- The Promise!!
The Promise of The Holy Ghost
The Apostle Paul asked twelve Ephesians Believers a question, which was relevant then as it is now. Have you received the holy Ghost since you believed? They replied, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost,” (Acts 19:2). Paul was amazed! How could this be?
Water baptism puts us in the same position as the first disciples of Christ. A Believer of Jesus Christ will display the following characteristics:
- Repent of his sins
- Baptized in water by immersion in the name of Jesus
- Believes Jesus is the Son of God
- Heard of the promise of the Comforter and is waiting for it, (Acts 1:4; 2 Peter 3:4; Luke 24:49).
No one told the Ephesians Christians about the promise. So when the Apostle Paul asked, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?” They were shocked as Paul was too. They never heard about any Holy Ghost, (Acts 19:2). So the surprised Paul asked, “unto what then were you baptized?’ In other words, what is the whole purpose of your baptism, if you were not baptized to be filled with the Holy Ghost? All Believers who are baptized in water by immersion calling on the name of Jesus Christ are baptized “unto a promise,” Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; John 14:26. The promise is the whole substance of being baptized. The importance of receiving the Promise should be explained to you before baptism in Jesus name takes place. The promise of the Comforter which Christ made to his disciples, is the same, “Promise of The Father”, which the same Christ made by his prophets.
Promise of the Father upon all Believers
Christ, by his prophet Joel promised to “pour out” his Spirit upon “all flesh,” (Joel 2:28-29) and (Acts 2:16-18). But all Jerusalem did not receive the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, only one hundred twenty (120) Believers initially received Him, (Acts 1:15). The “all flesh” Joel spoke about is not inclusive of everyone, but means all Believers. The Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost explained this promise in few words to the people of Jerusalem, (Acts 2:38-39).
Promise Made Before Pentecost
Before the day of Pentecost, (Acts 2:1-47), ONLY selected persons enjoyed the Spirit of God. These individuals were prophets of God and kings (and some kings were prophets too). The current prophet of God always anointed these special individuals on their heads with the “oil of God”. Kings were usually anointed before their reign begin. The oil is symbolic of the Holy Ghost, which is to come. Occasionally, the Spirit of God would “move upon” or “come upon” these selected and anointed persons but NEVER lived in them. So the Spirit of God did not stay with them it comes then departs only to return later. Examples include Moses, (Numbers 11:17), Saul (1 Samuel 10:6; 18:10), That was why Jesus declared the Spirit was “upon him”, Jesus (Isaiah 61:1). Every instance of God’s Spirit before Pentecost was a “move upon” experience, even at creation ,(Genesis 1:2).
Promise of the Holy Ghost fulfilled at Pentecost
Finally, that is why King David prayed that God should not take His Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11) because he witnessed God removed His Spirit from an anointed king, Saul, (1 Samuel 16:15-16,23;18:10). Today, that does not happen. The Lord does not take back any gift that He has given you, including the Gift of the Holy Ghost, (John 14:16). The prophets of Old never had the Gift of the Holy Ghost. However, if you constantly lives in sin, He does not operate THROUGH you anymore but he did not take it back. It is latent hidden in you. I know you may be reading this and shaking you head saying that is not true. But prove from the Scriptures, not what you think, that your thoughts are according to Scriptures! This topic I shall write about at another time.
In closing, no woman had the Spirit “come upon” her. No child, had the “come upon” experience (not even Samuel as a child), no servant, no slave, ONLY prophets and kings. Interesting observation, all the anointed persons, kings or prophets prophesied, so they were all prophets. But praise the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ because it changed all of that at Pentecost for everyone that believes on Jesus Christ receives the Promise. Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?
Further Reading(s):
:-Promise Fulfilled at Pentecost
:-Gifts of The Holy Ghost – Gift of Prophecy
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