This question is asked by Holger Neubauer, a preacher for a church of Christ in Michigan (as of the date of publishing), in a video published via social media (between roughly the 3-9 minute marks). At issue is the idea that “the gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:381 could be anything other than a miracle, akin to what’s recorded in Acts 84 and Acts 195.
After quoting Acts 2:38 and beginning verse 39, Holger Neubauer gives this explanation for Peter’s transition from “the gift” in verse 38 to “the promise” in verse 39, “Now the promise is the promise of salvation, the gift is the sealing or the guarantee of that salvation but the gift is not the promise.” He goes on to quote the rest of verse 39 and says, “Now that’s salvation. The promise refers directly back to the Abrahamic promise of Genesis 12:1-3 and the gift of the Holy Spirit is the confirmation that those promises would be delivered.” He continues to say the apostles laid hands on the 3,000 (*4:06) — something the text never says. He concludes by asking, “Why would God give the non-miraculous gift of the Spirit?!…The idea of a non-miraculous gift of the Spirit? That’s ridiculous!” (*8:35)
How Scripture answers "Why does God give the non-miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 2:38-39)"
God gives368915 the non-miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit because He promised it71112. It was part of His desire to dwell with His people61113 and one of many of God’s great promises comprising man’s redemption1279. The sending of His Son was also the Father’s great gift and promise. However, in Acts 2:38-391 it is the promise of “forgiveness of sin”1112 and the promise of the Holy Spirit91213 (e.g. “the gift of the Holy Spirit”89) that Peter directly connects to the great promise of salvation for everyone that’s baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus134579.
Any attempt to disconnect the gift of God’s Spirit (e.g. the personal indwelling of the Spirit) for all “those who obey Him”3 would also require disconnecting “forgiveness of sin”. Doing that is a direct rejection of God’s grace since it is God who gives38915 this non-miraculous gift of the Spirit, not an apostle through their laying on of hands! Jesus foretold what Peter announced1 when He said kingdom entrance would require being “born of water and the Spirit”2 – the one baptism14 for all God’s elect.
The bottom line: The non-miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit is foundational to God’s promise(s)679111213. God’s gift of the Spirit1381215 through rebirth214 (e.g. water baptism) is what makes one holy and sanctified71015 for His dwelling6111213.
| Non-miraculous Gift of the Spirit | Miraculous Gifts of the Spirit | |
|---|---|---|
| For the benefit of whom? | The individual123 for their salvation | Others for their confidence that the message was from God |
| Administered by whom? | God38915 when one is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ129 | Apostles, when they laid hands on someone45 |
| For what purpose? | Making one holy for God’s dwelling7111213 and sanctification of the individual710 | Confirming the authority and words of God’s messengers |
| In effect when? | With the new covenant1211 until He returns910 | Ended once the word was fully confirmed (1st century) |
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
When they heard the preaching of Peter and the rest of the apostles, they were convicted by them and asked what they should do [to be saved]. Peter told them that they each should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that they could receive the remission of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This “gift” was the promise made for all Jews, but also all Gentiles — everyone whom God calls to himself.
Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost where he recalled several prophetic statements from Joel and David (vss 16-36). By divine inspiration, Peter interpreted these statements to apply their fulfillment to Jesus and the ushering in of the “last days”.
He also specifically refers to the “promise of the Holy Spirit” earlier – given by the Father to the Son (vs 33). More were continuing to be saved, and they began meeting together as the Lord’s church (vss 41-47).
Applying Acts 2:37-39 to this question...
Peter says to repent and be baptized for the (1) forgiveness of your sins, and (2) gift of the Holy Spirit. Collectively, this is “the promise” of salvation for “everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.” Salvation is both forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. They are a package made available to anyone that obeys23 in baptism.
(Holger Neubauer says “The ‘gift’ is not the ‘promise'” (*3:40) but Peter makes no such delineation.)
Jesus answered him, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus answered him [Nicodemus] with a truism in stating that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus didn’t understand and asked how someone who is old could be born again as he couldn’t enter back into his mother’s womb. Jesus answered by expounding on the same truth adding that unless one is born of water and the Spirit [born again] he cannot enter [see] the kingdom of God.
Jesus is approached at night (in secret) by Nicodemus, a Pharisee and “ruler of the Jews” (vs 1).
Applying John 3:3-5 to this question...
Jesus tells Nicodemus that in order to see the kingdom of God, one must be reborn. Specifically, they must be “born of water and the Spirit.”
The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
You [High Priest and Jewish Council] killed Jesus by hanging Him on a cross, but the God of our ancestors raised Him and exalted him at His right hand as Leader and Savior, thereby bringing Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We [apostles], together with the Holy Spirit – who God, the Father, has given to all that obey Him – are witnesses to these things.
