What Is The

It's been about five years, but my wife and I, Nikki, we lived in Columbia, Missouri for about three-and-a-half years, from 2006 to 2009, and one of the things that we did there as a congregation, there was a Friday night Bible class, or divo, really, for the college students, and one of the brothers would lead that Bible study every Friday night, it was over at the Forrest House, and we would go over there every Friday night and study from the Word of God, and we had a visitor there one night, and I can't remember the exact topic that we were discussing, but after the Bible study had concluded, I began to talk to him a little bit, and I was trying to share with him the good news of Jesus Christ, and one of the things that we discussed was Acts chapter 2 and verse number 38. I'm sure many of us could quote this passage here, I have part of the verse on the slide where Peter, on the day of Pentecost, when the church of Christ began, told the Jews in Acts 2 and verse number 38 to repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And the young man, as we were discussing this, or actually in the kitchen, I think we were eating some cookies or something like that, he asked me a question. He said, what is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and you know how I answered him. I said, I have no idea. I knew what the gift of the Holy Spirit was not, because as we began to talk a little bit more, he was saying, well, the gift of the Holy Spirit here is certainly talking about miracles and talking about speaking in tongues and things like that when people are saved. And I said, well, I don't believe that's the case. And he kept asking me, well, what is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and I couldn't give him an answer. Now, I want you to imagine something for a moment. Imagine you or me in that kitchen talking to that young man, and he asks you that question. From the context, how would you answer him? What is the gift of the Holy Spirit? I couldn't give him an answer, at least at that time, and that frustrated me for a long period of time, and I believe that as a people of God, we should be able to give people answers according to the word of God. While it's good for us to know what things may not be, it's also good for us and important for us to make sure that we understand what things are. I would say that there is a lot of confusion when we talk about the Holy Spirit. Many people are interested with respect to the Holy Spirit, and there's so much confusion, however, in the world of religion, and there's really two main causes, I believe. One is with Pentecostalism, and another is with Calvinism, that as a result of the teaching from Pentecostalism and Calvinism, there's just been so much confusion, and maybe we don't talk so much with respect to the Holy Spirit and understanding more about who he is and what he says about himself in the word of God. So what I want to do for a few minutes this morning in our Bible class, I want to address the question in Acts 2.38, the question that the young man mentioned to me. What is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and maybe even a more important question this morning, do we have the gift? It is clear from Acts 2.38 that the gift of the Holy Spirit is something very important for us to understand and for us to know and to have. In verse number 39, he'll go on to say, For the promise is to you and to all who call upon the name of the Lord. And so this is something that we need to know that we can give individuals an answer to so that we can safeguard our faith and to make sure that we have this gift that is mentioned in Acts 2.38. And so we're going to have two friends that are going to help us out this morning along the way. Their names are Context and Harmony. Context and Harmony are going to help us to discover and to make sure that we can explain to others and to make sure we're on the right path with respect to understanding what the gift of the Holy Spirit is. So if you have your Bible, leave it open in Acts chapter 2, and we'll be back there in just a moment. Before we begin and go further, let me just hit the pause button and say, welcome. It's great to be here. My wife and I are excited to be here over the next few days as we study from the Word of God with you. Joshua is excited to be here. He'll have lots of energy, and we're looking forward to getting to know more of you as the week continues on. We had some time yesterday to hang out with Reagan and Stephanie and the family and the shepherds, and that was a great time. Look forward to getting to know each and every one of you. Well, here's what I think we can do that will help us to answer the question a little bit more with respect to Acts 2.38 and with respect to the Holy Spirit. First, how about we do this? Let's eliminate some questions, or let's eliminate some potential answers as to what the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.38 is not. I think if we can do that, then that will help us to go a long way in being able to explain to others. So there are three things that I believe that we can eliminate with respect to what the gift of the Holy Spirit is not in Acts 2.38. Number one, the gift of the Holy Spirit is not referring to Holy Spirit baptism, but that is what a lot of people believe. In fact, when you talk to people with respect to the Holy Spirit, one of the biggest things they say, whenever they see Holy Spirit, they automatically think of Holy Spirit baptism. But in Acts 2.38, Peter was