What did Jesus mean by “Receive ye the Holy Ghost”?
QUESTION ASKED:
“Hey brother I have a question that I need clarification on, perhaps you can help my understanding. John 20:22 states that Jesus breathed on the disciples (believers) and said ‘RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST’. I was taught no one received the Holy Ghost until the day of Pentecost. Also no tongues mentioned here. So were they not saved because they spoke in no tongues, even though Jesus breathed the Holy Ghost on them but the fact that tongues is a sign of the Holy Ghost, yet wasn’t even present yet is a bit confusing to some. I have my own thoughts, just wanted to hear your humble opinion.”
REPLY:
A dear sister in Christ recently spoke to me concerning the oneness Pentecostal religionists who make tongues an essential to salvation and said they told her she was going to hell if she didn’t pray in tongues. My reply to her was as follows: “Yes to base salvation, the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23), on the gift of tongues (reserved only for those who have first received His gift of salvation, eternal life), is completely heretical. A big part of our lives in Christ is sorting through, rightly dividing His truth/Word and the falsehoods spread by false religious teaching – which was Jesus’ greatest enemy when He walked the earth (Matthew 23, etc.). The LORD has a purpose in this in that He solidifies, forges His truth in His saints as they diligently search out His truth to re-prove (prove again) and more deeply, His truth to make us more mature (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:19). A Bible search for the word “establish” and “established” is a blessing…. and a prayer to the Father to ever more deeply root and ground us in Him and His truth (Colossians).”
Perhaps we can observe that Satan is only seeking to counterfeit that which is authentically of God. That’s his M.O. and job, right? See John 10:10. Seems the confusion on this matter means that Satan wants to confuse and cheat God’s people out of the fulness of the Holy Spirit.
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
This being said, it’s not a salvation issue and yet, in this disciple’s biblical opinion, being baptized with the Holy Ghost is a ministry, a fruit-bearing issue. Jesus told His own that it was only “after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” that they would be empowered to do His work (Acts 1:8). On a personal note: The power of God in my life was exponentially increased upon asking Him to endue my life with power from on high, to fill, baptize me in His Holy Ghost (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8, etc.). I had been saved nearly a year when this occurred. The power to minister was a night and day difference, immediately. Now that this is stated…. I certainly do not condemn nor question the salvation of anyone who sees this differently.
Perhaps Christ’s breathing on His disciples was a type of additional forthtelling, precursor of what was about to occur at Pentecost (Acts 1-2). He had already spoken to them about “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name” (John 14:26). Now the day had arrived, the day of Pentecost was just ahead, where Christ’s followers were going to receive the Holy Ghost in the full measure, as He ordained them to walk in – to be comforted, taught, and empowered by Him.
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” John 20:21-23
Perhaps Jesus’ breathing on them signified the power and life to be soon given to them to do His work. This seems to fit in that the baptism with the Holy Ghost was to empower God’s people in doing His Gospel work, right?
“But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
As the Father filled and anointed Jesus the Son of God to do His mission, His work, so Jesus sends forth His people with His anointing and bless-ed power to do His work!
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21
Of this passage, Adam Clarke writes the following:
“He breathed on them – Intimating, by this, that they were to be made new men, in order to be properly qualified for the work to which he had called them; for in this breathing he evidently alluded to the first creation of man, when God breathed into him the breath of lives, and he became a living soul: the breath or Spirit of God (רוח אלהים ruach Elohim) being the grand principle and cause of his spiritual and Divine life.
Receive ye the Holy Ghost – From this act of our Lord, the influences of the Holy Spirit on the souls of men have been termed his inspiration; from in, into, and spiro, I breathe. Every word of Christ which is received in the heart by faith comes accompanied by this Divine breathing; and, without this, there is neither light nor life. Just as Adam was before God breathed the quickening spirit into him, so is every human soul till it receives this inspiration. Nothing is seen, known, discerned, or felt of God, but through this. To every private Christian this is essentially requisite; and no man ever did or ever can preach the Gospel of God, so as to convince and convert sinners, without it.”
