Introduction

 

In the Greek, there is only one word used for the Holy Ghost which makes for another easy word study:

 

Pneuma - a spirit; a wind; breath. 

 

Pneuma is translated in the King James Version as both "Holy Spirit" and "Holy Ghost."  There is absolutely no difference between the two and the dual words were supplied by the English translators.  If you go back to the Greek, the words are the same.  John 4:24 tells us that God is a Spirit.  Leviticus 11:44 and I Peter 1:16 tell us that God alone is holy so the "Holy Spirit" can only refer to the Spirit of God, Himself.  The term is particularly used for when the Spirit of God moves in or among men. 

 

The Old Testament Prophecies

 

There are many references to the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament scriptures.  Isaiah prophesied that God would use "speaking in tongues" (which we will see always accompanies the infilling of the Holy Ghost) as a part of the "refreshing" that God would send:

 

Isa 28:11-12  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.  12  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

 

Paul quoted this verse while teaching the church in Corinth on things of the Spirit:

 

1 Cor 14:21  In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

 

The prophet Joel also prophisied that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.  On the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, Peter quoted much of this prophecy and said that the outpouring of the Holy Ghost was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy:

 

Joel 2:28-29  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  29  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

 

Isaiah also prophesied of the same event:

 

Isa 32:15  Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

 

The New Testament Prophecies

 

John the Baptist is quoted by all four Gospel writers saying that Jesus Christ would baptize with Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). 

 

Jesus Christ, Himself, also prophesied about the Holy Ghost outpouring.  He said that it would be like four things:

 

1.  A river of living water bringing eternal life - John 4:10-14

2.  Being born again into the kingdom of God - John 3:1-8

3.  A comforter which would help us - John 14:16-17

4.  The power of God in us - Acts 1:8

 

Most people do not realize that the Holy Ghost was not poured out until after Jesus Christ was crucified and ascended into heaven. 

 

John 7:37-39  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 

John 7:39  (He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him; but the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet returned to his glory in heaven.)  (TLB)

 

When Jesus ministered, the people were still under the law, which accounts for why no one received this wonderful experience until Acts chapter 2 (Jesus ascended into heaven in Acts chapter 1).     

 

Descriptions of the Holy Ghost

 

There are many in scripture.  Just to name a few:

 

1.  Spirit of Christ - Romans 8:9-11.

2.  A spiritual baptism - I Corinthians 12:13.

3.  A new birth - John 3:1-8.

4.  A seal, or stamp of approval from the King of Kings - Ephesians 4:30.

5.  The earnest (first part) of our inheritance - II Corinthians 1:22.

6.  A rest and refreshing - Isaiah 28:11-12.

7.  Spirit of Adoption which makes God our Father - Romans 8:15.

8.  Living Water - I Corinthians 10:1-4.

9.  Power from heaven - Acts 1:8.

10.  The Comforter - John 14. 

 

Speaking in Tongues

 

 

The Bible is very precise to identify the infilling of the Holy Spirit with "speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance."  EVERY TIME in scripture, that someone received the Holy Ghost, they spoke in a language that they had never learned or studied as God moved through them.  We have already seen how that Isaiah prophesied about this, and Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that he spoke with tongues more than all of them (II Corinthians 14:18) so we know that it was not a one time event.  Here are some scriptural examples of people actually receiving the Holy Ghost:

 

1.  The Day of Pentecost - There were 120 people that received the experience followed by 3,000:

 

Acts 2:1-4  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

The people in the Upper Room felt a presence like wind move into the room.  The word for "cloven" here means "different" in the Greek.  Each person was speaking in a different language.  Notice that the Spirit "gave them utterance" and they were not taught by other men to "speak in tongues" as some churches do.  God changes a person's language when they receive the Holy Ghost and He does not any help! 

