There has always been some confusion in the church and among many believers as to when the Holy Spirit is given to us. Let’s consider Paul’s answer:

Rom 5:5 … and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ESV

In the KJV it is which is given; the NKJV it is who was given; and the NIV it is whom he has given. The correct translation is in the past tense (completed) and the “us” referred to are those who have been made alive through faith in the blood of Jesus. It’s clear that the Holy Spirit is not given to every member of the human race as some teach; God has never poured out His Spirit on the unsaved.

God showed this to us as He has done in so many places throughout the Old Testament in providing “shadows” of things to come. In this case He has given us an illustration in the Old Testament cleansing of a leper:

Lev 14:14-17 The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Then the priest shall take some of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand and sprinkle some oil with his finger seven times before the Lord. And some of the oil that remains in his hand the priest shall put on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, on top of the blood of the guilt offering. ESV

The oil was the symbol of the Holy Spirit and the blood of the lamb was the symbol of Jesus’ atoning death. When you look at the complete act it is obvious that the oil was “not” put on the “flesh” but it was put upon the “blood.” The Holy Spirit is not given to the unbeliever … only to those who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Also note that something else is evident that speaks to another area of confusion in the church … the Holy Spirit does not come “later.” He comes at the moment of salvation (right after the blood) and that means that His coming has nothing to do with anything that “we do.” He is given at the moment of salvation … after the redeeming work of Jesus.