28. The Holy Spirit

One of the most complex of all Bible topics is that of the Holy Spirit. It is vital that the student approach the subject with care since so many have gone astray at this point. The expressions Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are interchangeable. The first is usually used in the King James Version, the latter in most other translations.

His Nature

The Holy Spirit is variously designated as the Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit, and the Comforter. He is a divine personality in the sense that the Father and the Son are. His personality is seen in that He possesses a mind, a knowledge, affections, and will, and is described as capable of speaking, testifying, teaching, guiding, and searching. We know that He is divine (and the third person in the Godhead) because He is eternal, all-knowing, and all-powerful. In this lesson we will determine how the Holy Spirit operates. We shall discover that the Holy Spirit is the means or agency through which God works. To illustrate, in giving us the Scriptures God has worked through His Holy Spirit who inspired the Biblical writers in their messages. "Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."(2 Peter 1:21)

His Indwelling

The Holy Spirit dwells within the child of God. "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"(1 Cor. 3:16) "Do you not know what your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"(I Cor. 6:19) "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."(Rom. 8:9-11) He takes up His abode within the Christian at his baptism. "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call."(Acts 2:38, 39)

THE HOLY SPIRIT	ORDINARY GIFT	BAPTISM	SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Nature	Indwelling - I Cor. 6:19	Overwhelming of power - Acts 2:1-8	Miraculous talents - I Cor. 12:1-11
To Whom Given	All Christians - Acts 2:38,39	Apostles, Cornelius - Acts 1:26-2:4, 11:17	Some Christians - Acts 8: 14-17
How Given	Result of gospel obedience – Acts 5:32	From above -Acts 10:44	Laying on of hands - Acts 8:17, 19:6
Purpose	Strengthen, sanctify, lead, bear fruit	To prove God had granted repentance unto life - Acts 11:18	To reveal, impart, confirm truth – I Cor. 12:8-10
Duration	To end – Acts 2:39	Special blessing only twice recorded	Temporary

None of these passages teaches that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives any miraculous power. It should not be confused with the baptism of the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts. It is not easy to say how the Holy Spirit dwells within the Christian. In Ephesians 6:17 we are told that the word of God is the sword of the spirit. Hence we conclude that He dwells within God's children in connection with the word of God. However, we do know what He does in the lives of disciples of Christ. He strengthens, sanctifies, leads, comforts, and intercedes for Christians. Furthermore, He produces the "fruit of the Spirit" in their lives. (Gal. 5:22, 23)

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is specifically mentioned only six time in the New Testament, four times as a promise given by John the Baptist.(Matt. 3:11, 12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33) Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus told His apostles, "But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."(Acts 1:5) The fulfillment of this promise (and the first instance of Holy Spirit baptism) occurred on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell on the apostles. "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."(Acts 2:2-4) Thus, the baptism of the Holy Spirit brought (1) the sound as of a rushing mighty wind, (2) tongues as of fire sitting on the apostles, and (3) ability to speak in other languages. It was a direct outpouring of power from heaven.

The only other mention of Holy Spirit baptism was at the conversion of the household of Cornelius. It was similar to what took place on Pentecost. In recounting this Peter says, "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'"(Acts 11:15, 16) Peter shows surprise at the Holy Spirit baptism of Cornelius. To find a similar example he goes back several years to the events of Pentecost. This implies that Holy Spirit baptism was very unusual. In both cases notice the gospel was given for the first time to a great group of people - on Pentecost to the Jews; at the conversion of Cornelius to the Gentiles. Since these are the only two recorded examples of Holy Spirit baptism, there is no reason for Christians to expect such today.

Spiritual Gifts

Some confuse Spirit baptism with the spiritual gifts possessed by many early Christians. These gifts are described in 1 Corinthians 12-14. They are listed as the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith (of a miraculous nature), healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:8-10) Generally they were intended to (1) reveal the truth of God, (2) impart that truth to those who had not heard it, and (3) confirm the truth which had been taught. The New Testament was then being written and until its completion the divine guidance of spiritual gifts was necessary.

These gifts, however, were temporary. Paul predicted, "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears."(1 Cor. 13:8, 10) Spiritual gifts were given only by the laying on of hands. When Philip baptized many in Samaria, the apostles Peter and John found it necessary to go there to bestow these gifts because Philip evidently did not possess this power.(Acts 8:14-17) Paul, by the laying on of his hands, gave such gifts to the Ephesians(Acts 19:6) and to Timothy.(2 Tim. 1:6) Since the Roman Christians had not yet received these gifts Paul wrote them, "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift."(Romans 1:11) Spiritual gifts ended in accordance with Paul's prophecy when those who possessed the power to give them by the imposition of their hands had died. Therefore none has these powers today.

The Holy Spirit and Conversion

The Holy Spirit plays a part in every conversion. However, the Holy Spirit has never saved men directly, but has always worked through others. Thus the Ethiopian was converted by Philip who was, in turn, led to him by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:26-39) The Holy Spirit sent Peter to Cornelius. Cornelius was saved, not by a direct revelation from heaven, but by words spoken by the preacher. (Acts 11:14) Christ appeared to Saul of Tarsus, but did not save him then. Instead, Ananias was sent to tell him what to do to be saved. (Acts 22:12-16) Sinners are converted today when they come in contact with the word of God which has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. This they may do by hearing it preached or by reading the divine words from the New Testament. The Holy Spirit saves men indirectly through the word.