not talking about Holy Spirit baptism. Open up to Luke chapter 24 real quick. It is critical for us to understand that Holy Spirit baptism was never for everyone, but it was for a particular group of people. Holy Spirit baptism was for the Apostles. It was a promise specifically given to the Apostles. Look at Luke chapter 24 and verse number 46. What we have here in the context is Jesus, before He ascended back into heaven, talking to His Apostles and listening to the language that He uses in Luke 24 and verse number 46. Then He said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the promise of my Father." The promise of my Father would be pointing to Holy Spirit baptism. He said, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but carry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. So what we have here is that Jesus was telling the Apostles, you are going to receive this power from on high, and this is clearly demonstrated when you go back to Acts chapter 1. Look at Acts chapter 1, and I want you to notice what Luke records here, beginning in verse number 1. Acts chapter 1 and beginning in verse number 1. Notice what Luke says here as we talk about the idea of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and Acts 2.38 is not talking about Holy Spirit baptism. Notice what the Bible says in verse 1, "...the former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the Apostles." If you have a pen or pencil, maybe you want to underline or circle that word, Apostles. What we're going to see is that this was referring only to the Apostles whom he had chosen, to whom he also presented himself alive. That's referring to the Apostles. "...after his suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them," who is the them? You guys help me out. We're in Bible class. Who is the them referring to? It's referring to the Apostles being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, "...and being assembled together with them." Who is the them there? Help me out. It's the Apostles. He commanded them. Who is the them there? The Apostles, not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father which he said, "...you have heard from me, for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Therefore, when they had come together, the day is referring to the Apostles. It would be the Apostles who would receive Holy Spirit baptism. In verse number eight, Jesus said, "...but you shall receive power." Who is the you there? Yeah, that's getting a little repetitive, right? The them and the they and the you, that's referring to the Apostles. "...you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, the Apostles, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Brethren, this is so important, because if you ever watch these speeches on television, one of the things that they will do, and they sound so confident that being confidently said is often believed, but they will look in that television camera and they'll say, you shall receive the Holy Spirit with power, and they're making it sound like that everyone was going to receive this power, but the ones that were going to receive this power was referring to the Apostles. And so in Acts 238, the gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be talking about Holy Spirit baptism because that was a promise only to the Apostles. Holy Spirit baptism was given to them for the purpose of revelation and for the purpose of confirmation, so that they would be guided in all truth and remember all things that Jesus taught them. Look over in John chapter 16. In John chapter 16, the context here in John chapter 16 really begins in John chapter 13, where Jesus was with the Apostles when they were getting ready to take the Lord's Supper. And again, this is one of the most abused passages that people, whether they're misunderstanding it or doing it on purpose, it's an abused passage where people will just take it out of context and say, well, look, this applies to me, it applies to everyone. But in John 16 and verse 12, when Jesus was speaking, he was speaking to the Apostles. Jesus said, I still have many things to say to you, the Apostles, but you, the Apostles, cannot bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority. Holy Spirit baptism was a promise to the Apostles. And so in Acts 238, the gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be talking about Holy Spirit baptism. The reality is, when we go back to Acts chapter 2 and verse number 38, the Bible says that individuals need to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or by the authority of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 verse 38, therefore, is not referring to Holy Spirit baptism. So that's what a lot of people believe. But furthermore, secondly, gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 238, it's not referring to miraculous gifts either. My friend, though, in Columbia, Missouri, that's what he believed. He believed that he had some miraculous gifts. I'm going through some cardiac rehab at this very moment, and talking to one of the nurses at this time, and she believes that she has some miraculous gifts, that she can speak in tongues. And have you ever come across someone who believes that, that they have some miraculous power from God, and maybe they have gone to Acts 238, because they have repented and been baptized, and now they have received miraculous power? Well, my friend, harmony in context will not allow that to be the case in Acts 2 and verse number 38. This takes us back to the apostles again. You see, when the apostles received Holy Spirit baptism, they began to perform miracles. Look at Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter 2, and let's look at verse number 1. In Acts chapter 2 and verse number 1, what we find is that the apostles indeed received Holy Spirit baptism. When the dance and the talk had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing, mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues as a fire, and one sat upon each of them, the apostles. