GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
___________________________________________________________By Pastor G. Reckart
Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserve
The gift of the Holy Ghost is mentioned as such in Acts 2:38 and Acts 10:25. It is called the "gift of God" in Acts 8:20. It is also referred to as the "gift by grace" in Romans 5:15, the "gift of righteousness" Romans 5:17, "unspeakable gift" 2 Cor 9:15, "gift of Christ" Eph 4:7, and "heavenly gift" Heb 6:4.
The origin of the "gift" wording comes from the words "promise of the Father" in Acts 1:4 which Jesus used to identify the Holy Ghost baptism to come on the day of Pentecost.
In the virgin conception the Holy Ghost is referred to as the "power of the Highest" (Luke 1:35).
The Holy Ghost descended upon Jesus at his baptism at the Jordan river in the form of a dove (Luke 3:22).
John the Baptist preached the coming Messieh would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire (Mat 3:11).
Jesus is said to be full of the Holy Ghost in Luke 4:1. Jesus also said it was the Father in him doing the work (John 14:10-11). This means the Holy Spirit is the Father.
In John 7:38-39 the Holy Ghost is likened to "rivers of living water" (meaning an artesian spring coming up from within the earth). Here the Holy Ghost is referred to as "the Spirit." So, it is proper to refer to the Holy Ghost as the Spirit and even Holy Spirit. John said while Jesus spoke of the Spirit the Holy Ghost was not yet given. So we see "given" is now associated with "gift." Obviously something given can be a gift, the Spirit was to be given, therefore when it was received it was a gift.
In Acts 1:8 we have these words: "ye shall receive power" after the Holy Ghost is come upon thee. If the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God then a person who receives the promise of the Father will also receive a measure of the power of God.
On the day of Pentecost when 120 and then 3,000 were filled with the Holy Ghost, they being the Church, were innergized with the power of God. This personal experience is referred to a being "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). A person who is to receive the Holy Ghost is to also be endued with power from on high. Any claim of the Holy Ghost that is absent the "endueing" is false! Many are told they have receive the Holy Ghost at the same time they accept Jesus as their Lord but they were lied to. Some were told they received the Holy Ghost when they were baptized and were also lied to. The test is the endueing, the actual gift of the Father, just like the 120 received it in Acts 2:1-4. If this is absent a person has not received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This is were it is important for those who do not follow the Bible to claim "speaking in tongues" was phased out and anyone now who does so is filled with demons. Remember, speaking in tongues is the work of the Holy Ghost using our body and it is not we ourselves who make up these tongues.
Herein is the danger: anyone who speaks against the Holy Ghost and ridicules or mocks the work of the Divine Spirit, have blasphemed God and can never be saved (Mark 3:29). It is wise to remain silent about the Holy Ghost and just pray a simple prayer: "Jesus if the Holy Ghost baptism is real, show me; lead me to the place where I can witness and experience this Divine Gift, then when I ask, fill me up."
Acts 2:4-- And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Holy Ghost is called the Comforter by Jesus in John 14:26 and is to teach us all things. This work of the Holy Ghost to teach opens the door for us to understand the Bible which is the book the Teacher will teach from. Those who have experienced the Holy Ghost teaching them will know the excitement. There is a difference in Holy Ghost teaching and others putting their spin and interpretation on what they read. Anyone who explains away a verse is not honest and those seeking Truth should not follow them. The Holy Ghost will never lead a person to believe a lie or confuse us to believe a man-made interpretation that is false.
Romans 5:5, the love of God is shed abroad (everywhere) into our hearts by the Holy Ghost. The purpose of this love is so God can love others through us. Our works and good deeds of righteousness are manifestations of the love of God working through us. If we allow God to use us our works and deeds earn for us a reward in heaven. This is not to say you can be saved by good works and deeds, but rather, if you have the real Holy Ghost these works of God in and through us show his love.
Romans 14:17--There is righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Ghost when we have this salvation blessing.
Romans 15:16-- Sanctification is also a work of the Holy Ghost in the Gentiles to develop them as a sacrifice and offering. Meaning, as pagans who were not heirs of Abraham, citizens of Israel, and in possession of Divine promises: the Holy Ghost through our sanctification makes us accepted to God just as all sacrifices and offerings once were in the Temple. Until a sacrifice or offering was sanctified it was unacceptable to God. Likewise, a Gentile who does not have the Holy Ghost is not sanctified and cannot offer up themselves as a living sacrifice (see Romans 12:1).
1Cor 2:13--The Holy Ghost teaches us to compare spiritual things with spiritual things. It does not teach us to compare carnal things with spiritual things or spiritual things with carnal things. There is a spirit of perversion throughout the land trying to do way with spiritual things by replacing them with carnal things and claiming they compare. This is false and will expose the endtime Laodicaea church and people for who they are.
