Musick-al note # 83
Jesus promised to give the Holy Spirit to the Apostles to guide them into all the truth and bring to their remembrance all Jesus said to them (John 14:26, 16:13-14, Acts 1:8). This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts, chapter 2 with the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, which was called the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:5. This was a miraculous measure the Apostles received by being “baptized” (overwhelmed, covered, plunged into) in the Holy Spirit enabling them to speak in languages (other tongues) that they had never studied, but those which the Spirit enabled them to speak (Acts 2:4) and they were given power to perform miracles, signs and wonders. Many of the early disciples were given special miraculous gifts by the laying on of the Apostle’s hands so that they had the power to work miracles, speak in tongues, etc. (Acts 8:13ff). Philip had been given that power, so he could do miracles and signs, but he could not lay his hands on others and impart to them that power (Acts 8:14-15), but only the Apostles could do this. Now all Christians were and are promised “the gift of the Holy Spirit” when they obey the Lord (Acts 2:38, Acts 5:32). The rest of early disciples, and all who came after the Apostles died, received the “gift” of the Holy Spirit. An “indwelling measure” for want of a better description (Acts 5:32, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20).
The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). His witness is revealed through the written word. That is, the Holy Spirit gave the Word to inspired men who wrote these words that we may know what to do to be saved (John 20:30-31). Paul said that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). When we obey God’s Word, the Holy Spirit is bearing witness that we are saved. When we have obeyed Him, our spirit bears witness that we have done what is revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Therefore He bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God when we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). God, Christ and the Holy Spirit all dwell in us by faith (Ephesians 3:16-17). “Whosoever abides in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). An individual is led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14) as long as he follows the Word which was revealed by the Spirit to the Apostles (Galatians 1:6-9).
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 