The
third step in the plan of salvation, given to us in Acts 2:38 is to “receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
(Acts
2:38 KJV) 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.
Much of the
Christian world today views the Holy Ghost as an optional blessing that is not
essential to salvation. How
important is the Holy Ghost in our lives according to the Scriptures? From the Bible it is evident that the
Holy Ghost is essential in our lives for us to be saved from sin. Let us examine what God has to say on
the subject. Then we can give others
a reason for the hope that is in us concerning the Holy Ghost.
The prophets spoke
of the Holy Ghost.
·
Isaiah—foretold that God would use stammering lips and another
tongue (Isaiah 28:9-12). Paul
referred to this prophecy in one of his epistles (I Corinthians 14:21). Isaiah described the joy of this
experience as like drawing water fro the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:1-6).
·
Joel—foretold the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh
(Joel 2:28-29). Peter informed us
that the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) was the
fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:16-18).
·
John the Baptist—All four gospel writers recorded John’s prophecy of
Christ baptizing with the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke
3:16; John 1:33). Jesus himself
declared that John the Baptist was a prophet (Luke 7:24-30).
1.
Jesus Spoke of It
Jesus
foretold this glorious experience in John 3:5 when he said, “Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” This verse alone
establishes the absolute necessity of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
He described the
Holy Ghost as rivers of living water (John 7:37-39).
When Jesus spoke of
being born of the Spirit, He meant being baptized with the Holy Ghost (John
3:1-8).
He foretold of the
coming Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13).
He promised His
followers right before His ascension to heaven that they would be baptized with
the Holy Ghost a few days from then (Acts 1:5). Jesus fulfilled his promise on the Day of Pentecost (Acts
2:1-4).
2. Paul Preached
It
The
fact that it is essential to receive the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost is
further emphasized by the words of the Apostle Paul. “Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).
It is a beautiful privilege, purchased for
man by the blood of
Jesus Christ. It is the greatest
experience ever given to mankind by the Lord. Christ actually comes and takes up His abode in a human body
(temple). That body becomes the
very temple of the Almighty God.
3. Peter Told of It
The
Apostle Peter spoke in Acts 2:38 about the Holy Ghost experience. He describes his feeling when the
creator dwells within his creation through the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He says it is “joy unspeakable and full
of glory.” Paul describes it as
“righteousness, peace, and joy” (Romans 14:17). But greatest of all is the knowledge that the baptism of the
Holy Ghost is promised to all who obey His command to repent, and are baptized
in the glorious name of Jesus Christ.
God’s Spirit is
very important in our lives, and our relationship with Him is a sacred
thing. Once a person has exercised
faith in Christ through repentance, water baptism, and the reception of the
Holy Ghost, his justification is complete and the process of his sanctification
and ultimate glorification has begun.
It is our
responsibility to believe and repent, to allow a minister to baptize us, and
then to believe God to baptize us with the Holy Ghost. This is Bible salvation.
Prophetic Scripture
has been fulfilled over and over again since the Day of Pentecost. Worldwide, men and women are receiving
the Holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with other tongues.
email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com
email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com
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