What are the two phases and when are they given.

What is the difference between the two phases of the spirit

When do we receive them.

When God first calls us He starts working with us and gives us a small amount of knowledge and enables us to understand the bible to a certain degree.  As we study the scriptures, we have a desire to study, a desire to learn, we try to change ourselves and better ourselves in line with the scriptures.

This is the start of our calling.  Lets look at the scriptures and see how some people respond to Gods calling at this point.

Mat 13:3  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 

When God calls some people the truth is treated lightly, and it is thrust aside and not given any real value.  The precious truths are not valued or protected, they are just discarded and quickly destroyed, so that no profit can come from these truths.  These people simply do not want any part of Gods calling, or knowledge, or truth.  They place no value on the words, which could lead to eternal life for them. 

Mat 13:4  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 

Then we see another group of people who perhaps valued the words of God, but they had no deep desire for the truth, or no deep belief in God, and so they had a shallow relationship with God, perhaps it was for show, or appearance sake, that they became interested in God, but it was a superficial arrangement.

Mat 13:5  Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 

Once these people were put under pressure, or some trials came their way, they could not stand up to it, and they gave up very quickly, again these people did not value this calling or understand what the full extent of the calling could mean.

Mat 13:6  And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 

Others were too involved with their physical lives, there was no time to devote to the growth of Gods words, the world had a strong pull and many people are drawn away from bible study, towards T.V. movies, and many other things that this world has to offer.

Mat 13:7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 

Some people valued the calling of the Almighty God, they took it seriously, they took the time to study, to grow, to allow Gods words to dwell in their mind.  They valued this precious calling, they wanted to grow, they wanted to change and become like God.  Some more than others, as we see that some produced more fruit than others did, to achieve a great deal requires a great deal of effort and not everyone is prepared to give 100% of themselves.

Mat 13:8  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 

Even though the truth falls on good ground, what happens to it then, is up to the individual.  Some people put in more effort than others.

When God is happy with our attitude, and sees that we want to grow and overcome, He gives us the Earnest of the Holy Spirit.  We can only learn and understand to a small degree without the Holy Spirit, so our growth will be limited until we receive the earnest of the Holy Spirit.

This initial calling is receiving the milk of the word.  It is also the manna from heaven.  It is teaching from God, but it is not the understanding of eternal life.

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 

1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 

Here we see some were not ready for meat, because they were not doers of the word, but hearers only.

Again this condition of being ready for meat, comes after many years of testing and trying, it is not obtained early in our christian walk.

Heb 5:11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 
Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 
 

Joh 6:31  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 
Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 
Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 
 

Deu 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. 
 

The earnest of the spirit is given at baptism, notice the example of when Jesus was baptized.

Mat 3:16  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 

Peter taught what was required to receive the earnest of the  spirit

Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 
Act 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. 
Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 
Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 
Act 2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 
Act 2:45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 
Act 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 
Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 
 

2Co 1:22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 

2Co 5:5  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 

Notice that we receive the earnest of the spirit when we believe God.
So once we receive the truth, we accept the truth, we act and try to change, we have a desire to learn, and grow, and change and become like God, and we believe God then God will give us the earnest of the spirit.

The earnest of the spirit is a down payment of what is yet to come.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 
Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 

Once the earnest of the holy spirit is given then we can grow and overcome and understand much more, without the earnest of the spirit our understanding is shallow, we need the earnest of the spirit to have a deeper understanding of Gods word.  We can begin our christian walk, we can understand the bible as God opens our mind to understand.  We can obey, we have belief, we have faith, love, and we should show the fruits of the spirit.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Once we receive the earnest of the spirit at baptism, then we enter a testing period, this testing period  is likened to the 40 years the Israelites wondered in the wilderness.
Just as they were tested during that time, so are we.
God watches us and sees what we do with the knowledge we have been given.  Do we hunger for more knowledge and more understanding, do we believe what we have been taught.
If this is the case God will be pleased with us.
If we complain and are rebellious and full of disbelief, God will see this also.

God wants to know if we are going to obey Him, believe Him, love His word, and what are hearts are like.  Are we fully comitted to our calling, God sees all these things,  and we are tested to see if we are suitable to receive Gods holy spirit of power.

