Holy Ghost Vs. Gift Of The Holy Ghost

[altersteve]

I've been a member of the Church for a long time now, going on 20 years, and I have difficulty understanding the difference between being "filled with the Holy Spirit," as Protestants would put it, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've read scripture passages, Ensign articles, and Conference talks on the subject but I'm still confused. Is not the gift of the Holy Ghost to have the Spirit with you whenever you are worthy? How is that any different from being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

Thanks for any help and/or clarification.

[HeatherAnn]

Altersteve,

That's a question I've wondered too.

"The spirit giveth light to EVERY man that cometh to the world."

I'd say that the gift of the holy ghost is more an act of faith, or commitment, along with baptism...

A symbolic gift & reminder of our dedication to keeping the spirit with us.

I hope you don't mind, me sharing something similar I've wondered about...

John 3:5 reads, "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water & of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

I've always interpreted this to refer to baptism & the gift of the Holy Ghost. I read that baptisms symbolizes death & resurrection, yet maybe the scripture refers to more.

Our bodies are mostly made of water & are nurtured & born of our mother's water or amniotic fluid.

LDS belief is that all must be baptized, (thus temple work)... and baptism is a beatiful symbolic reminder of spiritual truths.

Still, everyone in a sense is "born of water"... and it's up to us to be born of the Spirit...

One of the GA's once said how our goal is to be "born again & again & again."

I think being born again refers to spiritual growth.

Gospel = "Gods spell" or good news. So being born into a new perspective.

Then, I considered John 3:5 in relation to Luke 17;20-21: "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them & said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. "

We're taught that we needed to come to earth to get a body... maybe as requirement to enter the kingdom of God. Maybe this is the purpose of God... eternal progression.

These births are within, or necessary parts of us, both physical birth (born of water) & spiritual birth (awareness & getting in touch with divinity already within?).

The story of the birth of baby Jesus can also be related to us... to our physical & spiritual births. I always wondered why such focus on Jesus' birth & then not much else, until the last few years of his life. Really, would an elightened one (Jesus or whoever wrote the 4 gospels) want us to worship & adore his particular birth, or was there a moral to the story, as usual?

Parable! People will interpret & resonate based on each one's level of understanding.

Edited July 10, 2011 by HeatherAnn

[Calm]

I've been a member of the Church for a long time now, going on 20 years, and I have difficulty understanding the difference between being "filled with the Holy Spirit," as Protestants would put it, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've read scripture passages, Ensign articles, and Conference talks on the subject but I'm still confused. Is not the gift of the Holy Ghost to have the Spirit with you whenever you are worthy? How is that any different from being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

I see it as something akin to being blessed by having the Priesthood available in the Church or in the home and being ordained to the Priesthood itself.

[CV75]

I've been a member of the Church for a long time now, going on 20 years, and I have difficulty understanding the difference between being "filled with the Holy Spirit," as Protestants would put it, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've read scripture passages, Ensign articles, and Conference talks on the subject but I'm still confused. Is not the gift of the Holy Ghost to have the Spirit with you whenever you are worthy? How is that any different from being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

Thanks for any help and/or clarification.

The only Biblical reference, upon which a Protestant might base the term “filled with the Holy Spirit” is Acts 2:4, which describes an outpouring of the Spirit (upon the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost).

Something similar occurred at the time of the dedicatory services for the Kirtland Temple, when Joseph Smith prayed for a special anointing of the Spirit from on high.

Such a manifestation of the Holy Ghost is not the same as the Gift of the Holy Ghost, like the difference between the power and the gift.

[Storm Rider]

Altersteve,

That's a question I've wondered too.

"The spirit giveth light to EVERY man that cometh to the world."

I'd say that the gift of the holy ghost is more an act of faith, or commitment, along with baptism...

A symbolic gift & reminder of our dedication to keeping the spirit with us.

I hope you don't mind, me sharing something similar I've wondered about...

John 3:5 reads, "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water & of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

I've always interpreted this to refer to baptism & the gift of the Holy Ghost. I read that baptisms symbolizes death & resurrection, yet maybe the scripture refers to more.

Our bodies are mostly made of water & are nurtured & born of our mother's water or amniotic fluid.

LDS belief is that all must be baptized, (thus temple work)... and baptism is a beatiful symbolic reminder of spiritual truths.

