By: Bob Musgrove

Bob Musgrove — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:36:41 +0000

You have missed some Biblical points concerning the promise of the Holy Spirit.
The promise of the Spirit is said to be the blessing of Abraham, by faith (Gal.3:14). Christ became a curse for us so that the promise of the Spirit could come upon the Gentiles (Gal.3:13,14). The Promise was to Abraham and his Seed; Jesus Christ being the Seed of Abraham(Gal.3:16). We were all under sin, that the Promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe(Gal.3:22). If we have been baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ(Gal.3:27), and if we are Christs’ than we are Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise(Gal.3:29). We are all one in Christ(Gal.3:28).
By One Spirit we are all baptized into the body of Christ, we have all been made to drink of one Spirit (1Cor.12:13). The baptism into Christ is an operation of God by or with ( “by” as in 1Cor.12:13 is the same Greek word as “with” in Matt.3:11, Mr.1:8, Lu.3:16, Jn.1:33, Ac.1:5 and Ac.11:6; “with and by” both share the intramental meaning of the word “en” Srongs#1722) the Holy Spirit into to the likeness of the Death and ressurection of Jesus Christ. Through Spirit baptism we recieve freedom from sin and newness of life (Col.2:9-12, Rom.6:3-7).
You were right in saying that the promise of the Father and Spirit baptism are the same. In mentioning Joel’s prophecy many over look the last line “And it shall come to pass that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts2:21). That is the part of the promise of the Father (to Abraham and his Seed) were all nations are blessed (Gen.22:18).
You also mentioned the empoewerment. The power of the Holy Spirit that is manifest in and through the body of Christ must be applied to the biblical teaching of the manifestations of the Spirit. Manifestations are given to each one for the profit of all and are distributted at the Spirit’s will. It is the body of Christ as a whole that is empowered each member manifesting as the Spirit wills (1Cor.12:7-11).
As for the account of Paul in Ephesus, Apollos had previously been preaching very strongly John’s baptism in Ephesus, until he received further instruction (Acts18:24-26). On that note Paul comes to Ephesus and find some disciples if they have received the Holy Ghost since they believed. Biblcialy receiving the Holy Ghost implies the promise of the Father and the baptism into Christ. They had not, just as Apollos previosly they also only knew the baptism of John. Paul preached Jesus to them and they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, (water baptism signifing repentance and conversion), and the Holy Spirit came on them. Water baptism did not produce the born-again experiance Spirit baptism did. (Acts19:1-7)
Lastly you said that the Holy Spirit is given to the childern of the Father who Ask. Asking as in Lu.11:9-13 is in the context of prayer, in fact this is part of the dialoge concerning the Lord’s prayer. Praying for the Holy Spirit does not change what the promise of the Father of Spirit baptism (the baptism into Christ) means Biblicaly. On Pentecost in Joel’s prophecy we find “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Caling on the name of the Lord is prayer and salvation come by being baptized by trhe Spirit into the likeness of the desth and ressurection of Jesus Christ, wereby we receive newness of Life. That is the promise of the Father (the promise of the Spirit), to Bless and Multiply the Seed! (Gen.22:17,18)

Comments on: Promise of the Holy Spirit

By: Bob Musgrove