|
The Holy Ghost was not given until after Jesus' resurrection.
"The Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:39
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." John 20:22
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound
from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them
cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4
The Holy Ghost was given before the Jesus' resurrection.
"Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." Luke 1:41
"Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost." Luke 1:67
"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation
of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him." Luke 2:25
____________________________________________________
Explanation:
The Holy Ghost is the same being as the Spirit of God, Who is mentioned so many times in the Bible.
Before Jesus Christ came to live among us, the Holy Ghost would only come on selected individuals for a great purpose of God.
Most of the time, it would be as a Spirit of prophecy-- which all of the authors of the books of the Bible had with them.
Other times, the Spirit would bestow other gifts of God such as the intelligence and power displayed in Gideon and Samson,
for the deliverance of Israel. Usually, the presence of the Holy Ghost was temporary and only for a specific mission. Yet,
prophets like Elijah and Elisha had Him with them almost continually.
When Jesus, after His resurrection, was about to ascend up to His throne in Heaven, He knew that He needed to send His presence
with his disciples for their upcoming divine commission. Soon, by the work of the apostles after His resurrection, the Holy
Ghost would be poured to all people-- of all nations and tongues. The Holy Spirit would be given to all those who would repent
and call upon Jesus as Savior in their lives. Quite simply, it was and is the mark of a true follower of Christ. This is
what is meant by a “pouring out” of the Holy Ghost on believers. The new and open grace of God would bless Christians
with greater spiritual endowments than ever before. The power of Satan was broken forever through Jesus working with the
Holy Ghost, to empower us with victories over spiritual darkness.
Only through Jesus Christ is it possible for the Spirit of God, the Comforter, to be with us: as the source by which we are
equipped to follow Jesus in our divine calling. (Ephesians 6)
|
