"I Believe" In the Holy Spirit

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Lets look at Acts 2:1-3

Acts 2:1–3 NASB95

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

We see here the infilling with the Holy Spirit. But that is not the first time we meet the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The very first words of Scripture introduce us to the Holy Spirit. Look at

Genesis 1:1–2 NASB95

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

In the Old Testament individuals were filled with the Holy Spirit. King Saul, King David, King Solomon, ect. We also see prophets and religious leaders at filled with the Holy Spirit. But, the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is now available to all believers.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples.

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

He is ‘another Counsellor’. This implies two things:

(a) ‘Another’ refers to one in addition to what Jesus had been.

(b) Counsellor is the NIV translation of the Greek parakletos.

(1) It is difficult to translate parakletos into one word, e.g., Comforter, Advocate.

(2) It literally means ‘one who comes alongside’.

(c) In short: as Jesus had come alongside, so too would the Holy Spirit.

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

The Holy Spirit would be a gift of the Father. ‘He will give you …’

(a) It was the Father who had sent Jesus into the world (John 8:16).

John 8:16 NASB95

“But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

(b) One of the differences between the Western church and Eastern Orthodoxy was over the manner in which the Spirit was sent: The Western church says the Spirit came from the Father and the Son. The Eastern church says the Spirit came from the Father through the Son.

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

The Holy Spirit would come as a result of Jesus’ intercession: ‘I will ask …’

(a) This may have been implied in Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

(b) It is likely that this was fully carried out after Jesus took his seat at God’s right hand (Acts 2:33).

Acts 2:33 NASB95

“Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

The Holy Spirit would never depart from them: ‘To be with you forever’.

(a) This promise coincides with Jesus’ words (Matthew 28:20; cf. Hebrews 13:5).

Matthew 28:20 NASB95

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:5 NASB95

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. ‘The Spirit of truth’.

(a) Objectively, the Spirit cannot lie since God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2).

Hebrews 6:18 NASB95

so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

Titus 1:2 NASB95

in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

How do We Receive the Holy Spirit?

Some people believe that the only way to receive the Holy Spirit is by the laying on of hands. Others believe that the Holy Spirit is only for people called into the ministry. Like pastors, Missionaries, and others in professional calling. but the Holy Spirit is available to everyone.

As Charles Stanley

Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit Chapter 1: The Promise of God the Father

Jesus has made available to every believer the work and power of the Holy Spirit. Every believer receives that promise, regardless of denomination, cultural background, race, color, or age.

Acts 2:38 NASB95

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that...

Baptizes us into Christ

covers us with the redemptive shed blood.

He gives us our new identity

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

The unsaved cannot appreciate the Holy Spirit: ‘The world cannot accept him’.

(a) Before the world can accept the Spirit three things are required, which Jesus would later make clear (John 16:8):

(1) To be convicted of sin.

(2) To be convicted of righteousness.

(3) To be convicted of judgement.

John 16:8 NASB95

“And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;

Understanding Theology, Volume One 1. Jesus’ Introduction of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples Implies that the Holy Spirit Is a Person Just as Jesus Is a Person (John 14:16–17)

The Holy Spirit would be in our hearts: ‘Will be in you’.

(a) Jesus, who came alongside, was ‘with’ the disciples.

(b) The Holy Spirit, who would come alongside, would be ‘in’ us.