Content:
- The Person of the Holy Spirit
- The Third Person of the Trinity
- The Holy Spirit in the World
- The Holy Spirit in the Believer
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Person of the Holy Spirit
Jesus said that he would ask the Father, and he would give us another Helper,
to be with us forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world can't receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. We know him, for he dwells with us and is in us. (John 14:16–17, 16:7). He is the person of the Holy Spirit, see The Trinity.
Jesus said that it was for our benefit that he left his disciples, because if he didn't go away, the Helper won't come to them. But if he did, he would send him to them. (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father at Jesus' request to come to our side to help us. The Holy Spirit is the one who inspired the writing of the Bible
(Mark 12:36, Acts 1:16, 2 Pet 1:21), see Misconceptions and Objections.
He inspired the apostles and inspires the believers (John 14:26, Luk 12:11–12).
(Mark 12:36, Acts 1:16, 2 Pet 1:21), see Misconceptions and Objections.
He inspired the apostles and inspires the believers (John 14:26, Luk 12:11–12).
The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth, for he won't speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to us what is to come.
He glorifies Jesus, because he takes what is his and declares it to us.
All that the Father has belongs to Jesus; therefore the Holy Spirit takes what belongs to Jesus and declares it to us. (John 16:13–15).
He testifies about Jesus (John 15:26). He talks to us about decisions to make
(Acts 13:2), and he guides us (Acts 16:6–7). He has revealed things about what will happen in the latter times (1 Tim 4:1–3) (that is, at the end of the end times).
He teaches us everything as if it was from Jesus himself, and reminds us of everything that Jesus has told us in his Word in the Bible (John 14:26).
He glorifies Jesus, because he takes what is his and declares it to us.
All that the Father has belongs to Jesus; therefore the Holy Spirit takes what belongs to Jesus and declares it to us. (John 16:13–15).
He testifies about Jesus (John 15:26). He talks to us about decisions to make
(Acts 13:2), and he guides us (Acts 16:6–7). He has revealed things about what will happen in the latter times (1 Tim 4:1–3) (that is, at the end of the end times).
He teaches us everything as if it was from Jesus himself, and reminds us of everything that Jesus has told us in his Word in the Bible (John 14:26).
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we don't know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.
(Rom 8:26–28a). We can have fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 13:14
(13 in some translations)).
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.
(Rom 8:26–28a). We can have fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 13:14
(13 in some translations)).
God reveals things to us through the Holy Spirit, even the depths of God
(1 Cor 2:9–11). He distributes spiritual gifts according to his will (1 Cor 12:11).
He gives the power to perform signs and wonders (Rom 15:18–19a).
(1 Cor 2:9–11). He distributes spiritual gifts according to his will (1 Cor 12:11).
He gives the power to perform signs and wonders (Rom 15:18–19a).
God gave the Holy Spirit to instruct the Israelites at the Exodus from Egypt
(Neh 9:20a). The people of Israel rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit; therefore God became their enemy, and himself fought against them (Isaiah 63:10). We must not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we are sealed for the day of redemption
(Eph 4:30). We must not resist him (Acts 7:51). We must not lie to the Holy Spirit, see Ananias and Sapphira. We must not blaspheme him (Mark 3:28–30), see
The Unforgivable Sin.
(Neh 9:20a). The people of Israel rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit; therefore God became their enemy, and himself fought against them (Isaiah 63:10). We must not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we are sealed for the day of redemption
(Eph 4:30). We must not resist him (Acts 7:51). We must not lie to the Holy Spirit, see Ananias and Sapphira. We must not blaspheme him (Mark 3:28–30), see
The Unforgivable Sin.
The Holy Spirit is indeed a person, person who possesses all personality traits.
As a person, he can become known, and we can develop a personal relationship
with him. We can have a close fellowship with him and communicate with him.
As a person, he can become known, and we can develop a personal relationship
with him. We can have a close fellowship with him and communicate with him.
It's always dangerous to look at other people's experiences and try to duplicate
their experiences. The Holy Spirit manifests himself in different ways.
their experiences. The Holy Spirit manifests himself in different ways.
The Third Person of the Trinity
The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead, see The Trinity. That he is mentioned in the third person isn't a reflection that would indicate an inferiority.
