Contents
- 1 (John 16:7-11), “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
- 2 It has been said, “The Holy Spirit is the most forgotten, the most misrepresented, the most dishonored, the most grieved, and the most abused, member of the Trinity due to the neglect of correct Biblical teaching of the Holy Spirit. Many Bible teachers have reduced the Holy Spirit to merely a “force” behind the scenes; or a “power” for an energy boost; or an “optional” consideration for the Christian life; but these teachings do not agree with the teachings of the Scriptures; therefore, we need a renewed focus on the correct Biblical teachings of who the Holy Spirit is, and what the Holy Spirit does.”
- 3 It is important that we have a correct understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and what the Holy Spirit does because what we believe about the Holy Spirit determines how we will relate to Him and also how we will live as believers. If we do not believe right about the Holy Spirit we will not have a good relationship to Him, and if we do not have a good relationship to Him, as believers we will not have the power of God to live the way we should in our personal lives, our family, our church, or our community. It is imperative that we have a good understanding of Who the Holy Spirit is and what He does.
- 4 THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DISTINCT PERSON – According to the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is a Distinct Person and possesses the characteristics of a person, In (Romans 8:27), we are told He has a mind “…he that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit…” In (I. Corinthians 12:11), we are told He has a will, “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” In (John 14:26), we are told He speaks, “…when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from my Father, he shall testify of me.” These are just a few of the many Scriptures that teach us the Holy Spirit is a distinct person and not an impersonal force.
- 5 THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DIVINE PERSON – Not only is the Holy Spirit a Distinct Person but He is also a Divine Person, meaning that He is God. In the Scriptures we are taught the Lord our God is one God who has chosen to reveal Himself to us in three distinct Persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As a part of the Godhead, Holy Spirit is nothing short of God.” In (Hebrews 9:14), He is called the, “eternal Spirit”. In (Psalm 139:7-8), we are told that He is omnipresent, “Whither shall I flee from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, thou art there. In (I. Corinthians 2:10b), we are told He is omniscient, “…the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” And in (Zechariah 4:6), we are told that He is omnipotent, “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” All these are characteristics of God the Father and God the Son, and what they teach us is, the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, He is God.
- 6 THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DILIGENT PERSON – The Holy Spirit is not only a Distinct Person and possesses the characteristics of a person, and not only is the Holy Spirit a Divine Person alongside of God the Father and God the Son, but the Holy Spirit is also a Diligent Person. In (John 16:7-11), we are told that He is active in the Salvation of Sinners, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” In (Romans 15:16), we are told that He is active in the Sanctification of the Saints, (Romans 15:16c), “…sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” The word “sanctify” means to be set apart as holy to God for His use.” When God saved us, God sanctified and set us apart as holy to Himself, to be used to bring honor and glory to Himself. Because God has set us apart as holy to Himself, we are to grow spiritually mature to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ in our character and our lives. To help us in this process, God has given us the indwelling Holy Spirit and it is His job to sanctify us, to set us free from the entanglements of sin; to help us live victoriously; and to be all God designed us to be.
- 7 It is therefore imperative that we study and learn who the Holy Spirit is, so that we can cooperate and participate with Him in growing into Christ-likeness, because if we do not know who He is and what He does, we will never become all that God has designed us to be nor will we enjoy all that God has for us. Let me encourage you, get to know the Holy Spirit, love Him, fellowship with Him, and follow Him.
- 8 Pastor Allen Jackson
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