The Romans 8 text is quite clear in its assertion that anyone not possessing the Holy Spirit of Christ is none of His. This being the case, the equally clear matter of concern with how one obtains the Spirit of Christ. What are the necessary qualifications for receiving the Holy Spirit? Answers are diverse and numerous, largely depending upon one’s denominational connections and the particular position held by its governing body. But, if we limit ourselves to what the Scriptures say, as Christianity Clarified seeks to do, the issue becomes quite clear. Simply put: in order to receive the Holy Spirit of God, or of Christ, one must receive the person of Christ. How is that done? It is done as an act of the will. Receiving Christ and believing on Christ speak of the same spiritual dynamic, incapable of being separated. Believing and receiving are both volitional acts. To “believe” means to assert that a thing is true, and we wish to align ourselves with it by embracing the truth that is claimed. To “receive” means to open oneself to the taking of that truth that is claimed to be one’s own, to accept it because you believe it, and you want it. In this case, that which we want is the person of Christ Himself.
When we believe on Christ, it simply means we have heard the Gospel, the Good News that Christ died for the sins of the world in general and my sins in particular, that God placed human sin on Christ, and Christ’s righteousness on the one believing Him. This is the great doctrine of justification by faith, meaning that solely on the basis of exercising faith in Christ are we justified, or declared to be righteous before God. When one does that, the Spirit of Christ responds by entering the very life and human spirit of that believing individual. The believer now possesses the Spirit of Christ because he possesses Christ Himself. The entire matter is one that is wholly spiritual. In addition, it is wholly personal, not institutional. Receiving Christ and believing on Christ are synonymous and both are realized by the willful and deliberate decision of the individual person. While a church or other religious institution may, and should, set forth Christ as the only one God has provided for human salvation, it is Christ Himself, not the institution proclaiming Him, that is the way to God. This puts the responsibility upon each person who is a recipient of the volition God gave him. We are accountable as individuals. We may not delegate nor relegate the business we have to do with God to any church, pastor, priest, or rabbi.
When anyone believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and receives Him as their personal Savior, the Spirit of Christ, and of God, enters the believing one to take up residency therein. This wonderful reality, in addition to several more benefits God makes available to all believers, is true of all who come to Christ.
CC-07-15
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