Did you receive the Holy Spirit
when you believed? ”
(Acts 19:2 NASB)
An enquiry and a discussion
I . The question asked Page 1
II. The question reviewed Page 5
III. The question answered Page 7
Alan Nairne Easter 2007 1
Did You Receive the Holy Spirit When You Believed? (Acts 19::2)
I. THE QUESTION ASKED Every good Conservative Evangelical (C.E.) knows not to even think that question, let alone ask it!! Yet, having spent a life time among such folks, I am bold enough to do so. After all, if Paul asked it, twenty years after the first Pentecost, why shouldn’t I?
But every well taught C.E. knows the answer to this question in that scripture. At least, twenty or thirty years ago they did. The answer is that the Church was still in a transitional period – the Samaritans of Acts 8 and the Gentiles of Acts 10 were all in that category. Then, the receiving of the Pentecostal Spirit of God on this particular group required a special Apostolic act. So the “ Dispensational ” explanation runs.
Let us be quite clear about the relationship between regenerated people and the Holy Spirit. Every “ born again ” , regenerated person has received the Holy Spirit for salvation (Titus 3:5). Paul put it this way – “ . . . if any one does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him ” (Rom.8:9). So, yes, we have all received the Holy Spirit if we are “ born again ” . But that is not what Paul was asking. He was not asking these Ephesian disciples (of John Baptist who accepted Christ as Messiah and had the same status as the disciples of Christ) if they had been “ born again ” , They were – for new birth is not exclusive to the NT. I discuss this in more detail later. But, understanding that they were Christians, he was asking if they had received the Pentecostal pouring out of the Holy Spirit. To him, clearly, they had not. An essential ingredient or ingredients in the quality in their lives was missing. But it was easily rectified. Some instruction, laying on of hands, their reception of the Holy Spirit for His “ fullness ” , and the primary evidence appeared which Paul was looking for – they spoke in tongues and prophesied. No doubt from then on their lives would have developed characteristics which would assure Paul that the primary evidence had been built upon.
But back to ourselves. Frequently I come across excellent brothers and sisters in Christ, speaking of their day to day experience, which causes me to think (in the sense of my last paragraph), “ Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? ” I rather think that I am addressing the question to those whose experience as Christians dates at least from that era of twenty or thirty years ago. For the kind of 2
teaching mentioned in my second paragraph was popular then. Though I do not hear too much of it these days, it lingers on, and the lives of many of us are still shaped by it. After all, unless a Church is committed to encouraging the Baptism in (or Fulness of), the Holy Spirit, there is a certain shyness about the subject. But the type of hymns and songs sung these days is less restrictive to the minds of younger Christians, and those who, (usually with families), go to summer camp, are likely to be exposed to such ideas. Because of this I suspect they may be more open to the Holy Spirit than we were. But time will tell as to the quality of their experience of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps younger Christians are much less self-conscious about a “ fresh ” receiving of the Holy Spirit, than us old-timers. If I were writing particularly for them I would plunge into a straight-forward exposition of Scripture teaching on the subject; of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but for many of us older folks I think there maybe a lot of baggage that needs to be jettisoned before we are likely to be open to a teaching different from what we have been used to – particularly if we have not been exposed to it before. And doubly so if we have imbibed the idea that it is definitely not for this age.. So I shall have to preface what I want you to know, with a challenge to you to rethink the meaning of what the Scriptures have to say about receiving the Holy Spirit.
If at any time you feel I am covering ground that is not applicable to you, just skip it and go on to the next section. If you have irrevocably made up your mind that it is “ not for today ” – well, still read on. You may be wrong. I was for half a life time. You could be too!
But if you want to read on, may I ask one thing? And that is that you turn up the scriptures that I quote and read them, having asked the Lord to make them fresh to you. I know you will be familiar with them, but I would like this to be more than an academic exercise. I would like what I have to say to encourage you to seek to move on with your God.
Actually, today, in our conservative evangelical situation, the phrase “ baptism in the Holy Spirit ” is not only emotive; it is also a bit of a “ red herring ” . For those of us who use the phrase, and see it as having a definite place in the theology of the Holy Spirit, it presents no problems. But for those whose perceptions of it tend to be 3
defensive, I wonder if it is not a “ red herring ” ? After all, surely, what we all want, (I hope), is to receive as much of the Holy Spirits presence and power as is revealed in the NT. All we need to ask ourselves is, “ have I received this? ” If we can progress along these lines, however, it will eventually lead us back to the phrase which is the title of this paper. So, having arrived in my discussion to that point, I will revert to it.
