Looking back over the years, you can probably remember many wonderful gifts people have given you. Some of those gifts were physical: perhaps you received a bicycle or a video game console, or a beautiful suit or dress. Some of those gifts were emotional: think of a treasured friendship, or the love between husband and wife, or between parents and children.
All those gifts are great blessings. But God has given an even more amazing gift to those He has called to be His sons and daughters. The gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, through which Christians today are begotten as future full members of God's family, is by far the most precious gift any human being can receive. It is a "down payment" on eternal life in the Kingdom of God; a promise of power and glory forever, ruling under Jesus Christ, our Elder Brother.
God has given us a series of annual Holy Days to help us remember His plan for us. The Day of Pentecost is the time He has set aside for us to commemorate the coming of His Spirit, which He has made available to His firstfruits—to us!
In 2008, Living Church of God brethren will assemble in their congregations on June 8 to observe God's annual Feast of Pentecost. In the Old Testament, this annual Holy Day was known as the Feast of Weeks. This was a celebration of the smaller spring harvest, which brought in the first of the fruits of the year's agricultural produce. "And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end" (Exodus 34:22). The Feast of Weeks spiritually signifies those in the first resurrection—the saints whom God has called in this age, who will join Christ at His second coming to rule the earth during the Millennium (Jude 14–15). Others will receive their opportunity for salvation later, as pictured by the final annual Sabbath in God's sequence of Holy Days, the Last Great Day (For a detailed explanation of all seven annual Holy Days, read Dr. Roderick C. Meredith's informative booklet, The Holy Days: God's Master Plan).
The book of Acts records that the Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ were all gathered in one place on the first Day of Pentecost [Feast of Weeks] after Christ's death and resurrection. What happened then? "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1–4). Speaking in "tongues," under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God is always in the form of a known, living language and is for the edification of the hearers. "And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language" (Acts 2:6). The miracle of tongues is also in the hearing, not just in the speaking. Wildly disorganized, unintelligible, "whoop-and-holler" babbling, in the guise of religion, may well be fostered by a spiritual influence but not one sent by Jesus Christ. "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:26–33).
Before this great event, God had empowered only a few prophets with His Spirit down through the centuries. King David of ancient Israel had knowledge and understanding that only God could impart through the Holy Spirit. David knew he possessed this special gift from his Creator when he prayed: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You" (Psalm 51:10–13).
David understood that he could not do the Work of teaching God's Truth unless he had the power of God residing in and working through him. Notice also how David acknowledged that he could lose God's Spirit if he failed to repent of an ongoing sin.
It was that Spirit which revealed to David that there were two members of the God family, when he wrote: "The Lord [the Father] said to my Lord [the Word, who became Jesus Christ], 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power; in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. The Lord has sworn and will not relent, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'" (Psalm 110:1–4; Hebrews 7:1–28). The "Word" came as a humble carpenter, teaching human beings the way to peace and announcing the coming of God's government to the earth. The Spirit of God showed David that Christ would return to the throne of His Father, and would sit with Him until the end of this age, when He will return to the earth in power and glory, to rule and to punish those who hate God's ways (Luke 19:27).
God revealed His truth to King David, who recorded it under His inspiration for our benefit. Those today who are able to understand what David wrote—who joyously accept what they read in the pages of the Bible, and look forward to Christ's return with love and eager anticipation— can do so only because, through the Holy Spirit, God is revealing His truth to them as He did to David.
Our Hope of Glory
Though we now suffer in this flesh, and endure afflictions for the sake of Christ and His Church, we do it by the power of the Holy Spirit which God the Father has put within us. The Apostle Paul understood that his trials were in the service of God's people. "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, [Paul was saying that his afflictions, as outlined in 2 Corinthians 11:22–33, were different in nature, but parallel to, Jesus Christ's own] for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:24–27). We who strive to follow Paul as he followed Christ will emulate his example of preaching a warning to all mankind, teaching the wisdom of God, such that all might be presented as perfect in Jesus Christ.
Our Righteousness Is Useless
Hundreds of millions of professing Christians mistakenly believe they are "born again" and headed for salvation, even though they have never been baptized according to the Bible's requirement and have never received the Holy Spirit. What does God require? Here is what the Apostle Peter said on the Day of Pentecost in 31AD, at the founding of the New Testament Church: "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).
This sounds appealing, so it is natural that people hearing this would want it for themselves. But can we force God to give us His Holy Spirit? Can we demand it of Him? No! God the Father must select—or call—those to whom He will offer His Spirit. Jesus said: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me" (John 6:44–45).