 

2.  The Samaritan Revival - It is conclusive that they spoke with tongues when they received the Holy Ghost:

 

Acts 8:14-18  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  15  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  16  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  18  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

 

Notice that the Samaritans did not automatically receive the Holy Ghost when they were baptized as some people teach.  It is possible for a person to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost some time later.  The point here is that when they received the Holy Ghost, Simon, who was a human being standing by, "saw" that the Holy Ghost was given.  How could he "see" something invisible come in?  Because he saw the effects of the Holy Ghost and he saw and heard them speak with tongues. 

 

3.  The Gentiles in Conelius' House - The Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues was poured out on the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) as well.  It is very obvious that God did not intend for this experience to be only a one time event on the Day of Pentecost:

 

Acts 10:44-47  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,  47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

 

Notice that Cornelius and his family received the Holy Ghost first and then were baptized in water.  Even today people may receive the Holy Ghost before they are baptized, but that does not mean that they do not need water baptism, because Peter went on and commanded Cornelius' family to be baptized (Acts 10:47-48). 

 

4.  The Disciples of John the Baptist that Paul met - These were the men who were rebaptized in the name of Jesus.  They also received the gift of the Holy Ghost:

 

Acts 19:6-7  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.  7  And all the men were about twelve.

 

Notice that the men also prophesied.  Some people falsely teach that prophecy (speaking anointed words from God in a known language) is also a sign of receiving the Holy Ghost.  That is not true.  All of the prophets of the Old Testament prophesied before the Holy Ghost was even available so prophecy cannot be a true sign of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.  In the New Testament, people may have prophesied; they may have magnified God; they may have acted like drunks when they received the Holy Ghost; but they ALWAYS spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance.  The tongues are NOT the Holy Ghost, but merely a sign to the seeker that they have received the Spirit of God within them.  The first time that a person "speaks in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance" they are receiving the Holy Ghost.  After a person is filled with the Holy Ghost, God uses tongues for other things.  There are 5 ways that God uses tongues in scripture:

 

1.  The initial sign of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.  (as we have just studied)

2.  A renewing of the Holy Ghost.  (Titus 3:5, Acts 4:31)

3.  Praying in the Holy Ghost, building up our most holy Faith.  (Jude 1:20)     

4.  Intercessory Prayer, while praying for others  (Romans 8:26-27)

5.  The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation, when God wants to speak directly to a church congregation. (I Corinthians 12:10; 14:1-40)

 

Synonymous Terms For the Gift of the Holy Ghost

 

 

There are ten "expressions" that all refer to receiving the Holy Ghost.  They are used interchangablly throughout scripture and all mean the same thing:

 

1.  Baptism of the Holy Ghost - Ephesians 4:5; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Acts         1:5; I Corinthians 12:13. 

2.  Filled with the Holy Ghost - Acts 2:1-4; 9:17.

3.  Gift of the Holy Ghost - Acts 2:38; 8:20; 10:45; 11:17; Romans 5:5; 6:23.

4.  Receive the Holy Ghost - Acts 8:15-19; 10:47; 19:2; John 7:37-39.

5.  Holy Ghost come upon you - Acts 1:8; 19:6.

6.  Poured out - Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17; 10:45.

7.  Sent down from heaven - I Peter 1:12.

8.  Sound from heaven - Acts 2:2.

9.  Holy Ghost fell - Acts 8:16; 10:44; 11:15.

10.  Shed on us - Titus 3:5-6; Acts 2:33; Romans 5:5.

 

That these terms are interchangeable is discernable from, for instance, when Cornelius and his household received the Holy Ghost, four of these terms (fell, poured out, gift, and receive) were used yet they only received one experience (Acts 10:44-48).  

 

Is Receiving the Holy Ghost Essential for Salvation?

 

According to scripture it is.  Notice the following scriptures:

 

John 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

John 7:38-39  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 

The word translated "should" here literally means "to have the duty to do" in the Greek. 

