The Holy Spirit: God's Giving vs. People's Receiving
There has also been much misunderstanding in the Body of Christ
on the question, Does God give the Holy Spirit to believers? Or do believers merely receive the
Holy Spirit because God has already given Him on the Day of Pentecost? Let me point out
again that Peter and John did not pray that God would give the Samaritans the Holy Ghost.
Peter and John prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Ghost.
Very often we pray, "Dear Lord, save souls at this service tonight. Dear God, heal the sick at
this service. Fill believers with the Holy Ghost." However, I can't find in the Acts of the Apostles
that the New Testament Church ever prayed that way. We should pray according to the Word
of God.
I pray for folks, not that God would save them, for He has already done something about
saving them. He sent His Son to die for all mankind. God has already purchased salvation for
everyone who has ever lived or who shall ever live on the earth.
But it is not going to do a person any good unless he accepts salvation.
That is the reason He
told us to tell people the good news of the gospel. Scripturally, we should pray that people will
receive that which has already been purchased for them and freely offered to them.
I don't pray that God will heal people. I pray that people will receive the healing that God freely
offers. I do not pray that God will fill people with the Holy Ghost. I pray, like Peter and John did,
that believers might receive the gift that God offers — the precious Holy Spirit.
Notice in Acts 8:17, "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." It
doesn't say, "Then laid they their hands on them and God filled them with the Holy Ghost." It
says, ". . . and they RECEIVED the Holy Ghost."
The Ministry of Laying On of Hands
There are many in the Church today who do not understand the doctrine of laying on of hands
which is taught in the Word of God (Heb. 6:2). But I believe that we are in good company with
Peter and John, so I follow that same practice; I lay hands on people that they might receive
the Holy Ghost.
We lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit in faith because it is scriptural. But some in
the Body of Christ also have a ministry along this line.
We saw that the apostles sent Peter and
John to Samaria because they had a ministry along this line. Some have a ministry along lines
that others do not. God anoints us to minister according to His calling on our lives.
Simon the sorcerer offered Peter and John money and said, ". . . Give me also THIS POWER
[ability], that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:19).
Some have thought that Simon tried to buy the Holy Ghost. He didn't.
He tried to buy the ability
to lay hands on people and have them receive the Holy Spirit. Peter said to him,". . . Thy
money perish with thee, because thou bast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with
money" (Acts 8:20).
There are at least four different Greek words translated "gift" in the New Testament. The
particular Greek word used here in Acts 8:20 means a gratuity. In other words, the Holy Spirit
is a free gift given to believers.
The ministry of laying on of hands for the believer to receive the
Holy Spirit cannot be purchased with money. Peter and John were endowed or gifted by God
to lay hands on folks to receive the Holy Spirit.
Many years ago the Lord told me that He had given me that ministry. Immediately I started
laying hands on people, and as I did, instantly I could also tell what was wrong with them —
why they weren't receiving from God. That also goes along with the ministry of the prophet that
He gave me.
FFT: Laying of Hands is a ministry of the Spirit given freely to believers by the Lord.
ACTION POINT: Be filled with the Holy Spirit!
INTERACTIVE SESSION: Do you believe in laying of hands to receive the Holy Spirit?
No comments:
Post a Comment