"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as
of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting."
Acts 2:2
There is a real need within the body of Christ for a definite understanding of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our world today. The advent of the Holy Spirit coming to dwell within the church is just as real and definite as the incarnation of the Son of God. Just as Christ's coming was absolutely essential for our salvation, the presence of the Holy Spirit coming on the Day of Pentecost was essential to the inauguration of the Church. Without his work being done in us, there could be no vitality to our living faith.
Jesus said, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7). Nowhere in the Bible does it ever indicate that the Holy Spirit finished his work and ascended up to heaven. We see where Jesus ascended up to heaven, but the only thing we see of the Holy Spirit is his descending to take his place here among us. Therefore, it is without contestation that since he is still here, his purpose must be just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.
What we know from the scriptures is that when Christ ascended, he offered his blood for our eternal redemption. The work he did in his death, burial, and resurrection had to be completed in heaven before it could be available to anyone on earth. That is why he said to Mary just outside of his tomb, "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father..." (John 20:17). If all it took to finish the work was his resurrection, then there would be no need to keep Mary from touching him. The very fact that he refused her touching him means he wasn't finished doing what was needed to complete the final process of his redemptive work.
When Jesus satisfied the claims of justice against sin, the Father honored him in raising him up to sit at the right hand of his majesty on high. According to the word of God, it was ten days after his ascension before the Holy Spirit descended. As it is recorded in the Book of Acts, his coming occurred on the Day of Pentecost. So, it is fitting that we honor this day, seven weeks from the time of Christ's first ascension that the Holy Spirit made his presence known to the Church.
We must also understand that in presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, our appeal to their conscience is that they might receive Christ as their Savior. Without a personal acceptance of Christ the new birth cannot occur. It takes inviting Christ into our hearts to become born again. In much the same way, we must appeal to the living consciousness of the believer to receive the person of the Holy Spirit as their Paraclete. [Note: Paraclete means a comforter, counselor, helper, intercessor, advocate, strengthener, teacher, enabler; one, who convicts, guides, empowers, reveals and compels].
When Paul came into the coasts of Ephesus, he found twelve disciples whom he presumed were Christians. His first question to them was, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" (Acts 19:2). This might appear confusing to some. Especially, since we know that the Holy Spirit is actively involved in making salvation a living reality. When they answered, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost," his immediate response was, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" (v.2, 3). In other words, the moment a person becomes born again, the Holy Spirit baptizes them into the body of Christ. His presence becomes real through the power of that life now residing in their spirit.
Since these twelve had not known anything about the Holy Spirit, Paul quickly inquired as to what baptism where they baptized. Apparently, his interest was to ascertain if indeed they were truly born again, since having such an experience should have brought them into a consciousness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. When it was determined that they had only been baptized through the baptism of John, Paul knew they needed more - they needed to be born again. He introduced them to Christ as their personal Savior and then laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:4-6).
It is profoundly important we understand Paul's initial question: "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" Even though there is an apparent awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the new birth, it is vital that we take our relationship with him to a new level. We must receive him as our Paraclete. By doing so, we enter into a much deeper experience enabling us to become filled with his presence, where we are able to benefit from all he has been sent to do in us and for us.
We often talk about making Jesus the Lord of our life, but rarely mention the need to make the Holy Spirit Lord. The moment we invoke his Lordship, then he takes a much deeper and more fulfilling role in our lives.
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