When do we receive the Holy Spirit?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Believers receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, when they place their faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13). In the Old Testament, the Spirit would fill certain individuals temporarily for specific tasks (Exodus 31:1-5; Deuteronomy 34:9). In the New Testament, all believers are permanently indwelled (Romans 8:9). The Spirit’s indwelling is distinct from being filled with the Spirit, which can occur multiple times for empowerment or guidance. Scripture confirms that the Holy Spirit seals and marks every believer as God’s own at conversion. Understanding this helps believers recognize that they are never spiritually alone and always have God’s presence within them.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The filling of the Holy Spirit was a tool used by God since the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 34:9, Joshua is filled with the Holy Spirit to take on Moses' responsibilities.
• In 1 Samuel 19:20-24, King Saul and his servants are filled with the Spirit and prophesy.
• The Spirit filled Bezalel to give him the skill to craft beautiful items for the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-5).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Scripture clearly indicates that believers are indwelled with the Holy Spirit—that is, the Holy Spirit moves into their hearts—at the moment of conversion: "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13). All believers have the same spirit—the Holy Spirit.
• Ephesians 1:13 is more specific about the exact moment we receive the Holy Spirit: "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit."
• Romans 8:9 explains simply that "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him."
• The book of Acts is a fascinating look into the change from the age of Judaism to the age of the Church. Jesus was a Jew. The disciples were Jews. But the Church is distinctly Christian. The disciples didn't become Christians until John 20:22 when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into them. In Acts 2:4, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8:14-17, however, God waited to give the Samaritans the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came to them. We aren't told why, although perhaps it was so these devout Jews could witness the coming of the Spirit upon a group of people so despised by them. Acts 10:45 seems to corroborate this as the "circumcised believers" (Jews) "were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles."
• In Luke 1:15, the angel explains to Zacharias that his son, John the Baptist, will be filled with the Spirit. After Jesus' death and resurrection the Holy Spirit continued to fill people, including Peter (Acts 4:8), Paul (Acts 13:9), and the other disciples (Acts 13:52). This is different from the simple indwelling of the Spirit experienced by all believers. Some also confuse the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some believe it is the same as the indwelling of the Spirit, while others think it is more similar to the filling of the Spirit.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Holy Spirit is that part of the Trinity that lives inside all believers. When and how He enters our hearts is debated for a couple of reasons. The first is the confusion over the terms "indwelled with the Holy Spirit," "filled with the Holy Spirit," and "baptized by the Holy Spirit." The second reason is the tendency of some to see the receiving of the Holy Spirit in the early church as recorded in the book of Acts as the model for us today.

Today and always, we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In John 3:5, Jesus says, "…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." When we accept Christ, God immediately seals us with His Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22).

UNDERSTAND

• We receive the Holy Spirit the moment we trust in Jesus.
• Being indwelled is different from being filled, which can happen repeatedly.
• The Spirit seals believers, assuring God’s constant presence.

REFLECT

• How does knowing the Holy Spirit lives within you from the moment you trust in Jesus impact your daily life?
• How have you experienced the Spirit filling or empowering you beyond His initial indwelling?
• How can understanding the difference between being indwelled and being filled change how you rely on God in your life?

ENGAGE

• How do we see the Holy Spirit working differently in believers’ lives at salvation versus in moments of empowerment?
• What are the differences between God permanently indwelling all believers in the New Testament compared to temporary fillings in the Old Testament?
• How can we encourage one another to recognize and follow the Spirit’s ongoing guidance and presence in practical ways?