Act 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Firstly, in Acts 5:32 the word “obey” there is the Greek word peitharcheō
pi-tharkh-eh’-o to be persuaded by a ruler, that is, (generally) to submit to authority; by analogy to conform to advice: – hearken, obey (magistrates).
The primary focus of this word is to be “persuaded”. It’s my conviction that in the New Testament the word obey in most cases means to believe, or to be persuaded.
Therefore you cannot receive the Holy Spirit unless you believe in Christ/grace – or you could say “You cannot receive the Holy Spirit until you realize that He only comes to those who believe for it and not those who work for it.”
This is exactly what Paul is talking about in Galatians 3: 1- 5
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
It seems so many people would like to put us under the performance of the law to sanctify us or make us worthy for the Holy Spirit, or blessings or to work miracles or to live a pure life. Paul speaks directly against this kind of heretical thinking!
People foolishly believe that we are saved by grace but need to continue in the law. Paul is convinced otherwise. It’s all by grace – unmerited favor.
Notice the word “obey” in verse 1? It’s the Greek word peithō
pi’-tho
A primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): – agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) content, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.
It purely refers to believing and not to any action of performance! To obey the truth is to believe the truth! i.e. faith is obedience, works is disobedience.
Romans 1:5 Says that Paul calls Gentiles to the “obedience of faith”. In other words people are called to rely on faith rather than works or to stay obedient to faith rather than obedient to laws!
Regarding 1 John 3: 22 and 24 – the context is found in verse 23 and therefore these scriptures can never be quoted without verse 23!
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
God’s New Covenant command is to believe in Jesus! That’s why we receive what we ask for because we have faith! Hebrews 11:6 says the only thing that pleases God is faith! (Anytime the New Covenant refers to pleasing God it is referring faith as opposed to works!)
We’re also commanded to love others here but this is not a performance of the flesh thing, this is an empowerment thing that comes from being born again and having faith.
Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