Once the Father has called people as potential recipients of the Holy Spirit, He and Jesus Christ continue the training and testing that is meant to bring them to request baptism, as they lay the foundation of going on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1–2). It is amazing how even some who call themselves Christians neglect the vital role of Christ in their salvation. Without Jesus Christ, there can be no salvation for any of us! As the Apostle Peter told the Sanhedrin, responding to a question about a miraculous healing: "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief corner-stone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:10–12).
Once we were selected, the Father and Christ began to work with us. Even though we were still in our sins, They patiently drew us toward an understanding of what we were. "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who 'will render to each one according to his deeds'" (Romans 2:4–6). At first, some of us fought against our calling, but God in His mercy and kindness still worked with us, leading us to a place in our lives where we sought to be baptized, and to receive His Holy Spirit.
The Proper Form of Baptism
God's ministers sometimes meet prospective Church members who believe they are already "saved" Christians who possess the Holy Spirit. They enthusiastically insist that their previous baptism was valid, and object to the suggestion that the ceremony might not have been acceptable in the eyes of God. Sometimes they have even had a minister lay hands on them, professing to ask God to grant them the Holy Spirit.
However, a few questions about the previous baptism will quickly reveal the facts of the matter.
- Did the minister counsel them before baptism about the need for repentance from sin, and the importance and meaning of Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–15; Hebrews 6:1–3)? Without understanding the need for repentance, no valid baptism can occur.
- When they were baptized, did they understand what sin is (1 John 3:4; John 8:34)? If not, they had no idea what they needed to repent of.
- Did they profess repentance of all their sins, and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, High Priest, and soon-coming King (1 John 4:12–16; 1 Timothy 6:13–16; Acts 4:10–12)? Unless one genuinely intends to make Christ one's Lord, Master and "Boss," no true baptism has occurred.
- Were they fully immersed in water (Acts 8:38–39; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)? Scripture is plain about the proper form of baptism, which outwardly pictures the complete spiritual cleansing— indeed, the death of the "old man" and begettal of the new—which occurs at baptism. God does not "sprinkle" our sins away.
If any of the above is missing, it does not matter whether the minister laid hands on them and offered a prayer asking God to grant them the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:2; Acts 19:6). Their previous "baptism" is invalid.
Tending God's Gift
Have you ever given someone a live potted flower, or received one as a gift? Store-bought plants often come with a tag containing some basic instructions for care and feeding, such as: "For this plant to bloom, place it in sunlight, keep it warm, and water daily to maintain soil moisture." When those instructions are followed, a tiny store-bought flower will grow and produce big, healthy, beautiful flowering blossoms that give joy to all who behold it. But what happens if you neglect the instructions for its care and feeding? A plant kept in the dark corner of a cold shed, receiving no care and no regular watering, will die before too long. The once-beautiful gift will become a pot with a dead stick in it. No amount of attention after the plant has died will ever bring it back to life.
The same principle applies to us, once we have received God's gift of the Holy Spirit. That living gift also came with a set of instructions, which we find in God's inspired word—the Bible. Scripture helps us keep God's precious gift "watering" us in the light of His truth. "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:6–7). The warmth that nurtures a plant in the above example can be equated with the family atmosphere gained by congregating on the Sabbath and Holy Days with others who have God's Spirit, "that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:3–4). As members of the body of Christ, we need the Holy Spirit to "water" us daily, to keep us nourished and growing spiritually. We do this by studying and applying the word of God constantly "that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her [the Church] to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:26–27).
If we follow the Instruction Book that God has given, we who have the Holy Spirit will enjoy the fruits of what God has planted within us. "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9–11). What are these fruits with which we are to be filled? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no [penalty of the] law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22–26).
Never Let the Spirit Die Out
Many people wrongly believe that once they have the Holy Spirit, their salvation is assured. The "once saved, always saved" doctrine is a damnable heresy that can lead those who accept it into the Lake of Fire! We can lose the most precious gift of all, if we do not strive to keep it alive within us. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame" (Hebrews 6:4–6).
We cannot earn salvation through our own righteousness. Without God, our condition is pitiable: "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). But when God freely gives us His Holy Spirit, He is giving us a part of Himself. Not one of us deserves this most precious gift of all. Keeping this in mind, we should always remain grateful for this wonderful gift, and should be diligent in using it—to the glory of our Father, and of Jesus Christ our Elder Brother and Savior—so They can accomplish in us the glorious purpose for which it was given.