The following articles are related to the topic of HOLY SPIRIT, GIFT OF

What Is the “Gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38?

To a multitude assembled on the day of Pentecost the apostle Peter declared: "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38, ASV). The identity of "the gift of the Holy Spirit," as that expression is ... read more »

Did All Christians in the First Century Possess Miraculous Gifts?

In Act 2, when the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, was it on the apostles only, or did the three thousand who were baptized also receive miraculous gifts? Please explain. If everyone received the gifts, were they promised until "that which is perfect" (1 Corinthians 13:10) was come? Did the Ethiopian ... read more »

Acts 10 & 11 – Was Cornelius Saved before Being Baptized?

Was Cornelius, the Roman centurion, saved before and without baptism? Some so claim. They reason in this fashion: Cornelius received the Holy Spirit prior to being baptized (Acts 10:44-48). But only a child of God receives the Holy Spirit. Thus, Cornelius was a child of God before his baptism. The argument is invalid for several reasons. First, Cornelius' reception of ... read more »

Was Cornelius Saved Without Baptism?

"Was Cornelius, the Roman centurion of Acts chapter ten, saved before and without baptism?" Some so claim. They reason in this fashion: Cornelius received the Holy Spirit prior to being baptized (Acts 10:44-48). But only a child of God receives the Holy Spirit. Thus, Cornelius was a child of God before his baptism. The argument is invalid for several reasons. ... read more »

The Preposition “Eis” in Acts 2:38

For several generations God's people have conducted debates with our denominational neighbors as to the meaning of the word "for" (Greek, eis) in Acts 2:38. Peter commanded on that occasion: "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for [unto ASV] the remission of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of ... read more »

Acts 2:38—Not So Tough

The Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry maintains a website that operates out of southern California. It is under the oversight of author and webmaster, Matthew J. Slick, BA, MDiv. Mr. Slick is also an associate "pastor" and "elder" with the Wellspring Christian Fellowship in Escondido, California. [Note: In the New Testament, the titles "pastor" and "elder" represent the same role ... read more »

Faith-Based Bathing — A Friendly Review

Christianity Today is probably the most popular journal in the protestant religious community. The magazine was founded by Billy Graham in 1956, and more than 100,000 copies of the journal are distributed each month. At times the magazine has some very good articles; on other occasions, it seriously is at variance with the Scriptures. The periodical has a regular feature ... read more »

Scholastic Subterfuge

Franklin Johnson was a professor at the University of Chicago. His book, The Quotations of the New Testament From The Old - Considered in the Light of General Literature, is a valuable resource in discerning the manner in which the New Testament writers employed texts from the Old Testament in the propagation and defense of the gospel. While reading this ... read more »

The Sinner’s Prayer — Is It Biblical?

"Ministers frequently tell lost people that they need to 'pray the sinner's prayer.' Exactly what is this 'sinner's prayer'? Is this prayer biblically based? If not, what is its origin?" The so-called "sinner's prayer" is a popular phenomenon in Protestant circles. It is employed at the conclusion of various denominational "revival" services in appeals to convince sincere people to "get ... read more »

The Use of the Preposition “Eis” in Matthew 12:41

In numerous articles we have called attention to the force of the preposition eis as used in Acts 2:38. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto eis the remission of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. See our recent article, The Preposition Eis in Acts 2:38 ... read more »