Scripture teaches the equal aspects of the Godhead's divine nature, see
The Order between Jesus and the Father in the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb 9:14b), just as God the Father and the Lord Jesus are eternal.
Scripture teaches the equal aspects of the Godhead's divine nature, see
The Order between Jesus and the Father in the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb 9:14b), just as God the Father and the Lord Jesus are eternal.
The Holy Spirit is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7–10), omnipotent (Luk 1:35), and omniscient (1 Cor 2:10–11). He is sovereign in the way he relates to us.
See God is omnipresent, God is omnipotent, God is omniscient,
and God is sovereign in God's Attributes.
The Holy Spirit in the World
"When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me (in Jesus); about righteousness, because I (Jesus) am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world (Satan) now stands condemned." (John 16:8–11 (NIV)).
The Holy Spirit draws man to Jesus Christ. Many times we call the Holy Spirit's endeavor with man the voice of conscience (Rom 2:14–16). We live in a time and are fast approaching the time when people will have no consciousness of evil. They won't even know what evil is. They will be able to commit the most horrible crimes and feel no sense of remorse. They have either been misled by the teachings of hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron (1 Tim 4:1–2 (NIV)). Or they have hardened their conscience by repeatedly doing what they knew was wrong. People can resist and do resist the work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51,
Zechariah 7:12). When a person hardens his heart and doesn't listen to the voice
of the Holy Spirit or his conscience, God has no other option but judgment
(John 3:18–21, 1 John 5:10–12), see The Great White Throne Judgement.
See also Love and not revenge in The Sermon on the Mount.
Zechariah 7:12). When a person hardens his heart and doesn't listen to the voice
of the Holy Spirit or his conscience, God has no other option but judgment
(John 3:18–21, 1 John 5:10–12), see The Great White Throne Judgement.
See also Love and not revenge in The Sermon on the Mount.
The Holy Spirit is the restraining force against evil in our time. Man was given dominion over the Earth at the creation, but was deceived by Satan and fell,
see The Fall of Man in The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man. Satan then gained power over the Earth. God the Father sent his Son to redeem the world to God. Through Jesus Christ's death on the cross, he paid the price for our redemption
(Heb 2:8), see The Atonement. He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise,
see Jesus the Light of the World, which is a down payment for our inheritance until he redeems his purchase, see the Millennial Kingdom. As born again Christians
we belong to another kingdom, the kingdom of our God (Phil 3:20, Col 1:13),
that is within this kingdom of this world (1 John 5:19).
see The Fall of Man in The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man. Satan then gained power over the Earth. God the Father sent his Son to redeem the world to God. Through Jesus Christ's death on the cross, he paid the price for our redemption
(Heb 2:8), see The Atonement. He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise,
see Jesus the Light of the World, which is a down payment for our inheritance until he redeems his purchase, see the Millennial Kingdom. As born again Christians
we belong to another kingdom, the kingdom of our God (Phil 3:20, Col 1:13),
that is within this kingdom of this world (1 John 5:19).
The Holy Spirit in the Believer
When we are saved we receive God's indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38–39,
1 Cor 3:16, Rom 8:9b), see Jesus the Light of the World. The Holy Spirit in us is the seal of God's ownership of us (Eph 1:13–14, 2 Cor 1:22, Rom 8:16–17).
1 Cor 3:16, Rom 8:9b), see Jesus the Light of the World. The Holy Spirit in us is the seal of God's ownership of us (Eph 1:13–14, 2 Cor 1:22, Rom 8:16–17).
The Holy Spirit teaches us everything and reminds us of everything that Jesus has told us in his Word in the Bible (John 14:26). When we read the Bible, he can lead us to all truth. Since the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, it's good to have him as the source, who gives us illumination of the texts. We can also learn a lot from people who are gifted as teachers, see The Book of Ephesians. But we should always test it against the Bible and do as the Jews in Berea did when they heard the gospel
(Acts 17:10–12). This also applies when reading the articles in this blog.
(Acts 17:10–12). This also applies when reading the articles in this blog.
