Introduction to the Holy Spirit
How many times have we heard the phrase, or even repeated it? “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” I know I have heard it many times tacked on to blessings and prayers. We’re all familiar by this point with God the Father who created the world and mankind. We’re all familiar by this point with Jesus Christ, God the Son, who became man, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead to ascend into heaven. But the Holy Spirit? That one is a bit trickier to pin down. The Holy Spirit is obviously important, being part of the trinity of God, but what does the Holy Spirit do and how does it affect us?
This last week, Tim started a new series in an effort to explore more about the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit affects us as followers of Christ. Thursday night was an introduction to the basics.
We can see in certain parts of the Old Testament that the Holy Spirit is not a new thing. He was around with God and Jesus at the very beginning of creation. The second verse of the first book of the Bible backs that up: “The earth was without form and void, and the darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2)” Also, we can see that the Holy Spirit is separate from creation, as He was there before it, and He is not just an idea or mystical nothingness. Further on, in the book of Exodus, God refers to sending the Holy Spirit to fill those He chose to craft His temple decorations and tools and so forth (See Exodus 31:1-5). From these and some of the acts of kings like David or judges like Samuel, the Bible describes the Holy Spirit indwelling people for specific tasks.
Jesus referenced the Holy Spirit in Matthew 28:18-19, telling His disciples to make disciples of the world and to baptize them in the name of the Father (God), of the Son (Himself), and the Holy Spirit. To baptize them in these names and equate the name of the Holy Spirit with the others is to ascribe divinity to Him as well. He is God; God is triune, a being in three parts of which the Holy Spirit is one. In the beginning of Acts 5, two people are struck down in judgment for lying to the Holy Spirit and testing the Spirit of the Lord (See Acts 5:1-11). Lying to the Holy Spirit is therefore the equivalent to lying to God, supporting His divinity.
Compared to the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works in different ways since Jesus ascended to heaven. For all who believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit inhabits them. Joel 2:28-29 described God’s intent to pour out His spirit on His people and that they would have dreams and visions and prophesy in His name thereby. The Holy Spirit would also bear witness in those who confess Christ. “And when [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment, concerning sin because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged (John 16:8-11).” Not only will He guide Christians in discerning sin, He would guide them in making known the things of God. As a part of the trinity, He is in constant communication with God and Jesus, passing on what both tell Him to tell us. As part of the trinity, He is revealing the person of Jesus Christ to us - not just His direction and commandments, but His personality and love for us as well.
We can tell if the Holy Spirit leads someone if his or her actions line up with God’s Word. Furthermore, the product of following Christ in the Holy Spirit is a closer relationship with Jesus and closer relationship with His church. In essence, we all need the Spirit so we can know the Truth and live for Christ. Following Christ by our own power is difficult, to say the least, and that is why Jesus named Him “the Helper.” He is another example of how God loves and provides for us, drawing us ever closer to Him. Drawing closer to HIm, we see through the Holy Spirit, Christ's heart for those He loves. The Spirit reveals to us more of Christ's personality, helping us to understand more of who He is and how He works; our selves are affected to become more and more like Christ through these revelations through the Holy Spirit.