Spirit}.

Paul’s test for these believers in God was simple. “Have YOU received the Holy Spirit since you believed?”. You see, Jesus taught that once He went to the Cross, every believer in Him would receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus said:

John 14:16-18 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER HELPER, that HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER– 17 “the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you…. Continue reading →