Do all men have the Holy Spirit?

Question:      I was taught that all men have the Holy Spirit. In Luke 11:13, could you explain what is meant by this verse?

Answer: Yes, if you are alive, then you have the Holy Spirit.  The spirit, which is one part of the three-fold make-up of man, is the spirit of God. This is the spirit that man receives at birth and it returns to God when one dies; Ecc.12:7, “…..the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”  Because this spirit comes from God, it has to be Holy.  If all of mankind receives his spirit from the Holy God, then all of mankind possesses the Holy Spirit.

What Luke 11:13 is referencing, is the gifts of the Spirit, which is entirely different from the Holy Spirit, although all comes from God. The gifts of the spirit are gifts such as healing, prophesy, miracles, and etc.  All of these gifts are listed in 1 Cor.12:7-11. If you are alive, then you have the Holy Spirit.  If you want the gifts of the spirit to be operating in your life, then you should ask God for them.

Some people contend that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is receiving special powers.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the initial experience of the gifts working in an individual’s life.  Receiving any of the gifts of the spirit will warrant special powers.  Often, the first noticeable sign that the gifts of the spirit is present in one’s life, is speaking with other tongues.  Some individuals have contributed this initial act to be the evidence of one receiving the Holy Ghost. Please note that speaking in others tongues is listed as one of the gifts of the spirit.  Scripture does not say that speaking in tongues or any of the other gifts of the spirit is the evidence that one has received the Holy Ghost.