In the early days of the Christian movement and God’s establishment of His “new covenant,” the apostles are carrying the message of the gospel across Jerusalem and Judea. Being confronted by the Jewish leadership (vs 27), as often they were, Peter tells them, “We must obey God rather than men” (vs 29) and witnesses to them about the things he and the others have seen with their eyes.
Their testimony concerns Jesus’ death, resurrection and exaltation (vss 30-32).
Applying Acts 5:30-32 to this question...
God gives His Holy Spirit to all/anyone/everyone who obey Him.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.
The apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God. They sent Peter and John in order to pray and lay their hands on them so they could receive the Holy Spirit — He had not yet fallen on them because they had only been baptized in the name Jesus. So they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this he offered the apostles money so he too could impart this power.
The disciples scattered from Jerusalem (vss 2,4) following the stoning of Stephen (chapter 7). As a result, there were Samaritans, including a ‘sorcerer’ named Simon, who had been baptized (apparently by Philip from Acts 6). While “the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did” (vs 6), Simon’s magic was apparently a distraction or even a competition. “They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the power of God that is called Great.” (vs 10)
Applying Acts 8:14-19 to this question...
The specific issue in question here is the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, which was only “given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands.” The text is clear that these were baptized believers. Therefore, they had forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit1 (unlike what Paul found in Ephesus5). What they were lacking were the miraculous gifts of the Spirit since an apostle had not yet laid hands on them.
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. And he said, Into what then were you baptized? They said, Into John’s baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed inland and came to Ephesus. There he found some converts and asked if they received the Holy Spirit when they had believed. They had not and didn’t even know there was a Holy Spirit. So Paul asked what they had been baptized into? They said John’s baptism. Paul then explained the difference between John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism – that the former was only of repentance and pointing toward Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized into Jesus. At that point, Paul laid his hands on them which gave them the power of the Holy Spirit – to speak in tongues and prophesy.
Paul is on his third missionary journey in 52AD.
Applying Acts 19:1-6 to this question...
Paul finds disciples and wants to determine their saved state. His first question was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Unlike the disciples in Samaria4 who had already been “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”, these disciples had only been baptized “into John’s baptism”. Paul equates one knowing that they’ve “received the Holy Spirit” with the same initial state of one’s conversion. Since they had “not even heard that there was a Holy Spirit,” Paul “baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus” (for the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit1). Now with his first question properly answered and them being cleansed and made holy, only then does Paul lay his hands on them so that “they began speaking in tongues and prophesying” (e.g. miraculous gifts of the Spirit).
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
God’s temple has nothing to do with idols. We are God’s temple, just as He said that He would make His dwelling among us and go with us as our God and His people. Therefore He says we must separate ourselves from idols/the world and touch nothing unclean in order that He will welcome us as a father welcomes his children.
Paul has dealt with numerous issues that have sown division and discord among the Christians in Corinth. In this chapter/section, he addresses yet another problem — apparently, some have negatively influenced the church to the extent that they were false teaching. Paul cites several passages from the Law and Prophets and combines them together here to apply to first-century Christians (which he has every right to do as an inspired writer). The quotes and references include but are not limited to:
- Vs 16 – Leviticus 26:12, Exodus 6:7, 29:45, Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 11:20, Zechariah 2:10-11
- Vs 17 – Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20:34, 3:20
- Vs 18 – Isaiah 43:6-7, Jeremiah 31:9-10, Hosea 1:10
Applying 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 to this question...
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Brethren, due to these promises let’s remove any sin from our body and spirit in order to perfect holiness in the fear of God.
Paul has dealt with numerous issues that have sown division and discord among the Christians in Corinth. In this chapter/section, he addresses yet another problem — apparently, some have negatively influenced the church to the extent that they were false teaching. This verse concludes the argument Paul was making (6:14-18) about them maintaining fellowship with “unbelievers” (6:14) and that contradicts God’s desire and the promises He made to:
- “make my dwelling among them” (6:16)
- “be separate” so that “I will welcome you” (6:17)
- “be a father to you” (6:18)
Applying 2 Corinthians 7:1 to this question...
Continuing his thought,6 Paul confirms God’s “dwelling” as a promise from God and integral to a Christian’s motivation to “cleanse ourselves from every defilement”.
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
God established a fellowship of the saints through Jesus and sealed it by the Holy Spirit, who was given in our hearts as a down payment.
Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, writing to them defending his apostleship and also rejoicing in their handling of the some of the issues/sin he dealt with in 1 Corinthians.
Applying 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 to this question...