 

Acts 2:38, 40  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.  40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

 

Rom 8:9-11  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

 

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

Notice that Paul said that we are saved throught the "regeneration of the Holy Ghost."  The word "regeneration" means "to bring back to life again."  When Adam and Eve were in the garden, they were commanded to not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil because in the day that they ate, they would "surely die"  (Genesis 2:17).  They did eat of the tree but they did not physically or mentally die that day.  Since God cannot lie, we know that there was "spiritual death" that day and the close relationship between God and man was lost.  Romans 5:12 tells us that the spiritual death brought on by Adam was passed on to every man so that all of us are born without that close relationship with God.  When you receive the Holy Ghost, that relationship is restored, and what was once dead is "regenerated."  The close relationship between God and man is restored that was lost in the Garden of Eden! 

 

Who Can Have the Holy Ghost? 

 

 Anyone!  God is no respector of persons.  Jews received it on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).  The mixed race Samaritans received it in Acts chaper 8.  Gentiles (non-Jews) received it in Acts chapter 10.  Jesus taught that God would willingly give it:

 

Luke 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

Peter joined in saying that the Holy Ghost was for anyone sensitive to the call of God:

 

Acts 2:38b-39  ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  39  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.

 

Millions have received the Holy Ghost all over the world from every tongue, culture, and background.  God will fill YOU with the Holy Ghost if you ask Him! 

 

How Do I Receive the Holy Ghost?

 

You must believe that Jesus Christ is your savior and God and the only one who can save you.  You must truly repent of your sins and sinful behavior to Jesus Christ (see Lesson #3 for a Biblical definition of Repentance).  You must be baptized in the name of Jesus, even though sometimes people receive the Holy Ghost first (see Lesson #4 for a Biblical definition of Water Baptism).  You then must ask God for the Holy Ghost and begin to praise Him in "spirit and in truth."  You must forget about everything else and surrender everything to God.  As you begin to truly praise God, you will feel Him and His Spirit all around you.  As you submit to that, your tongue will become "heavy" or "thick" feeling as if you are losing control of it.  Submit to that feeling and allow God to take complete control of your tongue.  At the same time you will feel something began to rise out of you like a "river of living water."  Even though, the Holy Ghost is coming in you, it will fill like something is flowing out of you, because your spirit man is being regenerated.  As this river flows through your praise and worship, God will cause your language to change, and whether you are even aware of it or not, you will begin to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.  Sometimes people are so lost in the euphoric experience of the Spirit of God moving into them, that they do not realize that they are speaking in other tongues until much later! 

 

There are only 4 things that can cause a person not to receive the Holy Ghost when they seek it:

 

1.  Failure to truly repent - You must be willing to change anything in your life! 

2.  Unbelief - Doubt that God can really do it for you.

3.  Failure to worship God completely and outwardly - Worship and being sensitive to the Spirit comes more natural for some than others.  I have seen people get the Holy Ghost sitting down, standing up, jumping, dancing, sitting still, kneeling, in a car, in a service, at a job, at a school, but I have NEVER seen anyone receive the Holy Ghost WITHOUT them first opening their mouth and praising God outloud.  All pride and care of what others might think must vanish in the presence of almighty God. 

4.  Seeking to speak in tongues - The speaking in tongues accompany the Holy Ghost and are not the Holy Ghost itself.  You should pray to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the speaking in tongues will come with it.  The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God coming to live within your life.  Forget about speaking in tongues and surrender completely to God's Spirit:  the speaking in tongues will happen naturally. 

 

Conclusion

 

God still fills people with the Holy Ghost today.  Being born again of the Spirit is just one of the first steps of living for God completely.  After you receive it, the Holy Ghost will try to "reprove you of sin," "lead you into all truth," and "discern" what we need to do in God (see John 16:13,18; Romans 8:26).  Initial Biblical salvation is not hard to achieve.  It is your responsibility to repent.  Then you must allow the minister to baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ in water.  Then when you surrender completely to Him, God will baptize you with the Holy Ghost.  You then stand ready to move on and grow closer to God and learn to serve Him in everyday living. 

 

Stephen, the first martyr of the church, was declared to be "full of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 6:3,8).  May we all attain that wonderful level in God!