1. JESUS said ask for the spiritual GIFT that is the HOLY SPIRIT
What is the best spiritual gift to go after? Many Christians want to receive spiritual gifts from God. They run after false preachers who claim to teach methods on gaining and activating spiritual gifts. In these circles, the gifts of the Holy Ghost, such as prophesying, working miracles, healing and so on, are seen as marks of being a great spiritual person; so, many people want these spiritual gifts. But Jesus only taught to ask for one spiritual gift. Luke 11:11-13 Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Jesus taught to ask God for the gift that is the holy spirit. The holy spirit and the Holy Ghost are not the same. The gifts of the Holy Ghost are for ministry work in the world; the gift that is the Holy Spirit will take you to heaven. The gifts from the Holy Ghost are temporary and NOT required to go to Heaven, but the gift that is the Holy Spirit is for eternal life and mandatory to enter Heaven.
2. HOLY SPIRIT is spiritual gift MANDATORY to ENTER HEAVEN
In Mark 8:36 Jesus said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" There is nothing of greater value than gaining eternal life for your soul. Your soul is who you are, it is your inner person. Our soul is invisible and born into a flesh body. Although our flesh body is the part that is visible and tangible in the world, when we die this flesh body becomes dust and is no more, it does not continue for eternity. 1 Corinthians 15:50 says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." The corruptible, temporary flesh body cannot inherit the incorruptible, eternal kingdom of Heaven. Our flesh body houses our soul in this present world, but after death it will not be resurrected, and it cannot enter Heaven or Hell. But what about the soul? If your soul is naked or unhoused, you go to Hell, and are resurrected to eternal damnation and torment. If your soul is covered or housed by the holy spirit, you go to Heaven, and are resurrected to eternal life and joy.
2 Corinthians 15:1-5 says, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." There are 4 key points in these verses. First, our flesh body is a house, or tabernacle, or dwelling place for our soul while on this earth. Just as we maintain the building that is our home to live comfortably, we also take care of our physical body. But the flesh is mortal, so it exists for a period of time, and death is the end where it dissolves to dust. Second, since the flesh body is temporary, we must desire and ask God for an eternal covering, so our soul is not found naked. If our soul has the heavenly cover or house of the holy spirit to dwell in, there is no need to fear the future after physical death. The soul clothed with the holy spirit can gain eternal life in Heaven, so, mortality is no longer an issue. Third, the reason God gives this gift to his people is for the holy spirit to lead our soul to live the life God wants us to live. God wrought or created our soul in His image, but He gave us the choice to obey Him and do good, or disobey Him and do evil. To be God’s children in His likeness, we need the holy spirit which guides us to grow to be holy and righteous as He is holy and righteous. God made us in this way, so that if we choose to obey the commandments of Jesus, we can do His will by walking in the Spirit, and the end reward is inheriting His kingdom. Fourth, the holy spirit is a token of great value because it connects us to heavenly eternal life to come. An earnest is defined as a token or down payment, so it is just a small portion of what is to come. God gives us the ‘earnest of the Spirit’ means He gives the down payment of the holy spirit, and there is much more heavenly glory to come.
3. HOLY SPIRIT is CREATION; HOLY GHOST is GOD the CREATOR
The majority Christians who desire spiritual gifts do not ask God for the gift that is the holy spirit to obey God’s calling for sinless life, instead they ask for gifts from the Holy Ghost to do signs, miracles, and wonders. To begin with, most are ignorant of the basic difference between the holy spirit and the Holy Ghost, and many are deceived to think they are one and the same. In John 7:37-39 Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (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.)" These verses make 3 key points. First, the holy spirit is described as a stream of living water that flows out from those who receive it. You cannot survive more than a few days without water. Water is necessary for life, so also, the holy spirit is the life-giving element for your soul’s spiritual life. Second, the holy spirit is given to those who believe on Jesus and thirst, to come and drink. Before Jesus taught the gospel of what you must do to inherit the kingdom of Heaven, He first preached you must repent of sin. Only those who believe and accept His teaching to turn away from sin, are candidates to receive the holy spirit. Third, it makes clear that the Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost are distinctly different. When Jesus spoke this statement, the Holy Spirit was already being given, but the Holy Ghost was not yet given and would only be given after Jesus was resurrected and glorified as God.