I referred to Christian folks describing their lives, and my querying if they have a tangible experience of the Holy Spirit. Most often the speaker found it difficult to view their life and experience as lived in the consciousness of the Lord being intimately involved in every aspect of that life. This results in life being very hard to live. Some of the statements that I hear relate to fluctuating emotional experiences that affect the speaker’s perception of the Lord. Sometimes there is depression. Sometimes it is evident that a person’s fulfilment in the Lord relates to the level of their service. If they are not up to their eyes in serving, there is little fulfilment as a Christian. Sometimes there are intellectual difficulties with certain aspects of the faith. But always there is that quality or ingredient in the Christian life which is missing.
Among a spectrum of such Christians there can be a whole range of attitudes that is usually well masked, though occasionally one of them may peek out. For example, there can be unforgiveness, self-seeking, pride. Or a sense of unworthiness, bad self-image, fear, worry and the like.
Often baffling situations are described. But the idea that the Lord can really sort it out in answer to specific believing prayer does not occur. Prayer may be made but more often than not it is perfunctory. This is particularly so in respect of sickness. Despite the emphasis, and yes, I use the word “ emphasis ” in the Scriptures, particularly the NT, the idea of seriously bringing the bother to the Lord either personally, or to the elders for anointing and prayer (James 5:14-18) just does not occur. That is a prime example of the effect of the Dispensational “ transitional ” concept of parts of the NT. Thank God for elders who are released for this and encourage prayer for healing and any other matter that bothers any of their flock.
There is another aspect of Christian experience that sharply divides those who have a healthy liberating experience of the Holy Spirit and those who do not. I refer to 4
freedom of bodily expression in public worship. We have all seen people raise their hands in worship. Sometimes they clap their hands. Some might think that these folks are just “ doing their thing ” . But there is more to it than that. In a charismatic setting you could even see them dance to the Lord – even if it is only the “ teddy-boy hop ” ! Let us bear in mind that bodily expression in worship is biblical. We are told to clap our hands (Ps. 47:1), to lift our hands (Ps.28:2, 134:2). Hebrew worship was joyful. As the late Harry Greenwood used to say, “ for years we have had the ‘joy unspeakable’(I Pet.1:8), isn’t it time we had speakable joy!”
I suggest to you that the expressionless type of Christian worship is unnatural if we really have the joy of the Lord. I remember when I worshipped like that, (and that was what I was like), that I saw some non-Christian young people dancing (taboo amongst us), and I envied their physical enjoyment, and regretted that there was no way for us to express our joy in life as they did. These days physical expression of joy is very commonplace, where it is seen upon the sports field to excess. But I suggest that the physical expression of emotion is God-given, and its extreme restraint among a certain type of Christian is unnatural. Thank God that in a measure we have been released to give a “ holy kiss ” to the opposite sex, and to give a hug to our fellow men. When a person receives the Spirit of God in a powerful way in their lives, often their emotions are released to express their joy in their Lord in the ways you have seen, and I have described. This also is very therapeutic, and may release many of us from shyness, pride, inhibitions and much else of a negative and nonChristian nature.
Take another example - activity involving the demonic is frequent in the NT. I certainly do not look for demons behind every bush, but for years Evangelicals in the Western world in the 20th/21st century denied their activity. I suppose pagan situations where the demonic was manifest were meant to parallel those of the Apostolic age. But with the increased manifestation of the occult and the use of drugs in the Western world during the last half century perceptions are more enlightened in some circles. But in others the denial of such activities still persists. For the Christian this is like fighting with one hand tied behind the back, and results in a Christianity that is sterile to deal with any such situation. How many Christians are aware of, and ready to use their authority over such powers? Yet to recognize and have faith to deal with such is meant to be normal for every believer.
5
I think I have sufficiently described what I am seeking to portray. In short, what so many of us experience falls short of the Christianity of the NT.
A one word description of such a “ Christian ” life, at least for everyday living, could be faithless. Not, I hurry to add, in the sense of being unfaithful to the Lord, but being unable to really see God in the everyday affairs of life. There is a lack of faith. That is the reason that I want to ask all of us, but particularly those whose Christian living is seemingly below par, “ Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? ”
I must say at this point that I have met many brothers and sisters in Christ who may not have followed fully the path of the teaching I wish to offer you, who put me to shame in the zeal of their service, their energy and effectiveness. But the Holy Spirit will meet with us in any way we are open to Him. Many have a vital experience of Him who have not experienced of Him what many of us have. The important thing to ensure is that we have an experimental knowledge of Christ through the Spirit for daily living. So I do not want folks who do not profess what I wish to share either to think of themselves as “ second class ” Christians, or be thought of as such by others. I am only too aware that I fail to meet my own potential in the Lord. But, I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say that whilst I am not faultless (ask my wife!), the Lord has blessed me with faith for everyday living, and power to change situations and lives by prayer and ministry. And that is what I covet for us all.