As seen throughout Acts, tongues is a sign of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, not salvation. And no one is a candidate for our LORD’s baptism with His Holy Ghost, (“the gift of the Holy Ghost” reserved only for His people) until they are first born again, saved (Acts 2:38; John 14:17). The baptism with the Holy Spirit is given by God to all of His own people who call upon Him for it, ask Him. As is witnessed in the book of Acts with the earliest followers of Jesus, His holy apostles, and Christ Himself, this is the only way His powerful ministry can be performed in the earth.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
The explosive divine power that was unleashed on this world at and after Pentecost is something the world had never seen, and it happened in and through the lives of Christ’s people who were baptized with (immersed and clothed with) His Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus instructed His apostles to “tarry” or wait to be baptized with the Holy Spirit before going forth to fulfill His Great Commission.
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For THE PROMISE is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38-39
John the Baptist spoke of this promise:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matthew 3:11
The seminaries were hi-jacked by Satan decades ago, at least. And so, there are many pretending to be in ministry today who have no power from on high. They are naked in the battle, powerless, and a laughable excuse of what the New Testament church is ordained of God to be in and to this fallen world.
There will be no power in ministry, in the life of the child of God “until ye be endued with power from on high.” Ok, look at these words from Christ again, and notice the word “after”:
“But ye shall receive power, AFTER (not before) that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The infilling or baptism with the Spirit is the gift of God exclusively to those who are already His and yet, it is an original Gospel essential for walking in the power of God. Remember the difference in power when Jesus came out of the dessert and the Holy Spirit had come upon Him in a special way? Read Luke 4.
“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all… 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:14-15, 18
Perhaps from this we can observe that many today who are saved, are in a dry place, a dessert and God is calling them to come to Him afresh to receive “power from on high” from Him, the baptism with His Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).
How else could God’s people do His work outside of being empowered by Him? They can’t. Several times Jesus promised, foretold that He was going to send the Holy Spirit to comfort and empower His people, to be with and in them when He left the earth. In fact, He said this would be far better! (John 16:7)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:15-18
The following is from the Life in the Spirit study Bible:
“The impartation of the Holy Spirit by Jesus to His disciples on resurrection day was not the baptism in the Spirit as experienced by them at Pentecost (Acts 1:5; 2:4). It was rather an infusing of the disciples for the first time with the regenerating presend of the Holy Spirit and with the new life from the risen Christ.
(1) During the last discourse that Jesus had with His disciples before His trial and crucifixion, He promised them that they would receive the Holy Spirit as the One who would regenerate them; ‘he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). Jesus now fulfills that promise.
(2) That John 20:22 refers to regeneration can be inferred from the phrase, ‘he breathed on them.’ The Greek word for ‘breathed’ (emphusao) is the same verb used in his (Adam’s) ‘nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ It is the same verb that is found in Ezek. 37:9, ‘Breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ John’s use of the verb in 20:22 indicates that Jesus was giving the Spirit in order to bring forth life and a new creation. That is, just as God breathed into physical man Jesus breathed into the disciples spiritual life and they became a new creation. Through His resurrection, Jesus became a ‘quickening (life-giving) spirit’ (1 Cor. 15:45).
(3) The words ‘receive ye the Holy Ghost’ establishes that the Spirit, at that historical moment, entered and began to dwell in the disciples. The verb for for ‘receive’ is aorist imperative (Gk. labete, from the word lambano), denoting a single act of reception. The Holy Spirit was given to regenerate them, to make them new creatures in Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). This ‘receiving’ of life from the Holy Spirit preceded both their receiving the authority of Jesus (John 20:23) and their baptism in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4).
(4) Prior to this time, the disciples were technically true believers and followers of Jesus and were saved according to the old covenant provisions. Yet they were not regenerated in the full new covenant sense. Not until this point did the disciples enter into the new covenant provisions based on Jesus’ death and resurrection (see Mat. 26:28; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; Eph. 2:15-16; Heb. 9:15-17). It was also technically at this time and not at Pentecost that the church was born. The spiritual birth of the first disciples and the birth of the church are one and the same.
(5) This passage is crucial in understanding the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the people of God. These two statements are true: (a) the disciples received the Holy Spirit (i.e., were indwelt and regenerated by the Holy Spirit) before the day of Pentecost; and (b) the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them in Acts 2:4 was an experience occurring after their regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Their baptism in the Spirit at Pentecost was, therefore, a second and distinct work of the Spirit in them.
(6) These two separate and distinct works of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Jesus’ disciples are normative for all Christians. That is, all believers receive the Holy Spirit at the time of their regeneration, and afterwards must experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit for power to be His witnesses (Acts 1:5,8; 2:4, 39).