We have learned a bit about the holy spirit – it is a creation of God that is the life substance of a man or woman’s soul. But what about the Holy Ghost? Scripture makes clear the holy spirit and Holy Ghost are NOT one and the same. While the holy spirit is a creation of God, the Holy Ghost is God the Creator. There are a few points of proof that the Holy Ghost is God—1-He is Creator that existed since the very beginning, 2-He inspired Scripture, and 3-He is to be feared as Omnipotent God. Let’s take look at each of these. First, God existed as Creator since the beginning, so He bears witness of all things. 1 John 5:7 says, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." Genesis 1:1-2 says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." The Holy Ghost is the third part of God (that is also called as Spirit of God), who existed since the beginning and was part of creating the universe. Second, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." So, if the Holy Ghost has inspired scripture, then the Holy Ghost is God. 2 Peter 1:21 says, "…the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Since the Holy Ghost has inspired scriptures, the Holy Ghost is God. Third, we must fear the Holy Ghost because He is omnipotent God. Matthew 12:31-32 Jesus said, "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men…whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is an unpardonable sin because He is God. Another Scripture example to fear the Holy Ghost is when Ananias lies and tempts the Holy Ghost, and moments later he falls down dead. Acts 5:3-5 says, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost… thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things." The Holy Ghost is God, so He has greater power than the Sun’s light; Ananias and his wife Saphira fall dead for lying to the Holy Ghost. Compare this with the strength of the Holy spirit which is a like a mere candlelight given to guide man. Ephesians 4:30 says, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God…" 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 23 says, "Quench not the Spirit…I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless..." While the Holy Ghost can instantly destroy man, man can quench or grieve the holy spirit. There is a vast difference in power between the Creator (which is the Holy Ghost) and the creation (which is the holy spirit).
4. Soul needs HOLY SPIRIT for SPIRITUAL LIFE
God first created Adam as a man with a soul and flesh body—so, he was fully formed, physically alive man. God then gave Adam the holy spirit as a breath of life to make him a living soul—so, he also became a spiritually alive man. Genesis 2:7 says, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Just as blood is the life source of the flesh body, the holy spirit is the life source of the soul. After making Adam a living soul, God gave Adam and Eve one commandment. Genesis 2:16-17 says, "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Along with giving His commandment, God also gave the consequence of disobeying His commandment—He said the very day they disobey they will certainly die. Satan as the serpent deceived Eve by opposing God’s Word and telling her that if she disobeyed God’s commandment she would certainly not die. Genesis 3:2-4 says, "And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die…" Eve and Adam disobeyed God and ate the fruit, but Scripture records they continued to live for several hundred years more. Genesis 5:5 says, "And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died." So, whose word was true regarding the consequence of sin—God the Creator, or Satan as the deceiving serpent?
5. SIN causes Spiritual DEATH
Sin causes spiritual death. James 1:14-15 says "…when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Romans 5:21 says "…as sin hath reigned unto death..." Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death..." The Word of God is true—sin causes spiritual death. Spiritually dead souls are thrown in hell, and living souls are permitted in the kingdom of heaven. Although Adam and Eve continued to physically live in the flesh body, they died spiritually the day they disobeyed God. And on that very day their soul lost the covering of the holy spirit, God threw them out of the Garden of Eden (which is a part of heaven) and into the world. Genesis 3:22-24 says, "…and now, lest he [Adam] put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden…So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." The Garden of Eden was a place of no death, sorrow, crying or pain. Because of their sin, Adam and Eve died spiritually and were permanently kicked out of the Garden of Eden; they lost eternal life in Heaven. The Garden is now guarded by angels and no one in the world can access it. There is only one tree of life in the Bible; it is found in the Garden of Eden, which is now the third part of heaven known as Paradise or New Earth. Genesis 2:9 says, "the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, ..." Revelation 2:7 says, "... the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." It is the same tree of life that is in the Garden of Eden and Paradise, so, the Garden of Eden is now Paradise, which is the third part of heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 says, "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago…such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man,…How that he was caught up into paradise..." So, the Garden of Eden is now called Paradise which is the third part of Heaven.
