Have you received the Holy Ghost
If it offends you, be assured that you neither are a Christian, nor desire to be one. No, your very prayer is turned into sin. And you have solemnly mocked God this very day, by praying for the inspiration of his Holy Spirit, when you did not believe there was any such thing to be received.
Yet, on the authority of God's word and of our own church, I must repeat the question. Have you received the Holy Ghost? If you have not, you are not yet a Christian. For a Christian is a man who is anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power. You are not yet made a partaker of pure religion and undefiled.
Do you know what religion is? It is a participation of the divine nature, the life of God in the soul of man, Christ formed in the heart, Christ in you, the hope of glory, happiness and holiness, heaven begun upon earth. It is a kingdom of God within you (Luke 17:21), not meat and drink, no outward thing, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). It is an everlasting kingdom brought into your soul, a peace of God that passes all understanding, a joy unspeakable and full of glory.
1771 text
9. If it offends thee, be thou assured, that thou neither art a Christian, nor desirest to be one. Nay, thy very prayer is turned into sin; and thou hast solemnly mocked God this very day, by praying for the inspiration of his holy spirit, when thou didst not believe there was any such thing to be received.
10. Yet on the authority of God’s word and our own church, I must repeat the question, Hast thou received the Holy Ghost? If thou hast not, thou art not yet a Christian: for a Christian is a man, that is anointed with the Holy Ghost, and with power. Thou art not yet made a partaker of pure religion and undefiled. Dost thou know, what religion is? That it is, a participation of the divine nature, the life of God in the soul of man: Christ formed in the heart, Christ, in thee, the hope of glory: happiness and holiness: heaven begun upon earth: a kingdom of God within thee: not meat and drink, no outward thing: but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? An everlasting kingdom brought into thy soul, a peace of God, that passeth all understanding; a joy unspeakable and full of glory?
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 3 in the 1771 Works. Charles Wesley preached it at Oxford, 4 April 1742. Ephesians 5:14.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.