Does God with hold his Holy Spirit?

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Does the Holy Spirit Choose Not to Baptize People, or Are People the Problem?

From a Pentecostal perspective, including that of Donald Gee and other scholars, the issue is not that the Holy Spirit chooses not to baptize certain people but that individuals may encounter personal barriers to receiving. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a promise available to all believers, not a selective gift withheld by God.

God’s Desire to Baptize All Believers

Pentecostals believe Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift available to all who believe in Christ. Acts 2:39 states:

"The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (NIV)

This verse supports the view that Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not limited to a select few but is meant for all believers. Scholars such as Donald Gee emphasize that God does not withhold the Holy Spirit arbitrarily; rather, the responsibility often lies with the individual (Gee, Pentecost, 1932).

Human Barriers to Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Rather than the Holy Spirit refusing to baptize, Pentecostals identify several human factors that may hinder reception:

  1. Unbelief or Doubt – A lack of faith in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or scepticism regarding speaking in tongues can prevent reception (Mark 11:24).

  2. Fear – Concerns about losing control, experiencing something unfamiliar, or receiving a counterfeit experience can hinder faith (2 Timothy 1:7).

  3. Unconfessed Sin or Lack of Surrender – Holding onto sin, unforgiveness, or personal resistance can create a spiritual blockage (Acts 5:32; Psalm 66:18).

  4. Intellectualism or Overthinking – Trying to rationalize the experience instead of receiving it by faith can create a mental barrier (1 Corinthians 2:14).

  5. Past Experiences or Church Tradition – Teachings that reject tongues or personal negative experiences can create resistance (Mark 7:13).

  6. Not Yielding to the Spirit – Expecting the Holy Spirit to forcefully take control rather than stepping out in faith can delay reception (Acts 2:4).

God’s Timing vs. Human Readiness

While some Pentecostal scholars acknowledge divine timing, the prevailing teaching is that God is always willing to baptize believers in the Holy Spirit. The delay is usually due to human readiness rather than divine reluctance.

Gee explains, “If we seek earnestly and honestly, we will receive, for God is not in the business of withholding His Spirit” (Gee, Concerning Spiritual Gifts, 1928).

Overcoming Barriers to Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

If someone has not yet received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Pentecostal leaders like Donald Gee encourage them to:

  • Seek God in faith, believing His promise is for them (Luke 11:9-13).

  • Surrender completely to the Holy Spirit, letting go of personal reservations (Romans 12:1).

  • Pray persistently, continuing in prayer and expectation (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1-4).

  • Step out in faith when prompted, especially when speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4).

  • Surround themselves with Spirit-filled believers who can encourage and pray with them (Acts 19:6).

Testimonies of Those Who Overcame Barriers

Many believers have testified that persistence and surrender led them to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. For instance, Smith Wigglesworth, a well-known Pentecostal preacher, initially struggled to receive but later recounted that full surrender and expectation opened the way (Ever Increasing Faith, 1924). 

Similarly, Donald Gee noted that many seekers receive only after yielding fully to the Holy Spirit and setting aside their preconceived expectations (The Pentecostal Movement, 1941).

Conclusion

The Pentecostal view is that the Holy Spirit does not choose to withhold baptism arbitrarily. Rather, human barriers such as unbelief, fear, and resistance can hinder reception. However, through faith, surrender, and perseverance, believers can overcome these obstacles and experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised:

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Acts 1:8, NIV)


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