Did we receive the Holy Spirit when we believed? We have already agreed that the answer is “ yes ” . After all, when we receive Christ we receive all of Him, and we have title to his inheritance.
But if we actually receive “ everything ” , why are the lives of so many Christians lacking in faith and power?
Clearly, a release is needed. But why are the blessings of Pentecost not received and released “ automatically ” when we receive Christ as Saviour and Lord? The blessings of Pentecost we will remember relate to “ receiving power ” to be his witnesses, and to serve Him in the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit of God? John tells us in chapter seven of his Gospel (v.37ff.) that following Christ’s ascension and 6
glorification, “ rivers of living water ” would flow from the innermost being of those who believed on Him. After His resurrection He informed His disciples that “ . . . .you shall be baptised with (mg. “ in ” ) the Holy Spirit not many days from now ” (Acts 1:5), and he instructed them to “ stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high ” (Luke 24:49). The fulfilment of this promise was on the day of Pentecost, when, we are told, they were all “ filled with the Holy Spirit ” (Acts 2:4). What was the nature of this power? We are left in no doubt. Mark spells it out for us in words of one syllable (not quite!). “ And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues. They will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover ” (Mk.16:17,18).
The first two and last gifts of Mark 16 accompanying the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 are literal enough, the third and fourth are probably symbolic, though Paul experienced the third on Malta (Acts 28:3). It seems that these gifts, along with prophecy were the invariable accompaniments in subsequent receptions of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 10 (tongues) and Acts 19 (tongues and prophecy) issuing in a certain quality of life. It is not unreasonable to assume that the same manifestations of the Holy Spirit occurred among the Samaritans in Acts 8, since Peter regarded the term “ fallen upon them ” as universally applicable to the Christian experience of the Holy Spirit. Unless there were invariably manifestations, how would Peter and John know whether they had received or not? (v.16). That Apostolic ministry was needed was nothing to do with any transitional period (a fiction), but that that the Samaritans, as also the Gentiles of Acts chapter 10, were a fresh ethnic group who were being introduced into the now universal Kingdom of God. In Acts 19 Apostolic ministry was not needed. It just so happened that Paul came across these believers who obviously lacked, and they were ministered to as a matter of course.
My observations over half a lifetime of seeing folks baptised in the Holy Spirit leads me to the same conclusions. Whilst I am not saying, and would not say that without these manifestations there is no reception of the Holy Spirit, I will say that when folks do speak in tongues, at least, it is a clear indication that they have received. It may be that there are folks who operate in most of the gifts of the Spirit of God as listed in I Corinthians 12 who have never had this experience, but I have not come across any. 7
Let me put it another way. In the book of Acts these manifestations were promised by the Lord, and the disciples were expecting to receive them. And they expected to receive them on all subsequent occasions. Paul recognised it as inconsistent that folks who were believers did not manifest these gifts (Acts 19:2). So it is now. If believers are taught to expect to receive, then they will receive – at the same time as conversion if the teaching is there.
To receive the Holy Spirit in this sense is the introduction for each Christian to enter the realm of the activities of the Spirit of God. It is the doorway through which we receive inner revelation concerning both our entitlement and faith to operate in the spiritual gifts of I Corinthians chapters twelve and fourteen. It should be a challenge to every Christian as to why we do not see these powerful gifts, so essential for the purity and effectiveness of the ministry of the Body of Christ in action. Actually, they are in evidence, but you have to go to places where these ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit are recognised, encouraged and exercised. If one never sees this scenario, then we become used to the idea of continuing, “ successfully ” for many, without ever considering them. But I wonder how much more powerful they would be in their ministries if they included them?
For me it meant a new revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. A certainty that He indwelt me by the Spirit of God, and that these gifts and ministries are available for use in the Body of Christ. This, after all, is His promised ministry, to take of the things of Christ and show them to us (John 16:14, 15).
Getting back to personal issues; would receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit bring what is needed into lives that periodically suffer from a sense of failure? I am convinced that it would. Into lives where being a Christian is a case of hanging in by “ naked faith ” ? Where the Christian life is a grind? Yes, I believe it would. Where “ the world ” and its attractions seems to exert a lot of pressures? Yes, for this also. In fact, the filling of the Holy Spirit is the norm for all Christians. Every Christian life cannot fail to be blessed by an increase in power, and an anointing by the Spirit of God.
For the promise is that “ One who speaks in a tongue edifies (builds up) himself ” (I Cor.14:3). Among the many blessings that the Spirit of God gives through the 8
private use of tongues is that He brings a deep joy in the human spirit; He banishes fear and brings peace; He increases faith and confidence in the providence of God. It can precede revelation by the Holy Spirit concerning situations that need a spiritual element to solve them. In short, it brings both individuals and churches into what is akin to that shown in the NT as the norm.
