Jesus' Death and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

The death of Jesus Christ is intrinsically linked to the outpouring and reception of the Holy Spirit, a connection highlighted throughout the New Testament. This relationship is foundational to Christian understanding of salvation and the ongoing work of God in believers.

Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension were necessary preconditions for the full advent of the Holy Spirit. John 7:39 states that "the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified" ^[15]. This indicates that the Spirit's full dispensation awaited Christ's exaltation. After his resurrection, Jesus breathed on his disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22), signifying his role in bestowing the Spirit ^[2]. The Spirit is also described as being sent by Christ from the Father, or through Christ's intercession ^[6]. The grace of God and the gift by the grace of Jesus Christ abounded to many through his trespass ^[1].

The Holy Spirit is presented as a gift from both the Father and the Son ^{[2, 6]}. Jesus promised to send the "Advocate—the Spirit of truth" to counsel and protect his followers ^[9]. This gift is given according to promise (Acts 2:38-39) and upon Christ's exaltation (John 7:39) ^[2]. It is also given in answer to prayer (Luke 11:13) ^[2]. The Holy Spirit is the "Gift of gifts" that descends on the Church through Christ, encompassing all other good gifts ^[14].

The work of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to Christ's death and glorification, is multifaceted:

Comfort and Consolation: The Holy Spirit is known as "the Comforter" ^[6]. He communicates joy to saints, imparts the love of God and hope, and dwells with and in believers permanently ^[6]. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all identified as authors and givers of consolation under affliction ^[8].
Instruction and Edification: The Spirit teaches saints (John 14:26) ^[6] and edifies the Church (Acts 9:31) ^[6]. Spiritual gifts, which are the "signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church," are given for the edification of the body of Christ ^{[7, 16]}.
Empowerment for Witness: The Holy Spirit testifies of Christ (John 15:26) ^[6]. The miraculous gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, were poured out on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) ^{[3, 5]}. These gifts served to confirm the gospel and were often communicated through the laying on of the apostles' hands ^{[3, 7]}. The gift of tongues, for instance, allowed people to hear the gospel in their own languages, demonstrating salvation was for all nations ^[5].
Transformation and Righteousness: The "fruit of the Spirit" includes goodness, righteousness, and truth ^{[10, 11, 13]}. This fruit is seen as a harmonious whole, representing the works of righteousness that come "through Jesus Christ," who sends the Spirit from the Father ^[12]. As John Calvin noted, believers are "wild and useless olive trees till we are grafted into Christ, who, by His living root, makes us fruit-bearing branches" ^[12]. The "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" sets believers free from the "law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2) ^[4].

The reception of the Holy Spirit is tied to repentance and belief (Acts 2:38) and obedience to God (Acts 5:32) ^[2]. The Spirit is given to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10:44-45) ^[2]. The abundance of the Spirit is emphasized, with believers receiving an unfailing flow of "living waters" through the Spirit's direct personal agency ^{[2, 15]}.