(7) There is no Scripture foundation to suggest that Jesus’ bestowal of the Holy Spirit in John 20:22 was simply symbolical prophecy of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The use of the aorist imperative for ‘receive’ (see above) denotes reception at that moment and in that place. What occurred was a historical reality in space and time and John records it as such.”
Support | STORE | Podcasts | More on the Holy Spirit here. | Holy Ghost Baptism Study Guide
“Have ye Received the Holy Ghost since ye Believed?” [podcast]
Articles
What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]
“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3
THE LORD is calling for an immediate release of the WHOLE counsel of HIS WORD!
DO you have a 20/20 vision? Read Acts 20:20 and get it!
Just like fake news TV, wolves only give you a small part of the whole story – in order to manipulate you! Half truths kill!
YOU know when you are right with God when you are running TO the cross message and not AWAY from it! “Enemies of the cross” of Christ “mind earthly things” and not the things the LORD commanded (Philippians 3:18-19).
The cross is a dethroning, unseating of self and the enthroning of Christ!
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | Bible/Word of God | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ
Articles
Guilty of Condoning Evil Romans 1:32
Public Acceptance of Sin
When we participate in that which is an abomination to the LORD, when we help those lies spread, prosper, poison the minds of the people, we bid God speed to evil and come under a curse. We shall be judged with the wicked if we do not repent. 2 John 11.
Any preacher not preaching on the blood of Jesus, on sin named by God in His Word, and the necessity to be crucified with Christ daily and overcome all of it, is an “accursed” false prophet who is preaching “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) Run or you’re going to hell with Him – for condoning, for “bidding Godspeed” to the fraud (2 John 10-11).
“God … commandeth all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30
This short, yet convicting commentary is taken from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible concerning Romans 1:32.
First let us review the Biblical text, then the commentary.
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:32
HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM. Paul’s last word on general human sinfulness is God’s condemnation of a condition even more damning than the practice, i.e., supporting , approving, and encouraging evil by taking pleasure in the immoral actions of others. This disposition is the ultimate in depravity-vicarious enjoyment of lust and evil. Sin becomes entertainment. (1) The word “have pleasure” (Gk. suneudokeo) means “are pleased with,” “delight in,” or “give approval to,” and points to the casual enjoyment of the sins of others that prevails in human society. (2) Today we know that great harm is produced by the portrayal of immorality that dominates the entertainment media; yet many consent to it and derive pleasure from it. Being entertained by watching other people sin and engage in ungodly actions, even while you yourself abstain, brings you under the same condemnation of God as those engaging in such evil practices. Iniquity is intensified in any society where sin meets with no inhibition from the disapproval of others and where people enjoy watching it. (3) Hence, those (and especially those who profess faith in Christ) who use the immoral actions of others for entertainment and enjoyment are directly contributing to public opinion favorable to immorality and, therefore, to the corruption and eternal damnation of an indefinite number of other people. This sin is worthy of death and will be exposed and judged at the final day of judgment (2 Thess. 2:12). Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalms 101:3
ALL WHO ARE “OF GOD” STAND ON HIS TRUTH AND ALL WHO DON’T ARE “NOT OF GOD.” (JOHN 8:47)
There is no neutral position. Now is your hour to truly repent and become wholly in love with Jesus (Revelation 3:15-16).
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30
Any people, society celebrating sin is under divine judgment from the unchanging God – just as was Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSAS | Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed? | The Return of Christ | Support | Lie of the Ages [podcast] | 10 Questions about Eternal Security | Is Salvation Eternal? | The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast] | The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] | Lie of the Ages (Blockbuster book exposing OSAS and calvinism)
Abiding
“I Desire Fruit that May Abound to Your Account” [podcast]
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17
Did you realize that as a born again disciple of Jesus, that you have an “account” in Heaven?
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Laying up treasure in Heaven and not wasting it on this fleeting life, is the command and the wisdom of God.
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
To some I would say:
“So let me get this straight…. you attributed your own earnings for your whole life to yourself and so now, how dare someone suggest you allow other saints to help fund God’s work, to lay up treasure in Heaven …..”
“But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24
Some seem to take offense to anyone receiving help from God’s people… which is 100% selfish and pride filled…. in more than one way:
1. The work is expanded with greater funding;
2. God’s people are laying up treasure in Heaven when they choose to give.
This all seems to indicate that you are far too involved in the “ministry” you are doing. It’s all about you, not Christ.
