Concerning Spiritual Gifts and Receiving The Holy Ghost (the difference)
GOD The Father would not have us ignorant concerning “Spiritual Gifts or receiving the Holy Spirit (gifts plural meaning more than 1, there are 9 spiritual gifts; 1 Cor 12:7-11).” Yet there are many operating in the “House of GOD” in ignorance, and also because they will not take the time to rightly divide the “Word of GOD.” Or they are operating on what they have been taught under a particular doctrine/Ministry.
When we receive the Holy Ghost/Spirit of God:
The first requirement for having Spiritual Gifts is “You must be Born Again.” You must have the Spirit of God in you “already,” in order to operate in a spiritual gift. Without the Spirit of God in you, you can’t be led by the Spirit of God, understand The Word of God, speak, teach, perform, do anything spiritual, by the Spirit of GOD, if the Spirit of GOD is not in you.
If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ (Holy Ghost), he is none of his (Rom 8:9). Okay “New Convert,” you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, but don’t have the Spirit of God in you? Huh, does that make sense? Where do I go from here? Does that make sense? How can I understand the Word of God? How can I be taught by The Holy Ghost?
When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you get all 3, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It is a package deal! You can’t get one without the other. 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, The Father (God), the Word (Jesus) and The Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
GOD gives his Spirit to those that obey him (Acts 5:32).
When you accept Christ in your life as your Lord and Savior, you also receive “God the Father” and “The Spirit of God/Holy Ghost.” God does a complete (Colossians 2:10 – You are complete in Christ) work and not a partial (I can’t get Jesus and not God, I can’t get Jesus and not The Spirit of God). You can’t get one without the other (because they are one).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost:
Power: the ability to do something or act in a particular way: the ability to act or produce an effect
Abode: a place in which a person resides, dwelling, habitation, home a place of residence; a house or home
Remaining: still existing, present, to abide or dwell
Manifestation: an event, action, or object that clearly embodies or shows something, to make clear or evident
Profit: it is valuable or beneficial for us
Withal: in addition, with it all, as well, besides, together with this
Fell: bring down
Upon: be on
Filled: to become full, to cause a person or place, or a period of time to have a lot of something
Endure: to stand in holy places, come what may, so that you will always have the Spirit to be with you wherever you are.
Receive; to take or get something that is given, to take another one’s possession, accept
Ye: When you are talking to more than one person
John The Baptist is the first to make mention of The Baptism of The Holy Ghost (John 1:33)
Matt 3:11- John the Baptist again talking about the Baptism of The Holy Ghost, Mark 1:9, Luke 3:16
Acts 1:4-5 Jesus reminds them what John The Baptist (or baptizer) had said concerning him (they would receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost) this is why they were at Jerusalem (for this purpose.)
Jesus was baptized with The Holy Ghost.
He needed to be first (That he might have the preeminence in all things Col 1:18). Also, he set the example for us.
First to be born of the Spirit. Jesus is the standard bearer for all things in God/Christ (first born among many brethren Rom 8:29) for us.
John 3:34 God gave Jesus The spirit without measure (no limit).
John The Baptist, “water baptized” Jesus (Matt 3:15-16, Mark 1:9, Luke 3:21-23)
John 1:32-33 Jesus then receives “The Baptism of The Holy Ghost” and it (The Spirit/Holy Ghost) “abode; a place in which a person resides, dwelling, habitation, home or residence” upon him” (vs 32) Spirit “descending; to climb down” and “remaining; still existing, present, to abide or dwell.” Prior to this happening we don’t see Jesus exercising any of the spiritual gifts (no healing, no miracles… after this we see him going forth in his ministry in power of the holy ghost/ spiritual gifts.
Matt 20:22…and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? (Jesus is not talking about water baptism. Jesus is letting them know he had received another baptism).
