Receiving the Promise of the Spirit of God
by Brother L. Harrell

"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."  Galatians 3:14
Peter explains how to receive the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God) in Acts 2:38.  We must first change our evil ways (repent), and then get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (this is what all the Apostles had done, and this is what Jesus commanded [Luke 24:47]).  Then you can receive the Holy Ghost.  Evidence that you received the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."  I John 4:13

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"  John 7:38-39

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear."  Isaiah 28:9-12

Without the Holy Ghost, we are not saved (See Romans 8:9 Below).

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."  Romans 8:9

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."  John 3:6

Signs will follow true believers (See Mark 16:17 below and John 7:38 above)
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues"  Mark 16:17 
You must be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost to enter the kingdom of God:
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."  Hebrews 10:36-38

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"  Luke 11:13

"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."  I John 3:24

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."  John 14:21

Do the prophets of the old testament have anything to say about the this?  (Is the Holy Ghost foretold by God?)
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:33
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."  Joel 2:28
Also read Isaiah 28:9-12 (Listed Above).  If one rejects receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost, they reject the word of God and the word of the Prophets in the old testament, as well as the word of Jesus and the Apostles.  To not receive the Holy Ghost is to reject God / Jesus Himself.  I ask you what apostle Paul asked the believers in Acts 19:2, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"


We are told in II Timothy 3:5 That men, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 



Revised:  1/09/04

http://seventhdayapostolic.org/ChooseLORD/