Think about how Jesus and Paul and John had numerous “fellowhelpers to the truth.” Every member was free and able to function fully in our LORD’s work.
“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” 3 John 8
Apparently some bogusly believe, pretend to be more righteous than Jesus and the apostle Paul by denying love offerings to do the work of God.
These men are actually preventing God’s people from laying up treasure in heaven and acting self-righteous about it.
Apparently you seek to be the hero who serves yourself in many ways instead of Christ and others and therefore you wish all of your labor be attributed to your own account in Heaven. Philippians 4:17 says: “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
We give the Gospel “without charge”…. and yet that does not in any way negate all that the Bible says about giving and laying up treasure in Heaven: “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:18). This would mean that he doesn’t ask for money and yet that doesn’t mean he didn’t receive such help nor that what he taught in verses 1-14 are negated.
Regrettably, there are men doing ministry who are babes in understanding this Bible 101 doctrine of giving, of stewardship.
Isn’t it time we get out of the way and let those sitting on the bench get on the field, participate, lay up treasure in Heaven?
Do we not understand how Christ told us His kingdom works…. that when we give, it connects our hearts closer to Christ and His work? See Matthew 6:21.
Following our heretical beliefs instead of the Bible on this topic of stewardship would have thus far resulted in the deprivation of so very many beloved needy people here in Mexico. It would have cheated them out of many blessings…. food and the Word, salvation, etc.
Remember, such as was the case with the few loaves and fishes. Jesus takes what we give to Him, to His work, and multiplies it. Do the math. John 6. Five thousand men were fed out of 5 loaves and 2 fishes and yet there was much food (more than they began with) left over, surplus (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20).
“Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.” John 6:13
Regrettably, we have novices who are abandoning the truth of God due to others perverting it….(2 Corinthians 2:17).
Are they making excuse for not giving?
The LORD “giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”
Every good and every perfect gift on this earth is from God and is a mere foretaste of glory divine!
“The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17
Does God’s Word not warn us that God’s people are to “behold” both “the goodness and the SEVERITY of God” lest we be “cut off”?
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22
LORD, we thank You now for EVERY good and perfect blessing You alone have provided—beginning with the ultimate, the unspeakable, the unfathomable gift of Your only begotten Son who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to justify us (Romans 4:25)! We love You LORD Jesus!
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates |The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar Dialogue | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom! | Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Fellowship | Haggai | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich Podcasts
What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]
Guilty of Condoning Evil Romans 1:32
“I Desire Fruit that May Abound to Your Account” [podcast]
Mission Mexico Part 23
Hostile Watching vs Grounded Readiness for Christ’s Return [podcast]
Stripped and Sanctified with Travis Bryan III [podcast]
“The Knowledge of the Holy is Understanding” [podcast]
“Called, and Chosen, and Faithful” [podcast]
JESUS CHRIST TOLD US TO OVERCOME TO THE END [video]
Walking in Godly Integrity Means Paying Restitution Where Needed [podcast]
TIMES OF REFRESHING FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD! [video]
Should God’s People be Allowed to Give? [podcast]
What Church is Jesus Coming Back for? [podcast]
How we walk in “Strong Confidence” [podcast]
Knowing the Word of God and also the God of the Word [podcast]
What Church is Jesus Coming Back for? [podcast]
Conspiracy Among the False Prophets [podcast]
Biblical Case Against Naivety
What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]
There’s Only One Savior [video]
Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God’s Amazing Love [podcast]
The Seed of Salvation [podcast]
Guilty of Condoning Evil Romans 1:32
10 Steps to Restoring a Brother [podcast]
Walking in Godly Integrity Means Paying Restitution Where Needed [podcast]
TIMES OF REFRESHING FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD! [video]
“In Due Season We Shall Reap, If We Faint Not” [podcast]
The Way We Spend Our Money is a Direct Reflection of the Priorities of Our Heart [podcast]
Hostile Watching vs Grounded Readiness for Christ’s Return [podcast]
“Called, and Chosen, and Faithful” [podcast]
What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]
Guilty of Condoning Evil Romans 1:32
“I Desire Fruit that May Abound to Your Account” [podcast]
-
America6 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles7 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved