Question
When you are saved do you get the Holy Spirit then or do you have him from birth?
Answer
Thank you for your question regarding the Holy Spirit. Much has been written and a great deal of confusion exists regarding this member of diety. I will try to answer your specific question as directly as possible and not get into any of the associated questions. If you have other related questions, please feel free to contact me again. I appreciate your search of truth.
Many are searching for an internalized feeling that will guide them in decision making either on a spiritual or physical plane or both. First of all consider Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. Jesus says that it is truth that sanctifies and the word of God is truth. The implication to your question is that the Bible is a revelation from God by the inspiration of Holy Spirit. Consider, 2Pe 1:21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. Peter says that the prophecy of the Old Testament came from God by the inspiration of Holy Spirit. We can be confident that the Old Testament is from God. Consider also, 2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Paul said “all scripture” is inspired of God. So, the New Testament is from God too. My point is that the Holy Spirit has inspired men to reveal what God wants us to know. In fact, the Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the revelation of God’s dealings with his people and his plan for man’s redemption. This implies a responsibility on our part to study and learn how we can be approved by God and spend eternity with him. 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The desire for a spiritual guide other than the Bible, is a desire for something God has not revealed. I am not discounting God’s providence in our lives, or the power of prayer. However, the Bible does not teach that the Holy Spirit will guide apart from the revelation of the Bible. Let me give you an example of what the Holy Spirit has given. In conversion the Holy Spirit has taught that one must believe (Hebrew 11:6), repent (Acts 2:38), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16). When your spirit acknowledges that such has been fulfilled through the avenue of perfect obedience (complete submission), the Holy Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you, the penitent, obedient, baptized believer is a child of God. I have included the scriptures mentioned above for your study. Hopefully, I have answered your question adequately. There is a lot more that could be said. Please consider the passages below and study your Bible.
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing (unto him); for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and (that) he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
Act 2:38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
By Larry Snell
