The Promise of the Holy Ghost

2024-04-17

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33)

The “promise of the Holy Ghost” was contingent on Jesus Christ ascending and going to the Father. We see this here and elsewhere. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7). The sending of the Spirit indicates Jesus is enthroned in heaven.

Before He ascended, Jesus told His disciples to wait until they received the Holy Spirit, because having the Spirit was most important in their service to Him. Without the Spirit, there is no real service to God and no real power manifested of the Son. The Son ministers to His people from heaven via the Holy Spirit. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Every Christian has the Holy Spirit. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). The Spirit ministers to us from our ascended Lord from heaven. Here are some examples from the Gospel of John. Jesus said that His ascension and enthronement in heaven would result in these activities of the outpouring of the Spirit:

  1. The Holy Spirit abides with us forever. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).
  2. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. “Even the Spirit of truth...” (John 14:17).
  3. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
  4. The Holy Spirit speaks what He hears from the Son. “...for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:13-14).
  5. The World cannot receive the Holy Spirit. “...whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him...” (John 14:17).
  6. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. “...but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). He is not an impersonal force; He is a Person and He is God.
  7. The Father sends the Spirit in the Son’s name. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name...” (John 14:26).
  8. Jesus sends Him from the Father, for He proceeds from the Father. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father...” (John 15:26).
  9. The Holy Spirit is our real teacher. “...he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26). He teaches us spiritual things and reminds us of things we have learned previously.
  10. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Christ. “...he shall testify of me...” (John 15:26).
  11. The Holy Spirit reproves the world of sin. “Of sin, because they believe not on me” (John 16:9). Because they rejected Christ, they have no forgiveness; therefore, their sin remains.
  12. The Holy Spirit reproves the world of righteousness. “Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more” (John 16:10). Jesus going to the Father proves that He was accepted by God and is both Lord and Christ. He is the only righteous Person, and this proves it. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).
  13. The Holy Spirit reproves the world of judgment. “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:11). Christ’s ascension shows that Satan was defeated. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14-15).

Moreover, we know that Jesus’ ascension and subsequent sending of the Spirit resulted in gifts that manifested differently across the Body of Christ. “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Ephesians 4:8). We may be all unique parts in the Body of Christ, but we each have a unique service that we offer.