The Holy Spirit came into the world on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:4. It was a new manifestation of God's Spirit. Its purpose was to reveal the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all that were gathered there. What did the hear? They heard about, "The wonderful works of God" Acts 2:11. Which is the Gospel. Up until this time the disciples were not really sure about what Jesus had accomplished in his life, death and resurrection. They may not have understood all that Paul did about the Gospel, but they knew enough. Thousands were convicted by the Holy Spirit of their need for Christ and became Christians, Acts 2:41 also Acts 4:4. Some of them had participated in the crucifixion of Christ, Acts 2:36. This was the birth of the New Testament church.
It is evident that the Holy Spirit is given to those who hear and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul wrote to the legalistic Galatians, "This only would I learn of you, Did you receive the Holy Spirit by the works of the law (because you did something) or by the hearing of faith?" (hearing and believing the Gospel) Galatians 3:2 The Holy Spirit is only given to those who hear and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It cannot be obtained by works or any other means. This is why Paul and some of the other apostles spent over 20 years of their lives and traveled over 10,000 preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world. This is why Paul wrote to the Romans, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (which is the Gospel) Romans 10:17.
What is the evidence that someone is indwelt by the Holy Spirit? John encourages us to... "Try the Spirits to see if they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" 1 John 4:1. Is it from the Bible? Does it honor God and glorify Jesus Christ? It is the work of the Holy Spirit to magnify the work and the person of Jesus Christ, John 16:13-15. A Spirit filled Christian is a Christ and Gospel centered Christian. I have no trouble knowing who and who doesn't have the Holy Spirit. Those that are void of the Holy Spirit only talk about their religion. Just because someone quotes scripture does not mean that they are Christians. Those that are indwelt with the Holy Spirit will magnify Christ and his Gospel. Unfortunately not many do.
It is evident that the Holy Spirit is given to those who hear and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul wrote to the legalistic Galatians, "This only would I learn of you, Did you receive the Holy Spirit by the works of the law (because you did something) or by the hearing of faith?" (hearing and believing the Gospel) Galatians 3:2 The Holy Spirit is only given to those who hear and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It cannot be obtained by works or any other means. This is why Paul and some of the other apostles spent over 20 years of their lives and traveled over 10,000 preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world. This is why Paul wrote to the Romans, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (which is the Gospel) Romans 10:17.
What is the evidence that someone is indwelt by the Holy Spirit? John encourages us to... "Try the Spirits to see if they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" 1 John 4:1. Is it from the Bible? Does it honor God and glorify Jesus Christ? It is the work of the Holy Spirit to magnify the work and the person of Jesus Christ, John 16:13-15. A Spirit filled Christian is a Christ and Gospel centered Christian. I have no trouble knowing who and who doesn't have the Holy Spirit. Those that are void of the Holy Spirit only talk about their religion. Just because someone quotes scripture does not mean that they are Christians. Those that are indwelt with the Holy Spirit will magnify Christ and his Gospel. Unfortunately not many do.
