Beech Tree News Network

      It is my privilege to be able to answer Bible questions folks ask. The question about the gift of the Holy Spirit is one that has been asked of me several times because the Holy Spirit and His work fascinates man. I hope this article will help others who have wondered about the Holy Spirit (I Pet. 3:15).

             The “gift of the Holy Spirit” is mentioned in Acts 2:38. On the day of Pentecost, Peter and “the eleven” (v. 14) preached the gospel to the Jews that had gathered that day (v. 5). The record states: “Now when they heard this (the gospel, JJ), they were cut to the heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:37-39).

             One thing we need to understand in this study is that there is a difference between the “gift” of the Holy Spirit (singular) and the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit (plural). The “gifts” of the Holy Spirit are explicitly described in I Corinthians 12:4, 8-10. These were gifts bestowed upon certain Christians when God’s written word was not in its completed form. I Corinthians 12 enumerates these gifts, and chapter thirteen tells us the duration of the miraculous gifts (v. 8-10). The “gift of the Holy Spirit” discussed in Acts 2 is different. This gift was not bestowed by the laying on of the apostles’ hands. Instead, this is something that people receive after they have repented and have been baptized, as Peter said in Acts 2:38.

             What is “the gift of the Holy Spirit”? In simple terms, it encompasses all the spiritual blessings which belong to those who are in Christ (Eph. 1:3; Acts 2:47; Rom. 8:16-17; II Cor. 5:17; Titus 1:2). A verse that helps in this study is Acts 3:19. A careful reading Acts 3:19 shows that this is a parallel passage to Acts 2:38. In this passage, Peter tells the people, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Here, the “times of refreshing” mentioned in Acts 3:19 corresponds with “the gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38.

             Sometimes, people say “the gift of the Holy Spirit” is the Holy Spirit. Not so! The gift of the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit’s gift! If one repents and is baptized for the remission of sins, then he receives the Holy Spirit’s gift (i.e., “times of refreshing from the Lord,” salvation from sins, spiritual blessings in Christ, the hope of Heaven, fellowship, etc.)

             Are you saved? Have you received the Holy Spirit’s gift (Acts 2:38)? If not, why not? (On January 11, we began a 6 lesson bi-weekly study on the Holy Spirit. Our next study is January 13 at 7 PM. If interested, please contact us at the phone number below.)

 -- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167