Conditions for Receiving the Spirit Through the Word

I. There are two conditions for the one speaking the Word.

A. The speaker must be an anointed messenger, one sent by God.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart. (Jeremiah 23:21-22, 26)

B. The speaker must have an anointed message, one given by God. (Jeremiah 23: 16-18)

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?

II. There are three requirements for the one hearing the word.

A. Must possess an eager mind and a seeking heart to hear from God. (Acts 17:11)

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things.

B. Must believe they are hearing from God through the messenger. (Thessalonians 2:13)

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

C. You must obey what you have heard "NOW!" (2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 11:6)

Today if ye will hear his voice harden not your heart as in the day of temptation.

For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I.