He also commanded his followers to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (NIV), John 16:8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt [Or will expose the guilt of the world] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: (NIV), Romans 8:14Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’” (Ac 1:7-8). As soon as … The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost. It is also a grace-based experience. Heavenly Father: Deity, Loving Parent, Author of Our Eternal Destiny. The Holy Spirit is "the Spirit of adoption" which God puts into our hearts, by which we know that we are His children. (NIV), Acts 2:32-33God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. There is no doubt that in the church a life filled with the Holy Spirit should be the norm. In Genesis 1:2, we find Him moving about the surface of the waters, and in Revelation 22:17, He and the bride cry with one voice. - Matthew 12:31, “You stiff-necked people! And a voice from heaven (the Father) said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." of (NIV), Matthew 12:31-32And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Answer: The short answer to this question is, yes, the Holy Spirit as described in the Bible is fully God. It is the plant that the farmer sows, waters, and takes care of, even though he is waiting for the fruit. Being a person, the Holy Spirit has feelings. - 1 Corinthians 12:11. Later on, at the baptism of Jesus, which marked the beginning of His public ministry, the Holy Spirit was present and, on this occasion, could be seen in material form. What Was Jesus Doing Before He Came to Earth? These are qualities that distinguish Him as a person. There we read: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Without a life full of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to build the body of Christ, and we end up limiting God’s work in our lives. Names of the Holy Spirit By Ray Pritchard This book follows Names of Christ in a trilogy designed to help Christians better understand the glory, majesty, and power of the triune God. The Holy Spirit. God permits evil, but He limits, will punish and finally banish it to the lake of fire. At that time, the Spirit dwelled with the disciples, but they lacked having Him in them. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. (NIV), 2 Corinthians 13:14May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a “gift” that God will “pour out” on people (Acts 2:38; Acts 2:17). Nothing could be further from the truth. Invisible, perhaps, but real. (NIV), Luke 10: 21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. From beginning to end, the Holy Spirit has always been active: In the beginning, creating, and at the end of the story, tending to us. (NIV), Acts 9:31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. Along with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ), God the Spirit is the third member of the Godhead or the Trinity. The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will. It was written by a diverse team of theologians and church ministers and informed by the great catechisms of history. References to the Holy Spirit in the Bible: The Holy Spirit Has the Characteristics of Personality: Is It Okay to Pray, "If It Be Your Will, Lord? O, that we had all day to talk about the wonderful implications of this doctrine! If we analyze what Paul says in Galatians 3:2—“I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard?”— we realize that this is a rhetorical question; no one receives the Holy Spirit based on what they do. Etymology. He has intentions, shows willfulness and discretion, loves, communicates, testifies, teaches, and prays (Neh 9:20; Jn 15:26; Ac 13:2; Rm 8:26,27; 15:30; 1Co 12:11). 4 This belief is difficult to support, because a close reading of the Bible shows many different writing styles. (NIV), 1 Corinthians 12:11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. Almost every time you read reference to the “Spirit”, particularly in the New Testament, it is speaking of God the Holy Spirit. In many religious paintings and church logos, he is often symbolized as a dove. This was the experience of many: John the Baptist was full of the Spirit in his mother’s womb (Lk 1:15); Elizabeth, when Mary greeted her (Lk 1:41); and Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, when he prophesied (Lk 1:67). - Hebrews 10:29. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. - John 15:26, While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” - Acts 13:2, In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. (NIV), John 15:26When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (NIV), Acts 5:3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. - Ephesians 4:30, How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (NIV), 1 Thessalonians 5:19Quench not the Spirit. Furthermore, He urged His disciples to receive Him in their lives. 2 You know that before you were Christians you were led to worship false gods. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. Acts clearly states how to recognize someone that is full of the Spirit: “You will be My witnesses” (1:8). If the Spirit of God was so important to the life of Jesus, how much more so for the lives of the believers! In the very first verses of the Bible the Holy Spirit is seen as involved in the creation of the universe. The Holy Spirit's name describes his chief attribute: He is a perfectly holy and spotless God, free of any sin or darkness. Is 63:10; Mt 12:31; Ac 7:51; Eph 4:30; Heb 10:29, Neh 9:20; Jn 15:26; Ac 13:2; Rm 8:26,27; 15:30; 1Co 12:11, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Jesus put a lot of emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Likewise, he is all-loving, forgiving, merciful and just. The Holy Spirit was present during each stage of Christ’s life. The Spirit is a person and not merely a force. Continue reading for a topical Bible study on the Holy Spirit. 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Genesis 1:26 - Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.” In the same way that we receive Christ without doubting whether He will enter our lives or not, we should receive the Holy Spirit by faith and believe that He will respond to our requests without delay. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Therefore, it is true (Psalm 119:142) and altogether reliable (Hebrews 6:18). This is language appropriate to use in describing a thing, rather than a person. 2. As you deepen your relationship with God, you should notice these qualities becoming more and more a part of your life. What Is the Meaning of Immanuel in the Bible? Since the Hebrew word for the Spirit in the Old Testament means "breath" or "wind," Jesus breathed on his apostles after his resurrection and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (Genesis 1:2, NIV). (John 20:22, NIV). The Holy Spirit appears in nearly every book of the Bible. But, when we start on page one of the Bible, before creation ever even began, we see a depiction of the spirit of God hovering over the dark, disordered waters of … What the Hebrew Bible calls "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Elohim" is called in the Talmud and Midrash "Holy Spirit" (ruacḥ ha-kodesh). There is no area of life in which the believer does not need the help of the Holy Spirit. In this verse Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not lied to men but to God.” The Spirit bears witness to this great truth (Gal.4:6; Rom.8:14, 16). 