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. They began to speak in other tongues, and tongues was a language that people could understand and comprehend, but it was the apostles who began to speak in tongues. Furthermore, what's fascinating is that when you look at the beginning of the Lord's church for a long period of time, the only ones performing miracles for a long period of time were the apostles. I want you to look at Acts chapter 2, and I want you to notice what the Bible says in verse number 43. Acts chapter 2. I want to share with you a number of passages simply to drive this point home, that gifts of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.38 is not talking about miraculous gifts, okay? In Acts 2 and verse number 43, the Bible says, Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs, signs pointing to miracles, many wonders and signs were done through whom? The apostles. Now look at Acts chapter 3, and notice in verse number 5 and verse number 6, Peter and John had gone up to the temple, and they were going up to pray, and there was a man there, a man who was lame, and he wanted some money from them, and they said, Silver and gold we do not have, but what they did in Acts chapter 3, they performed a miracle. Look at verse number 6. Then Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. So again, the only ones up until that point that were performing miracles were the apostles. Look at chapter 4, and notice what the Pharisees said in verse number 16. Acts 4 and verse number 16. The Bible says, What shall we do to these men, talking about the apostles? For indeed that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. So in Acts 2, only the apostles were performing miracles. Acts 3, the apostles were performing miracles, the same going on in Acts 4. Look at Acts chapter 5, and notice what the Bible says in verse number 12. In Acts 5 and verse number 12, the Bible says, And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. Only the apostles from the beginning of the Lord's church were performing miracles until we get to Acts chapter 6. Then we see a change that took place. In Acts chapter 6, we find that there was a dispute among some of the sisters, and the apostles said, You choose seven men among the congregation. There are some things that they need to do. Now some of those men included men like Stephen in verse 5, and Philip, and what we find here in verse number 8, we find that Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Now all of a sudden we have someone other than an apostle performing miracles, but how? How was Stephen now able to perform miracles? It was because the apostles laid hands on Stephen. They laid hands and imparted power from the Holy Spirit so that he might be able to perform miracles. We see this in verse number 6. After these men had been appointed, we find that they set them before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them, and after that, we finally see other individuals outside of the apostles performing miracles. In fact, we see this in chapter 8. In chapter 8, we have Philip in Acts chapter 8. The saints had been scattered because of persecution. The apostles were all in Jerusalem, but Philip, the evangelist, he had gone out to Samaria. He's proclaiming the word of God. In fact, look at verse number 6. The Bible says that there were miracles being performed. The individuals saw miracles being performed by Philip. Well, how could he perform miracles? He wasn't an apostle. The reason is because he was one of those seven men that the apostles laid hands on, and they imparted that power from the Holy Spirit. I think Acts chapter 8 is conclusive about this, because later on, what we find in verse 14, and I know we're going a long way here, but I just want to demonstrate. In Acts chapter 8, we find that the apostles laid hands on Stephen. They laid hands on him. He was one of those seven men. The apostles laid hands on him, and they imparted that power from the Holy Spirit. I think Acts chapter 8 is conclusive about this, because later on, what we find in verse 14, and I know we're going a long way here, but I just want to demonstrate that the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 8 cannot be talking about miraculous gifts, because what we find is that the apostles had those gifts, and the only other way that individuals are going to have them is if the apostles laid hands on them. Now, look at verse number 14. Now, when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. For when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as many had fallen upon none of them, they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. I'm not saying that their baptism was insignificant. They had been baptized appropriately according to Acts 2.38. Then, in verse 17, then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. They received the Holy Spirit. Now, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as many had fallen upon none of