Receiving the Holy Spirit

There has always been only one way to receive the Holy Spirit, from God for a purpose. In the Old Testament, when a person needed power to complete a specific task, God would give them the Holy Spirit. Usually, it was called “come on” someone for the period of time needed to complete a specific task. Examples are, Joshua (Num. 27:18), Othniel (Judg. 3:10), Gideon (6:34), Samson (13:25; 14:6). After Jesus was born, the first tasks in the New Testament fell to a man and a woman who would announce the baby Jesus was the Messiah {Simeon, Lk. 2:25-35; Anna, Lk. 2:36-38)}. Later, Jesus had important tasks which needed power to complete, so He empowered His disciples directly, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." - John 20:22-23 (ESV). After Jesus' resurrection, the Holy Spirit was given to all who accepted Jesus’ sacrifice and were baptized for the ongoing task of testifying about Jesus’ works. With the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we should ask Him to continue filling or empowering us, guiding and leading us to do His specific desires, and transforming us by his Spirit to be more holy. As we move along our unique spiritual journey, we should be His agents of grace, reconciliation, and ultimate redemption for all who will listen. The Holy Spirit's desires and plans for us all depend on our willingness and response to His guidance. If, as His followers we will have the confidence to begin a task, He will bring His desires for each of us to completion.