What does that simple question reveal?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#1
Have you received the Holy Ghost/Spirit SINCE you believed?
 
Jul 14, 2019
214
124
43
#2
The baptism in the Spirit is a blessing for sure. Every Christian needs the Spirit to pray for them. That's the power of God with dynamite. The holy spirit intercedes for the individual.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,236
1,132
113
New Zealand
#3
Have you received the Holy Ghost/Spirit SINCE you believed?
Put the context around this quote first.

Who is being asked this question?

What is the setting?

What is the subject?

What is the occasion for speaking?
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#7
Put the context around this quote first.

Who is being asked this question?

What is the setting?

What is the subject?

What is the occasion for speaking?
The account has no bearing on what the actual question reveals.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#8
The baptism in the Spirit is a blessing for sure. Every Christian needs the Spirit to pray for them. That's the power of God with dynamite. The holy spirit intercedes for the individual.
What does the question actually reveal in and of itself?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,777
113
#9
Have you received the Holy Ghost/Spirit SINCE you believed?
This question was limited to a very specific situation. It is not for general application. So we need to keep the context in mind.
 

SomeDisciple

Well-known member
Jul 4, 2021
2,271
1,050
113
#12
It reveals the laziness of UPCI preaching.


Context.
"Paul... came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
“No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked.

“The baptism of John,” they replied.

These men Paul has encountered are clearly disciples of John the Baptist.

Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

By the looks of things, they were early disciples of John who probably lived in Ephesus, and went back home before the events of the Gospels unfolded: they were proto-Christians ripe for harvest.

On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Now these men have become proper disciples- These are actually the verses you would want to point out if you wanted to demonstrate that being a believer does not automatically mean you have received the Holy Ghost... along with acts 8:16.

And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,777
113
#13
being filled with the Spirit isn't prerequisite to being saved through faith.
We need to distinguish between (a) the gift of the Spirit, (b) the indwelling Spirit, and (c) the filling of the Spirit. These are all different. The gift of the Spirit is given only to those who repent and believe.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,334
29,582
113
#14
We need to distinguish between (a) the gift of the Spirit, (b) the indwelling Spirit, and (c) the filling of
the Spirit. These are all different. The gift of the Spirit is given only to those who repent and believe.
Does the Spirit not indwell a believer after receiving the gift of the Spirit (following repentance and belief)?
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#15
This question was limited to a very specific situation. It is not for general application. So we need to keep the context in mind.
No so. The truth is revealed in the Samaritan conversion account as well.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#16
being filled with the Spirit isn't prerequisite to being saved through faith.[/QUOTE

"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." Rom 8:9
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#17
They are one and the same.
If you have "believed" then you have "received."
That is a popular belief. However, Paul asked that question. The question makes a clear distinction. And the account actually confirms that distinction as well.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#18
It reveals the laziness of UPCI preaching.


Context.
"Paul... came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
“No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked.

“The baptism of John,” they replied.

These men Paul has encountered are clearly disciples of John the Baptist.

Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

By the looks of things, they were early disciples of John who probably lived in Ephesus, and went back home before the events of the Gospels unfolded: they were proto-Christians ripe for harvest.

On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Now these men have become proper disciples- These are actually the verses you would want to point out if you wanted to demonstrate that being a believer does not automatically mean you have received the Holy Ghost... along with acts 8:16.

And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.
Most fail to see the obvious. Paul presented the question, "Have you received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed? to 12 individuals he thought were believers. As such, Paul's question reveals what he understood; believers don't always receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost at the moment they believe.

In addition, the actual account proves the same point. They heard about Jesus, were rebaptized in water in His name and yet still did not receive the Holy Ghost. Only after Paul laid his hands upon them did the group receive the Holy Ghost.
 

Karlon

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2023
2,617
1,181
113
#19
yes, i have received & live with the Holy Spirit. the H.S. seals the benefits of our being saved. you know you are filled with the H.S. because you can experience a "correspondence" or a communication every day, many times a day. if people want more of the filling of the H.S. the H.S. needs to get more of the person!!!
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
#20
being filled with the Spirit isn't prerequisite to being saved through faith.
"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." Rom 8:9