There are four distinct gifts mentioned in the New Testament.
The gift of Christ, by God, to the world (Jhn 3:16).
The gift of the Church, by the Father, to Christ (Jhn 17:6).
The gift by the believer, of himself, to God, for His occupation, use, and service (2Cr 8:5).
The gift of the Holy Spirit, by Christ, to those who believe in Him (Jhn 1:33; Act 2:38).
Let us note a few characteristics of the latter.
It was a Promised Gift. If we look back to the parting words of Christ, as recorded in John 14:16, we shall see that he spoke again and again of "The Comforter," whom He would send to take His place and carry on His work. It is well to remember that the Holy Spirit is not an influence, but a Person. His personality is most clearly taught by Christ, and also the diversity of His operation is most significant in the revelation of Christ concerning Him.
He is a Powerful Gift (Act 2:2-4, 37). The power of the Spirit is seen in the two similes used, "wind" and "fire"; and in the result produced, in that 3,000 were pricked to the heart and converted. The power of the Spirit is most marked in the change He made in the disciples. They were turned from cowardice to courage. Filled with the Spirit, there will be power to witness for Christ.
He is a Peculiar Gift (Act 2:5-13). The multitude could not understand what made the difference in the disciples, and as they heard them, there was one of two results. Some were "amazed," and others "mocked." A man who is filled with the Holy Spirit will be a marked one. The devil will seek to overthrow him, and men will scoff at him.
The peculiar features of the Holy Spirit are—He is holy, loving, true, and righteous; and those who possess Him are like Him; hence those who are not in possession of Him, do not like Him or His.
He is a Prophetic Gift (Act 2:14-21). The Jews need not have wondered. We wonder that they should wonder, for they should have known their own Scripture, and have been expecting the fulfilment of its prophecies. Note the two "I wills" in Act 2:17-18. The "I will" tells us of the certainty of the promise; and the "pouring out" of the sufficiency of the promise. The "pouring out" suggests another emblem of the Holy Spirit, viz., water.
The following five "I will pour" illustrate the above:—
Purchased Gift (Act 2:22-36). These verses describe the person and work of the Lord Jesus, and one of the consequences of His atoning work, namely, the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was Jesus in resurrection power who said to His disciples, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (Jhn 20:22).
The preliminary to receiving the Gift (Act 2:38). Repentance towards God precedes the reception of the Holy Spirit. Repentance is taking God's side against one's self, as the publican did when he condemned himself in God's presence. Repentance is a change of mind wrought by the Holy Spirit, and shewn in the action. Repentance is opening the door to the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Spirit is to allow Him to come in and take possession of the house.
Proclaimed Gift (Act 2:41-47). They proclaimed the gift in the following way:—