Leonard Allen James Harding The Holy Spirit
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#James A. Harding The HOLY SPIRIT--A Bible Reading (1899)
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The HOLY SPIRIT--A Bible Reading.
J. A. H.
The Way (August 1, 1899): 114-118.There has been much discussion of this subject recently, and the many and great differences show that by many it is greatly misunderstood. It is certain we can know nothing about it, except as it is revealed in the word of God; and it is not a bad rule for us in such matters, to express ourselves in the very words of the Bible. If we will do this, and be careful to draw no conclusion from the text except what its words necessarily imply we may learn much.
THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT Once at Jerusalem, at one of the great annual feasts, on the last day of the feast--the great day--[p. 115] Jesus stood and cried saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water," and in the next verse John explains his meaning by saying, "This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:37-39)
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JESUS STOPS ANYONE FROM SELLING HIS WORD: WE DO NOT PAY FOR THE RAIN
Is. 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money;
come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Is. 55:10 For as the RAIN COMETH DOWN and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Is. 55:11 So shall MY WORD THAT GOETH FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH
it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, GIVE me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee LIVING WATER.
THE GIFT OF GOD IS NOT GOD
Jer. 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Jer. 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying,
If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly [HEART] shall FLOW rivers of living water.
FLOW g4482. ῥέω RHEO, hreh´-o; a primary verb; for some tenses of which a prolonged form rheuo hryoo’-o is used to flow (“run”; as water): — flow.John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
Is. 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of SALVATION.
SALVATION g3444. יְשׁוּעָה yshuwꜥah, yesh-oo´-aw; feminine passive participle of 3467; something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity:—deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare.
Ezek. 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
Prov. 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
the WORDS that I SPEAK unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFEWORDS g4487. ῥῆμα RHEMA, hray´-mah; from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever: — + evil, + nothing, saying, word.John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
g4483. rJe÷w RHEO, hreh´-o, for certain tenses of which a prolonged form
ejre÷w ereo, er-eh´-o is used; and both as alternate for 2036 perhaps akin (or identical) with 4482 (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say: — command, make, say, speak (of). Compare 3004.
g2036. ἔπω epo, ep´-o; a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346); to speak or say (by word or writing): — answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare 3004.
g4482. ῥέω RHEO, hreh´-o; a primary verb; for some tenses of which a prolonged form rheuo hryoo’-o is used to flow (“run”; as water): — flow.
JESUS WAS GLORIFIED AND RETURNED TO THE UPPER ROOM AS PROMISED
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, [BREATH] and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy SPIRIT, and began to SPEAK with other tongues,
as the SPIRIT gave them UTTERANCE.
Matt. 10:20 For it is not ye THAT SPEAK but the SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER which SPEAKETH IN YOU.
G4151 PNENUM Apnyoo'-mah From G4154 ;SPIRIT PRODUCES WORDS OR SOME POWER
A CURRENT OF AIR
that is, BREATH (blast) or a breeze;
by analogy or figuratively A SPIRIT
that is, (human) the rational soul,
(by implication) vital principle,
mental disposition,
OR (superhuman) an angel, DAEMON, or
(divine) God, [God IS Spirit or Mind]
Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit:—ghost, life,
spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Compare G5590
Acts 2:33a Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the PROMISE of the Holy Ghost
1Cor. 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul;
the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
JESUS RETURNED IN THE STATE OF HOLY SPIRITActs 2:33b he [Jesus] hath SHED FORTH this, which ye now SEE and HEAR.
