Undeniable Power
Following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the focus of carrying on His ministry fell upon the shoulders of the eleven apostles and His most devout disciples. The specific instructions of how the church was to be established are only briefly described in a few verses at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke. We know that Jesus continued to minister for forty days after rising from the tomb, “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” It surprises me that so little is known about what Jesus taught during that time because, in contrast, the four gospels contain so much detail about his mortal ministry.
One thing we know for sure is that whatever he taught turned once apprehensive disciples into fully committed and powerful witnesses of his life, mission, and resurrection. Other instructions are made apparent in the church’s organizational structure that emerged when the apostles assumed the leadership role. What is most vague is the teachings that gave the disciples undeniable power and commitment to preach the gospel at any cost.
For centuries before the time of Christ, the Abrahamic covenant was the basis for holding the hearts and minds of the children of Israel true to their God, and indeed, it continues today to be the basis of many of the world’s great religions. However, Jesus claimed to fulfill the law of Moses and established a new covenant, a higher law, that did away with blood sacrifice and many of the practices of the Jews. Instead of the law written on tablets of stone, the practice of circumcision, and a litany of rules and tradition, the new law focused on an inward, spiritual commitment to principles and doctrine that guides people to God.
What was painfully obvious during Christ’s ministry is that the spirit of the law of Moses was lost on the leaders of his time, who focused solely on the letter of the law. In other words, the law became a god of sorts that replaced the God who gave it. The law lost its power to bring its adherents the salvation they desired. If the spirit of the law had been maintained, Jesus would have been widely accepted as the promised Messiah.
From these examples, it seems clear that the spirit or intangible elements of the law or the gospel give life to the work of God; there is no more significant evidence of this than the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ.
The symbols of the Spirit of God
In the account of the events at the Pentecost, two main phenomenons accompanied the bestowal of spiritual gifts and power; wind and fire. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them”.
Other stories that describe similar signs and wonders are found in the scriptures and other historical records. When the first temple in this dispensation of time was dedicated in Kirtland, Ohio, this account was given, “A noise was heard like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple, and all the congregation simultaneously arose, being moved upon by an invisible power; many began to speak in tongues and prophesy; others saw glorious visions; and I beheld the Temple was filled with angels, which fact I declared to the congregation. The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place. This continued until the meeting closed at eleven P.M.” (History of the Church, 2:428).
So, why was there a sound of wind, and how is it associated with the Spirit? The word “spirit” derives from the Latin, Spiritus, which means breath or spirit. At the last supper, as recorded in John 20:22, it reads, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Imagine the sound of the breath multiplied many times over, and you hear a mighty rushing wind. In each of the accounts in Acts and at the dedication of the Kirtland temple, the Holy Ghost rested upon the people, and they began to prophesy.
Other accounts of the breath of God are too numerous to mention here, but some of the more notable ones are at the creation, “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.” The breath of God is also associated with the destruction of wickedness. In Job, it reads, “Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed”. And in Isaiah, “Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.” Also, notice the mention of fire in the Isaiah quote.
Christ told the disciples that they would be baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost. The Pentecostal event that followed resulted from a group of about 120 individuals who”…all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren”. It is not unreasonable to assume that they prayed as Jesus had taught them during his forty-day ministry. As I mentioned earlier, the Bible does not provide the details of that instruction. Still, apocryphal writings describe, in some detail, a prayer circle where the participants repeat the words of the prayer as one. (Hugh W. Nibley, The Early Christian Prayer Circle).
Much is made of the symbols of the Pentecost and the phenomenon of speaking in tongues in many religions. In the modern day, the tongues of fire are represented in the Mitre worn by Catholic Bishops and other religions’ clergy. Some religions make a mockery (in my opinion) of speaking in tongues as they babble incoherently. When describing the gift of speaking in tongues in the Bible, the effect was that “every man heard them speak in his own language.” When an unknown tongue is mentioned in Corinthians, it refers to speaking to God about “mysteries” and that it only edifies the person saying them. According to Paul, the primary purpose for speaking in tongues is to prophesy for the edification of all.
Perhaps the most explicit example of how the gift of the Holy Ghost is obtained and made manifest is in the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 31:13, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.”
The Gift of the Holy Ghost has many effects upon those who fully receive it. While many may be given the divine gift, it is incumbent upon the receiver to accept it and utilize all of its power. The Holy Ghost can comfort, guide, protect, teach, inspire, expand understanding, and reveal the mysteries of God. Each of these facets empowers us in some way. Perhaps the greatest of the functions of the Holy Ghost is to make a person’s calling and election sure, meaning that it reveals God in his glory to us in a personal way with undeniable power.
When people receive a sure knowledge of God through the Holy Ghost, they are forever changed and truly become unshakable in faith and testimony. The evidence manifested in Peter and others who became fearless in declaring salvation through Jesus Christ to the world. Through the Holy Ghost, we can obtain undeniable power to confront the challenges we all face, and we need it.