The Holy Spirit; God with us
Do you remember the last words that were spoken to you before you were lowered into the waters of baptism? It was probably something like this: “I now baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.” You were also probably reminded of what Peter said to those on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:38
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.”
Sometimes people ask if the Holy Spirit is really important. Think of it like this. Do we need food to eat? Do we need air to breathe? Do we need water to drink? Do we need Jesus as Lord and Savior, Example and Guide? In the same way, we need the Holy Spirit. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS JUST THAT IMPORTANT!
Consider some of the following things that we are commanded by God concerning how we relate to the Holy Spirit.
- We are commanded not to grieve the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4:30.
- Not to put out His fire in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21.
- We are told to pray in the Spirit Ephesians 6:18.
- Live by the Spirit Galatians 5:16.
- Keep in step with the Spirit in Galatians 5:25.
- In fact, God tells us in Ephesians 5:18 to “Be filled with the Spirit.”
Obviously, there is not a part of our lives that the Spirit is not to be involved with.
Consequently, it is vital that we come to know as much about the Spirit of God as possible. As we do so, we need to keep in mind that the spirit is God’s GIFT to us. Peter said in Acts 2:38 that we would receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit, in other words, the GIFT which is the Holy Spirit. Because we know that God is faithful to His promises, and since He promised to give us the Holy Spirit at baptism, then we can be sure that the Holy Spirit has been given to us! However, what should we know about Him and how can we come to know Him better?
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THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PERSONAL!
The Holy Spirit is not an “it”, “thing,” or “unknown entity” He does the things that PERSONS do.
- John 15:26 & Acts 5:32 tell us he witnesses,
- in Acts 15:28 he makes decisions,
- in Romans 8:26 he intercedes,
- in John 14:6 he teaches,
- in Timothy 4:1 & Hebrews 3:7 he speaks,
- in Romans 15:30 he loves and encourages
- in Acts 9:31. Obviously, no “it” could do all that.
The Holy Spirit is real and personally active.
We also know this not only by the things He can do but by the ways in which He can be treated.
For example:
- The Spirit can be lied to in Acts 5:3,
- Tested in Acts 5:9, resisted in Acts 7:51,
- Blasphemed in Matthew 12:31,
- Insulted in Hebrews 10:29,
- Grieved in Ephesians 4:30.
Again, these are things that happen to PERSONAL BEINGS. t
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THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DIVINE!
The Spirit is not just some person, however! He is equal with the Father and the Son. This can be seen in several ways.
(1) The Holy Spirit displays the characteristics of God.
- He was active in creation according to Genesis 1:2 & Psalm 104:30.
- The Bible describes Him as all-powerful, all-knowing, and as supreme over all human limitations in Psalm 104:30, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 & Isaiah 40:13.
- He is also said to execute judgment in Genesis 6:3
- And to control both history and nature in Isaiah 34:16 & Zechariah 6:8.
Therefore, just as the Father is fully God, and the Son is fully God, the Holy Spirit is also FULLY GOD!
(2) In several passages of the New Testament the Holy Spirit is given equal billing with the Father and with the LORD Jesus.
These include Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 & 1 Peter 1:2.
(3) Jesus declares that the greatest sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31.
This would hardly be true if the Spirit were not divine.
(4) To lie to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to God
As we see in Acts 5:3,4 in the story of Ananias and Sapphira.
“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
New Testament teaching is quite clear. The Holy Spirit is not only a person, He is a DIVINE PERSON and FULLY GOD!
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THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN US!
As incredible as it may seem, the Holy Spirit was given by God to live in us!
In the next few lessons, I will share more with you concerning the implications of the Spirit of God living within us. But for now, I want you to read John 14:23, 24 and think about the fact that God and Christ, through the Holy Spirit, would come and live in you and me!
And since the Eternal Spirit of God lives within us, we have the confident hope of living eternally. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come”.
It seems unbelievable, doesn’t it? Yet it is true! God has given us, as a result of our faith and obedience to Christ, His Spirit–THE PERSONAL, DIVINE SPIRIT OF GOD WHO HAS COME TO LIVE IN EVERY CHRISTIAN, INCLUDING YOU AND ME! And it is that SPIRIT WHO GUARANTEES US OF THE ETERNAL LIFE TO COME! May we all be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT!
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW AND STUDY
- According to Acts 2:38, when did you receive the Holy Spirit?
- What are the 6 things we are commanded to do and not do to the Holy Spirit?
- What are some characteristics of the Spirit that show us he is truly a PERSON?
- How do we know that the Holy Spirit is DIVINE?
- What do God and Christ do through the Holy Spirit according to John 14:22-23 ?
- Why did God put the Holy Spirit in our hearts according to 2 Corinthians 1:21 -22 ?
- What do you think the statement “what is come”, is referring to at the end of 2 Corinthians 1:22 ?