6. Eternal DAMNATION is EVERLASTING Torment
The point is that Adam and Eve’s sin caused spiritual death the same day; although they continued to live in their flesh body with their heart beating and their lungs breathing, they lost eternal life and heaven forever. Their future and the future of all unrepented, spiritually dead sinners is eternal damnation. Please understand the opposite of eternal life is not simply ceasing to exist in this present world. Eternal damnation is unending, continuous torment. The Bible describes this everlasting agony in many places: "furnace of fire…wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:42) "outer darkness, weeping" (Matthew 22:13) "… shall be salted with fire" (Mark 9:49), "everlasting chains under darkness" (Jude 1:6), "Bottomless pit" (Revelations 9:2). There are different elements to the torment of eternal damnation –darkness, chains, limitless pit, burning fire. In Mark 9:43-48 Jesus says, "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Here Jesus is not saying to literally cut off your physical body parts, rather he says to do whatever it takes to put to death the sinful deeds of the flesh so you may gain eternal life, because the alternative is unending misery. To emphasize the everlasting nature of this agony, Jesus repeats this phrase 3 times— "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." The worm refers to you—your soul— which does not cease to exist, and the tormenting fire also does not extinguish.
7. BORN AGAIN is for Soul to receive HOLY SPIRIT & made Spiritually ALIVE
After Adam and Eve disobey God and die spiritually, all people born after this point are without the holy spirit. Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men…" Because all souls are born spiritually dead without the holy spirit, Jesus says we must be born again. When you are first born, your soul is born into a flesh body, and you are physically alive. If you are born again, your soul is given the spirit body of the holy spirit, and you become a living soul. Being born of the spirit is a requirement for the kingdom of God. In John 3:5-7 Jesus says, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." Jesus says you must be born again to enter Heaven—it is not optional, it is mandatory. If we truly repent of our sin and desire to not sin again, we may cry out to God for the gift that is the holy spirit. Once given the holy spirit to be made spiritually alive or ‘quickened’ as Scripture says, we then can and must obey the Word of God to be washed clean of sin.
Ephesians 2:1-3, "And you hath he [God] quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind…" Here the repented sinner is quickened or made spiritually alive by God. Please notice this person was first spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins." Please also notice that after being made spiritually alive with the holy spirit, the prior life of disobeying God is the past. In time past they lived to gain the glory of the world. In time past they were deceived by the spirit of Satan to disobey God’s commandments. In times past their works followed the sinful desires and lusts of the flesh body. Being born again is not having some strange emotionally exciting experience. Someone truly born again and made spiritually alive by the holy spirit will not continue their prior sinful ways. 1 Thessalonian 4:7-8 says, "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit." The very reason God gives the holy spirit is so that we may obey His calling to live a pure, holy life. Many pastors, theologians and other Christian leaders hate and reject the message that you can and must live a pure, sinless life. Such people seem to hate and reject the messengers who are true servants of God, but Scripture says that these people really hate and reject God. Because God is the one who calls us to be clean of sin and He is the giver of the holy spirit that guides toward holy living.
8. Holy Spirit takes YOU to Heaven; Gifts of Holy Ghost take NO ONE to Heaven
The gift that is the holy spirit is required for you to go to heaven, but what is the purpose of the gifts given by the Holy Ghost? Scripture says the Holy Ghost is given after Jesus is resurrected and glorified in heaven. After Jesus was resurrected, he told his apostles to wait for the Holy Ghost before starting ministry work. Acts 1:4, 8 says, "…being assembled together with them [the apostles], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he [Jesus], ye have heard of me…But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Although people respect man made methods of ordination, such as seminary school or special ceremonies, baptism of the Holy Ghost is the only God given approval to start ministry work. Jesus instructs his apostles to wait and receive power from the Holy Ghost before going out to do ministry.
With this power are the 9 gifts of the Holy Ghost—word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse tongues, and interpretation of tongues (these are noted in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Although different gifts are given to individual members, the purpose of the ministry gifts is to benefit the spiritual body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:3-4, 7 "…no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." The holy spirit can take you to heaven; but gifts of the Holy Ghost does not profit an individual soul and will take no one to heaven. Rather, the gifts of the Holy Ghost may benefit the ministry in the world to see God’s manifestations for church growth. 1 Corinthians 14:12, 24-25 says, "…forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church…But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth." Apostle Paul again writes the purpose of the spiritual gifts of the Holy Ghost is to edify or build up the church. He gives an example of how the gift of prophecy can work to bring an unbeliever or ignorant person to worship the true God of the Bible. When the prophecy comes through it reveals something only that person would know, because it uncovers some secret of his heart the person is convinced this can only be spoken through the power of God. Although miracles, signs and wonders manifested by the gifts of the Holy Ghost may convince someone that God the Creator is real, simply knowing God is real will not take anyone to heaven, only obeying God’s Word will take you to heaven.
