Why Do Some People Struggle to Receive the Holy Spirit?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The basics — two conditions: faith and repentance

• The question posed (in the host's frame): the frame states its own church's teaching — that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues, is necessary for salvation. And: we believe that every person who genuinely repents, genuinely believes the gospel, is going to have this experience. And those of us who've been around the church for a long time: we've seen — probably, in some cases — many people who have come into the church, received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, maybe the very first time that they ever came to church, or shortly thereafter. But then, if you've been around a while, you've probably also seen some people that — it just seemed like, for whatever reason — they really struggled, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. I'm sure that you encountered that, throughout your ministry. Especially during your time as a pastor. When that would happen — when you'd encounter somebody who just really seemed like they couldn't break through, weren't receiving the Holy Ghost, for some reason — what advice, or counsel, did you offer them? What have you seen, that has kept people from receiving the Holy Spirit? And how did you approach that, with people, when that was the case? The answer: well, to answer this question, let's start with the basics. God does want everyone to receive the Holy Spirit. And there are only two conditions, in the scripture, for receiving the spirit. First of all: faith. And second of all: repentance. Acts (the verse as he gives it, in fused digits) — the classic statement of New Testament salvation — says: repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now, we do know, from the example of Cornelius — in Acts (the chapter as he gives it) — that even before you're baptized: if you repent, open your heart in faith, you can receive the holy spirit. So baptism is not an absolute precondition. But repentance is a precondition, for both water baptism and spirit baptism ('spirit Baptist', as heard). And of course, faith is a precondition, for everything. And specifically, Jesus said, regarding the Holy Spirit, in John (the range as he gives it): he that believeth on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water. And John explained: this spake he of the spirit, which they that believed on him should receive. But the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Well, of course: Jesus has been glorified. So that qualification is no longer necessary ('is long longer necessary', as heard). But both Jesus and John assured us that: when you believe on Jesus, you receive the holy spirit. So I teach — and I think part of the answer goes, in all of our preaching, teaching, and counseling, and praying with Seekers: we should explain simply: everyone can receive the Holy Spirit, if they open their heart in faith, and repent of all their sins. That means: if someone hasn't received the Holy Spirit, the two things we look for are repentance, and Faith.

Scriptures: Acts 2:38; Acts 10; John 7:37-39

Repentance examined — surrender, not sorrow at being caught

• So let's say that I'm praying with someone, for a time. And they haven't received the Holy Spirit. I will usually stop them, and talk to them. And I'll explain repentance. Especially if they're brand new. And I say: repentance means you surrender to God. You confess your sins to God. You don't have to remember every single sin. But there has to be an attitude, in your heart. And of course, a new person may not even know what all is sin. You don't have to make sure that they get rid of every sin, that you know is in the Bible. But it's an attitude of heart, that: I Surrender. I confess that I am a sinner. I make no excuses. I don't justify myself. I've done wrong. I want to change my life. I want to live a new life. Please forgive me, of my sins. When they have that genuine attitude of repentance, then that's what's required. So many times, people don't receive the spirit, because they're holding something back, in their mind. They're not willing to surrender. And many times, they may know what it is. They may be harboring a grudge, or hatred, or bitterness, or something. A sinful lifestyle, that they know is wrong. And while they do want relief, in some way — they want to continue in their sins ('they want to continue during their sins', as heard). They want to get rid of the feeling of guilt. And they want to feel like they're not going to face the Judgment. But they really would like to keep sinning, if they could. And so that attitude doesn't work. 2 Corinthians (as he names the book) talks about: Godly sorrow Works repentance (the wording as he delivers it). So there has to be a genuine sorrow, for the sin. Not just sorry you got caught. So maybe you got arrested. So now you come to church, crying. You're not really sorry, for your lifestyle. You just wish God would wave a magic wand ('made make wave a magic wand', as the words stumble), and take away the consequence, of (what) you're suffering, right now. So that's not repentance. So, for some: it's understanding repentance.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians (book-only)

