Who is the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a person in Godhead. God has chosen to express Himself to mankind as Father, as Son and as Holy Spirit. They are the expression of three distinct Persons (Personalities), yet the three are one. He plays a powerful role to bring us to Christ and to help us to live a life of believer. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to every believer. When a person personally receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside, imparting spiritual life. The Holy Spirit equips us for the work of ministry.
Holy Spirit is first mentioned in the time of creation (genesis 1:2). The Spirit came upon people in Old Testament days to empower them, guide them and to help them to obey God. However the presence of spirit of God was limited.
Another counselor:
Holy Spirit is a Counselor to every believer just like Jesus, who would also live with a believer, to encourage, rebuke and strengthen.
John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Holy Spirit does fellowship with us:
This rich, deep fellowship is an intimate sharing of two hearts – your heart and the heart of God. It works in this way: The Holy Spirit searches your heart –(Romans 8:27) . Also Holy Spirit searches the heart of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). In this way, the Holy Spirit becomes your living link with the Father.
The New Way of life in the Spirit:
Romans 7:6 “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.”
- Gives us new birth (John 3:3,6; Titus 3:5)
- Makes us one with the Lord in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)
- Teaches and guides us (John 14:26; Romans 8:14)
- Gives us wisdom and revelation (1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:17)
- Enables us to live a holy life (Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 8:1-2)
- Helps us in prayer (Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20)
- Strengthens and imparts resurrection life (Romans 8:11)
- Transforms us into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
The old way of religion wants to follow God through self efforts. New way is to walk by the Spirit of God.
The Seal of Ownership
The Bible speaks of our salvation in terms of redemption – a buying back of our lives to God. But in ancient times, redemption was a three-step process:
Purchase – the redeemer would pay the required price for the item he was redeeming.
Sealing – the redeemer would mark the item with his personal seal, identify the item as now belonging to him.
Collection – the redeemer would later return to collect his sealed item.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us isGod, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians 5:5now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
This is a picture of the three-step process in the redemption of your life by God. The price for your life has already been paid (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). And because you now belong to God, he has branded you with his personal seal, the Holy Spirit. This seal is a mark of ownership and sets you apart as different from those who do not yet be-long to God.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to every believer. When a person personally receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside, imparting spiritual life.
1 John 4:13By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
God not only saved us from our sins but he put his ownership seal which is Holy Spirit.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of marry by the Holy Spirit. He grew up and when he was baptized in water, Holy Spirit also came down upon him. In the same way Holy Spirit convicts a person of his sin and helps him to repent. Holy Spirit helps a person to receive new life. Also a repented person needs baptism of Holy Spirit (indwelling presence). Presence of God’s spirit helps a believer to live a life pleasing to God and to be an effective witness. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38)
Fruits of Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit imparts God’s nature in us. The fruits of the spirit are character of God in us. Fruit need to be cultivated in our life. Fruits (Galatians 5: 22-23) :- Love, Joy, Peace, Long suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
Gifts of Holy Spirit: Holy spirit enable us to operate in gifts(1 Corinthians 12:7-11). These are given for common good. There are different kinds of gifts: – Word of wisdom, Word of knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning spirits, Different kinds of tongues, Interpretation of tongues.
These are gifts cannot be earned. We receive these by the Holy Spirit in us. Gifts are given to all believers (not just selected few). Operation of these gifts shows manifestation of Holy Spirit in a supernatural way which is beyond human level.
