Of the many Bible subjects that aren’t fully understood, and one that engenders much error, the Holy Spirit stands near the top of the list. The questions about the Spirit range from what is the Spirit to what does it do and why. Jesus taught before he left the earth to ascend into heaven that he would a send the Comforter. Jesus said in John 14:25-26 to those assembled before he left the earth: These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. The Holy Spirit was sent and arrived on the Day of Pentecost when the first gospel message was preached. That appearance on that day was the visible manifestation of the Spirit. The Spirit guided Peter’s preaching of the gospel until the message was fully delivered years later. Now the Spirit guides our understanding as we read the Bible,

God didn’t indiscriminately give the Spirit to just anyone as many believe. The Holy Spirit was given to the apostles only and for good reason. Simon the Sorcerer wanted to have the Spirit, which came from God to the apostles, but it wasn’t his to have. He was a charlatan and they knew it. Due to the nature of people, God tightly controlled those who received the Spirit and which manifestation they received. The scripture tells us that the apostles received the Spirit in full measure, meaning the ability to perform miracles and speak in languages (foreign languages at that time called tongues) they didn’t know.

When the Gentiles were given the gospel, the Spirit fell on them on the Day of Pentecost enabling the apostles to speak in languages they did not know. Later, it was to  show that the gospel was for the Gentiles as well as the Jews: Acts 10:44-48:  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. The gift of the Spirit was two fold to the Gentiles: one, to show the gift of salvation and two, that the Spirit was given to the Gentiles as was given on the day of Pentecost to those who believed. It is important to note that there is no further mention of the ability to speak in tongues, or is there any indication that the Gentiles were given the ability to do miracles.

In Acts 2:43, Luke recorded these words: And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. The apostles were the ones that did the signs and wonders and if anyone else did, Luke didn’t record it. It is safe to say that they didn’t or he would have done so.  Then Luke wrote in Acts 5:12-16: And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. In verse 12, it is revealed that it was by the hands of the apostles that the signs and wonders were performed. The people weren’t included in that ability to do the signs and wonders, which included healing the sick.

The apostles did signs and wonders everywhere they went.  Paul and Barnabas are spoken of by Luke in Acts 14:3: Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. They spoke to the Jews and Gentiles both as recorded in 14:1 and verse 3 tells us that it was by the hands of Paul and Barnabas that did the signs and wonders.

In Romans 15:19 Paul wrote in reference to preaching to the Gentiles: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.  Then Paul says in II Corinthians 12:11-12: I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. He says that though he did the signs and wonders he was just an ordinary apostle. The point being that once again it was the apostles who were the only ones who could do the miracles, the signs and wonders. 

Throughout the entire Bible, there is no evidence that the Holy Spirit was ever conferred directly on anyone except those chosen by God or the apostles. The Jews received the gospel first with evidence of its truth through the sign of the Spirit. The Gentiles were given the gospel and the Spirit fell on them to show that the gospel was for all men and was from God. In each case cited, the apostles were the ones in control of the Holy Spirit and were the ones that did the wonders everyone saw. God in his wisdom chose that way to control his message. When Jesus said, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, the Spirit did from the Day of Pentecost on. The Bible itself, the written record is part of that remembrance of all things and the complete message of Christ.

The apostles had the miraculous manifestation of the Spirit. The Bible tells us that there are two more manifestations, the giving by the laying on of the hands, and the indwelling Spirit, the one we have today.  

© 01-23-2003 DEC

Revised 03-05-2008

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