There are two dimensions to receiving the Holy Spirit:

1. We receive the Holy Spirit WITHIN us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and personal Lord at our new birth, as promised by the Father.

Ezekiel 36:27 – “I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.“

2. We receive the Holy Spirit UPON us when we experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus to His disciples.

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.“

Take the example of the disciples: They received the Holy Spirit within them at their new birth.

John 20:22 – “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'”

Later, at Pentecost, they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1-4 – “1. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.“

To receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, one must:

• Be born again, meaning to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and personal Lord, resulting in the new birth in Christ.

• Ask Jesus, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Luke 3:15-16 – “As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

• Desire it. God will not give you what you do not desire.

• Create a conducive atmosphere to welcome the Holy Spirit.

One clear evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues.

Acts 10:44-46 – “44. While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.”

The Holy Spirit is a person. Therefore, we can talk to Him and even invoke Him.

Ezekiel 37:9 – “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’“

A victorious Christian life is one where the Holy Spirit is at the center, as He is the Spirit of communion with God and guides us in fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. Naturally, every communion involves a relationship, a dialogue; therefore, it is entirely normal to speak to the Holy Spirit. The dialogue will enhance communion.

2 Corinthians 13:13 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.“

Let us be aware that the Holy Spirit is a person in His own right, the Spirit of God, is God, and we must therefore be careful in our relationship with Him. We can easily, and unintentionally, resist Him, lie to Him, tempt Him, grieve Him, offend Him, blaspheme against Him. He is the Lord and is worthy of honor, so let us honor Him.

Ephesians 4:30 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.“

2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.“

Dialogue with the Holy Spirit is not necessarily verbal; it is often a silent conversation that takes place in the mind, in the heart, with God.

This text is an excerpt from the book “Christian Living Frequently Asked Questions” written by Christian Saboukoulou.”