The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Received Through Faith
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The Gift of the Holy Spirit is a central tenet in Christian theology, representing the indwelling presence of God in the believer's life. This gift is received through faith in Jesus Christ and is integral to the believer's spiritual journey and growth.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a robust framework for understanding the reception of the Holy Spirit as a gift. In Acts 2:38, Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost, saying, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." This passage underscores the necessity of repentance and baptism as precursors to receiving the Holy Spirit, highlighting the transformative power of faith in Christ.

In Galatians 3:14, Paul writes, "He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit." Here, the apostle emphasizes that the reception of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of God's promise, accessible through faith, and not by works of the law.

Role and Function

The Holy Spirit plays a multifaceted role in the life of a believer. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." The Holy Spirit is described as an Advocate, Comforter, and Spirit of truth, guiding believers into all truth and providing divine assistance in their walk with God.

The Holy Spirit also empowers believers for service and witness. Acts 1:8 states, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This empowerment is crucial for the mission of the Church, enabling believers to proclaim the Gospel with boldness and conviction.

Evidence of the Spirit's Presence

The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is evidenced by the manifestation of spiritual fruit and gifts. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These attributes reflect the character of Christ and are cultivated in the believer's life through the Spirit's work.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul explains, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." These gifts, which include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy, among others, are distributed according to the Spirit's will and are intended to build up the body of Christ.

Theological Implications

The reception of the Holy Spirit through faith has profound theological implications. It signifies the believer's adoption into the family of God, as stated in Romans 8:15-16: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This adoption assures believers of their identity and inheritance in Christ.

Furthermore, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a seal of the believer's salvation and a guarantee of future glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 declares, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." This sealing affirms the security and permanence of the believer's relationship with God.

In summary, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, received through faith, is a transformative and empowering presence in the life of a believer, marking them as God's own and equipping them for a life of service and witness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Galatians 3:14
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... faith is spiritual, the gift of God . ... faith is a thing wrought in us by the Holy
Spirit" (Wm. ... faith was still (Eph 2:8,9). however, once received, becomes the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k
Library

The Holy Spirit of Promise
... sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the ... a clean heart and the indwelling Holy
Spirit, without which ... not be satisfactory until they received the fulfillment ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter iv the holy spirit.htm

At this Time He Received a Letter from Pope Boniface Exhorting Him ...
... AT this time he received a letter from Pope ... His creatures, by the fire of His Holy
Spirit wonderfully to ... long-suffering of Heaven, His wonderful gift will be ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap x at this time.htm

The Gift of the Spirit
... which He was to bestow upon His followers"the gift that would ... humility they submitted
to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 5 the gift of.htm

Of the Holy Spirit and the Mystery of the Trinity.
... God; whence also, when He is called the Gift of God ... of the love of God and the Holy
Spirit being identical ... 1616] and [as] "we have received the spirit of liberty ...
/.../augustine/a treatise on faith and the creed /chapter 9 of the holy spirit.htm

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Principle of all Good Actions ...
... So that it is God, or the gift of his ... by the light communicated to souls by the Holy
Spirit; so that ... cleanse the very fountain, which is the spirit itself, the ...
/.../chapter vi the gift of.htm

Two Fruitful Years
... the connection must have been loose, for they had not received baptism. ... faith; and
one thing constantly follows faith, namely, the gift of the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/two fruitful years.htm

The Holy Spirit.
... Holy Spirit," and from that epoch the dispensation of the Spirit began; from ... in the
name of Jesus Christ, "Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.". ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the holy spirit.htm

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and ...
... gift of God, and, without this special gift, we can ... has a conviction wrought in it
by the Holy Spirit, that the ... now no share in me: the blessed Spirit which I ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the holy spirit convincing the.htm

Awake, Thou that Sleepest
... whosoever denies the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, or that the indwelling Spirit
of God is ... the blessing of the gospel, the unspeakable gift, the universal ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 3 awake thou that.htm

The Confessional Statement of the United Presbyterian Church of ...
... for the communication of every spiritual gift and the ... this ministry through the working
of the Holy Spirit in their ... Who at His ascension was received up into ...
/.../the confessional statement of the.htm

Resources
What is the spiritual gift of teaching? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to stir up the gift (2 Timothy 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Gift: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Gift

Gift Giving

Gift of Tongues

Matithiah

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by the Father

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by the Son

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Abundant

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Fruit Bearing

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Permanent

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: A Pledge of the Continued Favour of God

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: An Earnest of the Inheritance of the Saints

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: An Evidence of Union With Christ

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given for Comfort of Saints

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given for Instruction

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given in Answer to Prayer

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: According to Promise

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: Through the Intercession of Christ

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: To the Gentiles

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: To Those Who Obey God

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: To Those Who Repent and Believe

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: Upon the Exaltation

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Received Through Faith

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: To Christ Without Measure

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The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: Upon the Exaltation
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