“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.”
Jesus had just told the crowd, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” He then explained that believers are to receive the Holy Spirit when He comes. The Holy Spirit had not yet come because Jesus had not yet gone to the cross to bear our sins, nor was He yet raised from the dead.
The Holy Spirit couldn’t be given to believers until our redemption was accomplished. Thank God Jesus did it. Now all believers are to receive the Holy Spirit and be filled with God.
The Message Bible says: “He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He doesn’t force Himself upon anyone. Jesus said we must receive Him. Like receiving a friend into your house, we must receive the Holy Spirit into our heart. He then empowers us with His ability to face life with a smile.
I believe on Jesus, therefore I will receive the Holy Spirit with a wide-open heart.
- Reading Plan A: 1 Timothy 5
- Reading Plan B: 1 John 3
- Reading Plan C: Jeremiah 14-16; 1 Timothy 5
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.