Still, everyone in a sense is "born of water"... and it's up to us to be born of the Spirit...

One of the GA's once said how our goal is to be "born again & again & again."

I think being born again refers to spiritual growth.

Gospel = "Gods spell" or good news. So being born into a new perspective.

Then, I considered John 3:5 in relation to Luke 17;20-21: "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them & said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. "

We're taught that we needed to come to earth to get a body... maybe as requirement to enter the kingdom of God. Maybe this is the purpose of God... eternal progression.

These births are within, or necessary parts of us, both physical birth (born of water) & spiritual birth (awareness & getting in touch with divinity already within?).

The story of the birth of baby Jesus can also be related to us... to our physical & spiritual births. I always wondered why such focus on Jesus' birth & then not much else, until the last few years of his life. Really, would an elightened one (Jesus or whoever wrote the 4 gospels) want us to worship & adore his particular birth, or was there a moral to the story, as usual?

Parable! People will interpret & resonate based on each one's level of understanding.

This concept of everyone being born of water i.e. amniotic fluid/water is what I would term heresy or simply false doctrine. I know that is strong language, but I don't have a lot of time to write. This is a common interpretation of those Christians that deny that baptism is a needed ordinance/sacrament. All are born, but only those that enter the waters of baptism, being baptized by one in authority, is born of water i.e. baptized.

[HeatherAnn]

StormRider,

The New Testament was first considered "heresy."

Jesus was convicted of "heresy."

Throughout history, Mormons have been accused of "heresy."

Scriptures, baptism, or anything only helps us spiritualy to the extent that we "liken" it to us.

If I interpret a scripture different from the council of Nisaea, which most of Christianity (including Mormonism) is founded upon, it may be considered "heresy" because it conflicts with what was agreed upon at the Council of Nisaea. Yet that doesn't determine it's true or false.

Edited July 10, 2011 by HeatherAnn

[ldsfaqs]

The Gift of the Holy Ghost is an actual Gift that is separate from the Holy Spirit, both the Bible and latter-day Scripture makes this clear. It is the Baptism by Fire which is required along with the Baptism of Water. We know from the Bible that there were those who had the Holy Spirit in them, were baptized by one in authority, but then had to wait for the proper authority to give them the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Thus, interpretations of trying to tie in our water birth in the womb as being baptism, and/or the Holy Spirit actually being the "Gift" is very inaccurate and ignoring or key scriptures on the subject.

As previously mentioned. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a power and authority similar to how the Priesthood of God works, but it is given to every member to stand as authority's in the Kingdom of the Kingdom. If there was a "Priesthood of all Believers", this would actually be it. All believers are able to be given this gift by those in proper authority. It allows every member to proclaim the Word of God, and it actually be God's Word, rather than mans. That gift is available when called upon. Other's may have access to the Holy Spirit, but there is no authority, power, or right to the Kingdom or the Church of God.

[Arkholt]

I always thought the difference was quite simple. Those without the gift of the Holy Ghost can feel his influence sometimes, but only sometimes. No matter how worthy they are, they do not have the ability to feel the Holy Ghost at all times. This is similar to living far away from one of your friends and calling them from time to time. Those with the gift have the opportunity to have the Holy Ghost with them at all times, if they are worthy of it. This is similar to having your closest friend follow you around everywhere you go.

[zerinus]

I've been a member of the Church for a long time now, going on 20 years, and I have difficulty understanding the difference between being "filled with the Holy Spirit," as Protestants would put it, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've read scripture passages, Ensign articles, and Conference talks on the subject but I'm still confused. Is not the gift of the Holy Ghost to have the Spirit with you whenever you are worthy? How is that any different from being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

Thanks for any help and/or clarification.

The "gift of the Holy Ghost" is generally understood in the Church to mean the right to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost; and it need not always come with an outward manifestation such as the one observed on the day of Pentecost.

It is bestowed by the laying on of hands, and it comes after faith, repentance, and baptism. If one of those ingredients are missing, it cannot be given. There are two interesting questions that arise in regard to this:

(1) Would it be possible to receive that gift without the laying on of hands?

(2) Wouild it be possible for someone to receive that "outward manifestation" (as in the day of Penticost), without having received that "gift"?

