There’s much confusion about the Holy Spirit in general. I suspect that many have formulated incorrect doctrines based on that confusion. The Bible has the answers we need; therefore, we can logically develop these thoughts to understand correctly how the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles.
Joel Prophesied It
The OT testifies that the Holy Spirit would fall upon the Apostles. Joel 2:28-29 predicts the outpouring of His Spirit upon all flesh [on Jews and eventually, the Gentiles GVD], Acts 2:16-21. Joel prophesied: “Even on the male and female servants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke.” All flesh means the Apostles would receive the Holy Spirit and, later on, the Gentiles, Acts 10, the house of Cornelius.
Please note the apocalyptic language by Joel. For sure, the gifts of the Spirit were eventually spread to women and men, but first only to the Apostles. The words express language that is associated with judgment or disaster. In this case, as stated in verse Acts 2:17, “the last days” mean the Christian era through the time of the coming of the Lord. Acts 2:20 states, “GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD COMES,” which means when the Lord appears in the sky, it will be the last day of earth, the end of all things, and the resurrection of all people, good or evil, and the great judgment.
John the Baptist also said that some would receive the Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:11. Luke shows us the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Acts 1:2, 4-5, 8.
Jesus, The Holy Spirit, And The Apostles
In Matthew 10, Jesus directed the Apostles to go to the lost of Israel, preaching the Kingdom of God. They were forbidden to go to the Samaritans or the Gentiles. Jesus gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons” Matthew 10:5-8.
It’s also stated that before departing from the earth, Jesus promised the Apostles the Holy Spirit, John 14:26 – that the Helper would come in His name [Jesus] and teach the Apostles all that He had said. John 15:26 – the Helper will testify about Jesus to them. John 16:13 – the Spirit will guide them into all truth.
The New Testament also reveals the inerrancy of the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Scriptures were delivered to the Apostles – nothing incorrect ever fell upon parchment; the Holy Spirit gave them the words God wanted. Nothing was added to or deleted from God’s word, 2 Timothy 3:16. We, therefore, must follow the evidence in Scripture to arrive at the correct conclusion.
Misconceptions
Note these things.
- Even under the Spirit, the Apostles could sin, Peter did, Galatians 2:11-12, and John admitted so in 1 John 1:8.
- The Spirit did not give the Apostles a complete understanding of all that the New Testament would contain, at one time, 1 Corinthians 13:9-13.
- The Apostles did not receive the Spirit for self-interest issues, 2 Timothy 4:12.
- The Spirit did not inform the Apostles about their future (no Bible verse for this). For example, no verses show where the Holy Spirit told each Apostle how they would die. Compare Luke 22:31.
- Not every word of the Apostles was directed by the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 7:25.
One of the Apostles’ works was to give the gifts of the Spirit to others. This was done as the Apostles laid their hands on an individual, Acts 8:17-18, 19:6, 2 Timothy 1:6. There was no other way to receive gifts but through the Apostle’s hands. The gifts given to others by the Apostles could not be passed on to others (there is no Biblical evidence of this in the New Testament). One who had a gift could not pass that on to someone else. The gifts the Spirit gave were for the building up the local congregation.
As the Apostles passed from this life, the ability to transfer the gifts ceased – there were no apostles to lay hands on anyone. Therefore, no gifts from the Spirit are available today. There is no speaking in tongues, no interpreting of tongues, no prophesying, and no physical healings. The age of miracles has passed.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 has this –
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part; [not all New Testament scriptures were given at once]
but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away [the word “perfect” means complete; the reference here means that there would be a time when all of the New Testament was given completely].
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things [Paul is saying he knows only what the Spirit had given him, then].
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known [dimly, in part meaning incompletely]. There would be a time when the New Testament would be given in its final form.
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Conclusion
The New Testament is straightforward about the work of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. We must teach and preach the truth so that all will be unified in their beliefs about this topic.
Garland Van Dyke
http://www.matthewsstreetchurchofchrist.com
Matthews St. church of Christ, 1915 Matthews, PO Box 1522, Bay City, TX 77414
Email: garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com
You’re always welcome to attend worship with us on Sundays at 9:30 for Bible Class and worship at 10:30 AM. And on Wednesdays at 7 PM.