The Holy Ghost and the Book of Acts

One of the themes that we see in the book of Acts is the importance of the Holy Ghost.  In the second verse Luke wrote how Christ “through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.”  He also quoted the Savior’s words to the apostles, saying, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:2, 8).  This is a very fitting introduction to the book since we see references to the Holy Ghost all throughout the text, with Luke mentioning it in almost every chapter.  It is I think a key point of the book that can be easily missed: the apostles were able to lead the Church and spread the gospel because they had the power of the Holy Ghost to guide them.  And they were able to have success because those who heard the gospel received the power of the Holy Ghost.

                Many stories in Acts show the power that the apostles and other leaders had because of the Holy Ghost.  On the day of Pentacost, “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:4).  Later when Peter went before the Jewish rulers to preach, Luke emphasized that he was “filled with the Holy Ghost” when he spoke with great power and without fear to them (Acts 4:8).  When the apostles searched for seven other leaders their instruction was this, “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” (Acts 6:3).  Being “full of the Holy Ghost” was a key part of being able to lead the people.  Stephen was one of those who was “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,” and we see the great power of testimony he had in Acts 7 before he was killed.  Luke emphasized that he was “full of the Holy Ghost” right before he had his vision of the Father and Son and was killed (Acts 6:5, 7:55).  When Saul went before Ananias after his encounter with the Savior, Ananias said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17).  What was important for Saul to change his ways and become the great missionary that he became was the he became “filled with the Holy Ghost.”  Despite all of his previous persecutions, having the Holy Ghost changed everything and he finally saw things are they really were.

                Luke also emphasized that those who accepted the gospel received the Holy Ghost.  Peter and John went to Samaria where some had accepted the gospel, and “then laid laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:17).  The apostles were not only guided by the Holy Ghost, but they had the power to confer it upon those who believed.  When Peter was able to start preaching to the Gentiles, the Holy Ghost also played a crucial role in their reception of the gospel: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 10:44-45).  When Paul and Barnabas were on their mission we have this description of those whom they taught, “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 13:52). 

                These and other examples that Luke includes in the book of Acts show how important the Holy Ghost was to both the leaders and new converts in the Church.  The Holy Ghost enabled the teachings of the Savior to go forth as the ancient church sought to take the gospel to all the world, and of course today the sharing of the gospel is no different—the Holy Ghost is crucial for both the missionaries and the investigators.