Christ’s words to His disciples concerning the Holy Ghost in John 14; 15; 16 — “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you.” “But 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.” “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” “It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you. And when he is come he will reprove (convict R.V.) the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.” “Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you.”

Testimony was borne by the Spirit in Old Testament times through David, Mark 12:36³⁶For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Mark 12:36); Acts 1:16¹⁶Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. (Acts 1:16); through Isaiah, Acts 28:25²⁵And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, (Acts 28:25).

And in the New Testament previous to the death of ‘Christ, by Elisabeth, Luke 1:41⁴¹And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: (Luke 1:41); Zacharias 1:67, and Simeon, Luke 2:26²⁶And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:26).

The future was revealed by the Spirit to Simeon, Luke 2:26²⁶And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:26); Agabus, Acts 11:28; 21:11²⁸And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 11:28)
¹¹And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:11).

John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit from his birth, Luke 1:15¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (Luke 1:15). Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost can never be forgiven, Matthew 12:31³¹Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (Matthew 12:31), Mark 3:29²⁹But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: (Mark 3:29), &c.

Christ promised His disciples that when brought before the rulers, they should be taught by the Spirit what to say, Matthew 10:20²⁰For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Matthew 10:20), &c.

Man must be born of the Spirit, John 3:5⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5).

The Spirit—

Quickens, John 6:63⁶³It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63).

Was not given before Jesus was glorified, John 7:39³⁹(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39).

Was received by the disciples, John 20:22²²And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:22) (this must be carefully distinguished from Acts 2:33³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33)).

Was promised of old, Act 2:17¹⁷And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (Acts 2:17).

Was received by Christ of God, Acts 2:33³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33).

Was lied to and tempted by Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:3, 9³But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? (Acts 5:3)
⁹Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. (Acts 5:9).

Was resisted by the Council, Act 7:51⁵¹Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51).

Was received by the following companies or individual saints: the whole company of disciples, Acts 2:4⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4); The Samaritan believers, Acts 8:17¹⁷Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:17); Saul (Paul), Acts 9:17¹⁷And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 9:17); Cornelius and his friends, Acts 10:41-47⁴¹Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. ⁴³To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ⁴⁴While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:41‑47); The disciples who had been baptized with John’s baptism, Acts 19:2²He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (Acts 19:2).

The following are spoken of as being “filled with the Holy Ghost.” Peter, Acts 4:8⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, (Acts 4:8); Stephen, Chapter 6:5; 7:55; Barnabas, Chapter 11:21; Paul, Chapter 13:9; the disciples, Chapter 13:52.

The following are recorded as having been distinctly guided by the Spirit, Philip, Acts 8:29²⁹Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts 8:29); Peter, chapter 10:19; 11:12; Barnabas and Saul chapter 13:4; and Paul and Silas, chapter 16:6, 7.

The Spirit—

Comforted the saints, Acts 11:31.

Separated Barnabas and Paul for their service, Acts 13:2²As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2).

Approved of the apostles’ decision, Acts 15:28²⁸For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; (Acts 15:28).

Witnessed that afflictions awaited Paul at Jerusalem, Acts 20:23²³Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (Acts 20:23).

Made the elders at Ephesus overseers of the flock, Acts 20:28²⁸Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28).

2nd. —DOCTRINALLY IN THE EPISTLES.

In connection with the testimony of the Gospel.

My preaching was... in demonstration of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 13⁴And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (1 Corinthians 2:4)
¹³Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:13); Romans 15:19¹⁹Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19); 1 Thessalonians 1:5⁵For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

Having received the word ... with joy of the Holy Ghost. 1 Thessalonians 1:6⁶And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

God also bearing witness with... gifts of the Holy Ghost, Hebrews 2:4⁴God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:4).

Have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost, 1 Peter 1:12¹²Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12).