The answer to the first question appears to be, based on scriptural evidence, that on exceptional situations it might be. But that is cold comfort to the Evangelicals, because all the other requirements must still be fulfilled, and in our time that cannot be done without the involvement God's only true Church, which is the LDS Church. You cannot bypass God's legitimate governing authority to receive those gifts and blessings.

The answer to the second question is most probably no. An outward manifestation such on the day of Penticost must be viewed as a sign of the bestowal of the gift, even if it is not preceded by the laying on of hands. It should also be noted that those spiritual gifts and blessings can be lost by not being fully compliant.

Edited July 11, 2011 by zerinus

[Nofear]

I've been a member of the Church for a long time now, going on 20 years, and I have difficulty understanding the difference between being "filled with the Holy Spirit," as Protestants would put it, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've read scripture passages, Ensign articles, and Conference talks on the subject but I'm still confused. Is not the gift of the Holy Ghost to have the Spirit with you whenever you are worthy? How is that any different from being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

Thanks for any help and/or clarification.

The influence of the Holy Ghost also brings the power of the Atonement into the person such that the person is literally changed in their inner being. As Mark E. Peterson put it,

We receive confirmation by the laying on of hands and are given the gift of the Holy Ghost. But we must remember that in that ordinance we also receive a newness of life. If we are sincere, we are literally born again. In a very real sense we become different and better persons. We receive a new heart. We put away the man of sin, as Paul describes it, and take upon ourselves the name and the image of Christ (see Col. 3:9-10). (From "The Image of a Church Leader," Ensign, Aug. 1980, p. 5)

Without the gift of the Holy Ghost, it is not possible to fully receive this rebirth. To my understanding, the transitory manifestations of the Holy Spirit prior to one's "baptism with fire" is there to persuade on of truths so as to lead them to such a rebirth (though, it is impossible to acquire a spiritual understanding of truth, i.e. intelligence, without it also affecting our inner-being).

[etana]

I've been a member of the Church for a long time now, going on 20 years, and I have difficulty understanding the difference between being "filled with the Holy Spirit," as Protestants would put it, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've read scripture passages, Ensign articles, and Conference talks on the subject but I'm still confused. Is not the gift of the Holy Ghost to have the Spirit with you whenever you are worthy? How is that any different from being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

Thanks for any help and/or clarification.

Some of the Sages of Rabbinical Judaism have written about this also. They describe Ruah HaQodesh (the Holy Spirit) as the interface or medium through which major communication between God and the Prophets is accomplished. This is exemplified with Abraham and Moses and the Apocalypses where Prophets see Heaven or Speak with God directly. After this was lost with the Prophets and then the Temple, all that remains is "Bat Kol" (the still small voice -- literally daughter of a voice).

Volgadon could probably describe this better than I have though.

[jadams_4242]

I've been a member of the Church for a long time now, going on 20 years, and I have difficulty understanding the difference between being "filled with the Holy Spirit," as Protestants would put it, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've read scripture passages, Ensign articles, and Conference talks on the subject but I'm still confused. Is not the gift of the Holy Ghost to have the Spirit with you whenever you are worthy? How is that any different from being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

Thanks for any help and/or clarification.

having lived my life in accordance to being both on the non worthy side of the tracks for many years and now living on the "worthy" side; i know what the differance is; and the differance is;... yes all mankind; {unless demonicaly possesed} can have the holy ghost from time to time to guide,instruct and inspire;; but only those whom do all they can and should be doing. {not being perfect} but sincerily trying to improve and strengthen without equivication, have the holy ghost at all times and all places to be a lifes companion; especially when we are doing everything we have promised the lord we would do;....for me it is more than obvious, and i know it can be obvious to any whom truely seek.

[bluebell]

Maybe this has already been said, since i think it comes from a GA and i just can't remember the source, but i've always seen the difference between having the gift of the Holy Ghost and the influence of the Holy Ghost to be comparable to the difference between lightening and the sun.

Lightening illumniates the world for a brief second-shedding light on what is immediately around it-and then it's gone. The sun is constant in the light it gives and it illuminates everything.

The influence of the Holy Ghost reveals truth or provides comfort, or bring something to someone's rememberance, etc., and then it's gone. It provides light and knowledge, but it's fleeting, like lightening.

The gift of the Holy Ghost lights up a person's whole life. It's always there, it influences the person's whole world and the light and knoweldge it provides are constant and steady, like the sun.