Does Everyone Receive The Holy Spirit? [ If Not Why?]

The question of, “does everyone receive the Holy Spirit,” is a very common question that many believers and Christians ask today.

To correctly answer the question of whether everyone receives the Holy Spirit or not, we need to first understand who the Holy Spirit is and what His characteristics are.

Knowing the above questions first will help us answer the questions that every believer may ask out the if anyone can receive the Holy Ghost and this is what this post will look at today with reference to some bible verses for better clarity.

With that said, let us first look at who the Holy Spirit is and what are His characteristics so that we can answer the main question of this post, “does everyone receive the Holy Spirit.”

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is also called the Holy Ghost or the Comforter and equal in power and glory to God the Father and God the Son (see Matthew 28:19).

Also, Holy Spirit is not a created being but sent by God to do His work on earth. God’s word tells us that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 1:35) and that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit when he began his life as a human being (see Matthew 3:16).

The Holy Spirit has also been given to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have been baptized into Christ through water baptism by full immersion (see Acts 2:38).

In the New Testament, we see many records, accounts, and stories about how God used His power through the Holy Spirit during times of persecution or other difficult circumstances (see Acts 5:16-20; 8:5-24).

Furthermore, throughout history, people have claimed to have received gifts from God through his power as they prayed or meditated on scripture.

These gifts included speaking in tongues, miracles such as healing, prophecy, and discernment. We are also told in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth that Jesus Christ promised to every believer that will guide them into all truth.

What Are The Characteristics Of The Holy Spirit?

There are many characteristics of the Holy Spirit as described in many bible verses both in the old treatment and the new testament and some of them are:

The Holy Spirit is God’s third Person of the Trinity. He is also called the Comforter because He comforts us in our sorrows and joys. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth because He teaches us all truth.

He’s also invisible but can be perceived by some people. He fills believers with His presence during times of worship and prayer as well as giving spiritual gifts to believers so they can carry out ministry in the church and to others outside the church.

The Holy Spirit reveals Christ through Scripture, leads us into obedience, empowers us for service, convicts us of sin, indwells believers as a seal of salvation, gives assurance of salvation, sanctifies believers through faith in Christ, etc. (Eph 1:13; 4:30).

God’s Spirit is also holy and righteous just like the Father and Son are. He’s also eternal meaning He has no beginning or end.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit is also omniscient and omnipotent just like the Father and the Son implying He, too is all-knowing and all-powerful.

Can Everyone Receive The Holy Spirit?

The answer is no, not everyone receives the Holy Spirit. You see, the Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8).

Therefore, to receive the Holy Spirit, we must first believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The Bible teaches us that salvation comes by grace through faith alone in Christ alone.

We can’t earn God’s favor or salvation by our good works or religious deeds, but we can receive it through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for us.

Once we realize that God has given us this gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then we must respond by repenting of our sins and asking Him to forgive us. This is what it means to be born again (John 3:1-8).

When you become born again by receiving the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ, then you can experience His presence every day through His Spirit dwelling inside you (Romans 8:9).

You aren’t “filled” with the Holy Spirit until you become truly born again by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior.

The other reason why not everyone receives the Holy Ghost is that the Holy Ghost can only dwell in a true believer who’s living a holy life that’s undefiled by sin.

1 Corinthians 3:16 tells us in the new testament that our bodies are temples of God’s Spirit who dwell in us which is why as a believer, you can’t afford to defile yourself with sin if you want the Holy Spirit to be in your life.

Additionally, another reason why not everyone can receive the Holy Spirit is the nature of the Holy Spirit Himself who’s holy and can’t entertain sin.

You must understand that God’s Spirit can only dwell in the life of a true believer who’s saved from sin and is living a holy life and not an unsaved sinner who’s defied by sin.

See Also: 7 Sure Signs The Holy Spirit Is Working In You.

Who Receives The Holy Spirit Then?

The Holy Spirit is given to all believers as we see in Acts 1:8 where Jesus Christ promised His disciples that they will receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon them.

As we see in the book of Acts in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit came on two occasions to believers. The first was on Pentecost and the second was at Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:34-48).

There are different views as to whether or not these were two separate outpourings of the Holy Spirit or one continuous outpouring over some time. I believe that they were one continuous outpouring that lasted 40 days (Acts 2:1-4).

After this initial outpouring, we see that several people received power from God through the Holy Spirit and they used it in various ways.

Some spoke with tongues, cast out devils while others prophesied and gave witness concerning Christ (Acts 2:32) and much more.

There is nothing that can prevent anyone from receiving this gift from God today if they ask for it with all their heart after repenting and forsaking their sinful lifestyles.

See Also: How To Regain The Holy Spirit If You Backslid? [+ Sermon]

Conclusion.

I hope the above post on the question, “does everyone receive the Holy Spirit,” has thoroughly answered your question and helped you know who receives the Holy Spirit and not. In closing, if this post has edified you, let me know in the comments below. Stay blessed and don’t forget to share.

Further Reading.

• What Happens When The Holy Spirit Touches You?
• 10 Signs The Holy Spirit Is Speaking To You [For Sure].
• Can The Holy Spirit Leave A Backslider? Click To Find Out.

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