"The usual Protestant interpretation says that the Holy Ghost is given all Christians directly. This is without warrant. We have the Holy Ghost inasmuch as the Church of the Apostles informed us."
Alex, I'm afraid you've lost me on this one and I find myself in sympathy with our Protestant friends. This isn't what the Fathers taught, to my knowledge, let alone the NT. Am I seeing an example of the Barlaamism which +Gregory Palamas contested against?
I only have time for a short answer today. The Holy Spirit was given by Christ to the apostles, who formed the Church. Through baptism in the Church, one receives the Holy Spirit. This is consistent with all the scripture I've seen.
Did my previous answers to you satisfy? Also please see my more recent posts just above.