The Holy Spirit lives in us when we are saved. He gives us strength to become more like Christ, to live a life in obedience to God's Word so that we grow in spiritual maturity, see Sanctification. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to do that
(Gal 5:16–17, 24–25, Rom 8:12–13), see the end part of The Book of Galatians.
We can't achieve it in our own strength without the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Gal 5:16–17, 24–25, Rom 8:12–13), see the end part of The Book of Galatians.
We can't achieve it in our own strength without the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don't know what to pray for as we should, but the Holy Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts knows what the Holy Spirit thinks, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom 8:26–27).
We see man today in his fallen state (Rom 1:29–32), see The Fall of Man in
The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man. This will become even worse in the end times (2 Tim 3:1–5). This isn't what God intended for man. In Jesus Christ we see God's intention for man (2 Cor 4:4). He lived as God wants us to live.
The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man. This will become even worse in the end times (2 Tim 3:1–5). This isn't what God intended for man. In Jesus Christ we see God's intention for man (2 Cor 4:4). He lived as God wants us to live.
When the Holy Spirit comes, he will:
- Guide believers into all truth. However, see the meaning
of Apostles and Prophets in The Book of Ephesians. - Not speak of his own authority. The Father speaks to the
Holy Spirit who speaks to us about the Son, see the Trinity. - Declare to us the things that are to come. The Holy Spirit
reveals things for us, even about the future. - Glorify Jesus by declaring what belongs to him, see Jesus is God.
All what the Father has belongs to Jesus (John 16:15a),
who will hand it over to the Father after the Millennium.
The purpose of prayer isn't to change God's mind, or to make him see things
as we do, see Ask, and it will be given to you in The Sermon on the Mount.
as we do, see Ask, and it will be given to you in The Sermon on the Mount.
God's plan for us is far better than we can figure out. We can't improve God's plan. The purpose of prayer is to open our hearts and lives to allow God to do the things that he wants to do. The things that he knows are best for us. God allows circumstances, pressures, and difficulties to come into our lives, to influence the choices we make. He puts his desires in our hearts, but he doesn't violate our choices. We have a free will to even resist God's will. God allows it. But there are always consequences to our decisions, bad or good.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Jesus said that if anyone is thirsty, he should come to him and drink. Whoever believes in him, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Holy Spirit, which those who believed in him would later receive. Up to that time the Holy Spirit hadn't been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
(John 4:10–14, 7:37–39, Jer 2:13, Isaiah 12:3, 44:3). Man can experience
physical thirst for water (body), emotional thirst to be loved and needed (soul), and spiritual thirst (spirit). See Body, Soul, and Spirit explained in
The Danger with Gnosticism. The thirst that Jesus speaks of is spiritual thirst,
a need for God, a need for a meaningful relationship with God.
(John 4:10–14, 7:37–39, Jer 2:13, Isaiah 12:3, 44:3). Man can experience
physical thirst for water (body), emotional thirst to be loved and needed (soul), and spiritual thirst (spirit). See Body, Soul, and Spirit explained in
The Danger with Gnosticism. The thirst that Jesus speaks of is spiritual thirst,
a need for God, a need for a meaningful relationship with God.
Wherever the Holy Spirit is, there is power. When he is withdrawn, the vitality of
godliness begins to wane, and we fall back. We begin to compromise, see Laodicea
in The Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. We then need the Holy Spirit for our revival. Jesus gave the promise that we would be baptized with the Holy Spirit
to receive power and to better be his witnesses, see The Gift of Tongues.
godliness begins to wane, and we fall back. We begin to compromise, see Laodicea
in The Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. We then need the Holy Spirit for our revival. Jesus gave the promise that we would be baptized with the Holy Spirit
to receive power and to better be his witnesses, see The Gift of Tongues.
After Jesus' resurrection, Jesus told his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high (Luk 24:46–49). Jesus told them that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit to receive power, and that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.
See this described in The Gift of Tongues. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit
is separate from becoming a born again saved Christian. It can occur some time after a person is saved, or at the same time the person is saved,
see Jesus the Light of the World.
See this described in The Gift of Tongues. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit
is separate from becoming a born again saved Christian. It can occur some time after a person is saved, or at the same time the person is saved,
see Jesus the Light of the World.
See also Some stories in the gospels at the end of The Four Gospels.
