Yves Gashugi 
Introduction
Did you know that the life the apostles lived before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is not counted under the New Covenant? I do not write this to stir controversy or dismiss the authority of Scripture, but rather to remind the Church and readers at large that true understanding of the Scriptures comes through divine revelation, and such revelation gives direction for how we are meant to live. When we align our lives with that revealed truth, we live by what Scripture calls faith.
The Bible teaches that the New Covenant could not exist—nor take effect—without the shedding of Jesus’ blood (Luke 22:20; Romans 5:9; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). Yet even that would not have been sufficient without His resurrection (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Therefore, the New Covenant is defined by faith in the work God accomplished through Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. As such, any life lived before that redemptive work was completed does not fall under the New Covenant.
While I refrain from labeling that period as “Old Covenant” to avoid implying criticism toward how the Scriptures have been historically categorized, it’s important to note that the Bible was not compiled in chronological order, but in a way that reveals God’s greater redemptive plan.
For now, let us set aside the technical debate of covenantal timelines and remember this vital truth: our salvation is not rooted in how well we categorize the covenants, but in the One who authored them.
We Receive the Holy Spirit by Faith
In 2015, I remember hearing some believers fervently pray and fast for God to give them the Holy Spirit. Yet something stirred in my heart: “Why do they not consider that their very desire to pray for the Holy Spirit is itself evidence of the Spirit already at work in them?” Perhaps I was still growing in understanding at the time, but it made me reflect deeply on the inseparability of the Triune God. Wherever God is, Jesus is. Wherever Jesus is, the Holy Spirit is.
In other words, we cannot claim to have one and not the others.
We cannot say, “He has God but not Jesus,” or “He has Jesus but not the Holy Spirit.” No! When we believe in Christ, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit dwell within us (John 14:23; Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
We Are Filled with the Holy Spirit for the Work
On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the disciples did not receive the Holy Spirit for the very first time. They had already received Him as an indwelling presence when Jesus breathed on them after His resurrection (John 20:22). What happened at Pentecost was a filling of the Spirit, empowering them to carry out the work God had called them to.
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit came to dwell in the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:22). He could not have taken up residence in them prior to their faith in the New Covenant—faith in Jesus’ completed work. But on Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, not to receive Him again, but to be empowered for ministry (Acts 1:8).
We receive the Holy Spirit once through faith, but we need to be continually filled in order to be empowered for the ongoing work of God.
The Holy Spirit is not a luxury or an optional request; He is a promised gift, given when we respond in faith and obedience (Acts 2:37–40). Yet we are also encouraged to ask continually for the Holy Spirit, as part of walking in alignment with the Word (Luke 11:13).
