14)
Now when the apostles
which were at
15)
Who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16)
(For as yet he was fallen
upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17)
Then laid they their hands
on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18)
And when Simon saw that
through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered
them money,
19)
Saying, Give
me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy
Ghost.
20)
But Peter said unto him,
Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought
that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
|
M |
any, today, are confused about a host of spiritual things.
One prevalent concept is that there are things “private” to the individual. If
nothing else, religion and politics are taken to be two things one keeps to
himself. What we need to know is that man was not created in vain. But, in that
his purpose is to know the purpose of God, he must be educated.
Needless to say, confusion reigns regarding the Holy Ghost,
despite the fact that there is an abundance of religious programming. Countless
still are not really sure what the Holy Ghost is, how to get Him, or where He
comes from.
The attitude of mankind, in general, is to deceive the
individual in order to take advantage of him. We see this work in law,
medicine, politics and unfortunately, in many churches. So, we become use to
deceptive advertising, which promises much, but delivers little.
Let’s examine the Holy Ghost. When poured out on the Day of
Pentecost, 120 disciples “... spoke with other tongues.” On that same day, at
least 3000 souls were saved. So, we see that what the Holy Ghost promises, He
delivers.
It should be clearer than ever that we must be aware of the
Enemy’s game of “divide and conquer.” Wherever and whenever he can, he keeps
confusion and division operating so that he can render us ineffective.
Unfortunately, he is much too effective. One reason he works so hard is that
even he realizes that if all would get their direction from the Lord, there
would be only one “denomination.”
The Holy Ghost should not be, and is not meant to be, a
“bond of contention,” but should be recognized as God’s way of providing
salvation for mankind. All too often, the Holy Ghost and anyone who espouses
him is looked upon as a threat. As intelligent as
human beings think that they are, they fail to see
that salvation is something they cannot do without.
In that the Holy Ghost is God’s gift, it can be acquired
only by believing God. Salvation comes through the power of God’s Spirit and
never by any work or good of the individual.
It is time for us to believe, so that the world can see,
that nobody can help us but Jesus. All was created by Him and for Him. He came
in a body of flesh to set an example for all men. His example is what man was
created to be, but it can only be accomplished through the Holy Ghost. No one
has any hope or change without Him.
Unredeemed man need fear nothing, for the Holy Ghost is
withheld from on one! The Lord wants all to understand that all that is
necessary to receive is acceptance.
No one has anything to lose by seeking God’s gift. He is
the best and only solution to a bad problem. When one realizes that within
God’s hand lies all power in heaven and earth, how can we do any worse?
Once and for all, we need to lay
to rest any fears one might have that the Holy Ghost will “cost” something. Not
so. It is a free gift, paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ. All that He
wants and must have is control over your lives. This is His sole aim. Besides,
if we feel that we have a right to “run” our own lives, what is owed to God?
We, have already tasted of the “free gift,” must step into
our places and begin to be bold enough to inform the World of our standard up
front. Because seeing the benefits of God’s gift working in us will entice
others to want to partake.
In this world of tragedy, tests and trials what would be the
biggest testimony? Showing the world that we need not be
sad and unhappy. For one belonging to the Lord can rejoice in Him no
matter what! Why? Because He is good. It’s as simple
as that.