Who is receiving the Spirit?

Of course it would be nowhere in the NT. But the NT specifically tells us that three spiritual gifts will cease. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (1 Cor 13:8)

In Acts 19:1-6, Paul encounters disciples in Ephesus who were followers of John the Baptist and had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Paul’s question about whether they had received the Holy Spirit "since they believed" (v. 2) and his subsequent actions (baptizing them in the name of Jesus and laying hands on them, after which they received the Holy Spirit) highlight the distinction between initial belief and the reception of the Holy Spirit as a subsequent confirmation and empowerment for service.

The New Testament presents the reception of the Holy Spirit as both an individual and a corporate reality. Individually, receiving the Holy Spirit is tied to conversion and indwelling by the Spirit of Christ. Corporately, the reception of the Holy Spirit signifies empowerment for witness and ministry, as well as the presence of the Spirit in the midst of the believing community. The distinction between individual and corporate reception is crucial for understanding the multifaceted work of the Holy Spirit in both personal salvation and the life of the church.

Well the question is how these disciples who believed through grace.. could not have also been individually indwelt?

Going thru other scripture it is clear indwelling happens at belief on the Lord Jesus Christ. So the receiving of the Holy Spirit here must be corporate, as a group.

The Holy Ghost can fall on an entire congregation but will always be individuals who are receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The gifts of the Spirit will always work through individuals for the edification of the entire Body of Christ.

The gift (singular) is the Holy Ghost from which spiritual gifts (plural) originate. This is confirmed from the scriptures included below. (Acts 2:2-4, 33; 8:14-19. 19:1-7)

Also, keep in mind what Paul asked those in Acts 19, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" Not, have you received a Holy Ghost gift. Another relevant aspect of this account is seen in verse 7. It makes clear that 12 men experienced receiving the Holy Ghost when Paul laid hands on them.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:2-4

Peter's explained what occurred:
"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." Acts 2:32-33


Acts 8:14-19
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."

Acts 19:6-7
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
And all the men were about twelve.

Well.. usually baptism of the Holy Ghost is not associated with water baptism.. but Acts 19 is baptism by immersion in water..seeing its given by someone else.. THEN the Spirit is received.

A group of disciples, who believed through grace, who get baptised in the right name of Jesus, the right way.. and many assume they don't have the Holy Spirit indwelling their soul until after all this.

This is my issue with this.. believers.. baptised and not indwelled? That isn't anywhere else in the Bible.

But anyway.. I agree with you on the difference between individual indwelling and then the corporate role and empowerment role of the Holy Spirit. These are where the distinctions are needed.

only people who have become born again Christians receive the Holy Spirit. read John 3:5.

It is not speaking about our completion, but the completion of the Bible. Each one of those gifts is related to divine revelation, and that is connected to divine inspiration and the completion of the Bible. When the Bible was completed, those gifts ceased. This is confirmed by the Early Church Fathers. Indeed Revelation tells us that any addition to those prophecies would be unacceptable, And Revelation is the final book chronologically and sequentially.

Funny how you just "skip over" the part about knowledge passing away in those verses.

I did not say that "the Bible is all we needed". I said that the completion of the Bible meant that the spiritual gifts related to divine revelation (and inspiration) would end when the Bible was complete. While Paul did not include the spiritual gift of "apostles" in that, the apostles also ceased at that time. And these mean had received their writings through divine inspiration -- theopneustos -- which means "God-breathed".

Some prophecy about the church is over a thousand years old before it came to pass, yet NOT ONE NT writer said anything about the Gifts ending 2-300 years when God's word was "completed".

No I don't. That pertains to supernatural knowledge given directly by God. Not ordinary knowledge which exists in the world.

For example, the Gospel writers were not actual eye-witnesses to many things they wrote down. But God gave them supernatural knowledge about all that is included in Scripture.

While Christ was on the cross, all the apostles were absent. Yet they wrote down precisely what happened (to the degree which God wanted to reveal). This was according to supernatural knowledge.

Of course it would be nowhere in the NT. But the NT specifically tells us that three spiritual gifts will cease. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (1 Cor 13:8)

It also tells us WHEN they'll cease.

People are NOT born again until after being indwelt by the Holy Ghost and being water baptized in the name of Jesus. Scripture reveals this truth. (Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-18, 9:17-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-6, 22:16)

Yes, when we see Jesus face to face!

Actually there are many instances recorded in the Bible where believing did NOT automatically bring about the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost. Nor, did the experience occur simultaneously upon obedience to water baptism.

As shared previously, the Samaritan account is a prime example. The individuals believed the gospel message, and submitted to water baptism in the name of Jesus. They did not receive the Holy Ghost until days later. (Acts 8:12-17)

Also, Paul's question in Acts 19 proves the same point. If the Holy Ghost is received the moment a person believes why did he ask, "Have you received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed?" Paul's question reveals he understood people can believe the gospel message yet still not have the Holy Ghost dwelling in them. This truth is further witnessed in that very account. The guys were not indwelt by the Holy Ghost upon believing and being rebaptized. They actually received the Holy Ghost at the point Paul laid hands on them.

Consider as well the promise Peter revealed to believers on the Day of Pentecost. He told THEM to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus and they would receive the Holy Ghost. That promise was fulfilled that very day. (Acts 2:37-41) The promise is sure even if it does not happen on the same day as revealed in the Samaritan account. (Acts 8)

Finally.. 1 Corinthians 13 does not stand alone as the only proof text for cessation of the sign gifts. There are plenty of other scriptures in context to support tongues, prophecy and knowledge gifts passing away before the 2nd coming.