Many today are told to receive Christ as their personal savior, but what exactly does it mean to receive Christ? The only mention of where it is stated of people that received Christ Jesus is in Colossians 2:6, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” The word receive is “paralambano” which means to receive from another. Furthermore, the terms, "accepting Christ" and "receiving Christ" are used so loosely, today, that very few actually understand what it means, and certainly don't realize that just because someone accepts or receives Him does NOT automatically mean that He accepts or receives them. This may sound judgmental, but a careful look into the Scriptures will reveal the fact that unless things were done precisely as He prescribed, God would NOT accept just any and every sacrifice offered to Him. Also, **IF** the adversary of our soul didn't know who our Lord Jesus Christ "really" is ... and believe it ..., initially, he certainly came to know ... and believe it ... after He rose from the grave. Furthermore, he very definitely believes in one God (James 2:19). But, he is NOT going to spend eternity in Heaven. So, it takes more than just saying, "I believe" ... or merely "receiving" (or accepting) Christ.

Now let's begin with John chapter 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

The Jews (his own people) saw him perform miracles and heard the word of God in flesh and received him not! But, those who received him, He gave them power to become the sons of God. Notice God gives us something when we receive him. Power needed over the enemy, power to be witness, and power over sin in our lives!

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

This is in Jesus own words, that when you believe, you shall receive the Spirit. It would come from inside your belly as living waters, but you have to believe the scriptures. Lets continue …

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; [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.

Jesus is essentially saying, the one who is standing here talking to you is the one who will dwell in you. He gave the clue that He was the Spirit of Truth, he was with them and would be in them. When does this happen in one’s life, and are there biblical examples?

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Comforter which is the Holy Ghost would help them remember the things he taught.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Here is again straight and forward teachings of Jesus you must be born of Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. When does this happen? Jesus told Nicodemus the wind that makes a sound and you cannot tell where its coming or going to. The word sound in Greek is (phone) which means ‘a voice’ a saying or language. He also told him that we cannot tell whence it cometh. The word tell in Greek is (eido) which means to know by perception, to have knowledge or to understand. Jesus said when someone is born of Spirit we will hear a language we won’t understand.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God is a Spirit: You must worship in spirit and truth. It is a command.

Luke 24:49 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.

Acts 1:8 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.

The word power in Greek is (dunamis) which means miraculous power, strength, miracle. Luke is also the author of Acts which is the only book written to an unsaved person. He does not call Theophilus a brother or a fellow servant. He gives a history of the church how the teachings and promises of God came to pass in history.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Jesus said the sound would be like the wind, the power to speak another language was truly miraculous, and the Spirit gave them the language to worship in spirit.

Acts 2:38 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.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

In Samaria they believed the teachings of Christ but did not receive the Holy Ghost!

Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

In the book of Acts the people usually receive the word that is preached. Then obey the word by putting faith in action. The Romans were told by Paul that the word of faith which we preach. If it’s in your heart it will come out of your mouth. Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

What does Jesus being raised from the death have to do with being saved?


What are we saved from?

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (not IN their sins)

1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

We see that the believer has victory over death and the grave. That’s what were saved from. Now, If sin brings forth death, then when is my sin forgiven or separated?

Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

When are we planted in the likeness of his death so we can have likeness of his resurrection? When is sin destroyed so we don’t serve sin.

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Our baptism is death, burial and the resurrection! What is Paul saying we should walk as we have new life. Is that like new birth or born again?

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The same Colossians who received Christ were reminded a few verse later of the death, burial and the resurrection in baptism.

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Paul tells the Corinthians the gospel which is the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The following verses answer the question, "From whom Paul received that which he preached?" They were saved by this gospel or good news.

Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; [17] Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, [18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Jesus appeared to Paul and made him a minister and witness. When people turned from darkness to the light they would receive forgiveness of sin, and inheritance.

The receiving of the Holy Ghost is our taste of heavenly home to eternal life.

The forgiveness of sin is in baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:38 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.

Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. [22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.


My question to you is what kind of ground are you? How do you receive word of truth?

John 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

The apostles were sent by Jesus and when people did not receive them and their message it was as they rejected the one who sent them. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Son of God. God gave because he loved the world but tradition mens pride and they loved the teachings of men more than truth. Out of the thousands and thousands that heard Jesus preach only 120 waited for the promise and got it.

The devil has power. And, according to what our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed to in Acts 1:8, ye shall receive power, after 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.

It is with great confidence that we can stand upon the faithful promises of God. But, we must realize that in our flesh we cannot defeat the devil. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that we are made free, given victory over the adversary AND empowered to be witnesses all over the world. After one has truly repented, there is really only one question which needs an honest answer: 

1) Do I truly hunger and thirst after righteousness? 

Each and every one of the 120 believers in the upper room were in one mind and one accord, when they ALL were filled with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, in Acts Chapter 2. Not one soul was left hungry or thirsty (empty). Then, shortly after they were all filled, about 3,000 were added to the 120. (Acts 1:15 AND Acts 2:41).

Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." ... Honest souls desire the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth ... or the truth in its entirety ..., and will open their heart when they open their Bible. I hope you are one of the few. Thanks ... and God bless!