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Tarrying at the Altar: The Power of Persistent Prayer in Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost According to the Promise of Acts of the Apostles and the Words of Jesus Christ.

This Bible study explores the profound biblical mandate and practice of persistent prayer, often referred to as 'tarrying,' in preparation for and reception of the promised gift of the Holy Ghost. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus and the experiences of the early church in the book of Acts, we will uncover the necessity of earnestly seeking God's Spirit and the transformative power it brings to the believer's life. This study emphasizes the singular identity of God and the Holy Ghost as His indwelling presence.

1. The Promise of the Holy Ghost: A Divine Mandate

1.1 Jesus' Explicit Promise to His Disciples

Verses: John 14:16-17; John 15:26; Luke 24:49
  • Jesus promised a Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who would abide with them forever.
  • The Holy Ghost would proceed from the Father and testify of Jesus.
  • Disciples were commanded to 'tarry' in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high.

1.2 The Fulfillment on the Day of Pentecost

Verses: Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:38-39
  • The disciples waited as commanded, and the Holy Ghost was poured out with power.
  • They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues.
  • Peter declared the promise was for all who would repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

2. The Command to Tarry: Persistent Seeking

2.1 Waiting for the Promise with Expectation

Verses: Acts 1:4; Luke 24:49
  • Obedience to Christ's instruction to wait was crucial for the disciples.
  • The act of waiting signifies a posture of readiness and anticipation for God's timing.
  • This waiting is not passive but an active, prayerful preparation of the heart.

2.2 United and Persistent Prayer

Verses: Acts 1:14; Luke 11:9-13
  • The disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.
  • Jesus taught about the importance of asking, seeking, and knocking persistently.
  • God is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him than earthly parents are to give good gifts.

2.3 The 'Altar' as a Place of Dedicated Seeking

Verses: Isaiah 55:6; Jeremiah 29:13
  • While not a physical altar, 'tarrying at the altar' represents a dedicated time and place of intense spiritual pursuit.
  • It is a focused commitment to seek the Lord while He may be found.
  • This personal encounter involves earnest prayer, repentance, and surrender to God's will.

3. The Experience of Receiving: Infilling and Evidence

3.1 The Infilling and Its Initial Evidence

Verses: Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6
  • The Holy Ghost is received as an infilling, empowering the believer.
  • The consistent initial physical evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking with other tongues.
  • This supernatural utterance is as the Spirit gives the ability, not learned human language.

3.2 The Power and Purpose of the Spirit

Verses: Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26; Galatians 5:22-23
  • Receiving the Holy Ghost endues believers with power to be witnesses for Christ.
  • The Spirit helps in our infirmities, making intercession for us.
  • The indwelling Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit, transforming character.

3.3 Maintaining a Spirit-Filled Life

Verses: Ephesians 5:18; Jude 1:20
  • Believers are commanded to be continually filled with the Spirit.
  • This involves ongoing prayer, worship, and obedience to God's Word.
  • Building up oneself on our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost strengthens our spiritual walk.

4. The Identity of the Holy Ghost: The Spirit of the One God

4.1 The Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ

Verses: Romans 8:9-11; 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:18
  • The Holy Ghost is identified as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ interchangeably.
  • Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, revealing the Lord's presence.
  • Jesus promised, 'I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,' indicating the Spirit is His presence.

4.2 God Manifest in Spirit

Verses: John 4:24; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9
  • God is Spirit, and the Holy Ghost is the manifestation of God's presence and power in the believer.
  • God was manifest in the flesh, and in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
  • The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the one God, who is Jesus Christ, dwelling within us.

4.3 One Spirit, One Lord

Verses: Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
  • There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.
  • There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
  • The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the one Lord, Jesus Christ, distributing gifts as He wills.