The subject of the Holy Spirit has been one of controversy and confusion.
- The Bible records close to 40 miracles of Jesus. Jesus did many others not written (John 20:30-31).
- Later, the apostles were given the power to perform miracles.
- Acts 2:43, 3:6-7, 5:12-16, 9:33-41, 14:8-10, 16:16-18, 19:11-12, 20:9-12, 28:3-6
- 2 Corinthians 12:12: “Truly the signs of an apostles were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.”
The apostles needed a way to prove that what they were teaching were the very words of God. The words of Jesus had not been written down and widely distributed yet.
ACTS 6:5-6 & ACTS 8:6
Acts 6:5-6: Philip and the other six were “set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.”
Acts 8:6: “And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
Acts 8:14-17
“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:18-19
“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’”
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
“A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial: to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of languages, to another, interpretation of languages. But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each one as He wills.”
1 Corinthians 13:8-10
“Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end.”
WHEN THE APOSTLES DIED, THE MIRACULOUS GIFTS CEASED
- Jude 3 (delivered once for all)
- Hebrews 2:3-4 (confirmed)
- Mark 16:20 (confirmed)
The gifts were no longer necessary when God’s word had been completely recorded by the end of the first century.
- John 16:13—Jesus promises His apostles He will send the Holy Spirit to guide them in all truth.
- 2 Peter 1:20-21—The apostles received and spoke the very words of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
- Ephesians 3:3-5—They wrote down these words so that when we read them, we can understand God’s will.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17—All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and it will thoroughly equip us.
2 Tim. 3:16-17
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
God’s plan for salvation
- Hear… “Faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17)
- Believe… “Believe on the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31)
- Repent… “Repent or perish” (Lk. 13:3)
- Confess… “Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus” (Rom. 10:9)
- Be Baptized… “Baptism now saves us” (1 Pet. 3:21)
- Remain Faithful… “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:22)