What does having the Holy Spirit mean?

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Felicity

LOL! I thought you'd pick up on the fact I was being slightly facetious. Didn't think I'd have to tell you.


One Spirit. Different operations of the One Spirit.

Different operations does not mean that you receive it different ways. It means it works through you different ways. It is speaking about the gifts of the spirit, as this is the subject of the chapter.


What you are trying to tell me is that you can receive the holy ghost, and then receive the holy ghost again. It does not line up with this scripture. No matter how you slice it, this scripture says that these Christ believing Samaritans, who had just come out of a miracle revival, and had been water baptized in the name of the Lord, HAD NOT RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST until Peter and John came and laid hands on them. There was no "receptions" prior, as it would violate the text as written.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by J-Roc

I thought her tone was sarcastic....no?

A little - yes.

[Felicity]

Well, like I asked Theophilus in an earlier post, what is it that they receive then? Can you answer this? Matt? What do they receive that makes such a huge change in their lives spiritually? If it's not the Spirit of God then what is it?

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Well, like I asked Theophilus in an earlier post, what is it that they receive then? Can you answer this? Matt? What do they receive that makes such a huge change in their lives spiritually? If it's not the Spirit of God then what is it?

They receive humanistic will-power.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Well, like I asked Theophilus in an earlier post, what is it that they receive then? Can you answer this? Matt? What do they receive that makes such a huge change in their lives spiritually? If it's not the Spirit of God then what is it?

I do not negate the work that is done at repentance. I believe there is a work of the Holy Ghost that takes place at repentance. But I do not believe it is a reception of the holy ghost. If it is, why did the Samaritans not receive it?

I cannot take away from the feeling a person gets when they have repented of their sins, and made a decision to follow Christ. There is a feeling of weights being taken off. There is no doubt that God has lifted them, and that you now have a feeling of being clean. It is called forgiveness.

The Samaritans had Joy in the city. They had that clean feeling. I am sure there was some dancing and leaping going on. But they still had yet to receive the Holy Ghost.

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I cannot take away from the feeling a person gets when they have repented of their sins, and made a decision to follow Christ. There is a feeling of weights being taken off. There is no doubt that God has lifted them, and that you now have a feeling of being clean. It is called forgiveness.

What makes you think someone feels clean and a burden is lifted when they are being told that their soul still has a residence in HELL FIRE! Don't you realize this...there is no happy feeling when you fear that your salvation is in limbo, bro simply because that is what they are being fed in their mind!!

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by J-Roc

What makes you think someone feels clean and a burden is lifted when they are being told that their soul still has a residence in HELL FIRE! Don't you realize this...there is no happy feeling when you fear that your salvation is in limbo, bro simply because that is what they are being fed in their mind!!

I have to wonder who has fed you all this garbage that has made you so bitter.


The bible says that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth". When someone repents they have made a decision to follow Christ by faith, and while they are not born again yet, they are on their way.

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I have to wonder who has fed you all this garbage that has made you so bitter.


The bible says that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth". When someone repents they have made a decision to follow Christ by faith, and while they are not born again yet, they are on their way.

No bitterness, Matt...simply very saddened by the teachings that are misguiding souls.

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

The bible says that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth". When someone repents they have made a decision to follow Christ by faith, and while they are not born again yet, they are on their way.

Absolutely there is joy when one turns to the LORD for they have the blessed assurance of salvation provided by the Lamb of God once they trust and put their faith in Jesus....

...yeah, they are on their way...almost there but still in salvation limbo.

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I do not negate the work that is done at repentance. I believe there is a work of the Holy Ghost that takes place at repentance. But I do not believe it is a reception of the holy ghost. If it is, why did the Samaritans not receive it?

I cannot take away from the feeling a person gets when they have repented of their sins, and made a decision to follow Christ. There is a feeling of weights being taken off. There is no doubt that God has lifted them, and that you now have a feeling of being clean. It is called forgiveness.

The Samaritans had Joy in the city. They had that clean feeling. I am sure there was some dancing and leaping going on. But they still had yet to receive the Holy Ghost.

Exactly, look at the eunuch.

Ac 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

I recall my own experience likewise, but nothing matched the baptism of the Holy Ghost that took place a while after. Cleansed and empowered, I was complete and on my way.