“For He (the Holy Spirit) had not yet fallen on any of them” (Acts 8:16) Part I

Introduction

God has poured out His Spirit upon the members of the True Jesus Church. This is why many in the church today pray in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, so when we receive the Holy Spirit, we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us.

The first instance of the promised Holy Spirit descending upon and dwelling in believers is recorded in Acts 2. On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were praying together in one place when the Holy Spirit descended upon them (Acts 2:1–4). The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in other tongues, and the Bible describes the sound of praying in tongues as something that others could hear: “this sound occurred” (Acts 2:5–6).

Due to the confusion among some in the multitude, Peter—who had just received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—stood up to explain that what they witnessed was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning God’s outpouring of His Spirit (Acts 2:14–18). The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of God is clearly articulated by Peter in his quotation: “I will pour out My Spirit.”

Today, one of the hallmarks of the True Jesus Church is our prayer in the Holy Spirit. Indeed, one of our church’s Ten Articles of Faith describes the Holy Spirit. The fifth article reads:

“Receiving the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues, is the guarantee of our inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.”

Our article of faith specifically states that speaking in tongues is the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. However, there are confusing messages from various churches today regarding speaking in tongues. First, many Christian denominations believe that all believers receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of their conversion or belief. Therefore, they do not believe in the need to seek the Holy Spirit. Second, many believe that speaking in tongues is not the required evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. These denominations often consider speaking in tongues as simply one of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit.

So, there is confusion regarding the Holy Spirit, even within the Christian community. In this article, we will attempt to address some of this confusion. First, we will use the Bible to explain why receiving the Holy Spirit is a separate event from believing or conversion. In fact, one must believe and receive the Holy Spirit to be saved. Believing is not equivalent to receiving the Holy Spirit. Second, we will explain how speaking in tongues is not simply one of several gifts of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is a necessary sign of receiving the Holy Spirit that can be seen and heard by others.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is a separate event from believing in Christ

Most Christian churches acknowledge that receiving the Holy Spirit is critically important for believers (Romans 8:9). However, most do not typically practice speaking in tongues—that is, praying in the Holy Spirit—during their prayers.

As a result, when friends visit our church for the first time, they are often surprised by the sight and sound of our prayers, because we pray in tongues. Even those who are already Christians are frequently taken aback. This is because many believe that a person receives the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion, and that receiving the Holy Spirit does not necessarily involve speaking in tongues.

Many Christians interpret Ephesians 1:13-14 as teaching that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit at the moment they come to faith—that is, at conversion. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 12:3 is often cited to suggest that anyone who can say “Jesus is Lord” must already have the Holy Spirit, since no one can confess Jesus as Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

However, these interpretations—which suggest that one receives the Holy Spirit at the moment of believing—cannot be correct. In the Book of Acts, we see a clear example of individuals who had already believed in Christ and had even been baptized in Jesus’ name, yet had not received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14–17).

“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

This passage clearly shows that believing and being baptized are distinct from receiving the Holy Spirit. It also underscores the importance of receiving both baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Both are necessary.

How, then, should we understand the aforementioned verses, which have the appearance of suggesting that one receives the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion?

Ephesians 1:13–14.

This passage links believing in Christ with being sealed by the Holy Spirit. It is indeed true that once we believe in Christ, we will receive the Holy Spirit—this is the Lord’s promise. However, this and similar passages do not teach that we receive the Holy Spirit at the exact moment we believe. We know this because of the example in Acts.

It is similar to when Jesus appeared to His disciples and breathed on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). This was a promise—not an immediate event. We know this because Jesus also said, “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you” (John 16:7). Therefore, Jesus’ words “Receive the Holy Spirit” could not have referred to that specific moment in time. Likewise, Ephesians 1:13–14 should be understood in the same way—as referring to the promised Holy Spirit, not the moment of belief.

1 Corinthians 12:3.

This verse describes how it is the Holy Spirit who leads us to confess that Jesus is Lord. It shows that belief is not something that originates from ourselves; rather, our salvation is by grace through faith. This verse, however, is not speaking about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The point of this passage is that the Holy Spirit—God Himself—is the one who guides us to believe in Christ. He is also the one who leads and empowers the church for mutual edification (1 Cor. 12:2–6). Paul explains that, without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we would still be worshipping “mute idols.” The Holy Spirit enables faith, but this does not mean that the indwelling of the Spirit automatically occurs at that moment of belief.

Therefore, receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a distinct event from believing in Christ. A person must receive both water baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

To be continued…..