But here I must add a caution. Whilst everyone cannot fail to be built up by a filling of the Holy Spirit, it is not a panacea for all ills. For, where there is a condition caused by, say, trauma in early life, or even while in the womb, extended counselling and ministry may also be needed. Other conditions, similar to this, may also need similar extended ministry, as also exposure to and involvement with the occult. Where this latter condition exists it is important before further seeking to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit to acknowledge, and repudiate those associations or involvement, so that a clear severance can be made.
But clearly, unless taught otherwise, Christians when exercising faith in Christ for salvation do not come into the “ fullness of ” or “ baptism in ” in the Holy Spirit. To insist that we do, flies in the face of common experience. If we did, we would see evidence of all that I have been referring to. And the sense of failure would not be so widely experienced. If Paul came among us, I believe he would soon ask the question “ Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? ”
Upon what basis do we get the idea that what happened at the first Pentecost must. ipso facto, be part of our experience? Well, you may say, it seems that all the disciples and apostles who gathered in the Upper Room and spilled out on to the streets of Jerusalem received, didn’t they? Yes, but they were in faith waiting for that very thing that happened. But I ask you, why, if we have only been taught about Christ for the “ salvation of our souls ” , or whatever, how can we receive that for which we do not believe? This was the trouble with the Ephesian disciples in Acts 19. They were on the same level as the disciples of Christ up to the time of the Cross, even though Pentecost had come some twenty years previously. The disciples before the Cross were “ born again ” . If they were not, why did Jesus rebuke Nicodemus for not knowing all about it? As a “ master in Israel ” he should have known all about Ezekiel 36:25-27 ( “ born of water and of Spirit ” (John 3:6).
So it is with us. I cannot but help think that despite the fact that we have title to all that Christ procured for us through His dying, rising, ascension and glorification at the right hand of the Father, by failing to appropriate by faith the blessings of Pentecost, we just have not received them. Certainly, in our advanced 9
apprehensions of the doctrines of personal salvation, sanctification by the Holy Spirit, discipleship, the Church, the Kingdom of God, the last things and many other doctrines, we are streets ahead of the pre-Pentecost disciples; but in terms of spiritual power and discernment in both our personal lives, and in service in the Kingdom of God, we are very much like them.
I said pre-Pentecost, because I had always assumed that Peter and the other disciples newly acquired great understanding of the Scriptures and the meaning of Christ’s ministry, death and resurrection, which they did not understand even up to the day of the resurrection (John 20:9), came on the day of Pentecost. But I see now that that is not so. The significance of Jesus’ breathing on the disciples in the upper room and saying “ Receive the Holy Spirit ” (John 20:22) was lost on me. But clearly, the significance lays in that this was necessary for them to be able to receive the ability to understand and receive the teaching that he gave them while with them for forty days prior to his ascension (Acts 1:2,3), so that this understanding could be used on the day of Pentecost and onward (Acts 2:16ff, 2:25ff, 2:34,35 etc.). The benefit of that inbreathing is available to the Church ever since. But the receipt of power awaited Pentecost, and it awaits our personal Pentecost also.
You may find it helpful to see that all of this doctrinal knowledge comes to our minds from the Word of God, then filters into our spirit so that we make it our own. But “ Pentecost ” brings us into an “ openness ” to the Holy Spirit so that He can take the initiative and speak His mind into our spirits. From thence it filters into our minds, and we then respond with action. That is the difference.
Maybe you are thinking that there are still questions that need answering. Like “ tongues shall cease ” (I Cor.13:8), and, “ By one Spirit are we all baptised into one body ” (I Cor.12:3). If you are interested in these and related questions you may like to read a paper I wrote in 2001 “ The spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit – did they cease when the Apostles died?” This runs to twenty three A4 pages, and you may need a strong stomach to digest parts of it, particularly the last sections. But the first third is a testimony as to how I came from believing that tongues were demonic to becoming a grateful user of them. The second third is a description and use of the gifts listed in I Corinthians 12:8-10. In the final third I have sought to deal with objections to the doctrine from the Bible and from Theology, with encouragement to pursue these gifts, as recommended by Paul (I Cor.14:1). The last section is an appendix examining the Dispensational view of the Baptism and Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I think that I have done what I set out to do, to challenge your thinking, and to give you lots of encouragement to see whether the Lord is leading you to “ mend some fences ” . The journey, if you complete it, need only be as long or as short as takes you to be prepared to take the next practical step with the Lord – to receive. Most folks who receive do so with encouragement from those who have already done so. It helps if you can find such. There are, of course, plenty of books available. What suits you will depend on where you are in your search to move on with God. Be assured, if you are ready now, the Lord will respond now! In Christ you have a title to all he procured for you – if you will receive it. * * * * * * * Alan Nairne Easter 2007
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