Acts 10

"No man can receive the Holy Ghost," the Prophet said, "without receiving revelations." The Holy Ghost is a revelator. God is no respecter of persons, meaning that the gift of the Holy Ghost, always and invariably, will be poured out upon all those who abide the law entitling them to that divine companionship (Acts 10)" ( Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie, Bookcraft, 1966, pg. 644)

Acts 10:44-45
"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles." NIV

Acts 10 does not talk about abiding by the law---God's Spirit is for all believers. God Bless!

3 comments:

Steph May 12, 2009 at 12:34 PM  

God's spirit is and always has been for all. It's how missionaries teach those who wish to learn about the church. They can feel the spirit and everyone can have God's spirit with them. In Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie talks about us RECEIVING the Holy Ghost as a gift and companion. When we are baptized, we are thereafter confirmed members of the church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost to be a companion with us always. This is a guide and a companion that the Lord gives us as we are faithful and "stand in holy places". The Holy Ghost will not stay with us in unholy places. That is the difference. You may choose not keep this comment, but I hope you do because no one should ever feel or be told that they are not entitled to feel God's spirit and that's exactly what Satan wants us to think: That God is exclusive and promising only to those "special" humans. But God is all loving and opens his heart to all. We just have to love him and follow him. FOLLOWING is the key, not blindly, but questioning boldly to understand that He wants the best for us. And that includes feeling his spirit always.

jer1414 May 13, 2009 at 4:16 PM  

And who can perfectly abide by the law? Anybody? Not one qualifies.
I politely disagree with the previous comment to your post that one must become a member of a particular church to receive the Holy Ghost. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17). Jesus Christ baptizes us with the Holy Ghost. In Acts 10:44 and 11:15 while the words were still being spoken, the Holy Ghost fell on those that heard the word. Ephesians 1:13 speaks of hearing the word of truth and being sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost takes residence within us, never abandoning us or coming and going based on our obedience (see also John 14:16). Remember, there are false spirits and false Christs (Matt. 24:24) out to deceive us (even posing as angels of light) so we must compare what Scripture says with what we are taught or what we think we know to be true. We must test the spirits and our feelings (John 4:1).

I enjoy reading this blog on occasion and am so thankful you have found the truth in Jesus Christ. It saddens me when I see reply comments to you with more focus placed on religion, rules, and church than Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus says:
”I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by…
…joining the right church…?
…being baptized by the proper authority…?

No… But by ME.

Thank you for shining the light into a dark world. May you be blessed.

handmaiden May 14, 2009 at 9:24 PM  

Hello Steph,
The Holy Spirit is for all and always will be for all who believe not just for those who are baptized. Remember, baptism is an outward sign of an inward work. If a person is not baptized, it does not disqualify them from the Spirit. Faith comes from hearing the word and the Holy Spirit is always there through weakened in faith and strong in faith. As far as "unholy places" is concerned, Jesus even dined with prostitutes and the law givers. God and the Holy Spirit are within not without. I never said that no one, or certain people, are not entitled to Gods Spirit. Quite the opposite, "ALL" are entitled to the Holy Spirit. I never said that God is "exclusive" (whatever you mean by that), nor for "those 'special' humans". The only thing I said was that the Holy Spirit is for all. It was Joseph Smith who put parameters on the Holy Spirit. Please re-read your Mormon history. It's there in black and white.
Jer1414,
God bless you for your words of truth.
handmaiden

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Michigan, United States
I spent a lot of time deciding if I should write this blog or not. I'm not a great writer and I'm not going to pretend to be. I need to share what I have learned and I might not make some people happy with what I am saying. This blog is a way for me to release the thoughts and feelings that come with knowing I grew up in the wrong religion. A healing process if you will.

How To Read This Blog

Please start with the month of February 2007 and read backwards. This is the most effective way to understand, in order, why I say what I do.

Handmaidens Creed

1.I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as one God without beginning or end.
2.I believe the Bible to be the Holy Inspired word of God with full truth and righteousness. No other writing is.
3.I believe that the work of the Lord comes first. Before any temporal thing or person.
4.I believe that grace is a gift and Christ gives that gift freely to all who believe.
5.I believe that the beauty of a woman is contained inside of her and not by what she looks like on the outside.
6.I believe that marriage is sacred and represents the Godhead on earth; two are one just as three are one.
7.I believe that love is more powerful than any other power. Remember, God is love.
8.I believe that tithing is not a part of God's new covenant, free will offerings are. And that doesn't mean just money.
9.I believe that the Aaronic, Levitical, and Melchizedek priesthoods are abolished and Christs Holy Priesthood whom Christ is the "Great High Priest" is eternal.
10.I believe that every believer is a priest in the "Priesthood of Believers".
11.I believe that when two are one, nobody is to separate the one.
12.I believe that Christ is the only way to heaven.
13.I believe that our bodies are temples, not man made buildings.
14.I believe that liars make fools out of others and the liar hates the fool.
15.I believe that all believers are in authority to preach the gospel.
16.I believe that the word 'organization' to describe Christs body is evil and has no place with God.
17.I believe the Americas are not the land of Zion and Christ will return to His origonal land-Israel in the Middle East.
18.I believe that God has set out correct ways of worshiping Him, not man.
19.I believe in holding to the truths of the Bible and not mans understanding of it.
20.I believe that the world is full of evil and Satan can easily gain control over the minds of those who do not profess Christ of the Bible to be their only Messiah.
21.I believe that Saints are those who know the real Savior, Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible speaks of; not the jesus of a cult.