1Cor 6:19--Our body is a temple for the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God. Only one God was in the Tabernacle/Temple. No other God was allowed to be there. Therefore, our body is not a temple of God until God comes into it as the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. Until we have this indwelling, our body is nothing more then an empty shack. It may be garnished and clean. All the devils may have been evicted. We might be a shack ready for God to make a temple. The proof will come when we receive the Holy Ghost baptism. As there was fire of Divine origin in the temple, even so the Holy Ghost is an inward fire to cleanse and purge should there remain any residue of sin, evil, a sinful conscience, or a habit needing burned out of our life. The Holy Ghost within us will purify us and keep us holy.
2Tim 1:14--As good things are put within us by the work of the Holy Ghost. We are to keep them and not let anyone remove them from us. We are to keep these spiritual treasures until we die or Jesus comes. Often, these are gifts and talents we are to use to bless the church, the congregation, and other works of God. And, once the Holy Ghost gives us these, we are not to backslide and take them into the world as so many musicians and singing groups have done over the years.
The Holy Ghost brings other gifts of the Spirit for those chosen of God. These gifts are: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues (1Cor 12:7-11). The original gift of the Holy Ghost is for salvation. These gifts are for the edification and blessing of the Church and the Body of Christ.
Romans 8:9 gives us clear understanding of the importance of the Holy Ghost:
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
How important is the gift of the Holy Ghost? It is so important a person is not saved without it. Yes, it is a gift. But this does not mean you can reject it. It does not mean it comes after you are already saved therefore of no importance or consequence. Here are the words of Jesus on this matter:
John 3:3--Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
John 3:5--Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.
A person who is not born again is not saved.
A person who is not baptized in water according to Acts 2:38 is not born of the water.
A person who has not received the gift of the Holy Ghost is not born of the Spirit.
Doesn't gift mean it is not essential? So a person is saved either by believing and repentance or when baptized?
Not true!
A gift is something voluntarily transferred from one person to another without compensation. In this case it is God giving so we must conclude any gift from God must be to show special favor. I have already documented that Jesus called the gift of the Holy Ghost the "promise of the Father." We must ask ourselves if this gift or promise was intended to be for everyone or a select number? Since being born of the Spirit is addressed to all who desire to enter into the Kingdom, then the promise of the Father and the gift of the Holy Ghost is to all but only those who receive it will be allowed to enter into the Kingdom. This means the gift of the Holy Ghost is essential to salvation and a person is not born again or saved until they have had their own day of Pentecost experience.
If the Holy Ghost is a gift, why then is it essential to receive it?
Acts 5:32 tells us: "And we are witlessness of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him."
Here we see the gift of the Holy Ghost is given upon certain prerequisites. Included in these is obedience. The promise of the Holy Ghost in Acts 1:8 is reaffirmed by the Apostle Peter and follows repentance and water baptism.
Some ask how a person can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost prior to water baptism? This is possible because a person has fully believed and repented. If they start asking Jesus for the gift of the Holy Ghost before water baptism, the only thing God is looking for at this point is OBEDIENCE! If a person has an obedient heart which only God can judge, it is possible to receive the Holy Ghost before water baptism. God knows the person will continue with an obedient heart and go by faith to their water baptism. I have seen this many hundreds of times. The Holy Ghost being transferred from God himself to a person is a gift.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is promised by prophecy in Joel 2:28-29:
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and 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 shall I pour out of my Spirit."
Herein is the promise of the Father. And, herein the Spirit becomes the prophesied future gift. God said he would pour out of HIS SPIRIT! Peter said "this is that spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16).
It was the purpose of God that he pour out of his Spirit upon ALL FLESH, therefore the gift of the Holy Ghost is for ALL FLESH!
Conclusion of the matter:
If you have not received the gift of the Holy Ghost, God has not poured out upon you his Spirit. Your body is not yet a temple of God. Why let religion stand between you and God? Why allow lies spread by many people and groups to keep you from the promise of the Father? Why let your own fears hold you back from complete surrender to the Spirit of God? When you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost you will experience peace and joy.
You are saved, God bore witness giving you the Holy Ghost.
"If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will be give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg, will be offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him" (Luke 11:11-13).
Pastor G. Reckart
Tampa, FloridaNOTE: This study may be translated into other languages by written permission from Pastor Reckart. The translation must contain the name of Pastor Gary Reckart, Tampa, Florida along with the name of the Minister or Missionary who is responsible for and supports the contents. Please be accurate in the translations and do not add any false doctrines. Please email me a copy of the translation so I can have it checked before posting on the internet.
Also see important Bible Studies below:
http://jesus-messiah.com/html/change-agents.html
http://jesus-messiah.com/html/speaking-in-tongues.html