INTRODUCING THE HOLY SPIRIT

Here are some of his names and titles:-

Breath of the Almighty…Power of the Most High…Spirit of power…Spirit of the Father…Spirit of the Living God…Eternal Spirit…Holy Spirit…Power of the Most High…Sevenfold Spirit…Spirit of the Lord…Spirit of fear of the  Lord…Spirit of life…Spirit of truth…Spirit of revelation…Spirit of knowledge…Spirit of understanding…Spirit of wisdom…Spirit of prophecy…Spirit of holiness…Spirit of glory…Spirit of fire…Spirit of counsel…Spirit of Christ…Spirit of sonship…Spirit of grace…

It is clear that we are talking about a Divine Being.  And a very versatile one at that!

We are also talking about a Person, for we are taught that he (not “it”) speaks, teaches, witnesses, and searches.  He can be lied to, grieved, and insulted.  He is ‘another Counsellor’ (like Jesus), John 14:16.

We can also learn a lot from the symbols used to describe the Holy Spirit:-

Fire, Luke 3:16; Acts 2:3.

Wind, John 3:8.

Oil, Luke 4:18.

Water, John 7:38.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

He was involved in:-

Creation, Genesis 1:2; Psalm 33:6.

Giving life to man, Genesis 2:7

Revealing God’s mind and will through prophets, Isaiah 61:1-6; Micah 3:8.

Enabling for service: music, Exodus 31:2-6; leadership, Judges 6:34; strength, Judges 15:14f; Isaiah 11:2.

Inward renewal, Psalm 51:10-12; Ezekiel 36:25-27.

The Old Testament looked forward to a future outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-29.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

John the Baptist predicted that Jesus would baptize ‘with the Holy Spirit and with fire’, Luke 3:16.

Jesus himself was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Luke 1:35, and filled with the Holy Spirit, Luke 3:22; 4:1,14,18; John 1:32; 3:34.  The Holy Spirit was at work both in Christ’s death, Hebrews 9:14, and his resurrection, Acts 2:24.

Jesus predicted the Spirit’s coming with power, John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5,8.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was ‘poured out’ on the disciples, Acts 2:17-18.  See Acts 2:42 and following for the results in terms of their inward life and their outward witness.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHRISTIAN

Regenerating, John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5

Indwelling, John 14:17; I Corinthians 3:16; II Timothy 1:14

Praying, Romans 8:26

Purifying, I Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 5:16-18; I Peter 1:2

Transforming, II Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23

Illuminating, Ephesians 1:17-18; I Corinthians 2:6-16

Testifying, Hebrews 2:4

Empowering, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:4-5

Equipping, I Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-13

Uniting, Acts 2:44-47; Ephesians 4:3-6

Assuring, Romans 8:15-16; I John 3:24; 4:14

Guiding, Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18

Resurrecting, Romans 8:11

Guaranteeing, II Corinthians 1:22; II Corinthians 4:15-5:5; Ephesians 1:14; I Peter 1:4

AND FINALLY…

‘Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing.  We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds.  Like branches without sap, we are withered.  Like coals without fire, we are useless.  As an offering without the sacrificial flame, we are unaccepted.’  (C.H. Spurgeon)

‘When we rely on organisation, we get what organisation can do.  When we rely upon education, we get what education can do.  When we rely on eloquence, we get what eloquence can do.  But when we rely on the Holy Spirit, we get what God can do.’  (A.C. Dixon)