When do we receive the Holy Spirit? This question has been debated and studied by theologians and scholars for centuries. However, both research and the Bible seem to agree that the Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation.
According to research, the moment of salvation is marked by a radical change in a person’s inner being. This transformation is often described as a rebirth or regeneration, and it is accompanied by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Research indicates that this change is immediate and irreversible, and it marks the beginning of a life-long journey of spiritual transformation.
This idea is supported by the Bible, which describes the Holy Spirit as being given to those who believe in Jesus Christ as their savior. In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” This “new birth” is accompanied by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus explains in John 3:5-6: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
Other passages in the Bible support the idea that the Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.” This passage suggests that the Holy Spirit is given to believers as a seal or guarantee of their salvation.
Furthermore, Jesus promised in John 14:16-17 that he would send the Holy Spirit to his disciples after he had returned to heaven. He said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers who were gathered together in Jerusalem (Acts 2).
In conclusion, both research and the Bible seem to agree that the Holy Spirit is received at the moment of salvation. This moment is marked by a radical transformation in a person’s inner being and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which is a seal or guarantee of their salvation. This understanding of when we receive the Holy Spirit is foundational to the Christian faith and has important implications for our walk with God.
