We are continuing with our message titled, Gift of the Holy Spirit. We left where we said being filled with the Holy Spirit empowers you without plan, without seminar; we saw the first century Church became strong only by relying on the promised Holy Spirit by the risen King Jesus Christ.

Let’s continue. You should know that these disciples in Acts 1 were already born again. They already had the Holy Spirit indwelling them before it came on them. The question is, does it mean there are two Holy Spirits?

Listen, but let me read this verse,

“Then the same day in the evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had said, he showed them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
John 20:19‭-‬22 “

This happened when Jesus physically was with the disciples, and again, He said the second time, “Wait for the Holy Spirit.”

At first, He breathed, and secondly, He said they should wait. Remember the disciples were afraid, doors closed, I don’t know, but they were like, “Our master Jesus is dead, what if those who kill us find us?”

So, after breathing, they were already born-again believers even when told to wait for the Holy Spirit the second time.

This has to happen after the resurrection because Jesus has to die for their sin first. But why is the Holy Spirit breathed in them not enough?

Listen, hear. They have fulfilled the second of three relationships Jesus taught could happen between a person and the Spirit.

Read John 14:17: “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.
John 14:1
Before Jesus died for the sin of the world one, He told the disciples, The Holy Spirit is with you.
Secondly, after dying for the sins of the world, He breathed on the disciples and told them to receive the Holy Spirit, which, before He died, He said was with them but now inside them, and they were born again.

Thirdly, Jesus said wait still, wait for the Holy Spirit. In short, before He died, the spirit was with them; after dying, it was breathed into them. WITH, IN, and thirdly, still, wait.

Do you know that before being born again, when a Pastor or evangelist is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with you, do you know that is the first stage where the Holy Spirit is with you, but the person who is sharing has it inside him?

As the Gospel is preached, the Holy Spirit, which is with you, whispers to you, “It’s true.” This is so because the person preaching to you has received Jesus inside him, so Jesus is using His voice.

If you receive Jesus, you have a second relationship with the Holy Spirit. Was with you, now in you.

In Greek, para means with you, en means in you, and the two sounds para en.

I firmly believe the word preached to many has an impact during preaching and after.

A drunkard came to a church and lay at the entrance crying, “This alcohol. Jesus helps me; though I am drinking, it does not mean I hate you; I love you, Jesus”. Why is he crying without preaching?

The question is, does the Holy Ghost have you? Now that the disciples had the Holy Spirit with them and in them, why wait? We shall see that tomorrow.

Thanks