1. Without the help and the filling of the Spirit, the evangelistic task of the church will fail. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. John 14:26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. With the adversative word “but,” Jesus brings the off-track attention of the disciples to the primary concern at hand: they would “receive power.” However, this depended on the Holy Spirit’s coming to them. - Romans 8:26-27, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. He shares the strengths of God the Father and Jesus, such as omniscience, omnipotence, and eternality. The Spirit not only provided power for witness, but He also comforted the Church as its leaders and members experienced considerable persecution for preaching that Christ was the only way of salvation ( 1 Peter 4:14 ). (NIV), John 16:13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Among the myths and the mistaken concepts that are shared, He has been described as a force, a ghost, and a second-class or replacement god. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Lk 1:35). None of these gods could speak. The Holy Spirit Is a Person. A member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit had no beginning and has no end. (NIV), 1 Corinthians 2:11The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For over three years, these men had been witnesses of the continual manifestation of God’s power through Jesus, and now the doors were being opened for them to access this power that they had so admired. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) descending like a dove and lighting on him. - Romans 15:30, All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Today he acts as Christ's presence on earth, counseling and encouraging Christians as they battle the temptations of the world and the forces of Satan. He knows that, without the plant, there will be no fruit. The emphasis on the Holy Spirit does not come from any religious organization in particular, but from Christ Himself. You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. The Holy Spirit, however, without a body and a personal name, seems distant to many, yet he dwells inside every true believer and is a constant companion in the walk of faith. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. Secondly, the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin (John 16:8-11). He comforts us, helps us, guides us, reminds us, teaches us, comes along side us, counsels us, and intercedes and advocates for us. In order to receive the power of God, one does not need a religious formula, but rather a relationship with a person. When the disciples asked the Lord about the future, Christ’s answer was emphatic: “He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. According to most mainline and liberal theologians: The Holy Spirit directed the mission of the Church, frequently giving specific guidance about where to go and whom to address . (NKJV), Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Cavalry.". The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, first published in 1611, uses the term Holy Ghost, but every modern translation, including the New King James Version, uses Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom 7. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him … Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." He is said to proceed from the Father, and to be sent by the Father and the Son upon disciples, John 14:26 15:26; to be the Spirit of the Father, Matthew 10:20 1 1 Corinthians 2:11; and the Spirit of Christ, Galatians 4:6 Philippians 1:19. Galatians 5:22-23 explains that the fruits of the Spirit are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." We experience salvation freely; there is no reason to relate to God differently in our experience with the Holy Spirit. The word spirit (from the Latin spiritus meaning "breath") appears either alone or with other words in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament.Combinations include expressions such as the "Holy Spirit", "Spirit of God", and in Christianity, "Spirit of Christ".. In Acts 1:7, Jesus points out what the disciples are not to know, but in verse 8, the emphasis is placed on what they are to know. Referring to the Holy Spirit, Jesus affirmed in John 16:8: “When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.” The Lord used the legal term “convict” in order to highlight that, even if man can point out an error, it is the Spirit that brings conviction of sin. The Holy Spirit is against the flesh’s desires and leads the Christian into righteousness (Galatians 5:16-18). It was truly not the word of men but the Word of God!" The Holy Spirit caused the Virgin Mary to conceive (Matthew 1:20), and at the baptism of Jesus, he descended on Jesus like a dove. The Holy Spirit is the author of Scripture. When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from t… He is confused with the manifestations themselves, and has even been presented as an incidental figure that appears momentarily. He can become sad or angry, and others can insult Him and blaspheme against Him (Is 63:10; Mt 12:31; Ac 7:51; Eph 4:30; Heb 10:29). With the Father and Son, he existed before creation. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. The filling of the Holy Spirit was even a requirement for serving in the church. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is presently convincing the world of the truth of the gospel and Jesus Christ. 51:11 and in Isa. The disciples also desired the fruit of the Holy Spirit, but for that, it was necessary for them to relate to Him as a person. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. The Holy Spirit first appears in the second verse of the Bible, in the account of creation: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Love is a distinguishing mark of the disciples, while being a witness distinguishes those who are full of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is included in the Trinity, which is made up of 3 distinct persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? You need to understand the truth about this. (NIV), Romans 15:16To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Proud member A gospel with no emphasis on the Holy Spirit is flat. He participated in creation with the Father and Son, filled the prophets with the Word of God, assisted Jesus and the apostles in their missions, inspired the men who wrote the Bible, guides the church, and sanctifies believers in their walk with Christ today. Growth in Grace and the Holy Spirit Growth in the grace of God is another marker of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the Christian. A devotional study of the Holy Spirit which looks at His ministry throughout Scripture as revealed in the names the Bible gives Him. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is an important figure throughout the Bible. Perhaps they did not know this person of the Trinity very well, but the idea of receiving power must have caught all of their attention. Christians can easily identify with God the Father (Jehovah or Yahweh) and his Son, Jesus Christ. He stands ready to help us change from the person we are today to the person we want to be, ever closer to the character of Christ. On the Day of Pentecost, he rested like tongues of fire on the apostles. Later on, at the baptism of Jesus, which marked the beginning of His public ministry, the Holy Spirit was present and, on this occasion, could be seen in material form. 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