John 14
Jesus promises the coming of the Comforter.
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Journey 7 of 8
Receiving the Holy Ghost
Explore God's promise of the Holy Ghost and discover what the Bible teaches about receiving God's Spirit through Jesus Christ.
Before You Begin
Open Your Bible
Pray before beginning this study. Ask the Lord to give you understanding through His Word. Read every passage in its context, compare Scripture with Scripture, and allow the Bible to shape your conclusions. The purpose of this study is not merely to gain knowledge, but to know Jesus Christ more deeply and to faithfully obey His Word.
Theme
God's Promise to His People
From the prophets of the Old Testament to the preaching of the apostles, the Bible reveals God's promise to pour out His Spirit upon His people. As you study these passages, observe who made the promise, how it was fulfilled, and what the Scriptures teach about receiving the Holy Ghost.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.Acts 2:38
Read the Scriptures
What Does the Bible Teach About Receiving the Holy Ghost?
As you read these passages, pay close attention to God's promises, the teaching of Jesus Christ, and the testimony of the apostles. Rather than relying upon tradition or personal opinion, allow the Scriptures to guide your understanding of the Holy Ghost and His work in the lives of believers.
Jesus Promised the Holy Ghost
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."John 14:16
Before His crucifixion, Jesus promised His disciples that they would not be left alone. Although He would soon ascend into heaven, He assured them that the Father would send the Comforter. This promise revealed God's desire to dwell with His people and to strengthen them for the work He had called them to do.
Notice that the promise of the Holy Ghost began with Jesus Himself. The apostles did not invent this teaching after Pentecost. They simply proclaimed the promise that Christ had already given.
"But the Comforter, which is 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."John 14:26
Jesus described the Holy Ghost as the Comforter who would teach, remind, and guide His followers. As you read His words, consider what they reveal about God's desire to remain present with His people.
The Promise of the Father
"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
After His resurrection, Jesus again reminded His disciples of the Father's promise. Before beginning their ministry, they were instructed to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from on high. Although they had walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, and witnessed His resurrection, they were still instructed to wait for the promised gift.
"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
Jesus connected the coming of the Holy Ghost with power for witnessing. Rather than depending upon their own strength, the disciples would be empowered by God to proclaim the gospel throughout the world.
The Day of Pentecost
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."Acts 2:4
On the Day of Pentecost, God's promise was fulfilled exactly as Jesus had said. The disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost while gathered together in Jerusalem. This event marked the beginning of the New Testament church and demonstrated that God's promise had become a present reality.
Continue reading Acts 2 and notice how Peter explained what had happened. Rather than pointing to human experience alone, he directed the people back to the Scriptures, showing that God was fulfilling what He had promised through the prophets.
The Promise Was for All
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"Acts 2:37
After hearing Peter preach the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the people were convicted in their hearts. Recognizing their need for God, they asked one of the most important questions found in all of Scripture: "What shall we do?" Their response reminds us that the gospel always calls for a personal response.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."Acts 2:38
Peter answered without hesitation. His response was not based upon human tradition or personal opinion, but upon the message Jesus Christ had entrusted to His apostles. Along with repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, Peter proclaimed God's promise that those who responded would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."Acts 2:39
Notice how far God's promise extends. Peter declared that it was for those standing before him, for future generations, and for all whom the Lord would call. The promise of the Holy Ghost was not limited to one place, one people, or one period of history. It was given to all who respond to the gospel.
The Samaritans Received the Holy Ghost
"Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."Acts 8:17
As the gospel spread beyond Jerusalem, the Samaritans also received the Holy Ghost. The same promise Jesus made to His disciples continued as new believers came to faith in Christ. God showed that His promise was not limited to Jerusalem but extended wherever the gospel was preached.
The Gentiles Received the Holy Ghost
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."Acts 10:44
When Peter preached in the house of Cornelius, God poured out the Holy Ghost upon Gentile believers. This demonstrated that salvation and the promise of the Spirit were not reserved for one nation but were offered to people everywhere who believed the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Believers at Ephesus
"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."Acts 19:6
Many years after the Day of Pentecost, Paul met disciples in Ephesus and asked whether they had received the Holy Ghost. Their experience demonstrates that God's promise continued throughout the ministry of the early church. From Jerusalem to Samaria, to Caesarea, and to Ephesus, the same Holy Ghost was given to those who believed and obeyed the gospel.
As you compare these passages, observe the consistency of the New Testament record. Jesus promised the Holy Ghost. The apostles preached that promise. Believers received the Holy Ghost as the gospel spread. God's promise remained the same wherever Christ was proclaimed.
Understand the Truth
Observe the Pattern in Scripture
As you compare these passages, notice the consistent pattern found throughout the New Testament. Jesus promised the Holy Ghost before His ascension. The promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. From that point forward, believers continued receiving the Holy Ghost as the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Samaria, to the Gentiles, and throughout the known world.
Rather than building your understanding upon a single verse, allow the testimony of the entire Bible to speak. Ask yourself these questions as you study:
- Who made the promise of the Holy Ghost?
- Who was the promise given to?
- How did the apostles preach concerning the Holy Ghost?
- What pattern is repeated throughout the Book of Acts?
- What does this reveal about God's desire to dwell with His people?
The purpose of this study is not to persuade you through human reasoning but to encourage you to search the Scriptures for yourself. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom, understanding, and a heart that is willing to obey whatever His Word teaches.
Examine Your Heart
Reflect on God's Word
Take time to quietly reflect on the passages you have studied. Ask the Lord to help you understand His promises and to draw you into a deeper relationship with Him. The goal of Bible study is not simply to increase knowledge but to know Jesus Christ and faithfully follow Him.
What Have I Learned?
What do these Scriptures teach about God's promise of the Holy Ghost?
What Pattern Do I See?
What consistent pattern do I observe concerning the promise and receiving of the Holy Ghost throughout the Book of Acts?
How Should I Respond?
How is God calling me to respond to His Word with faith, obedience, and a sincere desire to know Him?
Write It Down
Record Your Journey
Today I Learned...
The Scripture That Spoke to Me
My Prayer and Response
Prayer
A Prayer for Understanding
Heavenly Father, Thank You for every promise You have given through Your Word. Help me to study the Scriptures with humility and faith. Give me understanding as I seek to know You more deeply. Teach me through Your Spirit, strengthen my walk with Jesus Christ, and help me to respond with an obedient heart. May my life continually reflect Your truth, Your grace, and Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Dig Deeper
Continue Reading
Read each of these passages in its entirety and observe God's promise of the Holy Ghost, its fulfillment, and its continuing work in the lives of believers.
Acts 2
The Day of Pentecost and the promise of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8
The Samaritans receive the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10
Cornelius and his household receive the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19
Believers at Ephesus receive the Holy Ghost.
Continue Your Journey
Living for Christ
Receiving the Holy Ghost is not the end of the Christian life. It is the beginning of a lifelong walk with Jesus Christ. God calls every believer to continue growing through prayer, His Word, worship, fellowship with other believers, and faithful obedience to His commands.
As we yield our lives to the Lord each day, the Holy Ghost continues to teach, strengthen, and transform us into the image of Jesus Christ. The Christian life is one of continual growth, faithful service, and joyful hope as we await His return.
How can I continue growing in my walk with Jesus Christ?