Response:

As far as the Holy Spirit is concerned, a Christian gets all of the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation. John 14:17 states that the Holy Spirit dwells with us and in us. John 14:16 says that He abides with us forever. I Cor 2:14 teaches that the unsaved man can not understand spiritual truths, because they can only be discerned through the help of the Holy Spirit, Who indwells believers. II Cor 1:22 and Eph 1:13-14 teach that the believer is given the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit as earnest, or a down payment, on all the blessings of eternity. Therefore, all who have received Christ as Savior have the Holy Spirit. The question is, does the Holy Spirit have all of us? We are commanded to be "filled with the Spirit" (Eph 5:18), which means to have the Holy Spirit in control of our lives. We are not to grieve (Eph 4:30), or quench (I Thes 5:19) the Spirit, so that He can have full leadership in our lives.

By Dr Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210