We are believers in Yeshua the Messiah—am I right? If so, then a very important question deserves careful reflection:
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
This was the exact question the apostle Paul asked believers in Ephesus.
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2
These disciples had repented and believed, but they had not yet experienced the fullness of what God intended for them. Like many believers today, they had begun their walk with God but had not yet stepped into the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Many believers stop short of this experience. They believe in Yeshua and are baptized in water as a sign that their sins have been washed away. Yet Scripture teaches that there is another baptism.
John the Baptist declared:
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11
The One on Whom the Spirit Remains
Water baptism symbolizes the cleansing of sin. It represents the washing away of the guilt of our past trespasses.
When Yeshua was baptized, something extraordinary happened.
“I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.” John 1:32
In the time before Messiah, the Holy Spirit would come upon individuals temporarily to empower them for specific tasks. But when the Spirit descended upon Yeshua, it remained on Him. After His death and resurrection, Yeshua received all authority in Heaven and Earth. He is the One who baptizes believers in that same Spirit—the Spirit that raised Him from the dead.
The Baptism of Fire
Every believer must contemplate this question:
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
Repentance and forgiveness are the beginning—but they are not the end.
In Samaria, many people believed and were baptized in the name of Yeshua. Yet something was still missing.
“Peter and John prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them.” Acts 8:15–16
The apostles then laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. This shows us that submitting to Yeshua and is not just about forgiveness—it is also about empowerment and transformation.
The Foundation and the Fire
Paul writes:
“No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
Salvation (forgiveness of sin) is the foundation. This is explained as being washed in the blood that removes the transgressions of our past that have defiled us. The fire of the Holy Spirit purifies and transforms the believer, dealing not only with sins committed, but also with the sin nature itself. This is imperative! This is what is built upon that foundation – a new creation – a new nature and it is tested by fire of the Spirit.
“The fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” 1 Corinthians 3:13
All that is of God remains and is credited to one’s spiritual account. All that is done by the flesh does not remain and is not counted.
The Example of Apollos
The book of Acts gives us another example. Apollos was a passionate teacher who knew the Scriptures well and spoke boldly about Yeshua.
Yet the Scripture says:
“He knew only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25
Priscilla and Aquila later explained the way of God to him more fully. This reveals something important: a person can know much about God intellectually and even preach passionately yet still lack the full work of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, our knowledge remains largely theological and intellectual rather than transformational and powerful.
What Is the Holy Spirit?
Many believers need to revisit the basics. The Holy Spirit is not merely a concept or a symbol. He is the very Presence and Power of God.
The Spirit is:
- The Power of Creation from Nothing
- The Breath of God that Gives all Life to all Things
- The Power that Raised Yeshua from the Dead
- The Presence of God Dwelling in and Guiding His people
Scripture describes the Spirit as the divine Ruach—the breath or wind of God. Just as breath (oxygen) sustains physical life, the Spirit sustains spiritual life.
Salvation and Power
The work of Christ has two aspects that correspond to the ancient sacrificial system.
- The Trespass Offering — Forgiveness of Sins Committed
The trespass offering dealt with the individual’s acts of sin.
Through Yeshua’s sacrifice:
- Our sins are forgiven
- Our guilt is removed
- Our past is washed clean
This is the beginning of salvation.
- The Sin Offering — Transformation of Nature
But the sin offering deals with the sin nature itself. This sacrificial offering addresses the deeper problem inside humanity. Without the fire of the Spirit, that baptizes with power, a believer may continue to struggle with the same patterns of sin thereby having to constantly confess their transgressions.
But when the Holy Spirit baptizes a believer, something changes:
- The nature of the Spirit replaces the nature of the flesh
- The heart of stone is transformed or circumcised
- A new power begins to operate within the individual as they are being transformed into a new creation by the Spirit
As Scripture says:
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
Freedom from what? Sin!
Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Savior and Lord
Many people accept Yeshua as Savior, but never fully make Him Lord of their life.
Making Him Savior
When we receive Him as Savior:
- Our sins are forgiven
- The penalty of death is removed
- Our past is cleansed
But stopping short means the forgiveness is applied but the power of God (the next step is yet to come).
Making Him Lord
When we make Him Lord:
- Our nature is transformed
- Our hearts are circumcised by the Spirit
- We receive the power to live righteously
And it remains!
Scripture declares:
“No one can say, ‘Yeshua is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3
Notice the connection – the Holy Spirit must be employed. Don’t sell yourself short!
Born of Water and Spirit
Yeshua told Nicodemus:
“No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of Water and the Spirit.” John 3:5
Water symbolizes cleansing from sin- forgiveness. The Spirit symbolizes a refining fire – . The Spirit literally gives birth to a new spiritual nature within the believer. This fire changes this composition of the believer – the need to ask forgiveness lessens over time as the new creature in Christ is being transformed to a strong, committed disciple empowered by the Spirit not the flesh.
The Two Adams
Scripture contrasts two spiritual lineages:
The First Adam
- Earthly
- Fallen
- Bound to sin which is passed down to all that is born of natural man.
The Second Adam (Messiah)
- Heavenly
- Life-giving Spirit
- Source of new creation which transforms believers who are born again into the spiritual seed.
“The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:45
Through the baptism and rebirth of the Spirit of fire we receive the nature of the second Adam.
Evidence of the Spirit
The presence of the Spirit produces visible evidence.
Paul describes this as the fruit of the Spirit:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control (Galatians 5:22–23)
These qualities reflect the nature of God working within us.
The fruit of the flesh is sin. If there is sin in your life – you need to
- Ask for forgiveness – Believe upon Yeshua for Salvation
- Be Baptized in the fire of the Spirit – after you believe to change your nature.
This is a 2 Step Process.
Power for Witness
The Spirit does more than transform character. He also empowers believers for God’s mission.
Yeshua promised:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” Acts 1:8
The Holy Spirit gives:
- Boldness in evangelism – uninhibited
- Revelation in teaching – The Word is opened up for you
- Conviction in preaching – Powerful seeds and living water
- Guidance in decision-making – Mind of Christ
- Authority in the Spirit realm in prayer – Not just lip service but powerful in pulling down strongholds
The Spirit as Helper and Guide
Yeshua described the Spirit as our Helper.
“The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26
The Spirit:
- Guides believers into truth and revelation
- Warns in times of danger
- Gives words when we must speak
- Strengthens us in trials
Power in Spirit-led Prayer
The Holy Spirit also intercedes for and through believers.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit himself intercedes for us.”Romans 8:26
When believers pray in the Spirit, they align themselves with the will of God not their own idea of how they should pray.
Likewise ,the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
The Gift Is Available to All
The same Spirit that filled the disciples at Pentecost is available today.
Yeshua said:
“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13
The Holy Spirit is a gift, but it must be received or one stays in the flesh which profits nothing.
A Personal Invitation
Perhaps you have believed in Yeshua but still feel weak or empty. Maybe you have experienced forgiveness but have not yet experienced the transforming fire of the Spirit. It is not too late. God is still in the resurrection business.
Yeshua breathed on His disciples and said:
“Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22
You can ask Him today:
Lord, baptize me in Your Spirit. Breathe in your power into my spirit lungs. Open my Spirit ears. Burn away everything – all chaff that is not of You that still lingers inside of my heart. Create in me a clean heart – a heart after You. Renew a right spirit within me that I may walk in Your ways – inherently. Make me a new creation through Your Spirit.” Regenerate me. Give me your life giving Spirit. B’Shem Yeshua. Amen.