Sources

Romans “But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. -- Romans 5:15”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gift of the Holy Spirit, The — By the Father -- Ne 9:20; Lu 11:13. By the Son -- Joh 20:22. To Christ without measure -- Joh 3:34. Given According to promise. -- Ac 2:38,39. Upon the exaltation. -- Ps 68:18; Joh 7:39. Through the intercession of Christ. -- Joh 14:16. In answer to prayer. -- Lu 11:13; Eph 1:16,17. For instruction. -- Ne 9:20. For comfort of saints. -- Joh 14:16. To those who repent and believe. -- Ac 2:38. To those who obey God. -- Ac 5:32. To the Gentiles. -- Ac 10:44,45; 11:17; 15:8. Is abundant -- Ps 68:9; Joh 7:38,39. Is permanent -- Isa 59:21; Ha”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit — Foretold -- Isa 35:4-6; Joe 2:28,29. Of different kinds -- 1Co 12:4-6. Enumerated -- 1Co 12:8-10,28; 14:1. Christ was endued with -- Mt 12:28. Poured out on the day of Pentecost -- Ac 2:1-4. Communicated Upon the preaching of the gospel. -- Ac 10:44-46. By the laying on of the Apostles' hands. -- Ac 8:17,18; 19:6. For the confirmation of the gospel. -- Mr 16:20; Ac 14:3; Ro 15:19; Heb 2:4. For the edification of the Church. -- 1Co 12:7; 14:12,13. Dispensed according to his sovereign will -- 1Co 12:11. Were to be sought after -- 1”
King James Version “[KJV] Romans 8:2 — For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tongues, Gift of — Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special la”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holy Spirit, the Comforter, The — Proceeds from the Father -- Joh 15:26. Given By the Father. -- Joh 14:16. By Christ. -- Isa 61:3. Through Christ's intercession. -- Joh 14:16. Sent in the name of Christ -- Joh 14:26. Sent by Christ from the Father -- Joh 15:26; 16:7. As such he Communicates joy to saints. -- Ro 14:17; Ga 5:22; 1Th 1:6. Edifies the Church. -- Ac 9:31. Testifies of Christ. -- Joh 15:26. Imparts the love of God. -- Ro 5:3-5. Imparts hope. -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Teaches saints. -- Joh 14:26. Dwells with, and in saints. -- Joh 14:17. Abides for ever with s”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gifts, spiritual — (Gr. charismata), gifts supernaturally bestowed on the early Christians, each having his own proper gift or gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. These were the result of the extraordinary operation of the Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost. They were the gifts of speaking with tongues, casting out devils, healing, etc. (Mark 16:17, 18), usually communicated by the medium of the laying on of the hands of the apostles (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14). These charismata were enjoyed only for a time. They could not continue always in the Churc”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Consolation Under — God is the author and Giver of -- Ps 23:4; Ro 15:5; 2Co 1:3; 7:6; Col 1:11; 2Th 2:16,17. Christ is the Author and Giver of -- Isa 61:2; Joh 14:18; 2Co 1:5. The Holy Spirit is the Author and Giver of -- Joh 14:16,17; 15:26; 16:7; Ac 9:31. Promised -- Isa 51:3,12; 66:13; Eze 14:22,23; Ho 2:14; Zec 1:17. Through the Holy Scriptures -- Ps 119:50,76; Ro 15:4. By ministers of the gospel -- Isa 40:1,2; 1Co 14:3; 2Co 1:4,6. Is abundant -- Ps 71:21; Isa 66:11. Is strong -- Heb 6:18. Is everlasting -- 2Th 2:16. Is a cause of praise -- Isa 12:1; ”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:26: 15:26 But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth: Like a legal advocate, the Holy Spirit counsels and protects Jesus’ followers.”
Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit - Both flesh - the sinful dispositions of the human heart and spirit - the changed or purified state of the soul, by the grace and Spirit of God, are represented by the apostle as trees, one yielding good the other bad fruit; the productions of each being according to the nature of the tree, as the tree is according to the nature of the seed from which it sprung. The bad seed produced a bad tree, yielding all manner of bad fruit; the good seed produced a good tree, bringing forth fruits of the most excellent kind. The tree of the flesh”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:8: For the fruit of the Spirit,.... Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read "the fruit of light"; which agrees with the preceding words: and the genuine fruit of internal grace, or light, is in all goodness, and righteousness, ”
Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:11: The oldest manuscripts read the singular, "fruit." So Gal 5:22 (see on Gal 5:22); regarding the works of righteousness, however manifold, as one harmonious whole, "the fruit of the Spirit" (Eph 5:9) Jam 3:18, "the fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11); Rom 6:22, "fruit unto holiness." which are--"which is by (Greek, 'through') Jesus Christ." Through His sending to us the Spirit from the Father. "We are wild and useless olive trees till we are grafted into Christ, who, by His living root, makes us fruit-bearing branches" [CALVIN].”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:9: fruit of the Spirit--taken by transcribers from Gal 5:22. The true reading is that of the oldest manuscripts, "The fruit of THE LIGHT"; in contrast with "the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph 5:11). This verse is parenthetic. Walk as children of light, that is, in all good works and words, "FOR the fruit of the light is [borne] in [ALFORD; but BENGEL, 'consists in'] all goodness [opposed to 'malice,' Eph 4:31], righteousness [opposed to 'covetousness,' Eph 5:3] and truth [opposed to 'lying,' Eph 4:25]."”
Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 11:13: the Holy Spirit--in Matthew (Mat 7:11), "good gifts"; the former, the Gift of gifts descending on the Church through Christ, and comprehending the latter.”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 7:39: this spake he of the Spirit--who, by His direct personal agency, opens up this spring of living waters in the human spirit (Joh 3:6), and by His indwelling in the renewed soul ensures their unfailing flow. they that believe, &c.--As the Holy Ghost is, in the redemption of man, entirely at the service of Christ, as His Agent, so it is only in believing connection with Christ that any one "receives" the Spirit. for the Holy Ghost was not yet given--Beyond all doubt the word "given," or some similar word, is the right supplement. In Joh 16:7 the Holy Gh”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12 (introduction): THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ESPECIALLY PROPHESYING AND TONGUES. (1Co. 12:1-31) spiritual gifts--the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church, which is Christ's body, the complement of His incarnation, as the body is the complement of the head. By the love which pervades the whole, the gifts of the several members, forming reciprocal complements to each other, tend to the one object of perfecting the body of Christ. The ordinary and permanent gifts are comprehended together with the extraordin”

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