The Gift of the Holy Spirit – A Christian Blessing
1 Corinthians 12:13
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
1 Corinthians 3:16
"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
1 Corinthians 6:19
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"
Ephesians 1:13
"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,"
John 14:16
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—"
John 16:7
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you."
Acts 2:1-4
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Probably every Christian has heard of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More, often known as the “third person of the Godhead.” But when it comes to who this Spirit is and what He actually does, opinions often differ largely. It is, therefore, worthwhile to check our Bible to examine who the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More really is and what this special gift is all about.
The presence of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More on earth
Two essential features distinguish the present Christian time from any other time (dispensations). One characteristic is the presence of a man—Jesus Christ—in heaven. The other feature is the presence of God—the Holy Spirit—on earth. After Jesus returned to heaven victoriously, He sent the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More down to earth.
A distinctive Christian truth
When we read the Old Testament, we find that the believers had only a vague idea of who or what the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More was. They knew Him as an influence and a power that was visible in creation and people. Only in the New Testament do we learn that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is a divine Person—and thus God Himself. He is a gift of both the Father and the Son to those who believe in the gospel of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More.
The New Testament confirms that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is an effective influence that shows itself powerfully in believers (this becomes especially clear in the reading of the Acts of the Apostles). But the New Testament also makes it unmistakably clear that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is more. He is God Himself, a divine person—distinct from the Father and the Son.
A divine Person
God is one God who has revealed Himself in three persons (we call this the ‘Trinity’): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. We can neither understand nor explain this great truth; it remains a mysteryIt is something hidden in Scripture that is not (yet) generally revealed (e.g., Prov 20:19). It can be negative (e.g., 2 Thess. 2:7) or positive (e.g., Ps. 25:14). Secrets are... More. We can only accept it in faith because it is far beyond human comprehension.
Several passages in the Bible confirm that the Spirit is a divine Person, just as the Son and the Father. We find one example in Acts 5, where Peter has to reproach Ananias for lying to the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More and thus to God (see verses 3 and 4). You can’t lie to a force or influence; you can only lie to a person. Furthermore, there are many passages where the New Testament teaches us that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More does things that only a person can do, e.g. He teaches and reminds (John 14:26), He testifies and convicts (John 15:26, 16:8), He speaks (Acts 13:2) and He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He can also be grieved and despised (Eph. 4:30; Heb. 10:29). We can’t possibly ascribe these attributes to an influence or power, but only to a person.
So, there is one God, and yet there are three persons of the Godhead. It is a “trinityTrinity means that the three persons of the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are distinct from one another but are nevertheless one God. It was already known... More in unity” and a “unity in trinityTrinity means that the three persons of the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are distinct from one another but are nevertheless one God. It was already known... More.” In this, we must get away from the false idea of a ‘hierarchy’ in the Godhead. If we say that the Spirit is the “third person of the Godhead,” it says nothing about His ‘rank’ but just serves to distinguish Him from the Son and the Father.
In the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More), there is perfect harmony, both in nature and in action. Father, Son, and Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More are light and love (God’s nature). Father, Son, and Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More are also united in the work of the cross and the redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More of a sinner. This is particularly seen in the parables in Luke 15. The Son saves the sheep (verses 3–7), the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More seeks the coin (verses 8–10), and the Father accepts the Son (verses 11–24).
Sent down to earth
The Lord Jesus Himself had announced to His disciples that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More would come down to earth. This happened on the day of PentecostThis name (Greek) is used twice in the New Testament and means "the fiftieth day.” This refers to the 50th day after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This day... More when the disciples were together. We find the historical account in Acts 2. What happened here was extraordinary and unique. God sent His Spirit down to earth. He filled the house, and He filled each believer. These two things are true to this day:
- The Spirit fills the house: this is the corporate aspect and indicates that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More dwells in the church, which is God’s house (1 Cor. 3:16). By the Spirit, all believers have been baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13). The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is the unifying ‘element’ of all those who form the church of God in the Christian era. He dwells and worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More in it.
- The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More fills each believer: this is the personal aspect and indicates that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More personally takes possession of everyone who believes and accepts the gospel (Eph. 1:13). It is a great fact to possess the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. He dwells and worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More in us and wants to fill us with His power and guide us in daily life.
The possession of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More distinguishes us from the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. The unbeliever can’t receive the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. Only believers receive Him (John 7:39, 14:17). And we have received Him forever. The gift of the Spirit is not something temporary. He will be with us and in us forever (John 14:16).
Blessings of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More
The blessings we possess through the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More are diverse. It is worth taking a closer look at these blessings. I would just like to mention four specifically:
- The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More as our Comforter (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). As Comforter, the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More stands by us to take up our cause, to help and comfort us.
- The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More as a SealA seal confirms the valid conclusion of a transaction or the authenticity of a document. Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30). This means... More (Eph. 1:13, 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:21–22). As a sealA seal confirms the valid conclusion of a transaction or the authenticity of a document. Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30). This means... More, the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More confirms our acceptance of God as His children. He protects us and assures us of our salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More.
- The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More as our EarnestAn earnest is a kind of down payment that someone makes in order actually to become the owner of something later. One such "pledge" is the Holy Spirit (2 Cor... More (2 Cor. 1:22, 5:5; Eph. 1:13–14). As an earnestAn earnest is a kind of down payment that someone makes in order actually to become the owner of something later. One such "pledge" is the Holy Spirit (2 Cor... More (down payment), the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More guarantees, on the one hand, that we will receive our inheritance one day. On the other hand, He guarantees that our body will one day share in our salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More.
- The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More as our anointing (2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:20, 27). As an anointing, the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More gives us the ability to understand the Word of God and find our joy in it. Unbelievers do not have this ability.
Conclusion
Two thoughts and two questions to close with:
- The gift of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is great indeed. As with all of God’s gifts, we should be very thankful for this gift. Are we really thankful, and do we express our thankfulness for possessing the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More?
- All gifts of God are linked to our responsibility. The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More wants to work in our lives and our local churches. Do we give Him the freedom to do so?