them, they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. I'm not saying that their baptism was insignificant. They had been baptized appropriately according to Acts 2.38. Then, in verse 17, then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. They received power, or gifts, miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit, and we know that because in verse 18, Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands, the Holy Spirit was given, and he wanted that power, but they said, no, your heart's not right. Why did we go through all that? Because I want you to see that in Acts 2, verse number 38, the gift of the Holy Spirit is not talking about miraculous gifts. The apostles had miraculous gifts through Holy Spirit baptism, and the only other way that individuals would have those gifts is if the apostles laid hands on them. I believe this is a powerful point for us. I know we're talking about the Holy Spirit, but we hear this all the time. People today are still looking for miracles. They want to see something miraculous. They want to see some sign, and I contend, my friends, that there are no miracles taking place today. I know we're going to hear about it when football starts in a couple of weeks, right? Somebody's going to throw a Hail Mary, and they just say, it's a miracle they won. We may say that if the Cowboys win some games this year, right? It's a miracle they won, or maybe the Texans, I don't know. But anyway, we use that word all the time. There are no miracles taking place. None. It's not because God does not have the power. Those miracles serve their purpose. And when the apostles die, who could impart those gifts to anyone else? No one. And when these men eventually die, there will be no more miracles. So, Acts 2 and verse number 38, gifts of the Holy Spirit, cannot be referring to miraculous gifts. It's not talking about Holy Spirit baptism. It's not talking about miraculous gifts. And I believe the scripture in Acts chapter 2 is helping us to see that gifts of the Holy Spirit is not talking about the Spirit literally himself. That is what many people believe, that the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And it could be because maybe we don't talk about the Holy Spirit as much. The gift of the Holy Spirit is fascinating because there's language just like that with respect to God. And when we see that language, the gifts of God, we typically do not say that it is literally God himself, but something that God provides. In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, look over in Ecclesiastes chapter 3, in the Old Testament real quick, in Ecclesiastes chapter 3, in verse number 12. In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, in verse number 12, we see the language gifts of God. The Bible says, I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor. It is the gifts of God. What is the gift of God? Is it God himself, or something that God provides? I think we would all say that it is something that God provides. Look in John chapter 4. Jesus used the same language with respect to something that God will provide. In John 4, in verse number 10. John 4, in verse number 10. The Bible says in John 4, in verse number 10, Jesus was speaking to the woman at the well. In John chapter 4, in verse number 10, he answered and said to her, If you knew the gifts of God, and who it is who says to you, give me a drink, and you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. What was the gift of God? Was it God himself, or something that God provides? It was something that God provides. This language is found all throughout the scriptures, and yet sometimes, excuse me, sometimes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, when we see that with respect to the Spirit, we can automatically attribute some things that may not be the case. Now, please do not mistake what I'm saying. The Word of God teaches. The Word of God teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells inside of believers. That's what the Bible says. Romans chapter 8, in verse number 9, makes that very clear, that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. The Bible says in Romans 8, in verse 9, But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. And so I'm not saying that the Holy Spirit does not dwell in us. The question, rather, is how? In what sense, or in what way does the Holy Spirit dwell in us? Does the Spirit literally inhabit our bodies? Does the Spirit literally live within our bodies? I believe the Spirit dwells in us the same way that the Father dwells within us. The same way that the Son dwells within us. We see that both the Father, Son, and Spirit all dwell within us, but in what way? Well, Jesus, the Bible says, in Colossians chapter 3, that he dwells within us by faith. And the Spirit dwells within us by means of his revealed Word. Oftentimes the word dwell is used to refer to control or influence. And I believe that's the same way in which the Spirit dwells within us. When we allow the words of the Holy Spirit to control and to direct our lives, when we listen to what he says in his Word, that's the idea of the Spirit dwelling within us. Certainly we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. When we are obedient to his words, it is then that we are controlled by the Spirit. But to say that the Holy Spirit literally dwells within us, I believe is going to cause us to have some major problems with the Holy Spirit. To say that, brethren, means that it's going to destroy the very concept of the personal identity of the