Matt 20:23 ye shall indeed drink of my cup, “and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with (again Jesus is “not” talking about the Apostles being water baptized. He is letting them know they will receive the baptism he had received; which is the baptism of The Holy Ghost –John 1:32-33
Mark 10:38-39 Jesus lets the disciples know that they will be baptized with the Holy Ghost. He was not talking about being baptized with water. Vs 39 and with that baptism that “I am” baptized “withal”- Withal: in addition, with it all, as well, besides, together with this”
shall ye shall be baptized (baptism of The Holy Ghost).”Jesus is not talking about water baptism.
If Jesus, who was born of the Spirit and already had the Spirit of God dwelling in him, why would he need the Spirit to descend upon him and remain (John 1:32-33)? This is the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Prior to Jesus being baptized with the Holy Ghost he did not exercise any spiritual gift or show forth the power of God. He performed no miracles, did no healings. After the Baptism is where it all began.
Luke 4:18 Jesus tells us his mission. “The Spirit of the Lord is “upon” me. To do what… read the remainder of the scripture. When the Holy Ghost is upon us, falls on us fills us it is for a specific purpose that God wants to use us for.
1 Corinthians 2:4 Demonstration of the Spirit and of “power”
Receiving the Holy Spirit and Baptism of the Holy Spirit are two separate experiences and two separate works of the Holy Spirit. Receiving the indwelling is when He (the Holy Spirit) comes to live inside of you (John 14:23”make our abode with him.”
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit” is when he (The Holy Spirit) equips you with power for a specific purpose or service for God, i.e. to witness, for spiritual warfare, for boldness in our testimony, for manifestation of a spiritual gift (healing, miracles, prophesy, etc.).
The “Baptism of the Spirit/Holy Ghost” refers to being equipped or empowered by God’s Spirit to carry out the task that Jesus has given to the Church (it is not receiving the Holy Ghost, but The Holy Ghost being manifested “The Holy Ghost/Spirit of God,” that is already in you, for God’s purpose), ex: Day of Pentecost.
When the Spirit “equips us or baptizes” us, we are immersed, as it were, in the Holy Spirit; sometimes the Scriptures refer to this as being “filled” with the Holy Spirit, or when “the Spirit comes upon you.”
If you are already a Christian, there is no need for you to be baptized again in order to receive the Holy Spirit (You received the Holy Spirit when you became a Christian/accepted Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior/became Born Again/were Converted (that is what conversion/change is (new creature).
Acts 1:8 -But ye shall receive “power” (the ability to do something or act in a particular way, might, strength or force) after that the Holy Ghost, “is come upon you,” …this is the baptism of the Holy Ghost and not the initial receiving of the Spirit of God which is already in you, or you already have.
Power: Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8 (ye shall receive “power”). Acts 4:31- they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (this is well after the Day of Pentecost. Why would they need to be filled again since they all already had the Spirit of God in them; because this is the “baptism of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 2:4 they were all “filled with the Holy Ghost,”… this is not the initial receiving of the Holy Ghost, as they had all received the Holy Ghost, when they believed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This infilling on that day was for God’s purpose of what was about to be done Acts 2:6-38.
Acts 10:38 Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with “power” (the outward manifestation of The Holy Ghost/Spirit of God that was in him (healing). We know he was full of the Holy Ghost, but the outward manifestation of The Holy Ghost was his “power.”
This is what was promised in Acts1:5, Matt3:11, Mar 1:8, Luke 3:16
2 Cor 5:19 To wit that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…
Romans 8:9-11 (vs 9…If any man have not the Spirit of Christ (which is The Holy Ghost), he is none of his...how do you go forward in Christ/God, without his Spirit?
John 10:30 I and my Father are one (how can you get one without the other, and the Spirit of God is a part of God, his Spirit)
John 14:23 …and we (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) will come unto him and make our abode with him.
John 14:7 If ye have known me, ye should have known my Father also, and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (you must have his Spirit in you).
Matt 10:40 He that receiveth you, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me (Jesus), receiveth him (God) that sent me.
The requirement is to repent, receive Jesus Christ (Rom 10:9-11) as your Lord and Savior (and The Holy Ghost), be baptized for the remission of sins. If you don’t have his Spirit (Spirit of Christ), where can you go from there?
