The Gift of the Holy Ghost (Act 2:38)

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Act 2:38)

This week I was asked what “the gift of the Holy Ghost” refers to in Act 2:38.  I thought it might be helpful to others to post my answer on my blog in case they have the same question; so here we go. 

The gift of the Holy Ghost in Act 2:38 is the gift the Holy Ghost gives which is the gift of being spiritually added to the membership of a local church and being made to drink into one spirit with the church (1Co 12:13).  

1Co 12:13 – For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The phrase “the gift of [someone]” can refer to someone giving a gift, or someone being given as a gift, depending if it is used in the subjective genitive or the objective genitive.  If “the gift of the Holy Ghost” is used in the objective genitive, the Holy Ghost is the gift given (He is the object being given); if it is used in the subjective genitive, the Holy Ghost gives the gift (He is the subject doing the giving).  In this case, by comparing scripture with scripture, I conclude that the subjective genitive is being used, and therefore the Holy Ghost is giving those who are baptized a gift which is the gift of being spiritually added to a local church in which He dwells.  Here is a section of outline on “the doctrine of baptisms” that I used in the sermon series on “The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” which gives the scriptural support for this.

1. Baptism by the Holy Spirit.
   1. When the preacher is baptizing a person in water which outwardly adds him to the church, the Holy Spirit is spiritually baptizing him into the body of Christ (1Co 12:13).
      1. The body of Christ in context is the local church (1Co 12:14-27).
      2. This is the gift of the Holy Ghost (the gift the Holy Ghost gives) (Act 2:38).
      3. Being made to drink into one Spirit (1Co 12:13) is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is what Jesus referred to when He said If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink (Joh 7:37-39). 

(As a side note, another example of the phrase “the gift of” being used in the subjective genitive is Rom 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  The gift of God in that verse is not God being given as a gift, but rather God giving eternal life as a gift.)

The verses following Acts 2:38 are further proof that the gift of the Holy Ghost is the gift of addition to a local church because those who obeyed the gospel and were baptized that day were added to the membership of the church in Jerusalem.  

Act 2:41 – Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:47 – Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So, let’s put it all together.  Peter told the Jews to repent and be baptized and they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and when they were baptized they were added to the membership of the Jerusalem church.  What then is the gift of the Holy Ghost?  It’s being added to the local church by the Holy Spirit which is His gift unto obedient children of God.  

In a sense, the gift of the Holy Ghost is both the gift the Holy Ghost gives when He adds a person to the body of Christ (a local church), and it is also the Holy Ghost Himself because when a person is added to the body of Christ he is made to drink into one Spirit and to enjoy the blessing of partaking of the Spirit’s ministry in the church.

Have you received the gift of the Holy Ghost yet by being baptized and added to the membership of a true church of Jesus Christ?  If not, you can find one here.