There is a lot of controversy concerning the reception of the Holy Spirit, mostly from people that are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Paul had the same problem with the Galatians. Paul wrote, O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you, Galatians 3:1. It appears that Paul is preparing the Galatians to receive some great truth concerning the crucifixion of Christ.
Paul wrote, "This only would I learn of you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law? (because you did something?) or by the hearing of faith" (hearing and believing the Gospel) Galatians 3:2. "Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?" (works). Galatians 3:3.
The Catholic church and many other religions believe that the Holy Spirit can be obtained by works (religion) They are in conflict with Paul.
What is the hearing of faith? If we don't know what the hearing of faith is, we will not know whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit. The hearing of faith is the Gospel. The Gospel is the work that Jesus did in our name and on our behalf that justifies, sanctifies, redeems and reconciles us and the world unto God, We are saved by the Gospel and the Gospel becomes ours by faith in the work and the person of Jesus Christ.
There are conditions for receiving the Holy Spirit, it is not by works or religion. Paul said, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17. On the day of Pentecost 8,000 Jews heard Peter's Gospel, Acts 2:41 and Acts 4:4. They heard, the Gospel, they believed the Gospel and they received the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38. It was the Gospel working in the power of the Holy Spirit that gave birth to the New Testament church.
When one receives the Gospel, they become indwelt with the Holy Spirit and are born again. It is the Holy Spirit working in the believers life that produces good works and the Christian life, Ephesians 2:10. It is all of God. Before God grants the Holy Spirit to someone, God must see them as perfect and complete in Christ, Colossians 2:10.
Paul wrote, "This only would I learn of you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law? (because you did something?) or by the hearing of faith" (hearing and believing the Gospel) Galatians 3:2. "Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?" (works). Galatians 3:3.
The Catholic church and many other religions believe that the Holy Spirit can be obtained by works (religion) They are in conflict with Paul.
What is the hearing of faith? If we don't know what the hearing of faith is, we will not know whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit. The hearing of faith is the Gospel. The Gospel is the work that Jesus did in our name and on our behalf that justifies, sanctifies, redeems and reconciles us and the world unto God, We are saved by the Gospel and the Gospel becomes ours by faith in the work and the person of Jesus Christ.
There are conditions for receiving the Holy Spirit, it is not by works or religion. Paul said, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17. On the day of Pentecost 8,000 Jews heard Peter's Gospel, Acts 2:41 and Acts 4:4. They heard, the Gospel, they believed the Gospel and they received the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38. It was the Gospel working in the power of the Holy Spirit that gave birth to the New Testament church.
When one receives the Gospel, they become indwelt with the Holy Spirit and are born again. It is the Holy Spirit working in the believers life that produces good works and the Christian life, Ephesians 2:10. It is all of God. Before God grants the Holy Spirit to someone, God must see them as perfect and complete in Christ, Colossians 2:10.
