CRITERIA FOR RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

In the book of Acts 1:4, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the promise of the father.
He said so because God had earlier promised in the book of Joel 2:28 that there was
going to be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Has God kept the promise? Absolutely!
Acts 2:1-4 tells us of those who were the first batch to receive the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit.
The question now is what criteria should one subscribe to receive the
Holy Spirit?

Fig.1. Jesus’ disciples at the upper room when the Holy Ghost descended on them like cloven
tongues of fire.

There are two criteria for receiving the Holy Spirit.

1. Anyone in earnest of receiving the Holy Spirit must have a relationship with
God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of
God as stated in 2 Corinthians 3:17:” Now the Lord is the Spirit…” Also, in
Joel 2:28: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out MY
SPIRIT…”. God’s Spirit is the preserve of those who have a relationship with
HIM. That is why during Peter’s sermon after he had received the Holy Spirit,
he told his hearers “…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.” (Acts 2:38-39).

2. The Holy Spirit is a gift we must ask God to give to us. Remember, a gift is not a
debt owed us for a work we did. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to His children, as
recorded in Luke 11:13; “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to
them that ask him?”

3. In the book of Acts 8:17, the Bible says, “Then laid they their hands on them, and
they received the Holy Ghost”.

Fig.2- Peter and John laying hands on the disciples in Samaria

The event took place in Samaria, where Peter and John went to aid the
reception of the Holy Spirit into the lives of the believers by the laying on of
hands. This signifies that it is also possible for one to receive the Holy Spirit by
the laying on of hands. However, the laying on of hands must be done by a
minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Cornelius and his household also received the Holy Ghost while listening to
Apostle Peter’s sermon. Just like in the case of Samaria, Cornelius and his
household had already opened their hearts to God (Acts 10:1-2, 11: 15).
 Fig.3: Peter preaching to Cornelius and his household.

After the believers in the upper room received the Holy Spirit, it was recorded that they spoke
with new tongues (Acts 2: 4). However, that was neither the case of Cornelius nor the
disciples in Samaria. It was recorded that the Holy Spirit fell on them but no record of them
speaking with new tongues. To that end, speaking in tongues as a sure confirmation of having
received the Holy Spirit has no clear biblical
backing. Asking and receiving from God are acts of faith. When you ask, you must believe
that God answers. God doesn’t give to men in batches. You must believe you have received
the Holy Spirit after asking even if you don’t get to speak in tongues right away. The truth is
the Spirit of God in you will enable you to speak in tongues
someday as you keep thirsting (compare Acts 8:14-17, Acts 19:5-7).