We have seen that the Comforter—meaning the Fortifier rather than the Soother—was the power of courage or boldness in the face of persecution. Let us now look more closely at the manner in which the Holy Spirit was “given” to the disciples. And when we say “given” let us make the reservation that possibly it was not that the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples, but rather that they were given to be the instruments of the Spirit.
In The Gospel Records
In Matt. 10 and Mark 6, Jesus is stated to have sent out his twelve apostles ; in Luke 10 the record states that he sent out “other 70”. Whether Matt. 10 and Mark 6, though referring only to the twelve, should be understood to include the 70, or whether there were two separate “sendings” is immaterial to our study. They were sent out to preach the gospel and also were given the power of healing the sick—both the physically and and the mentally sick. This power was not unlimited, as we see from Matt. 1 7. 21 (or Mark 9. 29), where they failed—”because of their unbelief”—but even Jesus conceded that this particular type of illness called for prayer—its cure was not automatic.
If the power to heal the sick was a gift of the Spirit—and who would deny it ?—we must recognise that, before the “Pentecost” of Acts 2, the twelve apostles including Judas already “had” the spirit—possibly the seventy also.
The Second Giving
We have an interesting episode in John 20. 22 concerning Jesus, after his resurrection, with the ten apostles ( Judas and Thomas being absent : “And when he said thus he breathed (spirited) on them and saith unto them, ‘Receive ye the Holy Breath’ (Holy Spirit).”
Our human nature finds life easier to order if we have a definite code to measure. Thus for the second time ten apostles “had” the Holy Spirit. And in Mark 16. 18 Jesus declares that those who have the power of the Holy Spirit would be unharmed by snakes, or poison, and would have the power of healing. If any brother claims to “have” the Holy Spirit in the apostolic sense, would he have enough confidence to pick up a red-backed spider, let alone a tiger-snake ?
But perhaps Jesus meant not that all who have the power could do all these things, but that there would be a few specific examples. Thus we have only one recorded case of a person with the “Spirit” being bitten by a snake ;1 and the power to heal the sick was (as we shall see later) very restricted.
Pentecost
The apostles, therefore, having alreadyreceived the Holy Spirit twice, were gathered together on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), when they received the gift of speaking with tongues. Therefore, if the description commonly used today is correct, they “got” the Holy Spirit the third time.
The whole Pentecost episode merits closestudy ; but for the present we will continue to look at other examples of the “giving” of the Spirit, and then we will be better able to appreciate the real meaning of Acts 2.
We note that the powers of healing already given to the apostles by Jesus (Matt. 10, etc.) had apparently not been withdrawn, for we find (Acts 2. 43) that “many signs and wonders were done by the apostles” – not by the others ; and in Acts 3. 7 Peter again demonstrated this power.
The Fourth Time
We pass on to Acts 4. 31—referred to in our last article—where the apostles “got” the Holy Spirit for the fourth time, and many others became “filled with the Holy Spirit
Perhaps now we begin to realize that “receiving the Holy Spirit” means receiving only one of the gifts of the Spirit—not all of them. As we have seen, Jesus gave the gift of healing to the twelve (or seventy) before his crucifixion, the gift of tongues at Pentecost, the gift of boldness in Acts 4. It is not clear what was the result of John 20.22. We note again that while the gift of boldness was apparently given to all disciples, the gifts of healing and tongues were limited to the apostles—Peter continued to hea1.2
The Laying On Of Hands
In Acts 6 we find the apostles overburdened and delegating some of their duties to others. So they selected seven other disciples, already “full of the Holy Spirit”, for this work. We suggest two explanations of this expression : either (a) it meant simply that, being strong in faith and having a sound knowledge of the Scripture, they were “spiritually-minded”, or (b), that they were strongly endowed with the Gift of Boldness. They were certainly not all-wise and inspired, as is sometimes supposed that persons who “have the Holy Spirit” are, because they (presumably) were given special gifts to suit them for their new task. Take particular note that these gifts did not come spontaneously directly from God, but, after prayer, by the laying on of the hands of the apostles.
And here let us assert that in the record in the Acts and after, except at Pentecost, the Boldness gift of Acts 4, and the Tongues of Cornelius (Acts 10) , no person ever received any of the gifts except by the laying on of hands of the apostles—this statement being subject to a slight qualification in the case of Paul. And we believe that as only the apostles had this power, which they could not transfer, the power of bestowing the gifts of the Holy Spirit died with them. The Holy Spirit was not “withdrawn”—it simply ceased to be bestowed and its recipients died unable to pass it on.
