The “Gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38? (continued from 12-2010)

(Part 5, Holy Spirit series; will be intermittent)

         The immediate and remote contexts of Acts 2:38, in both directions, strongly show that the “gift of the Holy Ghost” or Spirit is the miraculous: 

         The immediate context of Acts 2:38,39: Please compare Acts 2:33, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”  What were they seeing and hearing?  The personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit?  No, but the “gift of the Holy Spirit” (which is the miraculous) as is clearly seen in the context and declared by the inspired apostle to be “that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:16) who was also inspired by God.  Shall we allow uninspired men to lead us away from these truths???

         1.      Where in the immediate context of Acts 2:38,39 is the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit mentioned, promised or seen?

         2.      In fact, where in the whole Bible is the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit mentioned, promised or seen? 

         3.      If no book, chapter and verse (BCV), why should brethren hold on to this doctrine?

         4.      With just what we have seen so far, what likely was in the people’s mind concerning the “gift” and “promise” of Acts 2:38,39?  To see more, read all of Acts 1 and 2.

         5.      Which was most likely in the peoples mind: 1.) The personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit?  Or, 2.) The miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit?  Please give BCV. 

         6.      It is hard to imagine anyone studying Acts one and two and the statements of Jesus (Mark 16:16-20) and Joel (Joel 2:28,29) and coming up with anything but the miraculous. 

         The respondents (Acts 2:37) certainly did not answer as the Ephesians did in Acts 19:2.  I believe Acts 19:5,6 should give us great insight as to what went on in Acts 2:37-41.  Please remember the immediate and remote context of Acts 2:38,39: Mark 16:16-20; and Heb. 2:4 along with Joel’s promise, Joel 2:28,29.

         The remote context before Acts 2:38,39.  Joel’s prophecy and promise included those mentioned in Acts 2:39.  Note what Joel said: “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: ²⁹And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (Joel 2:28,29).  Compare to what Peter said: “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; ¹⁷And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:” (Acts 2:16-18).  Compare: “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (v.33).  Compare: “…and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  ³⁹For 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 2:38,39).  

         1.      Do we ever have an inspired man saying “this is that” concerning the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

         2.      Was Joel speaking of the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

         3.      Was Jesus in Mark 16:16-20 (below) speaking of the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit?  

         4.      Was Peter in Acts 2 speaking of the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit?  If so, where is proof or even the slightest suggestion of it?

         5.      Where was the personal indwelling ever promised?

         Keeping Joel’s prophecy in mind let us notice what our Lord and Master said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  ¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  ¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:16-18).  This latter part is clearly speaking of the miraculous and is a repeat of Joel’s prophecy and promise in so many words. 

         Note how Mark’s statements connect to Acts chapters one and two.  Mark’s record bears out: “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven (see Acts 1:9), and sat on the right hand of God (see Acts 2:33).  ²⁰And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:19,20).  Of course, Luke overlaps this record in the book of Acts and gives more detail.

         When did what Jesus promised begin happening?  The same time they started preaching and converting souls.  A perfect commentary on Acts 2:38, 39 is Mark 16:16-20.  The Bible is its own best commentary, not the scholars.  Of course some who believe in the personal indwelling will try to discredit this.  Some seem to think that with the wave of their hand this argument does not exist, or at least does not connect with Acts 2:38,39, but it is God’s Word!  I think anyone who will consider it carefully can see the very strong connection. ♥

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