WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Holy Spirit is God.

• God is all powerful. Romans 15:19 says, “by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.  So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.”  Luke 1:35 says, “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
God is eternal. Hebrews 9:14 reads, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
God is all knowing. 1 Corinthians 2:10: “…these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
‘The Holy Spirit is not a force, or energy.
The Holy Spirit has a will. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
The Holy Spirit has emotions. Ephesians 4:30:  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
The Holy Spirit has intelligence. 1 Corinthians 2:13:  “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO?

In the life of the unbeliever. John 16:8-11 states that the Holy Spirit convicts “the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement.”

At the moment we receive Christ:

  • The Holy Spirit incorporates us into the body of Christ, which is the Church. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” The word baptize means to immerse. The Spirit immersed us into God’s Church when we received Jesus.
  • He came to live in us when we receive Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you.”
  • He marked you as a child of God. Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed.”
    Romans 8:15-16 says, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Throughout the Christian Life:

  • The Holy Spirit helps us know Jesus!  John 15:26-27 says that the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer in the following way: “But when the helper comes, […] He will bear witness about me.”
  • The Spirit guides our prayers!  Romans 8:26 says, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us”.
  • The Spirit helps us become more like Jesus!  2 Corinthians 3:18 says that we “are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit.”
  • The Spirit gives us the power and the means to serve!  1 Corinthians 12:4 says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
  • When we submit to the Spirit, He fills our lives!  Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”

PERSONAL APPLICATION

What has this lesson taught you about the Holy Spirit?

Express in prayer what you most appreciate about the Holy Spirit.


Answers:

  1. sin and righteousness and judgement, 2. baptized into one body,  3. temple, 4. dwells, 5. sealed, 6. helper, 7. witness, 8. transformed, 9. spirit, 10. gifts, 11. Spirit