What does the Bible say about receiving the Holy Spirit?

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 3:2, poses a crucial question: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? This verse highlights that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a gift given to believers through faith, not through human effort or adherence to the law. The Holy Spirit comes as a sovereign gift from God, enabling believers to grasp spiritual truths and leading them in obedience to Christ.

In Romans 8, Paul elaborates on the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, asserting that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Him (Romans 8:9). The Spirit is integral to the believer’s identity and assurance of salvation. The work of the Holy Spirit transforms the believer and connects them deeply to their faith in Christ, which underscores the necessity of faith over works.