[Biblemat] The Gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)

[Gary Daniels]

The Gift of the Holy Spirit


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By: Shawn Daniels 


Much debate and discussion comes from the statement of Peter on the day of
Pentecost. Where Peter said, “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 ) One
debate is about the statement ‘gift of the Holy Ghost'. What is the gift of
the Holy Ghost? 

Many assume that this gift is the Holy Ghost himself. The fact of the
scriptures is that there are many gifts that the Holy Ghost gave the
followers of Christ. Paul tells us, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but
the same Spirit.” ( 1 Cor 12:4 ) The scriptures also show us that these
gifts were given by the laying on of the Apostles hands. ( Acts 8:15-18 )
That is why Simon offered money. Simon didn't want to buy a gift of the Holy
Ghost. He wanted the power to transfer the power like the Apostles. These
gifts were given to those until ‘that which is complete’ is come. ( 1 Cor
13:9-10 ) The complete thing that was to come is revelation. Paul in this
text is talking about in-parted knowledge and prophecy in comparison with
love. That complete thing is full revelation as opposed to in-parted
revelation. Once the full revealed word of God came the diverse gifts were
done away. That's why that the writer of Hebrews says, “God also bearing
them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and
gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.” ( Heb 2:4 ) This was
done for the confirming of God's will, His word, until the full and finished
revealed form came. 

The gift of the Holy Ghost, that was to be given on the day of Pentecost,
was a single gift. It is a gift that all that receive and obey the word of
God will receive for all time. Just as universal the promise of remission of
sins is, so is the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost. What is this gift?
Let us look at a parallel verse. ( Acts 3:19 ) “Repent ye therefore, and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing
shall come from the presence of the Lord;” This is a parallel verse to Acts
2:38. Peter spoke both verses as endings to two different sermons that he
preached. He says in both to repent and be converted (baptized), that your
sins may be blotted out (for the remission of sins), when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost). The gift is equal to the phrase ‘times of
refreshing'. The Holy Ghost is equal to phrase ‘presence of the Lord' for
the Lord sent him. The gift is no more the Holy Spirit himself as the times
of refreshing is the Lord. The times of refreshing comes from presence of
the Lord just like the gift comes from the Holy Ghost!  The gift then is
‘times of refreshing’.  What does this mean?

Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to enter the kingdom of God one must be
born again of water and spirit. ( John 3:5 ) Paul tells Titus that we are
saved by ‘washing of regeneration' and ‘renewing of the Holy Ghost'. ( Titus
3:5 ) Water is involved in our salvation but not water alone. Once we are
baptized and receive forgiveness for our sins, we receive this renewing,
this refreshing, or as Jesus says a rebirth, ‘born again'. That's why Paul
says, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as
many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then
are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” ( Gal 3:26-29 ) 

The gift of the Holy Ghost is rebirth into God's family and all the promises
and inheritances that are in this great family. 


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