Epagg-elma , atos, to,2. subject of a treatise, that which it purports to contain, “to e. tou logou” D.H.Dem.33; “to e. tou suggrammatos” Ael.Tact.Praef.7.4. art, profession, “to e. tēs aotopoiias” M.Ant.3.2.
epaggelia 2. as law-term, e. (sc. dokimasias) summons to attend a dokimasia
3. offer, promise, profession, undertaking,
dokimasias) 1. of magistrates after election, to see if they fulfil the legal requirements of legitimacy, full citizenship, before admission to the rights of manhood, 4. d. tōn rhētorōn a judicial process to determine the right of a man to speak in the ekklēsia
5. examination of recruits,
SHED FORTH
g1632. ἐκχέω ekcheo, ek-kheh´-o, or (by variation)
ἐκχύνω ekchuno, ek-khoo´-no; from 1537 and χέω cheo (to pour); to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow: — gush (pour) out, run greedily (out), shed (abroad, forth), spill.
ekkheō 2. of WORDS, pour forth, utter, Ar. Th.554; “molpas” E.Supp.773; “pollēn glōssan ekkheas matēn” S.Fr.929, cf. A.Ag.1029
ef-fundo (or ecf- ), fūdi, fūsum, 3, v. a., I. to pour out, pour forth, shed, spread abroad “procellam eloquentiae ,“tales voces,” a voice, sound, tone, utterance, cry, call
voces,” said, to call; to call upon, summon, invoke; to call together, 3. In gen., to call, invite, exhort convoke,Notice the universality of this promise: "If any man thirst," let him come and drink: "He that believeth on me"--that is, every one that believeth on me--"out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." And John says: "This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him" were to receive--that is all the believers were to receive. This passage seems to me to teach clearly that all believers were to receive the HOLY SPIRIT. It certainly cannot be limited to the apostles. It also teaches that, after the glorification of Jesus--that is, after his ascension and coronation at the right hand of God--the Spirit was to be given as he had never been before.
This cannot refer to miracle working power from the Spirit for no greater or more astounding miracles were done after the ascension of Jesus then had been wrought by prophets and apostles before.
The following passages seem to me to show clearly that, while the HOLY SPIRIT had been with men before and had put forth miraculous power in and through them, he did not dwell in them, as he was to do after the glorification of Jesus.
On the night of his arrest Jesus said to his apostles: "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with, and shall be in you. I will not leave you desolate; I come unto you." (John 14:15-17.) Here Jesus teaches the apostles that the Spirit had been, and then was, with them; but that he should afterwards be in them. He further teaches that the world cannot receive the Spirit, because it neither sees him nor knows him; but he tells the apostles they know him and shall receive him. Jesus was about to leave them, but he would not leave them comfortless; he would send them another Comforter, the Spirit of truth. "I will not leave you desolate; I come unto you." Manifestly, he means in the person of the Spirit he will come to them; for, in verse 23, he says, " If a man love me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him;"
also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit." It seems that, as God's representative on earth during the wanderings of the children of Israel (see Ex. 23:20-23 and 32:34) was an angel, so now it is the HOLY SPIRIT. "Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the SPIRIT OF GOD dwelleth in you?" (1 Cor. 3:16); "or know ye not that your body is a temple of the HOLY GHOST which is in you, which ye have from God? And ye are not your own." Thus God and Christ dwell with those who love Jesus and keep his commandments.
As Jesus had promised, the Comforter came on the day of Pentecost, entered into the apostles and filled them (see Acts 2:1-4); and in the conclusion of his argument Peter said to convicted souls: "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him."
Remember now, Jesus had foretold that if any man should thirst and should come to him and drink, from him should flow rivers of living water; and that John explained this by saying, "This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believeth on him were to receive;" remember, also, Paul told the Corinthians, "The SPIRIT OF GOD dwelleth in you;" "Your body is a temple of the HOLY GHOST, which is in you;" and the promise of Peter to the baptized penitents, "Ye shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST," is easily understood. They were to receive the divine Comforter, whom Jesus had promised to all who should believe on him, whom the world could not receive.
They were to receive the "gift of the HOLY GHOST;" wrought in them faith and repentance they were to be baptized; and then, and not till then, they were to receive the "the gift of the HOLY GHOST," and, in harmony with this idea, at Acts 5:32, Peter speaks of "the HOLY GHOST, whom God hath given to them that obey him." From this it is manifest that the Spirit is given to the true believer, to him whose faith has been "made perfect" by works; not to the man of the world, who, Jesus says, cannot receive him; but to the child of God. Hence Paul says (Gal. 4:6): "Because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father." The indwelling of the Spirit seems to be a peculiarity of the new covenant, as the apostles themselves who were with Jesus for more than three years, eagerly receiving his words and working mighty miracles in his name, had the Spirit "with" them, but did not have him to abide "in" them till after the ascension of Jesus and the opening of the new covenant.
