Holy Ghost

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." (Ecclesiastes 11:5)

What do I know about the Holy Ghost with fire? Not much. I venture to say that you don't know much either because you have ventured into God's territory. There are principles (laws) in this world that we can easily ascertain as human beings. Outside of those universal laws, that we are required to live by daily, we don't know much even though some will tell you they are experts in so many areas of the spirit world. If I've ever been in the spirit world I just don't remember it. I don't attribute having the warm fuzzies as being in that realm.

John the Baptist did not baptize with the Holy Ghost but with water unto repentance: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12)

In Acts 19 the Apostle Paul confirms the words of John the Baptist: “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:4-5) Then what happened next? “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6) How did they receive the Holy Ghost? Through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands. What was the outcome of Paul’s imparting the Holy Ghost to these Christians? They preached the word.

We find the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

 “And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 13:10-11)

“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.” (John 14:26)

“And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23)

How were they able to remit sins? First, they spoke the word or taught those believers what they should observe by the Holy Ghost. Second, they remitted their sins by the Holy Ghost. In a nutshell this is the function of the Holy Ghost. John baptized “unto” repentance but the Holy Ghost actually forgives sins—the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

The reason for special gifts was not for the benefit of those receiving the special gift but for the benefit of those that would hear the word. In the book of Acts we find the Apostles receiving the Holy Ghost. “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:4-5) “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) What did the Holy Ghost give the Apostles? The ability to speak the word in other tongues. Why? “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.”

If these people were to be taught by the Apostles they had to receive the ability to speak in a tongue that is understandable by the recipient of the word. (“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”) By doing this they could teach the people to observe and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: “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.” (Acts 2:38) In other words, these people by obeying the command of Peter had their sins forgiven.

Not all that preached the word, and baptized others, could give the Holy Ghost even though they were full of the Holy Ghost. We find this in Acts 6, beginning with verse 3: “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”

Why did they lay their hands on the seven? Partly, so that they could “teach” and speak in tongues. Perhaps Philip needed this to communicate with the Ethiopian and perhaps not. For example, we notice that Apollos was mighty in the scriptures knowing only the Baptism of John. (Would you have fellowship [koinonia – fellowship] with Apollos?) “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1st Corinthians 3:6)

We see that Philip could not give others the Holy Ghost. He had received the Holy Ghost but he could not give it. We find that fact out in Acts chapter 8, beginning at verse 3: “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” Beginning again at verse 12: “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”

As you can see from this scripture regarding those that the evangelist Philip baptized that they had received the “gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38 the forgiveness of sins) but they had not received the gift of God or the ability to speak in tongues and perform miracles. They wanted to give these people the gift of God so that the word could be spread and go throughout the then known world.

We find in the next instance that Philip baptized a man from Ethiopia but he didn’t give him the special gift of God. We find Philip sent into the desert to join himself to a chariot headed back to Ethiopia from Jerusalem. We read these words beginning at Acts 8, verse 35: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture [Isaiah 53], and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

What gift did the Ethiopian receive? He received the forgiveness of sins or eternal life. He did not receive the ability to speak in tongues or perform miracles because Philip didn’t have the ability to impart those gifts to him. That required a “cloven [split] tongue” Apostle type instead of an evangelist.

When the Apostle Peter had his vision regarding unclean people (Gentiles) in Acts 10 we find that the Holy Ghost came “before” baptism. As you can see, the gifts are not tied to baptism. At verse 44: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Why did this occur? So that the circumcised Jews would understand that God is not a respecter of persons and that the Gentile dogs could be saved too. At verse 46: “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” What gift did they receive from the Holy Ghost when they were baptized? They were forgiven of their sins through obedience of the word.

The special gifts (like speaking in tongues) were received in order that the Jews might accept Gentiles as Christians. This was a new and very foreign concept for a Jew and occurred, according to commentators, approximately 10 years after Pentecost when the Apostles preached to Jews only from every nation (those nations were listed in Acts chapter 2).

In Acts chapter 9 we see Saul (Paul) converted by the great light (Jesus Christ) or dayspring (sunrising). When John the Baptist came into the world he was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring [sunrising] from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79) “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun [not SON] of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” (Malachi 4:2) Last book and chapter of the Old Testament.     The Apostle Paul saw this dayspring because it was hidden to him in the reading of the Old Testament. He didn’t go to the Apostles but he went where Christ told him to go. “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” (Acts 9:17-18) Note that Paul received the Holy Ghost before baptism because the scales fell from his eyes. Who was Ananias that he could lay hands on the Apostle Paul and impart the Holy Ghost? Paul was exceptional in all aspects of his ministry. “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1st Corinthians 15:8) Do we search for “consistency” when all things are possible for God?

Do we get help from the Spirit in our time? Yes! “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27) The Apostles don’t need to lay hands on us for us to approach God through prayer with the help of the Spirit.

Giving light (removing the scales of the blind) is the responsibility of the Holy Ghost and the word. The Old Testament had Christ hidden: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1st Corinthians 2:7-8) That light is no longer hidden.

The special gifts were given in the infancy of the church as we find in 1st Corinthians 13 at verse 8: “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying…. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”

Did the Corinthian church have problems even though they excelled in special gifts? What were they sometimes lacking that abides: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love].” Seen any cloven [split] tongues like as of fire lately?

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion [koinonia – fellowship] of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (2nd Corinthians 13:14)

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.” (1st Thessalonians 1:5-6) How does our gospel come to us today? “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” (Acts 16:6-7) Have you ever had the Holy Ghost tell you to keep your mouth shut and not “preach the word?” Paul and Silas did.

What did Paul tell Timothy? “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2nd Timothy 4:2)

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:12-15)

In summary, because of the word we can obey and receive forgiveness of sins. The Holy Ghost provided the forgiveness of sins when we repent and become baptized into Christ. How were the Apostles able to remit sins? First, they spoke the word or taught those believers what they should observe by the Holy Ghost. Second, they remitted their sins by the Holy Ghost. There would be few that could argue their limited receipt of the Holy Ghost (special gifts). As one old time preacher said: “Let’s go to the graveyard and for every person you raise from the dead I’ll raise two.”