Author : Keith Sharp
One of the more controversial statements in the Bible is found near the conclusion of the apostle Peter’s great sermon on Pentecost. Having been convicted by Peter’s piercing words, the audience cried aloud, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)
Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ (Acts 2:38-39).
Much of the controversy of this passage involves “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” What is “the gift of the Holy Spirit”? To whom was it promised?
I will employ two universally recognized Bible study methods to arrive at a conclusion. First, I will examine the text in its context. Then I will consider what other passages have to say about the subject, thus allowing scripture to explain scripture.
Context
What is the context of the promise? Acts 2:1-4 records the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in fulfillment of the Lord’s promise. Acts 2:5-11 describes the immediate results of this miracle. In Acts 2:12 we see that the thoughtful members of the audience witnessing this event inquired as to its meaning. In reply, Peter quoted the prophecy of Joel 2:28-32, which promised miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the destruction of the Jewish state, and salvation for those who “call on the name of the Lord” (Acts 2:14-21).
The apostle used this passage as the text of his lesson and expounded the scripture to his audience. Who is the Lord upon whom we are to call? Peter appealed to the evidence of the Lord’s miracles, which many in the audience had witnessed, fulfilled prophecy, and the eye witness testimony of the apostles to prove “ that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:22-36).
At this juncture, the audience, in anguish over the incontrovertible truth Peter affirmed, inquired desperately, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) But Peter had already told them what to do, as recorded in verse twenty-one, call “on the name of the Lord.” Now they knew Jesus was Lord, and they wanted to know how to call on His name and remove the guilt of his murder. Cephas explained, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Having so explained how to call on the Lord’s name, the apostle promised, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (verse 39). What promise? The promise of the context, of Peter’s sermon, and of the scripture he used as his text, Joel 2:28-32, salvation by calling on the Lord’s name and the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Ghost. To those who would repent and be baptized, i.e., call on the name of the Lord, the inspired apostle Peter promised the remission of sins, i.e., salvation, and “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The context indicates the gift of the Holy Spirit is the miraculous reception of the Spirit of God.
In summary, in the context the Holy Spirit was miraculously poured out on the apostles, the audience asked what this meant, and Peter, in explanation, quoted Joel’s promise of a miraculous outpouring of the Spirit. Then, in explanation of this passage, Simon Peter promised them “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The context demands that the “gift of the Holy Spirit” is the miraculous reception of the Spirit of God.
Wouldn’t it seem a little strange for the apostle to, in response to a question about the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and in explanation of a passage which deals with his miraculous reception, with no explanation whatsoever, to employ the phrase “gift of the Holy Spirit” of something other than His miraculous reception?
Parallel Passage
Will a study of other passages confirm or contradict this conclusion? The phrase “gift of the Holy Spirit” is only found twice in the entire Bible, in Acts 2:38 and 10:45. We have already examined Acts 2:38. Now let’s look at Acts 10:45 in context.
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, ‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ (Acts 10:44-47)
According to the inspired historian Luke, the house of the centurion received “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Both Luke and Peter identify this as the reception of the Spirit of God Himself (verses 44,47). The beloved physician plainly indicates this reception was miraculous, “for they heard them speak with tongues” (verse 46).
Thus, the gift of the Holy Spirit was the reception of the Spirit Himself in a miraculous manner. The passages dealing with the subject evidently allow no other conclusion.
Miraculous Reception of Holy Spirit Today?
Does this mean the miraculous reception of the Spirit of God is promised to all Christians today? I don’t believe so.
Mark 16:15-18 is parallel to Acts 2:38-39. In fact, Peter’s sermon in Acts two was in fulfillment of the commission the Lord delivered in Mark 16:15-18. In Mark 16:15-16, the Master commanded, “preach the gospel to every creature” and promised the result would be “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” In Acts 2:38, Simon Peter, in beginning obedience to this commission, promised “remission of sins” to those who would “repent” and “be baptized.” In Mark 16:17-18 Christ Jesus promised “these signs will follow those who believe.” In Acts 2:38-39 Peter promised to both Jew and Gentile, “you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” These promises are parallel. The apostle Peter simply repeated the Lord’s promise in the commission under which He labored.
Mark 16:16-18
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”
“These signs will follow those who believe.”
Acts 2:38-39
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized”
“You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Both of these pledges of the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, although not limited in their immediate context, are limited by other passages as to scope, purpose, and duration. The limitations we found in our study of spiritual gifts are the limitations of these promises. This does not mean the promise of salvation is so limited in either passage.
The “gift of the Holy Spirit” was the miraculous reception of the Spirit of God Himself. This was a general promise to Christians of the first century comprehensive of all the supernatural activities of the Spirit through them.
It is not a pledge of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, whether miraculous or nonmiraculous, to Christians today.
