Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?

"He [Paul] said to them [Ephesian Christians], “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?” (Acts 19: 2).

Monday, 17th May 2021, in the 7th Week of Easter.

Our key Scripture for today is the interesting conversation between the Apostle Paul and 12 Ephesian Christians. Paul asked if they received the Holy Spirit when they became Christians.
They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit.”

Why did Paul ask the question?
#1. The men were not manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
Or:
#2. They did not speak in tongues during prayer.

And you:  “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?”

If you are not manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life:  [Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity], the chances are that you have not activated the gifts.
After you receive a new credit card, you activate it before you can use it. After the activation of the card, timely payment of your bill is the way to continue to enjoy the credit card.

We receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism whether we are baptized as children or adults. In Confirmation, this gift is strengthened. Once we claim ownership of the gifts through activation, the fruits of the Holy Spirit mentioned above will be evident in our lives.

What if we fail through sin? The Lord is kind and merciful. He gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance. This Sacrament is so powerful and restores us to the original purity of our Baptism.

It is not too late to join the worldwide Novena of the Holy Spirit for the feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 23rd 2021.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com