Faith focused — praise, laying on of hands, and baptism

• But then the next element is Faith. So, after I've led someone (through) repentance, I say: if you have truly confessed your sins to God, surrendered your life — you really want to live for him — you've asked God to forgive you ('you've ask God', as heard) — then, once you've done all that: you're going to feel the weight of sin begin to lift. You're going to feel a relief. Because God is accepting you, and forgiving you. And of course, they would then need to be baptized. But at that point, I say: you'll feel the change. And sometimes people quit, right there. Because they feel: hey, that's (it) — they may have been taught that that's salvation. Or they may just feel a change. And they're good with that. (The host's interjection stands verbatim-only here.) The answer resumes: yes. And so I say: but that's the opportunity. Don't quit. But start praising God. So you'll never receive the Holy Spirit, while you're begging. Or while you're pleading. Or while you're feeling guilty, for your sins. You have to transition, to accepting the offer of Salvation, and forgiveness. And thanking God. So you must worship, and praise. And forget about yourself. And focus on the Lord. So it has to be an attitude of faith. And not just generically: you know, I believe Jesus is the savior. But: I believe God will fill me, with his Spirit, right now. And so I think many people do have faith, to a point. But it's not actualized, that: yes, I think I could receive this certain now (as the phrase stands). And when I've talked to some people that struggle: while they believe in Jesus, they believe the preaching, they don't really think God's going to do it, for them. That God might do it for somebody else. But I'm a bad person. Or I'm this. Or I'm that. And so, somehow, they have to cross that hurdle. Now, how do you do that? That's where, when people pray with the person, and there's an atmosphere (of) praise — everybody's worshiping together — then many times it clicks. The person makes that mental, spiritual transition, of forgetting about themselves, and their Hang-Ups, and their problems, and their fears, and their doubts. And they're lost in worship. And they just receive the Holy Spirit. Begin speaking in tongues. Now, there is a Biblical plan, as well. And that's the laying on of hands. Then — and I think we need to understand this, more than we do. Because sometimes there's indiscriminate laying on of hands. Sometimes there — we don't lay on hands. So, in the Bible, the laying on of hands doesn't automatically give you something. There's no power, in the person. But it is symbolic. And it shows that: when someone in Spiritual Authority lays hands on you, God is going to honor that. And he is going to touch you. And it becomes a focal point of Faith. So if the issue is: well, I have faith in general. I've responded to the message. I repented. I have faith in Jesus, as my savior. But I'm not — I don't have faith that today, right now, this minute, God's going to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Well, how do you break through that ('how do you makeSign howin do you break through that', as the letters fuse at this turn)? That's when the laying on of hands could come into Focus. So here's what I do with the Seeker. So I will tell them about repentance. And I say: once you genuinely repented, I want you to begin worshiping God. Raise your hands. Speak out: thank you Jesus. Thank you, for what I feel. I Love You Lord. Thank you, for the promise. And when you're sincerely praying, I will lay hands on you, as the Bible tells me to do. When I lay hands on you, at that moment: I want you to believe God is going to lay his hand, upon you. And I want you to open your heart, to receive. So when you give people instructions, to focus their faith, on that moment: many times — and I wait till they're worshiping. And they're genuinely worshiping. So, as far as I can tell, in discussion and observation ('until in discussion', as heard): they've truly repented. And then they're truly worshiping, praising. And they have an atmosphere, attitude, of reception. Well, then, when I lay hands on them: then many times that is the focal point of Faith. They'll receive the Holy Spirit. Another way that happens is: you lead them to repentance — and then (a glued navigation fragment stands in the delivered text at this seam, struck from the cleaned layer by the recorded fix) you know, they don't receive the Holy Ghost immediately. So then you explain water baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ. Because that is the second step, after repentance. You lead them to baptism. But you explain: now, when you come up out of the water — according to the verse already carried in this record's first section — you repent, you're baptized in Jesus name. And then the next thing: you'll receive the Holy Spirit. And I actually say, when I baptize: I baptize you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the washing away of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit. So, when they come out of the water, I say: I want you to worship God. You're going to feel cleansing. But don't just get up and leave. Start praising God. And then I will lay hands on you. And so many times people receive the Holy Ghost, when they come up out of the Waters of baptism. So if you teach people: many times they'll receive the Holy Spirit, when they come up out of the Waters of baptism. Or when hands are laid upon them, after they repented. And so I gear my appeals, after my message, to that expectation. And typically, I wouldn't pray for people, in extended time. I'd pray a few minutes. And if they didn't receive, I'd stop them. I'd go through those two steps. And we'd try again. But rarely would we go on and on and on. Because there seems to be something blocking them. And many times, very new people: they're unfamiliar, with the ways of God. And after they would pray, I would encourage them. Say: you're learning how to yield to God. And it's very easy. You can receive the Holy Spirit, anytime. It could be at home, tonight, when you kneel by your bedside. But you're just having to learn, how to open up your heart to God ('Rel lease uhu', as the letters split at the word for release). For many people: they have mental, emotional Hang-Ups. Because of past experiences. Because of their past Church relationships. Or relationship, with people in authority. And so they don't know how to Just Surrender. And so I explained to them, in the process of prayer: God is leading you. God is ready to fill you, at any time. But you're the one that has to let go, and open up.

