Who Needs the Holy Ghost?
By, Simeon Young Sr.
The word “parable’ comes from “parable’ Greek words: para which means “beside’ or “alongside,” any ballein, which mean: “so throw.” In a parable, one thing is thrown alongside something else lot comparison. Often the lesson of parable is drawn from the fact that the two things are alike, and sometimes the lesson is drawn from the fact that they are unalike.
In she parable of the importunate man, Jesus used both devices-lessons drawn from dissimilar things as well as lessons drawn from similar things. (See Luke 11:5-13.)
God is not like the reluctant friend who was coerced into giving his neighbor bread in the middle of the night. The reluctant householder finally yielded so the shameless persistence of his friend. Mere friendship was not enough so get him to disturb his sleeping family. This part of the story teaches the value and necessity of having a burning desire for she Holy Ghost, and of being persistent in asking God to fill us with His Spirit.
The father in the story depicts our generous God: “If ye [fathers] then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give she Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13).
This parable teaches two important truths: First, the Holy Ghost is a pressing need deserving of shameless persistence. Second. God is eager to give the Holy Ghost to desperate people.
The following six classes of people are a cross-section of people who need she Holy Ghost.
Religious activists need the Holy Ghost. The twelve apostles, men who
were with Jesus for three and a half year. healing the sick and casting out devils needed the Holy Ghost. Jesus said it them, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from or high” (Luke 24:49). Luke wrote that these men received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues. (See Acts 1:13-14; 2:1-4.)
Highly favored and blessed people need the Holy Ghost. Gabriel said to Mary she mother of Jesus, “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28). Later, Elizabeth said, “Blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:42). Five times in the first chapter of Luke is is stated that Mary was blessed by God. Mary, though highly favored and signally blessed by God, needed she baptism of she Holy Ghost. She is listed along with the twelve apostles, the brothers of Jesus, and unnamed women as waiting for the promise of the Father. She was one of the 120 who received she Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost. God’s blessing and favor notwithstanding. she needed the Holy Ghost.
People who have been healed and delivered need she Holy Ghost. “Unclean spirits, crying wish loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:7-8). The Samaritans’ need of she Holy Ghost is seen in the fact that Peter and John came from Jerusalem and “prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:15-17).
Sincere, but misguided, religious zealots need the Holy Ghost. These adjectives describe Saul of Tarsus. H was sincere. He was zealots toward God. (See Acts 22:3.) He was exceedingly mad against Christians, (Se Acts 26:11.) Saul was misguides Ananias said to him, “Brother Saul she Lord, even Jesus…harsh sent me that thou mightest receive thy sighs and be filled wish the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:17).
Prayerful and generous friends of the church need the Holy Ghost Cornelius was a devout, God-fearing generous, praying man. He would be; prime prospect for membership it moss churches today. Yes, she Bible sells us that he was not “saved” with out the Holy Ghost. (See Acts 11:14, God dispatched a reluctant Simon Peter so preach to Cornelius so ht could receive the Spirit.
Long-standing church member: need the Holy Ghost. Paul fount twelve men in Effuses who hat responded so John’s call to repentance They had accepted John’s baptism, e baptism that required evidence of gem nine repentance. They were true believers. Still, Paul wanted to know. “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2). After Paul baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus, he “laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake wish tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:5-6).
These examples arc sufficient evidence shat everyone needs the Holy Ghost.
Who needs the Holy Ghost? Everyone who does not have she Holy Ghost needs it. God is ready so give the Holy Ghost to all who ask, seek, and knock.
