The work of the Holy Spirit is a greatly misunderstood subject both by those inside as well as outside the church. Let us notice some questions and answers about it. Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit? In Matthew 3:11,12 John said that the one coming after him would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire. That would be Jesus Christ. In John 1 :33 John was told that the one on whom the Spirit descended would be the one who baptized with the Holy Ghost. That again is Christ because the Holy Spirit descended as a dove upon Him.(Matthew 3: 16, 17) He had the Spirit without measure. (John 3 :34)

1. Who did Christ promise to baptize with the Holy Spirit? In Acts 1: 1-5 he plainly told the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promise John made to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 he told them that when they received it they would have power to witness of Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth.
2. Were the Apostles baptized with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day of Acts 2? Yes, they went back to Jerusalem and chose a successor to Judas. Acts 1:26 states, "And they gave forth their lots: and the lot fell on Matthias: and he was numbered with the eleven apostles". Acts 2:1-4 shows that "they were all with one accord in one place", were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. When this happening was questioned Acts 2:14 states, "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice" and spoke to them. This shows that Peter and 11 more were baptized with the Holy Spirit that day. When his gospel message pricked those honest men in their hearts they "said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). After their baptism they "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine." (Acts 2:42). In Acts 2:43 it is said, "Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." All of this shows that the apostles were the ones baptized with the Holy Spirit.

3. How were miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit passed on to others in the early church? The answer to this is in Acts 8: 18, "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given he offered them money" for the same power they had. He was told, "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." (Acts 8:21). No one ever gave them except the apostles who laid hands on certain ones in the early church.

4. Why Were miraculous gifts given? The answer is given in Ephesians 4:11-16. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they tie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" From these verses we can see that spiritual gifts were given for three reasons: 1) for perfecting of the saints (NKJ states "equipping of the saints"); 2) for ministering to the people; 3) and for the edifying of the body of Christ.

5. How long were they to last? Ephesians 4:13 states, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ". "The Faith" refers to the gospel. Phil 1 :27 states that Paul wanted to hear of their affairs "that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel". Jude wrote that Christians need to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." To come to the unity of the faith would be to have all the gospel revealed that God wanted us to have which is the New Testament. In I Corinthians 12, 13, and 14 the spiritual gifts are discussed. In chapter 12 he says that there is One Spirit but different gifts and differences of administrations and operations. He then in verses 8-10 named 9 of these gifts. In Verses 28-32 he notes that some were set in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments, and different tongues. Then he asks, "are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers, are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" Vs. 29. Then he said, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I you a more excellent way."(I Corinthians 12:31). The more excellent way is shown in I Corinthians 13 which is the way of love. First he shows that any worship, service, or gifts given or done without love would be of no profit. He then gives the wonderful characteristics of love in verses 4-8. He next shows that Love never fails "but whether there be prophecies they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away." The question might well be asked "Lord when will that be?" and his answer is "We know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (Verses 8-10). What is "that which is perfect?" The part would be the prophecy given in part by one and another. The perfect is identified in James 1:25 as "the perfect law of liberty." The Greek word is "teleios" meaning "of things complete or perfect" and is used of the completed revelation of God's will. It's the same "unity of the faith" as found in Ephesians 4:13. In 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 we are told that the inspired scriptures make the man of God "complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NKJ).

6. Do we receive the Holy Spirit today? The Answer is yes. Peter answered the question of what to do in Acts 2:38 telling the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

7. How can we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? The answer is clearly given in Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." This says that those who repent and are baptized shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It did not say one might receive him. It did not say we could then seek him. But it says that we shall receive him. It is as sure as the remission of sins.

8. Does this mean "a gift from the Holy Spirit" or the Spirit himself? Acts 5:32 makes it clear that it is the Spirit himself. "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

9. What does the Holy Spirit bear witness with our spirits? "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:15-17). How does the Holy Spirit bear witness with our spirits? He does so through the words he has spoken. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Much of the word in our New Testaments is written to Christians to instruct them in Christian living. The Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirits that we should believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized and then we will be saved. When we have done these things our spirits bear witness to the fact and we are assured that we are children of God. The Holy Spirit gives the directions as to the kind of life the believer is to live, and his own spirit bears testimony as to whether he conforms his life to these instructions. But the Holy Spirit, through his testimony or witness, molds the human spirit into his own likeness, dwells with the spirit of the believers; so that the same Spirit that was in Jesus Christ dwells in him. The human spirit thus is imbued with the purposes, thoughts, temper, and being of the divine Spirit and that brings confidence and assurance to the believer's heart that enables him to cry, "Behold what manner of live the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God." (I John 3:1).

10. What is meant by being sealed with the Holy Spirit? "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word, of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13, 14). A seal is a mark of authenticity. When giving a deed for property a Notary Public witnesses the signatures of those conveying the property and puts a seal of authenticity on it. We in like manner are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to authenticate our son ship and the promise of heaven that awaits us. In Verse 14 he calls that the earnest of our inheritance. Earnest money is that which is given as a promise to buy property. The Gift of the Holy Spirit is a promise of the redemption of our bodies and the glorious home of heaven.

11. What fruit does the Holy Spirit produce in our hearts? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, good ness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:22-24). When people really from the heart obey the gospel of Jesus Christ their entire lives are turned around because they have crucified the works of the flesh. They determine no longer to walk therein. Instead the Holy Spirit dwells in their hearts and they produce the fruit of the Spirit by following his directions. This strengthens the inner man. In Ephesians 3:16-20 we read, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and heights; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, they ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." To become a Christian we fall in love with the Lord because of what he has done for us, and then we enter into a relationship of love with the brethren. Our love reaches out to other souls because we want them to have the same blessings we enjoy. We have peace and joy because we are forgiven and our sins are remembered no more. We wont have to face them in judgment. We see how gentle and longsuffering God has been to us and we exhibit the same to people about us because this is the Lord's way. Christ was meek and self controlled and we let this same mind be in us (Philippians 2:5). We understand these things because The Holy Spirit has revealed them to us in the gospel and the Spirit through them strengthens us to such holy living.

12. How does the Holy Spirit help our infirmities? "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself 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." (Romans 8:26, 27). The Holy Spirit intercedes for us to the Heavenly Father. There are times when we do not know what we ought to pray for and the Holy Spirit puts our groanings into the proper requests to the Heavenly Father. It is wonderful to know that we have Christ mediating for us and also the Holy Spirit interceding for us.

Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit has revealed the gospel in its fullness and that the gospel is the power of God to salvation and keeping saved. Romans 8: I states that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The Law of the Spirit is what makes people free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2) We must follow that law. In Romans 8:5 we learn that they that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit. We must be led by the Spirit to be sons of God.

We are led by the Spirit when we follow the gospel message. C. D.

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