Acts 2:38 – Peter speaking by the Holy Ghost (under the anointing, by way of spiritual gifts; Word of Wisdom, word of knowledge), tells the multitude: Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Before the “Day of Pentecost,” Acts 1:12-26, Peter Speaking by The Holy Ghost, Word of wisdom, Word of Knowledge (this is because the Spirit was already in him).
This is the process, not receiving a spiritual gift, but receiving the Holy Ghost, first and foremost
The Apostles received the Holy Ghost before they received Spiritual Gifts.
John 20:22 Jesus breathed on them and saith unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” They were given the Holy Ghost right then and there at that time.
“Receive:” to take or get something that is given, to take another one’s possession, accept (Christ Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost (Rom 8:9)
In John Chapter 20, Jesus does not say they need to go anywhere (Jerusalem), to receive the Holy Ghost or do anything else other than receive the Holy Ghost. John the Apostle the writer is telling you exactly what Jesus (The Risen Christ Our Lord) did to them and what he said to them (read the remainder of the chapter and the remainder of the Gospel of John).
(vs 21) shows you Jesus was sending them forth with the
(vs 22) “Receive” “ye” the Holy Ghost/Spirit (Christ Spirit/Holy Ghost (Rom 8:9)
(vs 23) continuation of vs 22 and also giving them authority (through the Holy Ghost) to remit sins. He was sending them forth with the Holy Ghost in them.
Luke 24:45 The corresponding scripture (same event) that explains in detail what the Lord had done in John 20:22: it is the same event that happened in John 20:22-23.
“Then opened he their understanding” (by giving them the Holy Ghost) that they might understand the scriptures (we cannot understand the Word of God/Holy Scriptures, but by the Spirit of God, or without having God’s Spirit in us (1 Cor 2:14 the natural man). Luke is explaining why they needed to have the Holy Ghost in order to understand the scriptures.
Luke 24:45. Luke 24:49 Jesus tells them to go to Jerusalem and they shall receive power (not receive the Holy Ghost, but the “power (the ability to do something or act in a particular way)” of the Holy Ghost (which is the outward manifestation of the Spirit of God that is now in them, by way of spiritual gifts) from on high. They would not receive the Spiritual Gifts until they were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (for God’s purpose, to display the Power of God that was given to them).
This could only be done with them having the Spirit of God already in them (without the Spirit they would still not understand Jesus as we saw earlier on in the gospels (the natural man 1 Cor 2:14). Jesus was always talking spiritual, and they were thinking natural or carnal).
Luke 24:45 (read 46-49 and it shows you the authority Christ was giving unto them (they had received the Holy Ghost, however vs 49 shows you they needed to go to Jerusalem to receive the Spiritual Gifts or “power” of the Holy Ghost from on high (for God’s purpose on the Day of Pentecost).
I know you will ask about Thomas who was not there (see John 20:28). Think about this how did Thomas receive the Holy Ghost if he was not there? Thomas believed and received Jesus as Lord and Savior and The Holy Ghost and said “My Lord and My God”). When he believed that Jesus was Lord (Jesus who is The Christ) the Christ, he received them all (Father, Son and Holy Ghost).
Jesus even goes on to explain to Thomas (John 20:29) how “we” were going to be blessed, are we who have not seen and believe (Faith! How we receive Christ, how we receive the Holy Ghost).
Jesus now teaching them by The Holy Ghost
Acts 1:1-4 vs 2 -3 …after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen.
Acts 1:1-4 Vs 3 To whom he also shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (this was done before they received the “spiritual gifts/power” in chapter 2 on the Day of Pentecost (speaking in tongues, Word of wisdom, Word of Knowledge, etc..). Without the Spirit they still would not understand Jesus or the Holy Scriptures (1 Cor 2:14).
They had to go to Jerusalem to receive the outward manifestation of The Holy Ghost, that was already in them (Acts 1:4-5). To let them know they had received “Power,” from on high (outward manifestation of the Spirit of God (spiritual gifts) by way of The Spirit of God, that was already in them! God was letting them see and know the Power of God they each had, by way of the Holy Ghost (as the Spirit gave them utterance).
