THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PROMISE
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel 2:28-29) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49) Although the prophesy (promise) given in Joel 2:28-29 lingered for over 800 years it finally had It's fulfillment on the Day of Pentecost.
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)
TO WHOM IS THE PROMISE FOR?
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39)
THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ON CONDITION
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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 2:37-38) When the question was asked "what shall we do?" Peter who was given the keys to the Kingdom answered -- repent, and be baptized (leaving no question as to how one is to be baptized.. "in the name of Jesus Christ") AND THEN ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Our responsibility is to follow Scriptural instructions. If we fulfill the conditions of repenting of our sins and are willing to be identified with Christ in His death and burial by being baptized in His name, He promises to give the Holy Ghost.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6)
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A CONFIRMATION OF ONE’S FAITH
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (Acts 19:1-2) These disciples had already believed on the Lord Jesus yet their faith still needed to be confirmed by God by giving them the Holy Ghost. When God recognizes faith within the heart He responds by filling the heart with His Holy Spirit.
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. (Acts 8:12-17)
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A SIGN OF THE TRUE CIRCUMCISION
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also (Rom.4:11) Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Abraham had faith and God had righteousness which He deposited into his account. God then gave to Abraham a sign of circumcision as an authentication of the righteousness of his faith, and an external confirmation of the covenant made with him by God. Now by faith we are the children of Abraham :Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.(Gal3:7) As children, we to have been given an unconditonal covenant which came to us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. :Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20) Just as Abraham was given a sign of cirmcumcision as a confirmation of the covenant so have we. However, instead of an external confirmation the New Testament believer has an internal confirmation of the covenant which is the true baptism of the Holy Spirit.
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Rom.2:28-29)
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.(Col.2:11-12)
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR ASSURANCE
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Col.1:27)
N.T. hope contains no doubt's, if's, or maybe's but speaks of possessing a favorable and confident expectation. This abiding Christ (Holy Spirit) gives the individual the assurance of passing from death unto life. They have already experienced a spiritual resurrection -- If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Col.3:1).
If we have been partakers of a spiritual resurrection by the receiving of the Holy Spirit then we have the assurance of a physical resurrection. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Rom.8:11)
The Spirit of truth has given us a blessed assurance that the grave is not our final home. We can say as Job: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:25-27) The assurance of complete victory over the grave. The assurance of a resurrection and receiving of a glorified body -- Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Phil.3:21). The assurance an entrance shall be ministered to the heirs of salvation into His everlasting kingdom. Let all who possess this hope of glory give praise to His Name.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR COMFORT
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17)
But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:5-7)
A comforter in N.T. greek is to comfort, encourage or exhort. It also refers to an aid of any kind such as a legal advisor, pleader, or advocate. It is one who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another.
What peace fills our heart for when we are sorrowful the Holy Spirit comforts; when we are discouraged the Holy Spirit encourages; when we are confused the Holy Spirit is our advisor; when we have sinned the Holy Spirit is our advocate; when we no longer have strength to plead for ourselves the Holy Spirit pleads for us. WHAT A COMFORTER HE IS!
God Bless All.
