Bible Questions and Answers

Holy Spirit gifts are not available today.

The apostles were baptised with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The only other occasion where baptism with the Holy Spirit took place was at the conversion of Cornelius. That it was not the normal thing to receive the Holy Spirit gifts by baptism is evident from Peter’s response.

Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

If it was a normal occurrence he wouldn't have had to remember something that happened several years ago. We assume that Paul received the Holy Spirit directly from Christ who ordained him the apostle to the Gentiles. The evidence in the Bible is that everyone else received gifts of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the apostle’s hands.

Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

When the apostles established churches they appointed elders and laid their hands on them to confer Holy Spirit gifts.

At Ephesus the disciples didn’t receive Holy Spirit gifts by baptism but by the laying on of Paul’s hands.

Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

In this way each church had a full complement of gifts to establish it.

1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Those who had Holy Spirit gifts by the laying on of the apostle’s hands could not pass them on. The proof for this is Philip:

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did...12...when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women...14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Philip could work miracles and heal the sick but he couldn't impart the Holy Spirit gifts; the apostles had to come from Jerusalem. With the death of the apostles and those upon whom they had laid hands, the Holy Spirit gifts ceased. This ceasing of the gifts is prophesied by Paul:

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity (love) 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.

In my opinion he is referring to the removal of Holy Spirit guidance of the church through gifts in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7.

NKJV 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

By the time of Constantine the church had fallen into apostasy. By the end of the fourth century the church had gone from being persecuted to persecuting others. - Thus making clear the lack of Holy Spirit guidance.

There are many today who claim to have the Holy Spirit gift of healing but the healing that they perform is not on a par with the acts of healing recorded in the New Testament. In addition they preach different gospels and doctrines to those found in the Bible. The primary purpose of Holy Spirit gifts in the first century was as God’s witness that the gospel that they preached was the truth.

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

God is not the author of confusion.

Here is a link to information on the website which will be of use to you (please click on the title:

The Holy Spirit

I hope you have found this helpful.

May God bless you,
Glenn