Essays
The Gift of The Holy Spirit
The gift of The Holy Spirit
What exactly is “the gift” of Holy Spirit? In his sermon on the day of Pentecost Peter connected being baptized with the reception of the gift (Acts 2:38). Furthermore, Peter equated the gift with the PROMISE (Acts 2:39). What many fail to see is that the gifts of the Holy Spirit (miraculous gifts enumerated in 1Cor.12:7f) were but a vehicle to bring about the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. The gifts, dispensed throughout Israel’s last days (Acts 2:17), were never intended to be permanent. They were temporary by design, serving to confirm and bear witness to the proclamation of the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ (1Cor.13:8-10 and Heb.2:3-4).
If the gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to bring to perfection (fullness) the promise of God, then what was this promise of the Holy Spirit? The promise of the Holy Spirit was multi-faceted, including all things related to the full establishment of the New Covenant.
Preeminently, it involved the arrival of Jesus as The Savior (Acts 13:23). By His work as Savior, Christ would bring “resurrection from the
dead”, not for Himself alone but for all of God’s covenant people (Acts 13:33 & 26:6). This promise of “eternal life” (1Jn.2:25) is rooted in a “new covenant” (Jer.31:31) declaring that all men (Jews and Gentiles) could walk by faith (Rom.4:13; Gal.3:26-28 and 2Cor.5:7).
Such a promise is described in a variety of colorful ways. It is the kingdom of heaven (Jn.3:3 & 5). It is His glorious church (Eph.3:21); a house not made with hands (2Cor.5:1) and the city of God (Heb.11:10). It is the new Jerusalem (Heb.12:22 & Rev.21:2); a new creation (2Cor.5:17 & Rev.21:5) and the new and living way (Heb.10:20). It is the presence of God (Rev.21:3) and the new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness (2Pet.3:13). It is paradise restored (Rev.22:1-5).
In summary, the promise (gift) of the Holy Spirit was that God would grant us through Christ “everything pertaining to life and godliness (2Pet.1:3). The apostle Paul encapsulated this promise in his prayer in Eph.1:3, “blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST…”.
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
