Gift of the Holy Spirit
In Acts 2 when those listening to Peter realize that it was they who crucified the Son of God they ask, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter tells them , "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Personally, at different times I struggled with the meaning of this gift. Many associate the "gift of the Holy Spirit" in Acts 2 with the spiritual gifts that were given to men to perform miracles, prophesy, and speak in tongues like those mentioned in 1 Cor 12. However, in 1 Cor 13:8-10 it says that when the revelation of God's Word is complete ("when the perfect [complete] comes") that these gifts would no longer be needed to confirm God's Word. Spiritual gifts are no longer given to men today, but the gift referenced by Peter in Acts 2 is given to every man upon repentance and baptism.
The gift is the Holy Spirit of God. God has given us His Spirit. What does that really mean? Again, something I've struggled with, but my study in 1 Cor 2 clarified some of my questions. In vs. 10-13, Paul explains that we have received the Hold Spirit and describes what it is by analogy. In v.11, he tells us about the "spirit of man" saying, "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him?" The only way to truly know me would be for me to impart my "spirit" to you. Not in some mystical way, rather for me to reveal "the immaterial, invisible part of man" (Lk. 8:55; 24:37,39; Acts 7:59; 1 Cor 5:3-5), "the element in man by which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires" (Mt. 5:3; 26:41; Mk. 2:8), my "purpose [or] aim" (2 Cor 12:18; Phil 1:27; Eph 4:23; Rev 19:10). So we understand exactly what is meant by the spirit of man.
Well, up until Jesus' ministry, man was ignorant of the purpose and aim of God. Man didn't know God's plan for man, and had it not been for Him revealing his Spirit to us, we never would. God has given us His Holy Spirit "that we might know the things freely given to us by God" (1 Cor 2:12b). How else would you know that the crucifixion of some guy that lived a couple thousand years ago gave you life? You understand what God did because He gave you His Holy Spirit; he told you so.
As a result, may I never think myself greater than any man because I realize what God has done for me. It's certainly by no work of my own that I have come to this understanding. God gave me His Spirit. I pray that I, as Paul, boast in nothing but in Jesus Christ. He did the work. He is the only one among us to be glorified.
Personally, at different times I struggled with the meaning of this gift. Many associate the "gift of the Holy Spirit" in Acts 2 with the spiritual gifts that were given to men to perform miracles, prophesy, and speak in tongues like those mentioned in 1 Cor 12. However, in 1 Cor 13:8-10 it says that when the revelation of God's Word is complete ("when the perfect [complete] comes") that these gifts would no longer be needed to confirm God's Word. Spiritual gifts are no longer given to men today, but the gift referenced by Peter in Acts 2 is given to every man upon repentance and baptism.
The gift is the Holy Spirit of God. God has given us His Spirit. What does that really mean? Again, something I've struggled with, but my study in 1 Cor 2 clarified some of my questions. In vs. 10-13, Paul explains that we have received the Hold Spirit and describes what it is by analogy. In v.11, he tells us about the "spirit of man" saying, "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him?" The only way to truly know me would be for me to impart my "spirit" to you. Not in some mystical way, rather for me to reveal "the immaterial, invisible part of man" (Lk. 8:55; 24:37,39; Acts 7:59; 1 Cor 5:3-5), "the element in man by which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires" (Mt. 5:3; 26:41; Mk. 2:8), my "purpose [or] aim" (2 Cor 12:18; Phil 1:27; Eph 4:23; Rev 19:10). So we understand exactly what is meant by the spirit of man.
Well, up until Jesus' ministry, man was ignorant of the purpose and aim of God. Man didn't know God's plan for man, and had it not been for Him revealing his Spirit to us, we never would. God has given us His Holy Spirit "that we might know the things freely given to us by God" (1 Cor 2:12b). How else would you know that the crucifixion of some guy that lived a couple thousand years ago gave you life? You understand what God did because He gave you His Holy Spirit; he told you so.
As a result, may I never think myself greater than any man because I realize what God has done for me. It's certainly by no work of my own that I have come to this understanding. God gave me His Spirit. I pray that I, as Paul, boast in nothing but in Jesus Christ. He did the work. He is the only one among us to be glorified.
posted by Xopey at
6:10 AM
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