9. Holy Spirit is only for CHILD of GOD; Gifts of Holy Ghost even for REBELS
Nowadays most ministries claiming to have active gifts of the Holy Ghost are fake, they are filled with servants of Satan looking to gain fame, money, and self-glory. True servants of God have love for souls, and so their ministry work is to help build members of the spiritual church to be as holy and righteous as Jesus himself. Ephesians 4:8, 11-14 says, "…When he [Jesus] ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men…And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive…" After Jesus is resurrected and ascended, through the Holy Ghost He gives both gifts and true servants to do the ministry work. The fivefold ministry of true servants of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers teach the true doctrine of Christ. They warn the body of Christ to not be deceived to sin by false doctrine, but instead grow to the measure of Jesus himself by obeying the true doctrine of Christ so that they may be perfected.
It is important to note that God gives gifts of the Holy Ghost to both his true servants and to rebellious people. Psalm 68:18, "Thou [Jesus] hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them." This prophecy parallels what Ephesian 4:8 says, that after Jesus is ascended the gifts of the Holy Ghost will be given, but here it states these gifts are also given to rebellious people. These gifts will not benefit the rebellious for eternal life, rather it is so that others may know God is real so that His presence may be with them. Isaiah 30:1-3 says, "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin…" Rebellious people disobey the Word of God. They want to enjoy the pleasure of sin such as the lust of the flesh and the glory of the world. They may appear successful in this present life; but ultimately, they will be ashamed when their soul is found naked without the covering of the holy spirit. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is NOT the same as the abiding Holy Ghost; one is God visiting and giving some manifestation of His power for His own purposes, the other is God living within His obedient disciple. God may give gifts of the Holy Ghost to the rebellious, but He will not abide with them.
Rebellious people are also found as religious hypocrites in the churches of the world. They will try to claim they are godly people covered by the manifestations of gifts of the Holy Ghost, but this is not the covering of the holy spirit that God requires for Heaven. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." These rebellious people received the gifts of the Holy Ghost but do not have the covering of the holy spirit. They do not walk in the spirit to obey the commandments of Jesus with holy, righteous works. Although they prophesy, cast out devils and do miraculous works in Jesus’s name, they will not enter heaven because they do works of iniquity and disobey the will of God. The miraculous manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Ghost are the work of God, and they will not cover your sin or hide your iniquities.
Although gifts of the Holy Ghost are given even to the rebellious, the gift that is the holy spirit is only for children of God. In Luke 11:11-13 Jesus says, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Even an evil man who is an earthly father will give good gifts to his own son. So God as heavenly father gives the far more precious gift that is the holy spirit to those sincerely seeking as His child. Please notice, God only gives you this gift if He is your father. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." You are not a child of God be default, or by being born into a Christian family, or by attending church. God is your Creator by default. The condition for God to become your Father is that you separate from the filth of sin and the fellowship of sinners.
10. Holy Spirit is for ETERNITY; Gifts of Holy Ghost will VANISH
Gifts of the Holy Ghost are given even to rebels, but they are temporary; while the gift that is the holy spirit is only for a child of God, and is for eternity. John 4:10, 14 Jesus says, "If thou knewest the gift of God..thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water…whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." This is the best spiritual gift; the holy spirit gives you spiritual life and leads you to eternal joy in Heaven. 1 Corinthians 13:8 says, "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." So, the gifts of the Holy Ghost will vanish and is not needed for eternal life. What has true eternal value is charity, that is, love of the soul.
When you board an airplane, before takeoff the flight attendant always gives a safety talk. One of the things they tell you is that in case of an emergency be sure to place the oxygen mask over your own face first before assisting anyone else. You cannot do much to help others if you are on death’s doorstep. If you are dead in your sins, repent and cry out to God to receive the gift of the holy spirit to save your own soul and gain eternal life. Walk in the holy spirit by obeying Jesus’s commandments before desiring the baptism of the Holy Ghost for ministry work. If you cannot enter heaven because you are spiritually dead in your sins and lack the holy spirit, then there is only further punishment for pretending to do ministry work that saves other dead souls. In Matthew 22:11-13 Jesus says in a parable, "when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Be covered with the garment that God requires of you. If you repent of your sin and as a child of God cry out to your heavenly Father, He will bless you with the most precious spiritual gift that is the holy spirit, so that you may obey His calling to live a holy life.