THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST.
ANALYSIS. | REFERENCES. |
I. The Holy Ghost Promised by the Forerunner of the Christ. | The works and Scriptures cited in the body of the lesson. |
II. Promised by Messiah. | |
III. Promised by Apostolic Authority Universal. | |
IV. The Insignia of the Holy Ghost—"The Sign of a Dove." |
SPECIAL TEXT: "Wait for the Promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."—Jesus (Acts 1:4-5.)
DISCUSSION.
1. John the Baptist's Promise of the Holy Ghost: When John the Baptist came with his message of "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"; he also said:
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."[A]
[Footnote A: Matt. iii:11; also Mark i:7-9.]
Afterwards John bore record that Jesus of Nazareth was he of whom he spake. "I saw," said he, "the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him (Jesus). And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bear record that this is the Son of God."[A]
[Footnote A: John i:32-34, in connection with verse 29-31.]
2. The Premise of the Christ: Jesus himself made frequent allusion to this baptism of the Holy Ghost; and, as we have seen in previous lessons, expounded 'the functions and powers of that Spirit. Finally, after his death and resurrection, and just previous to his departure from among his disciples in Judea, he said to them: