Receive Ye the Holy Ghost

compiled from the writings of Ellen G. White by Frank Klin

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut
where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and
saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands
and His side." He gave them evidence that He was the same Jesus who had been crucified.
"Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be
unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He
breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whosesoever sins ye remit,
they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained." [1]

Thus the disciples received their commission. They were to teach and to preach in Christ's
name. The instruction given them had in it the vital, spiritual breath that is in Christ. He alone
could give them the oil which they must have in order to work successfully. Christ's likeness must
appear in them. They could be successful only as they studied their Master's character and
followed His example. [2]

The Holy Spirit is the breath of life in the soul. The breathing of Christ upon His disciples was
the breath of true spiritual life. The disciples were to interpret this as imbuing them with the
attributes of their Saviour, that in purity, faith, and obedience, they might exalt the law, and make
it honorable. God's law is the expression of His character. By obedience to its requirements we
meet God's standard of character. Thus the disciples were to witness for Christ. [3]

The impartation of the Spirit was the impartation of the very life of Christ, which was to qualify
the disciples for their mission. Without this qualification their work could not be accomplished.
Thus they were to fulfil the official duties connected with the church. But the Holy Spirit was not
yet fully manifested, because Christ had not yet been glorified. The more abundant impartation of
the Holy Spirit did not take place till after Christ's ascension. [4]

"Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain,
they are retained." The lesson here given to the disciples means that wise men, truly taught of
God, possessing the inward working of the Holy Spirit, are to act as representative men, samples
of the whole body of believers. These are to show themselves capable of preserving due order in
the church; and the Holy Spirit will convince of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. But the
remission of sins is to be understood as the prerogative of God alone. The warnings in the
seventh chapter of Matthew forbid men to pronounce judgment on their fellow men. God has not
given His servants power to cast down or to destroy. The apostles were unable to remove the
guilt from any soul. They were to give the message from God: It is written -- the Lord has said --
thus and thus in regard to lying, Sabbath-breaking, bearing false witness, stealing, idolatry. [5]

Christ has given rules for the guidance of His church. "If thy brother shall trespass against
thee," he said, "go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou
hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to
hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an
heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." [6]

Remitting sins or retaining applies to the church in her organized capacity. God has given
directions to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. Censure is to be given.
This censure is to be removed when the one in error repents and confesses his sin. This solemn
commission is given to men who have in them the breath of the Holy Spirit, in whose lives the
Christ-life is manifested. They are to be men who have spiritual eyesight, who can discern

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spiritual things, whose actions in dealing with the members of the church are such as can receive
the indorsement of the great Head of the church. If this is not so, in their human judgment they
will censure those who should be commended, and sustain those who are controlled by a power
from beneath. [7]

The gospel commission is to be carried out by men who know the inward working of the Spirit
of God, who have the attributes of Christ. Christ's breath is breathed upon them, and He says to
them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." All who are thus inspired by God have a work to do for the
churches. As Christ's representatives, the ministers of the grace of God, they may say to others,
It is written, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness." This is remission of sins in accordance with the word of God. [8]

In all labor with the members of the church, every eye is to be directed to Christ. Those in the
wrong are to confess their sins to the sin-pardoning Saviour; and the servants of the Lord Jesus
are not to strive, but to minister in word and doctrine. The shepherds are to take a kindly interest
in the flock of the Lord's pasture. They are to present the grace of Christ, comforting the erring by
speaking of the divine tenderness of the Saviour, encouraging those who have fallen to repent
and believe in Him who alone can pardon transgression. [9]

Let the tenderness of Christ find a place in the hearts of His ministers. Watch for souls as they
that must give an account. Watch constantly, vigilantly, and pray earnestly. Faithfully warn every
soul that is in danger. Encourage the sinner to go to Christ. If he repents of his sin, he will find
abundant pardon. He has assurance that his sins will be remitted; for thus it is written. Bear in
mind that first the Lord gave His disciples the Holy Spirit. Those today who would do the work of
the disciples must receive the presence of the Holy Spirit, and work under its influence. [10]

Remission of sins can be obtained only through the merits of Christ. On no man, priest or
pope, but on God alone, rests the power to forgive sins. "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world." "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the
sons of God." "If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not
the truth. . . . But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." This is the
message that is to be borne. On this basis Christians are free. Give encouragement of sins
remitted. "If we walk in the light, as He in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. . . . If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." "These things write I
unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of
the whole world." [11]

Remember that however great the wisdom man may appear to have, if Christ does not abide
in his soul, if he is not controlled by the principles of the Word of God, he will guide your feet into
false paths. However great the capabilities and talents entrusted to man, unless he is breathed
upon by the Lord Jesus, unless the life-giving current of Christ's love circulates through his soul,
unless he receives nourishment from Christ as the branches of the vine receive sap from the
parent stock, he is not to be trusted as a safe guide in spiritual things. If man misuses his wisdom,
as did the one once a covering cherub in the heavenly courts, and places his judgment as
supreme, be afraid of him, and turn from him to the living God. [12]

Oneness with Christ depends on the renewing of the mind by the Holy Spirit. Thus we are
strengthened to walk in newness of life, receiving from Christ forgiveness for our sins. He who
has this experience is a cleansed vessel, sanctified and meet for the Master's use. Self is dead.
His words are, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." There is a daily reception of the Holy
Spirit, and this brings eternal life to the soul. [13]

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 Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God have a vital, saving union with
Him. They are partakers of the divine nature. Christ dwells in the human tenement. True
Christians are one with Christ as Christ is one with God. The quickening of the Holy Spirit brings
life to the soul. When this is believed, understood, and known by experience, the character of
God is revealed in the human agent. Christ abides in the heart. [14]

All disunion, all selfish thoughts, words, and actions, are the fruit of the working of an unholy
spirit upon the mind. Under the influence of this spirit, words are spoken which do not reveal the
Saviour. Christ is not formed within, the hope of glory. Those who live thus are sinners, tho they
may be counted as saints. They are without faith. They do not practise the principles of Christ.
Many who claim to be Christians commit grievous sins because they do not eat the bread that
came down from heaven. [15]

Now is the time for us to make sure work for eternity. Christ is pleading in our behalf. Shall we
offer ourselves as a free, acceptable sacrifice? Shall we cover up our sins, or shall we confess
them, that we may find mercy and grace to help in every time of need? While Christ is pleading in
our behalf, shall we not put away and loathe the sins that caused the Son of God such great
suffering and death? While Jesus is showing compassion for us, shall we not have compassion
for ourselves? Shall we not pour out our souls in repentance and contrition, and receive the
promise of a new heart? God says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed
our transgressions from us." [16]

John says, "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to
His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of Him." Let us dwell much upon these points before the
people, that their ideas may be enlarged, their faith increased. They should be encouraged to ask
largely, and expect without a doubt the riches of His grace; for through Jesus we can come into
the audience chamber of the Most High. Through His merits we have access by one Spirit unto
the Father. Oh, that we may have a deeper experience in prayer! With confidence we may come
to God, knowing what it is to have the presence and power of His Holy Spirit. We may confess
our sins, and right there, while asking, know that He pardons our transgressions, because He has
promised to forgive. We must exercise faith, and manifest true earnestness and humility. We can
never do this without the grace of the Holy Spirit. We must lie low at the feet of Jesus, and
cherish no selfishness, reveal no self-uplifting, but in simplicity seek the Lord, asking for His Holy
Spirit as a little child asks bread of his parents. [17]

1. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, June 13, 1899 par. 4

2. Ibid, par. 5
3. Ibid, par. 6
4. Ibid, par. 7
5. Ibid, par. 8
6. Ibid, par. 9
7. Ibid, par. 10
8. Ibid, par. 11
9. Ibid, par. 12
10. Ibid, par. 13
11. Ibid, par. 14
12. Australasian Union Conference Record, February 15, 1904
13. Signs of the Times, October 3, 1900 par. 12
14. Ibid, par. 13
15. Ibid, par. 14
16. General Conference Bulletin, October 1, 1899 par. 15
17. Signs of the Times, October 3, 1892 par. 5