The Distribution and Reception of the Holy Spirit Among the Apostles
The Christian Scripture recounts the divine act of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles and other new believers in Acts 2. This event, known as Pentecost, marked a turning point in the early Christian movement, with 3,000 new converts coming to faith and being baptized in both water and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:41). Prior to this, the apostles, including the 120 mentioned in Acts 1:15, had already received the Holy Spirit, marking their readiness and anointing for ministry.
Pre-Pentecost Reception of the Holy Spirit
According to John 20:19-22, the apostles, with the exception of the betrayer Judas, had already received the Holy Spirit before Pentecost. This event was significant as it fulfilled the promise made by Jesus to his apostles prior to his ascension (John 14:16-17; 16:7). The Holy Spirit’s presence among the apostles before Pentecost was a foretaste of the fuller manifestation that would occur on the Day of Pentecost.
The Pentecost Event
The scene on the Day of Pentecost is vividly described in Acts 2:1-4. The apostles were gathered together in the upper room when a sound akin to a rushing mighty wind filled the house. This was followed by the appearance of tongues of fire resting upon each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit provided the necessary utterances.
The Reception of the Holy Spirit by All Christians
It is important to note that all Christians receive the Holy Spirit upon baptism. This is broadly based on the instructions given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, which are echoed in Acts 19:5-6 where the apostle Paul grants the Holy Spirit to believers in Ephesus. Thus, the apostles, as all believers, would receive the Holy Spirit upon conversion, not just in the early days.
According to John 20:24-29, even Thomas, who was absent during the initial Sunday morning appearance of Jesus, would later receive the Holy Spirit. Thomas’s confession of Jesus as his Lord and God validated his faith and set the stage for receiving the Holy Spirit, aligning with the Christian understanding of the Holy Spirit as a bestowed gift on every true believer.
Understanding the Holiness of the Holy Spirit
Imagine the Holy Spirit as a precious and potent liquid, comparable to a 70 cc bottle. If we distribute this among the 12 apostles, each would receive a portion. This division would be interpreted as the initial blessing, a starting point for their ministry and witness.
However, just as with any liquid, it is possible to augment or sustain the effect over time through continued prayer and divine guidance. In essence, the initial reception of the Holy Spirit was a profound and transformational event, setting the stage for the apostles and others to continue their mission with divine empowerment.