Throughout “The Acts of the Apostles,” we see The Apostles and others being used by God and exercising Spiritual Gifts. These examples are there for our understanding of how the Spiritual Gifts should also operate within us. You can’t do any of these things, without already having the Holy Ghost in you.
Acts 1: 8 – we receive this “Power (Spiritual Gifts)” after the Holy Ghost is come upon us.
In order for us to understand the Word of God and the things of God we must have the Spirit of God abiding in us (John 14:26 the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
We confuse “receiving the Holy Ghost,” with the “outward manifestation of the Holy Ghost.”
You can’t operate in a spiritual gift unless the Spirit of God is already in you.
1 Cor 12:1-4, 7:11
Vs 7 the manifestation (outward or visual expression) of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Spiritual Gifts are an outward manifestation of The Spirit of God that is operating within us/you, for you and others to whom God may want to show forth his power, in us, through us. Spiritual Gifts are used to show forth the Power of God within the Church to The Children of God and also to Unbelievers (within the House of God, and to sinner/natural man (natural man; those having not the Spirit of God)). That they might see the Power of God and believe (1 Cor 14:16-17 and 23-25).
Acts 2:4 Shows how the Holy Ghost will activate the spiritual gifts within us (as the Spirit gave them utterance). The Spirit of God activates the Spirit of God within you (you just can’t say “Oh I’m going to speak in tongues now).” The gifts belong to God 1 Cor 12:11, and he gives them severally as he will (when and how God wants or chooses to use you).
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (The Spirit is bearing witness with those that are spiritual, in other words those having the Spirit of God already in them).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost operates in the same manner (Gods Spirit falling upon us and activating the Spirit of God that is already within us)
Laying on of hands activates the Spirit of God within us (there is nothing to activate if you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and have his Spirit, which is The Spirit of God, which is The Holy Ghost
Acts 2:14 – 36 – On the Day of Pentecost, Peter speaking to them by “The Word of Wisdom,” and “The Word of Knowledge (Spiritual Gifts).” These Spiritual Gifts (Word of Wisdom and word of Knowledge) are what pricked them to the heart, along with “Divers Kinds of Tongues” they had heard. But all these gifts are what caused these 3,000 souls to be added to the body of Christ. Spirit of GOD being poured out and Gifts operating. But the faith came by hearing (Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by The Word of God.” This is what happens for us all that believe (by faith). Now all this was on the day of Pentecost (same as for the Apostles), does the scripture show the 3000 believers speaking in Tongues? No, because they heard The Word of God and believed (faith and not a sign).
What we don’t want to happen, but is happening, is to have the Children of God basing their Walk before the Lord on a sign. Accept I speak in Tongues, I don’t have The Spirit of God? Then what is faith? And why are we preaching, teaching and telling people as Jesus said “have faith in God (Mark 11:22)! This is a faith walk and everything we receive in God should be by faith!
We do the Children of God a great injustice when we make them think their walk before the Lord is based on a sign, and not on faith!
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (we receive Christ by Faith and in doing so, we also receive God the Father and his Spirit)
1 Cor 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not… (believers don’t need a sign)
The spiritual gifts were used to show forth the power of God (outward manifestation of The power of God in the Holy Apostles) and helped to form the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 2:4 – 47, i.e; speaking in tongues, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge).
Spiritual Gifts did not just begin in the New Testament, but we see them present, operating in the Prophets of old in the Old Testament. We also see them operating in Kings (David)and others in the Old Testament.
Is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and receiving the Holy Ghost one and the Same? There are many having people tarry at the altar for something they could have received by faith (Galatians 3:2)? And then going further and saying that you need to be given a sign (speaking in tongues) to know for sure that you have received the Spirit of GOD and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Paul asked the question in I Corinthians 12:30, “Do all speak with tongues?” When we receive the Son (Jesus Christ Our Lord) do we not also receive the Father and the Holy Ghost (I John 5:7)? How can you receive one without receiving the other (Christ said I and my Father are one), if these 3 are one?
