THE PROMISED GIFT

22 October 2022 Anno Domini
the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. ²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  (John 14:25-27; all scripture quoted is from the King James Version)

The Word of our Lord is sure and not subject to equivocation. He promised the Holy Spirit to come as a Comforter of His people in His absence, and He has delivered on that promise on the day of Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew – the Feast of First Fruits). Truly, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ fifty days earlier was the first fruits of those of faith by His resurrection from the dead at Passover. In fact, Jesus was the true Passover foreshadowed by the sacrificial lamb of Goshen of Egypt. “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: ¹⁸Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: ²⁰Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1:17-20)

The descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost came with irrefutable signs and symbols as cloven tongues to rest upon each of the heads of the Apostles. The began to speak in tongues understood by every language group present on that day. Had they spoken in some ecstatic and babbling tongue, not understood either by others or even themselves that would be no miracle. But God intended to send convincing proof of His Holy Spirit’s descent – and He did in that miracle of tongues (various language understood by all present).

The significant ministry of the Holy Ghost is multifaceted to the believer. He helps us to:

1. Overcome evil by giving us strength to overcome temptation.
2. He instills an unshakeable will to live for Christ in love for Him and others.
3. Yield our whole lives to the guidance of Scripture. We die daily for our Lord.
4. Leads us into an understanding and knowledge of His Word.

All the power of the Lord comes by the force of His Word and Spirit: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”  (Zechariah 4:6)

The operative nature of the Holy Ghost involves six major areas of life among many others:

1. Works to sanctify the life of the believer.
2. Purifies and refines the heart.
3. Inspires the soul to go beyond the mundane limits of worldly life.
4. Regenerates all who are justified in faith.
5. Serves to bring to our recollection all things written about Christ in Holy Scripture.
6. Strengthens and instructs our will to righteousness and away from ungodly endeavors.

Of course, good to His Name, the Holy Spirit comforts us in times of trial and pain. He encourages us to stay the course in faith and joy when the world can offer no comfort or joy.

The Holy Ghost is a hidden seal in the heart of the believer that is revealed in public testimony and living. He is a witness to other believers of the faith we observe in our fellows. The Holy Ghost enables us to achieve impossible acts of righteousness by the power of His Presence. His influence on the believer is a vicarious force of Christ and in His stead. Since Christ came in a body, He could not be in many different places at once, the Holy Ghost, being a Spirit, can indeed be at all places simultaneously at all times.