"But," asks one, "does not the HOLY SPIRIT dwell in the word, and when one receives the word does he not also receive the Spirit?" The HOLY SPIRIT dwells in his words, so far as I know, only as Daniel Webster dwells in his words. [p. 116] Words are impregnated by ideas; human words by human ideas, divine words by divine ideas; as a divine being is infinitely superior to a human being, so the divine ideas and words are infinitely superior to the human. The idea is that which gives power to the word; if human, human power; if spiritual, spiritual power.
Man's words are human; God's words are spirit and life. So far as I know, the Bible nowhere teaches, either expressely or by necessary implication, that the HOLY SPIRIT dwells in the word. If it does not, no man is under any obligation to say it or believe it, but he is expressely represented in passages already quoted as dwelling in Christians, in the church, the body of Christ. This we must believe and affirm.
"But," says another, "I do not see how the HOLY SPIRIT can dwell in many Christians at the same time." Do you see how the sap of the vine can dwell in all of its branches at the same time, or do you see how the electric current can go out from one power house over a single wire and be distributed to many wires, run dozens and scores of heavily laden cars through the streets? It is as easy for me to see how the Spirit can dwell in different persons as to see how he can dwell in different words.
The electric current goes only into those wires that are connected with the engine at the power house; the sap, only into those branches that are connected vitally with the vine; so the Spirit goes only into those persons who are vitally connected with Jesus Christ, the True Vine, and thus with the Father, the source of all spiritual power. Jesus say, "The Spirit of truth proceedeth from the Father." The celestial city is the great power house, and the great Father is the engine of the universe. The following passage, in light of what has been here presented, seems to me to be very strong and clear: "Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the SPIRIT OF GOD dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall quicken also your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Rom. 8:9-11) From this passage it is evident that Christ dwells in the Christian by the Spirit; that he who has not the Spirit is not a Christian; and that God will also quicken our mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in us. It is evident also that by "spirit" here is not meant "a Christlike disposition," for no sort of disposition can quicken a dead body. It requires a living being with divine power to do that.
OF WHAT USE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE CHRISTIAN?
Paul says: "And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity; for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Rom. 8:26, 27.) The Spirit helps our infirmity. What that means it is probable we will not fully understand till we come before the judgment seat of Christ: but some that are included in its meaning, I think, are clear. One great defect of man, even after the life of Christ on earth, was lack of knowledge of divine things. The Spirit has certainly helped our infirmity at the point by giving to us, through apostles and prophets, the perfect law of liberty: and he has thus furnished us "completely unto every good work." We need expect nothing more in this line this side of the second coming of Christ. It remains for us to use well the knowledge the Spirit furnishes in the word of God: but after we have studied it diligently, we feel our infirmity in calling it up in memory and in presenting it clearly, when we endeavor to teach it to others. The feeling of weakness is expressed in almost every prayer that is delivered just before a sermon. Some one prays God to bless our brother with a "ready recollection of the things he has learned from thy word and the ability to make them plain, that sinners may be converted and saints edified:" or, "to grant to our brother strength of body and mind, that he may do well the work that is before him:" or, "to help him to speak the very words we need to hear, in the most effectual way." To the apostles Jesus said of the Spirit, (1) he shall "bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you;" and (2) "he shall guide you into all truth." We have in the word of God "all the truth" we need, but we feel the need of, and are apt to express the desire for, help to remember it and to use it most effectually when we come to teach it to others; and it is comforting to remember that the Spirit helps our infirmity. We want to be guided where we can do the most good, to find favor with the people that we may benefit them, and to be strengthened and blessed in every way God sees best; and to me it is a great source of confidence and comfort to remember that the HOLY SPIRIT is on earth, dwelling in the children of God, that he is our Comforter, that he helps our infirmity, and that "he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." In the great commission Jesus says: "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." But it has already been shown that Jesus dwells with us in the person of the Spirit.
