Where In The Bible Will I
Find:
The Gift Of The Holy Spirit?
"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 Spirit" (Acts 2:38). There is a
clear and definite distinction to be made between the Holy Spirit as a gift and
the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, when received, may be spoken of
as a gift, "...on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy
Spirit" (Acts 10:45).
“The
gift of the Holy Spirit" here was the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy
Spirit are those that came from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit (through the
Word of God, the Bible) teaches us to love God and to teach others to love God "...because
the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit
which was given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). There were "diversities
of gifts" by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:4-11). All of these
gifts were to be used for the general edification, and not for the self‑glorification
of the one who possessed the gift (I Cor. 14:6).
The
chief end of the use of all of these gifts was "that the church may
receive edifying" (I Cor. 14:5). Miraculous spiritual gifts were
bestowed on the apostles during their ministry but these were for the
confirming of the Word (Mark 16:20). These types of gifts were to last until "that
which was perfect should come" (I Cor. 13:10). That which is perfect
has come; we now have the Word of God, the BIBLE.
All
miraculous gifts have ceased. Claims to miraculous spiritual gifts today are
false, and contradict the New Testament in its claim that the Word has been
confirmed. The Holy Spirit works through the laws of nature in keeping the
universe intact, and He works through the truth of God in carrying out the will
of God in the salvation of souls. He is guiding and blessing God's people
today. The New Testament was given by the Holy Spirit, and every blessing that
comes to us today through the New Testament is a gift of the Holy Spirit.