Receiving the Spirit?

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of
faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? ... 5 He
therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works
of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"

The Holy Spirit is the gift of Christ through faith in the Gospel. The power of God is the preaching of
Christ crucified, not human effort and duty. Human effort and duty must be preached, but as works of
thanksgiving, not works to obtain the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is given in fullness to Jesus Christ as the result of His perfect obedience and
atonement for sins. The Lord Jesus, from his eternal throne of David at the right hand of God,
dispenses the Holy Spirit and His gifts to whomever He pleases.

Ps 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for
men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the
promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. ... 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.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.