VII. When and how is the Holy Ghost given and received?

The Holy Ghost is given, as we have already shown, when he communicates his gifts. And this is done either visibly, which is the case when he imparts his gifts in connection with certain outward signs; or invisibly when these are communicated without these signs.

He has not always been given visibly, but only at particular times, and for certain causes; and that more largely under the New Testament, than formerly under the Old, according to the prophecy of Joel: “In the last days I will pour out of my Spirit.” It was in this way that he was given visibly to the Apostles and others in the primitive church. “And there appeared unto them, cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” “The Holy Ghost fell on all them.” “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.” (Acts 2:3; 10:44. John 1:32.) These passages must be explained in such a manner that the sign takes the name of the thing itself, so that the same thing is affirmed of the thing which properly belongs to the sign; because the Holy Ghost bears testimony to his presence and power by the sign which is employed. So John saw the Spirit descending upon Christ in a bodily shape like a dove; he saw the form of a dove under which God demonstrated the presence of his Spirit. This however, must not be understood of any local motion in God, but of his presence and working in the church; for the Holy Ghost is present everywhere, filling heaven and earth. And it is in this sense that the Holy Ghost is given, sent, poured out, &c., when by his effectual presence, he creates, stirs up and gradually perfects his gifts in the members of the church. The Holy Ghost always has been and is given invisibly to the church, from the very beginning even to the end of the world; because he spake through the prophets. “If any now have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom. 8:9.) Nay, without the Spirit there never had been, nor could be any church.

The ordinary way in which the Holy Ghost is given is through the ministry of the word, and the use of the sacraments; and that, in the first place, by manifesting himself to us through the study of the doctrine of the gospel, so as to be known by us. It was in this way that he wrought in the hearts of those who were converted under the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost; and also upon Cornelius, and those who were present with him when Peter addressed them. We must not, however, suppose that the Holy Ghost operates in such a manner through the word and sacraments as to be so tied or bound to them as to make it impossible for him to work in any other form; for he does not convert all who hear the gospel, and others again are converted in a different way, as Paul, on his way to Damascus, and John the Baptist was sanctified or furnished with the gifts of the Spirit in his mother’s womb. Hence, when we say that the Holy Ghost is given through the ministry of the word and the use of the sacraments, we speak of adults and of the ordinary way in which, he is given, and of the visible sending of the Spirit, of which it is said “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.” “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Gal. 4:6. Rom. 8:9.) He is also given, in the second place, by creating a desire after him in the hearts of the faithful; for he is given to those that ask and seek. (Luke 61:13.) From this we may draw a strong argument in favor of the Divinity of the Holy Ghost; because it is peculiar to God alone to work effectually through the ministry. “Neither is he that planteth anything, neither is he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” “The gospel is the power of God,” because the Spirit works effectually through it; so the gospel is also called the ministration of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 3:7. Matt. 3:41. Rom. 1:16. 2 Cor. 3:8.)

The Holy Ghost is, moreover, received by faith : “In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” “Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither know- eth him.” (John 14:17.)
Obj. But faith is the gift and fruit of the Holy Ghost: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (Eph. 2:8. 1 Cor. 12:3.) How then can he be received by faith? Ans. The working of the Holy Ghost is prior to faith in the order of nature: but not in time; because the reception of the Holy Ghost is the first beginning of faith. But after faith is once kindled in the heart, the Holy Ghost is more and more received through it, and so produces other things in us, as it is said : “Faith which worketh by love.” “Purifying their hearts by faith.” (Gal. 5:6. Acts 15:9.