Youve heard talk about God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, but who is the Holy Spirit? What does He have to do with my Life and with being a Christian?
First lets explain who the Holy Spirit is. The Bible says that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit together made the world and all that is in it, including man. SO he has always been.
God’s plan includes that we have the Holy Spirit living in us, so let’s talk about him.
All Biblical accounts of people being Born Again included the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidences that Jesus said his following disciples would be like. (See Mark 16:17-18)
1) Who is the Holy Spirit?
One of the Trinity
The Trinity consists of:
- God - The Father
- Jesus -The Son
- The Holy Spirit
Many times I've heard people refer to the Holy Spirit as an "IT" and this shouldn't be. The Holy Spirit is God, just as the Father, and the Son are God. Therefore the word HE is appropriate when speaking of Him. The Holy Spirit has always been. Because God has always been.
He spoke through prophets and others in the Old Testament.
2) What are the primary functions of the Holy Spirit?
To “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8).
To be our Comforter. (John 14:16-17)
To make us powerful Christians. (Act 1:8)
To be our counselor and lead us into all truth (John 14:26)
The Greek word used in this passage literally means one called along side of.
To guide you (John 16:13).
The following verses give us an idea of just how important this function of the Holy Spirit is to our Christian walk:
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”-but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV
God’s desire has always been to restore the original creation that was lost due to man’s sin…
In keeping with that he has now given us his Spirit so that our relationship with Him is not based on following a bunch of rules, but on being led much more intimately by “the Spirit”.
In keeping with that he has now given us his Spirit so that our relationship with Him is not based on following a bunch of rules, but on being led much more intimately by “the Spirit”.
One of Satan’s traps is to get us to live without a loving relationship with God, but following all the “rules”.
God’s plan is still the same…he wants to walk with us and being filled with HIS Holy Spirit is how we can do that.
See what the Bible says…
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7:6 NIV
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 NKJV (Don’t go back to the law for the relationship!)
To equip us for supernatural service.
3) A Biblical look at being empowered with the Holy Spirit for service
There are two primary types of spirit-empowered service:
Empowered to be His witnesses:
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV
Empowered to operate in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit... But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7
There are five “empowerment” events recorded in the New Testament. Three of the five times the Holy Spirit is imparted by the laying on of hands, and two could be referred to as spontaneous mass outpourings-without a human agent’s involvement.
For future study the five events are listed below:
- The initial outpouring (Acts 2:1-4)
- Tongues of fire separated and rested on each believer
- Peter and John in Samaria (Acts 8:14-19)
“They prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.”
They “placed their hands on them, and they received...” - Ananias with Paul (Acts 9:17-19)
Ananias placed his hands on Paul - Peter at Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:44-48)
The Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. - Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-6)
Paul places his hands on them and “the Holy Spirit came on them.”
Jesus stated what the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit would be and how his followers would be recognized:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." Mark 16:17-18
Speaking in tongues is the most recognized outward manifestation of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but is perhaps not the only proof.
Speaking in tongues as an outward manifestation is recorded in Acts 19: 6,
and Jesus said that his disciples (speaking of future disciples) would also speak in tongues (among other signs) in Mark 16:17.
4) God plan is for us to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit
It was prophesied in the Old Testament.
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29
Jesus was recognized by John the Baptist as “he will baptize with the Holy Spirit”
(Matt 3:11, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33).
(Matt 3:11, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33).
.
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38-39
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Gal 3:14 (Promised for gentiles.)
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Eph 1:13-14
Commanded to pray for Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Act 1:4-5
How do we receive the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”?
As with salvation, we only need to ask the Father and he promises to baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Lk 11:13
