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)
It’s a pretty simple answer…
How Scripture answers "Why does God give the non-miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit?"
God gives3,6,8,9,15 the non-miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit because He promised it7,11,12. It was part of His desire to dwell with His people6,11,13 and one of many of God’s great promises comprising man’s redemption1,2,7,9. 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”11,12 and the promise of the Holy Spirit9,12,13 (e.g. “the gift of the Holy Spirit”8,9) that Peter directly connects to the great promise of salvation for everyone that’s baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus1,3,4,5,7,9.
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 gives3,8,9,15 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)6,7,9,11,12,13. God’s gift of the Spirit1,3,8,12,15 through rebirth2,14 (e.g. water baptism) is what makes one holy and sanctified7,10,15 for His dwelling6,11,12,13.
Non-miraculous Gift of the Spirit | Miraculous Gifts of the Spirit | |
---|---|---|
For the benefit of whom? | The individual1,2,3 for their salvation | Others for their confidence that the message was from God |
Administered by whom? | God3,8,9,15 when one is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ1,2,9 | Apostles, when they laid hands on someone4,5 |
For what purpose? | Making one holy for God’s dwelling7,11,12,13 and sanctification of the individual7,10 | Confirming the authority and words of God’s messengers |
In effect when? | With the new covenant1,2,11 until He returns9,10 | Ended once the word was fully confirmed (1st century) |
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