The Holy Spirit can be a difficult topic to study. As a topic, it probably ranks as one of the most critical in applying a disciplined, Scripture interprets Scripture approach without Scripture weighting. The promise of the Holy Spirit, along with miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are all important aspects to understand. Together, they form a very vital foundation to know what the Holy Spirit is doing (and not doing) for Christians today.
How Scripture answers "What is the promise of the Holy Spirit?"
God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is for all that obey Him11,13,14. It is a “gift of the Holy Spirit”10 from God, along with forgiveness of sins, that is part of salvation. The promise of the Holy Spirit is a personal “indwelling of the Holy Spirit” for all/any (e.g. Jew or Gentile13,15,16) that would hear the word and respond/obey11,12,14 in baptism3,10.
The promise of the Holy Spirit can be broadly traced back to what God promised through Ezekiel14 and expressly interpreted by Paul16. It fulfills God’s desire to dwell among His people15,16 — a declaration repeated over and over through the prophets. When God physically came and dwelt through His Son, it was announced by John the Baptist1, the apostle John2, and Jesus3. At last, it begins to unfold in part with Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit (e.g. “Helper”) to the apostles in the upper room4, which He repeats again to them after His resurrection5,6,7,8.
The promise of the Holy Spirit for these special messengers of God included guidance into “all truth”4,5,6,7 as well as an outward manifestation of power8,9 to confirm their word with miracles. “Not many days” later, on the day of Pentecost, they would experience the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” for the Jews first8 (and once more for the first Gentiles) when the promise of the Holy Spirit is completely fulfilled in/for all “who were born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God”2,3,10,11,12,13, 14,15.
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