Many people have questions about what it means to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today, we’re going to explore two big questions: (1) What does it mean to receive the Holy Spirit? and (2) How do we receive this gift? Let's take a look at the book of Acts and what it teaches us about the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of a believer.
1. What is receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Receiving the Holy Spirit is an essential part of the Christian life. When we come to faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters our lives, giving us new life and guiding us in our walk with God. This is what we see in Acts 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
Some Christians believe that receiving the Holy Spirit is a two-step process—first, salvation, and second, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early church, receiving the Holy Spirit often came with visible signs, like speaking in tongues, as seen in Acts 2:4: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
However, not everyone believes that speaking in tongues is necessary. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:30, “Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” This shows that the Holy Spirit can work in different ways in different people’s lives.
Is speaking in tongues necessary?
Some Christians, like Pentecostals, believe that speaking in tongues is a sign of being baptised in the Holy Spirit. They point to examples in Acts where new believers spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 10:44-46). However, other Christians argue that speaking in tongues isn’t always required.
The Bible doesn’t specifically say that every believer must speak in tongues to receive the Holy Spirit. In fact, there are many stories in Acts where people received the Holy Spirit, but no mention of tongues is made. For example, in Acts 8:17, “Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit,” but tongues aren’t mentioned.
Ultimately, the most important thing is that the Holy Spirit gives us power to live for God. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.”
2. How do we receive the Holy Spirit?
Receiving the Holy Spirit begins with hearing the gospel and believing in Jesus. In Acts 2:38-39, Peter tells the people to repent and be baptised, and they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here are the steps:
1. Hear the Gospel
The first step to receiving the Holy Spirit is hearing the message of Jesus and understanding that He died for your sins and rose again (Romans 10:17).
2. Repent and believe
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. When you believe in Jesus, you receive His forgiveness and new life (Acts 3:19).
3. Be baptised
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith. Jesus commanded His followers to be baptised (Matthew 28:19). In Acts 2:41, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
4. Receive the Spirit
When you trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes into your life to guide, comfort, and empower you to live for God (John 14:26). You don’t have to do anything special to receive the Spirit—it is a gift given to all who believe.
A life-changing experience
Receiving the Holy Spirit is not just a religious ritual or a fact of doctrine; it is a life-changing experience. As Romans 8:14 says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” The Holy Spirit gives you the power to witness, live boldly for Jesus, and experience a new depth of praise and worship in your heart. Let the Holy Spirit fill your life and lead you closer to God every day!