Holy Spirit. It's going to destroy the identity of the Holy Spirit. It's kind of like parceling up the Spirit into millions of pieces. And furthermore, when we think about this idea that the Spirit literally dwells within us, what is he doing as a result of this bodily indwelling that is not accomplished by means of his revealed Word? What is he doing that is not accomplished by the words that the Spirit has given us? Get to the Holy Spirit. I know it may go back and forth, and we need to look at some more context to find that point or get to that conclusion. But to get to the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 and verse number 38 is not referring to Holy Spirit baptism or miraculous gifts or literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And if that is true, then what exactly is the gift of the Holy Spirit? Well, go back to Acts chapter 2 and let's look at verse number 38. Acts chapter 2 and verse number 38. And I realize that I'm doing more of a preacher-type class than a Bible class where we'd stop and have questions and things like that. But if you have any questions about what I'm saying, talk to Reagan McClinney, okay? All right, no, you can talk to me. But seriously, if you have some questions, I'm going to be here all week, and so we can definitely talk, we can discuss some more things with that. Or I could take some questions now. I know I only have about ten minutes. But if you have some questions, let me finish this up, and if you have questions, I'd be more than happy to take any questions that you may have. So let's look at what is the gift of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2 and verse number 38. Well, on the slide here, the gift of the Holy Spirit is referring to the promised gift of salvation. Peter said, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, or remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the promised gift of salvation is what the Spirit spoke of in times past through the prophets. We'll often focus on Acts 2.38 when we talk about Acts chapter 2. I believe Acts chapter 2 is kind of like the hub of the Bible. Everything before it points to it, and everything after it points back to it. But maybe we should also focus on Acts 2.21. Acts 2.21, this was when Peter was preaching on the day of Pentecost, and he was quoting from the prophet Joel. And Joel certainly was inspired by the Holy Spirit. And notice what Peter said as he recited the words of Joel. He said, And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. I believe that is a key text of Acts chapter 2, because this would be the theme of Peter's preaching in Acts chapter 2. This is what Peter would begin to set out to proclaim, that they needed to believe on the Lord and call upon the name of the Lord. You see, it was the Holy Spirit, through the prophets of old, that foretold a day when men and women would be able to receive salvation in Jesus Christ. And the gift of the Holy Spirit was the promised gift of salvation that was foretold. And what Peter does here, the rest of the verses, he's laying out or explaining verse 21. Look at verse 21 again. We've got about ten minutes. It shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Now watch what he does. 22. Men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves also know. What's he doing? He's teaching them about Jesus. Him being delivered by the determinant purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified and have put to death, whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. Can you imagine being in that crowd? Well, Peter is saying, you killed Jesus. You killed the Messiah, the Son of God, that he was raised from the dead on the first day of the week. Peter is teaching them who is Lord, Jesus of Nazareth. Then he will go on and talk about what the prophet said of old, pertaining to Jesus, the Messiah. In verse 25, he is quoting from David, a prophet of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, who spoke about the resurrection of Jesus. He said, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad. Moreover, my flesh also will rest in hope, for you will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life, and you will make me full of joy in your presence. The one that would be raised never to see corruption was pointing to the Messiah. That is who David was talking about. And in verse 29, Peter says, listen, he says, men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried. He said, look over there, his tomb is over there. He is still in the tomb. He said, he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with him to this day. Therefore being an oath, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne. He foreseeing this spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ. So Peter is laying out his argument that Jesus is Lord. Jesus is the Christ. The prophet spoke about him being raised from the dead, and that all who would call upon his name would be saved. Verse 32, he said that Jesus, God, is raised up, of which we are all witnesses, therefore being exalted to the right hand of God. That is what Jesus did. He ascended back into heaven and is reigning. He exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit. Well, what is that promise in verse number 33? He received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit. What is that promise that Jesus received? Was it the Holy Spirit himself? Well, that wouldn't make any sense. Jesus ascended back into heaven. Well, what promise did he receive? Well, the context teaches us that it was the promise that David spoke about earlier. Go back to verse number 30. Remember that David said, therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne. He, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ. The promise that Jesus received was that he was going to rise from the dead and sit on the throne in heaven. That's the promise that Jesus received, according to verse number 33. He poured out this, which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he said to himself, The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, so I may make your enemies your footstool. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom he crucified, both Lord and Christ. You see, Peter drove it home, and he said, You killed the Messiah, and he is reigning in heaven now. He was risen from the grave, and he's both Lord and Christ. That's what he set out to do. And it really begins with Acts 2, verse 21. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. He taught them who the Lord was, Jesus. Now he's getting ready to show them how you call upon the name of the Lord. Look at verse 37. They heard this, and they were fricked in their hearts. They said, Men and brethren, what shall we do? They weren't asking, where shall we go to lunch? They wanted to know, look, we killed Jesus. We need help. What do we do? Well, he's getting ready to explain to them, in verse 38, how to call upon the name of the Lord. What did he say? How do we call upon the name of the Lord? Well, it's all in the same text. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins. And whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is what was promised long ago by the Holy Spirit through the prophets. The promised gift of salvation. In fact, in verse number 39, we see the language of promise. For the promise is to you. What promise is that? The promised gift that the Spirit spoke of in time past. The promise is to you and to all your children, and to your children, and to all who are far off, as many as our Lord God will call. It was the Spirit who made the promise in Acts 221, through the mouth of Job. And the result of having remission of sins is that we receive salvation, the gift promised by the Holy Spirit from centuries past. That is the gift of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be referring to the other that we looked at with Holy Spirit baptism, or miraculous gifts, or literal indwelling. The context helps us to see that verse 38 is directly connected to verse number 21. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. And therefore, this is a really big deal for us. Now, on the slide I have, do you have the gift? Well, what is this gift? Well, it's a promised gift that the Spirit spoke of all the way back in the Old Testament through the mouths of the prophets. I realize that sometimes when people hear this, whether it was my friend in Columbia, Missouri, I couldn't give them this answer because I had no idea. But when people hear this sometimes, sometimes they're a little bit disappointed. That's it? Salvation, that's all it is? No speaking in tongues? No miracles? No Holy Spirit baptism? Well, think about what it took for us to receive salvation in Christ. It took Jesus dying on the cross. The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit all stood apart so that we might have remission of sins and salvation through Jesus Christ. And the point I think we need to take home, while it's important for us to be able to explain passages and to look at these verses, we need to make sure that we appreciate the gift that we have received. Let me ask you a question. Do you have this gift? Have you received the promised gift of salvation that the Spirit spoke of in times past? If you have received that, then you have reason to be joyful. Would you agree with that? When we go into worship in a few minutes as we all come back together in here, we need to hold on to that fact. As we sing praises to God, and as we partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine, we need to remember the price that was paid for our salvation. The gift of the Holy Spirit is a big deal because Jesus died for our sins. This was a gift that was spoken of in times past. In the days of Abraham, through his seed or offspring, all nations of the earth would be blessed. And the blessing that we have is the promised gift of salvation. Because we have this gift, it should dictate how we live our lives. We go back to work tomorrow. We go to school next month. How we treat one another. How we treat our wives and how we treat our husbands. What we have in Jesus Christ is a big deal. Let us never take it for granted. What we find is that the saints, they had joy and they praised God when they received this great gift from the Spirit. The promised gift of salvation. Let's make sure that we do the same. And maybe there is someone here who has not received this gift. Well, you know how to do it because of Acts 2 verse 38. You need to call upon the name of the Lord. And you do that through faith, repentance, and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. I'm going to stop here. I appreciate your attention. How much time do we have? A couple of minutes? A couple of minutes. Questions? Comments? If you have questions or comments, let me know. I'll be here until Thursday. Hopefully until Thursday. But if you have any questions, just let me know. I'll be more than happy to do the best I can to answer your questions. If not, thank you for your attention. Amen.