In 14:17 Jesus said this SPIRIT OF TRUTH was pressent WITH them and would be IN them.
Allos (g243) al'-los; a prim. word; "else," i.e. different (in many applications): - more, one (another), (an-, some an-) otherwise.
Alius ex alio, super alium, post alium, one after another; E. Of another kind or nature, i. e. different; hence, alium facere, to make different, to change, transform; and alium fleri, to become different, to be wholly changed: B. [select] ălĭā , adv. (sc. viá), in another way, in a different manner.. 3. [select] Alias for alioqui (only post-Aug.), to indicate that something is in a different condition a. [select] In gen., otherwise, in another manner
Allos I. alius, another, one besides, 2. repeated, 3. allos kai allos, one or two; allo kai allo one thing after anotherII. rarely like alloios, of other sort, different, Il.: hence
alloios [allos] I. of another sort or kind, different, otherwise, 2.containing or subject to diversity,
beyond all the Danaans with swift steeds do I show honour to thee both in war and in tasks of other sort,A similar Greek word is:
Eita , Ion. eiten (q.v., cf. epeita, -en), Adv., used to denote the Sequence of one act or state upon another :
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Lucr.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%202.504&lang=original
In speaking of the Father, at John 14:16, he says: "He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth."
Promise of the Holy Spirit epange
Epangel.The.Promise.of.The.Holy.Spirit.html
These are strong expressions, "forever," "even unto the end of the world." The HOLY SPIRIT came [p. 117] from heaven on the day of Pentecost and abides here still, and will remain "even unto the end of the world."
John 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The devil is on the earth, too, and will be when Christ comes, and then he will be cast into the abyss. These mighty opposing forces are not here in idleness: they are doubtless, the greatest workers on the earth.
WHAT WORK HAS THE SPIRIT TO DO FOR THE WORLD?
In answer to this, Jesus says: "And he, when he is to come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16:8-11.)
So we see the HOLY SPIRIT's work is to convict, so far as the world is concerned: to convict them of their sin of unbelief in rejecting Jesus; of the righteousness of Jesus by demonstrating his resurrection and ascension; of the judgment to come, inasmuch as Satan had met Christ again and again in battle and had been overcome, and from him the power of death had been taken (Heb. 2:14), and the keys of death and Hades. (Rev. 1:18.)
He does not convict, as some suppose, by a mysterious, miraculous, and irresistible power injected immediately into the heart; no, he dwells in God's children and puts forth his power through them. Through them the word of God was first spoken, and then written.
Of the Comforter (or Advocate) Jesus said: "He shall bear witness of me; and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." (John 15:26, 27.) "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself but what things soever he shall hear, these he shall speak; and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." (John 16:13.)
To the apostles Jesus said: "For it is not ye that speak, but the SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER that speaketh in you." (Matt. 10:20.)
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
2Cor. 13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
Heb. 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb. 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things,
by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb. 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory,
and the express image of his person,
and upholding all things by the word of his power,
when he had by himself purged our sins,
sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high
5308. ὑψηλός hupselos, hoop-say-los´; from 5311; lofty (in place or character): — high(-er, -ly) (esteemed).1Cor. 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Cor. 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Cor. 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the SPIRIT OF GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Cor. 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Cor. 2:16 For who hath known the MIND of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the MIND OF CHRIST
And Paul says: "For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; comparing [or combining] spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Cor. 2:11-13.) That is, the apostles were guided, not only as the things which they should say, but as to the words in which they should say them. They combined (marginal reading) spiritual ideas with spiritual words.So the Spirit convicts in respect of these three great facts--sin, righteousness, and judgment--by testifying. He testifies by speaking, and he speaks through apostles and prophets. Not only was the divine truth revealed to these messengers of God, but he also gave them the skill to use the truth. Jesus said to his disciples: "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay." (Luke 21:15.) And of the opponents of Stephen, it was said: "They were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake." (Acts 6:10.) We need no new truth. That is not a part of our infirmity. All of it that we need or shall need till Christ comes again, is in the book of God, and any man can get it as he needs it who will devote the time and thought to it that it ought to receive. God does not do for us what we can and ought to do for ourselves: but the wisdom and the skill to use this knowledge so as to produce the best possible results, we do need as much as did the apostles and prophets. So the word of the Lord teaches thus: "If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:5-8). In prophesying of Jesus, Isaiah says, "The SPIRIT OF THE LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." (Isa. 11:2.) And Jesus says: "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 11:13.) Thus wisdom comes. The Galatians received the Spirit by faith. (See Gal. 3:2 and 14.) Faith comes by hearing the word of God, and the Spirit comes by the faith thus obtained.
"FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT," "BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST," ETC.
It seems to me that the working of the Spirit can be further illustrated by the electric current. The motorman turns his crank two or three points, a slight stream of electricity flows through the machinery, and the car begins to move slowly through the crowded street; when he reaches the less crowded throughfares he turns the crank several points farther, and the car bounds forward under the impulse of a stronger current; presently he comes to a very steep hill, and he turns on the full current, and you feel plainly the throbbing of the mighty power under you as it drives the heavily loaded car up the steep hill. In speaking of Jesus, John the Baptist says: "He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand." (John [p. 118] 3:34, 35.)
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
From this it seems that Jesus received the Spirit without measure; the full current flowed in him; all the gifts and all the powers of the Spirit were at all times at his command but not so with others. Paul spake with tongues more than all the Corinthians, but to them the Spirit gave to one, one gift; to another, another; and so on, giving each for the benefit of all. At times the apostles seemed to have only such a slight measure of the Spirit as was necessary for ordinary occasions; but, when the need arose, God "turned on," as it were, a "stronger current," and they were "filled with the Spirit," and sparkled and flashed like stars of the first magnitude. For illustrations of this, see Luke 1:15; Acts 4:8; Acts 9:19; Acts 13:9; Acts 4:31. When the inflow of the Spirit was so great that their spirit were completely possessed and overwhelmed by the HOLY SPIRIT, they were baptized in the HOLY GHOST. So were the apostles on Pentecost and Cornelius. This was the greatest measure of the Spirit ever given by Christ to any; and, to this time, so far as we know, has been granted only in the two cases referred to; but I believe it will be granted to all the righteous in the everlasting kingdom of God, as the baptism of fire will be administered to all the wicked at the close of the judgment day.
ACTS 2:38, 39
In conclusion, I desire to call attention to two points concerning this passage, which reads thus: "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are a far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him."
1. That "the gift of the HOLY GHOST" signifies the HOLY GHOST himself, the HOLY GHOST as a gift presented by God "to them that obey him," the passages already quoted in this article prove clearly, leaving no room for a reasonable doubt; but for the benefit of those that read this who may not be as "reasonable" as they ought to be, this additional proof is given from Acts 10:44, 45: "While Peter yet spake these words, the HOLY GHOST fell on all of them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the HOLY GHOST." This is the other place where the phrase "the gift of the HOLY GHOST" is used, and here it manifestly means the HOLY GHOST, which Christ foretold they that believed on him should receive, and which John explained would be given, after Christ was glorified, to believers. On Pentecost Peter announced that Christ had been glorified, and told the people how they might now obtain the gift which Christ had promised, "the gift of the HOLY GHOST."
2. In the light of all that has been quoted, it appears clear to me that this gift of the Spirit was not always manifest in miraculous manifestations. Miraculous powers and knowledge were sometimes displayed by those whom the Spirit did not dwell, who were bad and under the wrath of God, as in the cases of Judas Iscariot (see Matt. 10:1-8), Caiaphas (John 11:47-51), and Balaam (see Numbers 22-24); while the great majority of the children of God, in every one of whom the Spirit dwells, never display any miraculous powers, or inspired knowledge, except that knowledge which they get from the word of God. It seems clear to me that the gift promised at Acts 2:38 was not a gift of miraculous powers, as it is expressly said to be for all Christians; as Peter put it: "For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him." God help us all to study this subject reverently, and give due weight to every passage bearing upon it. As usual the quotations are from the Revised Version.
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10 May 2003.
James A. Harding The HOLY SPIRIT--A Bible Reading (1899)
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