Paul testifies to God’s gift of the Spirit (e.g. “anointed us”) in baptism1 and reiterates the promise He made through the prophets.111213
(Holger Neubauer says, “The sealing, and the anointing, and the guarantee are synonymous expressions.” (*4:18) Yes, but “anointing” doesn’t have to mean “miraculous” and Paul makes no such assertion or implication.)
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
When you [Gentiles] heard the word and believed, you were marked and sealed with the Holy Spirit who had been promised – the believer’s down payment to the eventual inheritance and full redemption.
The opening of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus ends with a long list of spiritual blessings they have in Christ. The culmination of his list of blessings “in Christ” applies to both Jews (vs 12) as well as Gentiles (“you also”).
Applying Ephesians 1:13-14 to this question...
Paul summarizes the Ephesian Christian’s salvation experience, which is exactly as those in Jerusalem experienced.1 They heard the word, believed, and obeyed in baptism (i.e. “they were marked and sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”). This “gift of the Holy Spirit”1 for the saved individual is “the believer’s down payment” for “full redemption” when He returns.
(A passage that’s especially problematic for Holger Neubauer since he must force some kind of interpretation that justifies the preterist’s core belief that Jesus already returned. Note that the conclusion is made before the natural reading of the passage and its perfect harmony with the rest of scripture.)
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should give thanks to God for you, brethren loved by the Lord, since God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved through the setting apart by the Spirit and belief in the gospel. This salvation is what He called you to by the gospel message we had preached, and its end is glorification with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica. The preceding verses describe deception among those who refuse the truth and take pleasure in unrighteousness, and God’s sending a strong delusion (vss 9-12). Paul then contrasts this with thanksgiving for his readers and their calling (vss 13-14).
Applying 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 to this question...
Those that are saved are those that believed the word (e.g. “truth”) and were set apart or made holy (e.g. “sanctification”) by the Spirit. This salvation is so that one might “obtain the glory of…Christ” upon His return.
(A passage that’s especially problematic for Holger Neubauer since he must force some kind of interpretation that justifies the preterist’s core belief that Jesus already returned. Note that the conclusion is made before the natural reading of the passage and its perfect harmony with the rest of scripture.)
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
The Lord says there is a time when He will make a new covenant with Israel and Judah, unlike the covenant made with their fathers after coming out of Egypt. They broke that one, though God was their husband. Under the new covenant, God will put His law within them and write it on their hearts. It will be known that He is their God and they are His people. They will no longer need to teach each other to know the Lord, for all will know Him, from the least to the greatest. He will forgive their sins, and remember them no more.
Jeremiah’s book of prophecy as the people of Judah (the northern tribes of Israel already long lost to Assyrian captivity) are faced with Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah’s main message (from God) is that they should not resist and they will be there for seventy years. However, for this specific question the context around this passage is critical and actually begins back in chapter 30.
Applying Jeremiah 31:31-34 to this question...
The promise of a new covenant between God and His people when He will put His law “within them” and it will be written “on their hearts.” He also promises the forgiveness of sins.
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
I will sprinkle clean water on you to remove all sin and idols from you. And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit that I will put in you, removing the heart of stone from you and giving you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit inside you to cause you to walk in my statutes and carefully obey my rules.
Ezekiel spoke God’s words during the Babylonian captivity – after the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple. Interspersed with his encourage and preaching to God’s people of that day are many references to a time that God promises a true shepherd to care for them (34:13-15), a return of “my servant David” (34:23-24, 37:24), a convenant of peace (34:25), a gathering of a single nation to their land (36:24, 37:14, 22).
Applying Ezekiel 36:25-27 to this question...
God through Ezekiel promises a time when He will put His Spirit in His people – specifically, those that “obey My rules.”
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion, because I (God) will dwell among you. Many nations will join themselves to Me in that day and shall be My people. I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
Zechariah prophesied to those Jews that returned to the land after the seventy years of Babylonian captivity.
Applying Zechariah 2:10-11 to this question...
God promises through the prophet Zechariah that He will dwell among His people which will include “many nations” (e.g. Gentiles).
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
There is one body and one Spirit. Likewise, you were called to one hope that is your calling. There’s also only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all who is over, through, and in all.
Paul is turning to urge the brethren to be unified and to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” to which they were called (vs 1). He is encouraging them to do so humbly and in love (vs 2) while remembering the grace that has been given to each one (vs 7).
Applying Ephesians 4:4-6 to this question...
There is only one baptism that belongs to or is part of God’s call.
For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
God has called us to be holy and not to be impure. Therefore, whoever chooses to disregard this is disregarding the very God that has given his Holy Spirit to you.
Paul is giving his final admonitions in his letter to the Thessalonians and imploring them to remain sanctified especially avoiding sexual immorality (vs 3).
Applying 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 to this question...
God, the Fathger, is the one who gives the Holy Spirit – His Spirit.
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