We note that as a result of the laying on of hands of the apostles, Stephen also received miraculous power, perhaps because he was a special witness, and sacrificed his life shortly after.3
Simon The Sorcerer
In Acts 8 we find Philip—one of the seven upon whom the apostles laid hands in chap. 6. 5—like Stephen, had also received the power of healing.’ But although Philip could heal the sick, he could not “give” the Holy Spirit to others. It was necessary to send two apostles—Peter and John—who laid hands on those who had been baptized and they “received” the Holy Spirit.5 There is no evidence to show what the effect was—perhaps only the gift of boldness, which was unrestricted.
We find, in v. 18, that when Simon saw that the two apostles had the power to bestow the particular gift in question he also desired (v. 19) the power to bestow the Holy Spirit.
And here let us refer to a common misunderstanding. Brethren often quote this to prove that the Holy Spirit was a power.It is usual to quote only part of Simon’s words, “give me this power”-but we must
presume that Simon among the others had already “received” the Holy Spirit. What he was asking for was the power to give it to others which only the apostles could do.
Again let us emphasize, the only way to “receive the Holy Spirit” was by the laying on of the hands of the apostles. Nobody else could bestow the gifts unless specially appointed by God (see Paul and Barnabas, below).
Saul Of Tarsus
Passing on to Acts 9, we read how Saul of Tarsus was confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. For some reason not stated, God (or Jesus) did not select one of the apostles to handle Saul, but a special person was appointed—Ananias of Damascus. Note v. 18 Saul received (a) his sight and (b) the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands by Ananias. Not even Paul received the Holy Spirit by quiet inspiration or suffusion, as so many claim to have done today.
Cornelius
In Acts 10, we read how for the third and last time the Holy Spirit (or one of its gifts) was given directly by God, and not by the laying on of hands of the apostles. Peter had grave doubts about the propriety of baptising a Gentile : God had to give him specific proof of the Divine approval. And so Cornelius and his household were given (temporarily perhaps) the gift of tongues. We note with interest that subsequently, in justifying his action to the apostles—who despite their “having” the Holy Spirit, didn’t believe in the baptism of Gentiles—in Acts 1 1 . 15, Peter says, “The Holy Spirit fell on him as on us at the beginning”—which seems to the writer to imply that the Holy Spirit was not in the habit of falling on persons: the “in the beginning” is significant.
Barnabas
In Acts 1 3. 3, Barnabas, having been selected by God for a special work, and also Paul (who had already “received” the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands of Ananias) were endowed with special gifts for the task by the prayer and laying on of hands of certain prophets and teachers. Here again we note God did not use the other apostles —Paul was “special”. We note, too, that being sent to unbelievers they had the power of healing.
Here, perhaps, we should admit the possibility of extending the definition of apostle to include all those who were “sent out” by God or Jesus to preach. Paul, Mark. Barnabas, Silas, Stephen were not of “the twelve”, but nevertheless were true apostles, and were able to exhibit what Paul called, “the signs of an apostle”.
Timothy
In this sense, perhaps, Timothy also was an apostle. He was endowed with a special gift, but it is not clear what it was—perhaps the power of clear thinking, which is necessary for successful teaching.8 This gift did not come direct from God, but by the laying on of hands. The Revised Standard Version
reads :
“Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by the prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you”.
These elders are not named, but Paul was one ;9 from which it appears that the gift might be the gift of boldness and righteousness in teaching. Again quoting the R.S.V. :
“Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self control,”
(Would that all brethren today who have the natural gift of power always had the gifts of love and self-control 0. We note that these epistles to Timothy are essentially appeals for boldness and balance in preaching and teaching.
Summary
Except the gift of tongues at Pentecostand to Cornelius and the gift of boldness in Acts 4, the gifts of the Spirit are nowhere recorded as having been bestowed, exceptby the laying on of hands of the apostles, or the elders, which terms would also includeadditional apostles such as Paul, Ananias and Barnabas. Except that of boldness, these gifts were limited to a specific purpose. We have yet to look more closely at the specific gifts, and also give further consideration to Acts chapter 2, if the Lord permit.
Reference
2—Acts 5. 12, 15
3—Acts 6. 8
4—Acts 8. 6, 7, 13
5—Acts 8. 14-17
6—Acts 14. 3, 10 ; 15. 12
7-2 Cor. 12. 12
8-1 Tim. 4. 13, 14
9-2 Tim. 1. 6
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One