Deu 8:2  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 
 

This growth can take many years until God offers the knowledge of eternal life.
This knowledge can only be understood when God opens our minds to hear it and believe it and understand it.
Lets look at the example of the disciples.
They were given the earnest of the spirit.  Notice that they were given the spirit at the beginning.  This enabled them to understand some things, 

Act 11:15  And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 

However the knowledge of eternal life was a mystery to them, they could not understand these things.

The disciples did not know that Christ was going to die for the sins of mankind.  What Christs death meant, and why He had to die was a mystery to them.

Mar 9:31  For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 
Mar 9:32  But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. 

Notice that the understanding was hidden from them, they did not have the Holy Spirit of power and therefore could not understand.

Luk 9:43  And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
Luk 9:44  Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 
Luk 9:45  But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. 

They were unaware of His rising from the dead.

Joh 16:18  They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 
Joh 16:19  Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 

Once the disciples received the Holy Spirit of Power, the spirit brought to remembrance the things Christ taught them. 

Joh 12:16  These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 

Joh 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. 

It could be quite a puzzle to understand why the disciples had the earnest of the spirit and yet did not understand.

As we explained earlier, with the earnest of the spirit we can understand a good deal, but for the knowledge of eternal life, requires a further step, God must open our minds to greater understanding.  This happens when God shows us the scriptures, if we have a desire to understand, grow, and  believe what God shows us, He opens our mind to greater understanding.

Luk 24:44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 
Luk 24:45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 

Once God opens our understanding to the scriptures, then there is a period of time until we receive the Holy Spirit of power, in the case of the disciples it was the period from when God opened their minds to understanding, till Pentecost.
In the case of the disciples, Christ was with them for 40 days teaching them, and showing them about the kingdom.
In our case it is the same, God teaches us and shows us many things until we receive the Holy Spirit of power.

The giving of the Holy Spirit of power, is a very serious time in our spiritual life, and God takes the giving of His spirit very seriously.  When we receive it we have eternal life.

The two phases of the spirit are very different, the first, the earnest of the spirit, is the down payment, of eternal life, it is a deposit of greater things yet to come.
The Holy Spirit of power once it is given is eternal life inherent.  Great power is given with this Holy Spirit it is called the spirit of power, or truth.

Act 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.

Many readers might think that the disciples first received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but the following verse shows that they already had the Holy Spirit and were to receive another comforter. 

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

There is a huge difference in the spiritual understanding we receive with the earnest of the spirit compared to the Holy Spirit of power.

The holy spirit of power or truth enables us to understand the things pertaining to eternal life.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW THESE TRUTHS WITHOUT GOD FIRST OPENING OUR MINDS TO UNDERSTANDING THE THINGS OF ETERNAL LIFE. AFTER WE ACCEPT THE TRUTH AND BELIEVE THE TRUTH ,WHEN GOD DECIDES, WE ARE GIVEN  THE HOLY SPIRIT OF POWER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IS ENTIRELY UP TO GOD 

Notice how God gives us understanding 

1Jo 5:20  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in[by] his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 

2Ti 2:7  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 

We must come to the knowledge of the truth

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

We must have a desire to learn, believe, and obey, then we will find the knowledge of God

Pro 2:3  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 
Pro 2:4  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Pro 2:5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 

When we receive the truth we must also believe it.

1Th 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.

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 

We receive power when we have the Holy Spirit of power.

Mic 3:8  But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. 
2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

Lets look at some of the things that are opened to our minds once we have the spirit of power.

THE FATHER IS THE ONE TRUE GOD

The knowledge of the Father and the Son is eternal life, we must know that there is one true God and that is the Father, He is the only one who has existed for all eternity.  He is the self existent one, Jehovah.  Jesus Christ has not always existed, He is from the beginning, He was born before creation. He is the firstborn Son of God.  He is God but He has not existed for eternity.  He is second in charge to the Father.

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 
Jer 10:10  But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 
Mar 12:32  And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 
1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 
1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

Once we learn these truths God will show us many more things, like the correct day of the Passover, the correct meaning of the holy days and much much more.

The prophets and other  righteous people  would not have been given certain knowledge because it was to be revealed to the disciples, until then it was not known. 

Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

This knowledge is to be restored in the end time church……all things will be restored.  This knowledge will eventually fill the whole earth.  It was known by the disciples, but lost since then, to be restored in the end time. 

Mat 17:11  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.