Hard cases — and the process in Acts

• Now, there are — so I will just tell you: over the years — I was raised in Korea. My parents were missionaries. And this is what they taught. And many times, if they had a series of meetings: the first night or two, they would preach mostly on repentance. And then the last few nights, they would preach on the holy spirit. So they'd get the audience prepared. And then people would receive. So we found very few situations, where people would tarry for the Holy Ghost ('tar for the Holy Ghost', as heard), a long time. Or come day after day, or month after month. I think the way you teach, and preach, and pray, and counsel ('teach and pre preach', as the words double): you can lead the vast majority of people, to receive the Holy Spirit. And it is a matter of focusing the faith, to receive at that moment. However, there are a few cases that seem to be challenging. I'll give you a couple examples. One is, where maybe a person is so — because of their life experience, suffering, depression — been abused, been victimized ('life experien suffering depression been been abused been been victimized', as the sentence compresses) — they just can't bring themselves, to believe it's really true ('bring thems', as heard). And all I can say there is: you just keep praying. Keep believing. Keep encouraging. If they don't receive (a bare caption timestamp stands in the delivered text at this point, struck from the cleaned layer by the recorded fix) the Holy Spirit: don't let them feel discouraged, like I'm no good. Just say: no, you made progress. You've done well. And I just advise them: keep coming. Keep praying. Keep believing. It's going to happen. It's a matter of time. And the other (case): sometimes people actually do receive the Holy Spirit, speaking (in) tongues. But because of their expectations — what they've been told — they're waiting for a bolt of lightning. Or they, again, can't believe it's happening, to them. And so I've had those cases, where everybody around them said: I heard them speak in tongues. And they: no, I don't think I did. And so, again: you keep encouraging them. And I never try to convince someone they received the Holy Spirit. But I will tell them: look, you know, other people are telling me this. So I want you to lay aside your fears, and just worship. And when they do start speaking in tongues, I try (to) encourage them. And then, when they finish, to say: did you hear yourself? And so, for some: it's a matter of, again, trying to talk them through, to realize: set aside all your preconceived ideas. And just focus on the lord. It's very simple. You're making it too complex. God wants to do this, for you. And it's going to happen. And I think I've been — as a pastor, we were, you know, successful in almost every case. And, to give you a little bit of encouragement: even the Bible — you do see, there is a process. It's not intended to be a long process. In the book of Acts: repentance, water baptism, and the Holy Ghost are all meant to occur simultaneously. Or near simultaneously. In Rapid succession. Someone repents: you immediately baptize them. And they receive the Holy Spirit. Or: repent. And they immediately receive the Holy Spirit. And then, when they finish praying, you baptize them. But let's take the example in Acts (the chapter as he gives it): the Samaritans. They repented. They believed ('they believ', as the word clips). They were baptized. But they didn't receive the Holy Ghost. And so the word was sent to Peter and John, in Jerusalem. So it was about at least a two days journey, from Samaria to Jerusalem, and back. So there had to be four days. And then, when Peter and John came, prayed for them, laid hands: then they received the spirit. At least four days. The Apostle Paul: his repentance, on the road to Damascus. But 3 Days Later, ananas prayed for him (the name as heard; its standard spelling stands in this record's delivery note), to receive the Holy Spirit. Cornelius: I believe (he) was already repentant. But God gave him a vision, to send for Peter. It was 4 days later, while Peter was preaching, that Cornelius received the Holy Spirit. In Acts (the chapter as he gives it): the Disciples of John, in Ephesus. They had been baptized into John's (baptism). We don't know — but it's probably days, weeks, months. Could have been years. So they truly repented. But they hadn't heard about the Holy Spirit. And that could be one reason: that people have never really heard that the holy spirit is available. And so they don't seek it. Or maybe they've heard a little bit, but they haven't focused their faith, to receive. So, in the book of Acts, you do see a process. So I try to encourage someone: if they have repented, then they need to be baptized, in Jesus name. If they have done both: then it's just a matter of time. A short time. But there is a process. And even in the book of Acts, we see examples of that process. But I think: if we preach it, teach it, and encourage people, we will see it happen, as in the book of Acts. And just one final Point: if you want resources, on the theology — see my book, the new birth. And for a chapter on praying with Seekers: see my book, spiritual leadership in the 21st century.

Scriptures: Acts (book-only); Acts 8; Acts 19

Scripture index: Acts 2:38; Acts 10; John 7:37-39; 2 Corinthians (book-only); Acts (book-only); Acts 8; Acts 19.