THE HOLY SPIRIT -- THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD!
Isaiah 61:1
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news."
Joel 2:28
(The word of the Lord that came to Joel) "I will pour out My Spirit on
all people."
Matthew 3:16
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment Heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him."
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts..."
Ephesians 4:30
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit Of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
1 Corinthians 2:12
"We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God. "
As I studied in preparation for writing this page, I struggled. There are so many wonderful scriptures this page could easily be a book. But one thing was impressed upon me concerning the Holy Spirit. Although Jesus lead a Holy and sinless life from birth to death, and even to ascension, there was one event which distinctly changed the way Jesus would led His earthly ministry.
Matthew 3:16
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water,
At that moment Heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lightening on him. "
( Mark 1:10; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-33)
The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus not to overcome sin (because He was sinless), but to equip Him for His work. From this time on, Jesus began His ministry with authority and power. All this was done as an example to us.
The twelve apostles were hand picked by Jesus himself. But they were only human. They came with pasts that needed to be forgiven and overcome, just as we do. And they came with human weaknesses, just as we do . As they began their ministry these weaknesses were apparent. Here are several Scripture references indicating these.
( Fear )
Mark 4:40; Luke 8:24-25; Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50;
Matthew 14:26; Mark 6:35-37; Mark 6:49; Luke 9:13-14; Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-73
(Confusion)
Mark 10:26; Matthew 16:8-9; Mark 8:17-21
( Pride & Discord )
Mark 10:37;41; Mark 9:33-34
( Weakness )
Matthew 26:40-41; Mark 14:37-38
( Stubbornness )
Mark 16:14
(Lack of Power)
Luke 9:40
(Doubt)
Matthew 14:17; Matthew 15:33; Mark 8:4 (To name a few)
Praise God, He has all bases covered! As Jesus ascended into Heaven He promised another counselor, and instructed the apostles to wait for the Anointing of The Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4-5
"...But wait for the gift my Father promised,...For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came onto all who were gathered.
Acts 2:4
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit..."
From that moment on we see the apostles ministering with confidence, authority, and power. These men went from hiding in a locked room, (John 20:19) to boldly preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result many were saved (Acts 2:41;47)
The Trinity of God operates coequally, coeternally, and coexistently, as one unit. The executive is the Father, the architect is the Son, and the contractor is the Holy Spirit.
After Jesus bore all sin on the cross, securing salvation for all who believe and accept Him. He rose from the bondage of death, defeating evil. Now because of God's love we are assured salvation through His Grace. Because of the love and grace of God through Jesus, we have authority over all that is evil. If Christ is in us, we automatically have that power through the Holy Spirit (Not me but He that is in me).
Acts 2:38
"...Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...
The promise is for you and your children and all who are far off."
(brothers and sisters that's us)!
Acts 10:44
"While Peter was still speaking these words (of salvation through Jesus), the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message."
Although the Holy Spirit dwells with all Christians, As with all of God's gifts, we have the freedom of choice. We must give the Holy Spirit the freedom to move in our lives. We must accept the anointing. We must yield and receive who He (The Holy Spirit) is and what He does. We do not surrender. Surrender is done under force. We make a choice.
We yield. What we yield. He accepts. What He accepts, He cleanses. What He cleanses, He uses. What He uses glorifies God!
The Holy Spirit equips and enables us with gifts and fruits to be used as service to the body of Christ.
Our daily lives are a ministry. Through the way we live, what we say, and the example we set, we minister everyday to every person we come in contact with. We need to yield our lives to the anointing and works of the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters, in today's society we need all the help God offers!
The Harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. It is not for us to know the day or hour of Christ's triumphal return. What if it is today!? Have we done all we can do to prevent our friends, family, acquaintances, classmates, teachers, neighbors, and yes even our enemies, from spending eternity in hell?
It is time for us to step out of our locked rooms and receive the Power.
In recent years there has been an inbreaking of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by speaking in tongues, among believers in every major denomination. Demonstrating that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a denomination or a movement, but an experience that brings endowment of spiritual power for intensified service.
It is important to understand the impact of the Spirit's full operation. The Spirit-filled experience is more than just "speaking in tongues." In reality it is coming into the fullness of the gifts and the fruits of the Spirit as outlined in the New Testament. These gifts are placed in the church as resources to be utilized at the point of need for ministry.
1 Corinthians 12:4;7
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit; Now each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good; "
Ephesians 4:12
"To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up."
Luke 3:16
John answered them all, " I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire."
What does the Holy Spirit do for us today? Well simply, the same as two thousand years ago.
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
The gifts of the Holy spirit are gifts given to all believers as we yield to the inner workings of the Spirit. Not everyone will have the same gifts, and some may even come and go. These gifts are given for the purpose of edifying, or uplifting, and increasing to the Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10
"To one there is given the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, To another speaking in different tongues, and still to another the interpretation of tongues."
The Bible describes two basic functions of "tongues" :
1) To edify: Speaking in tongues is a private affair for self-edification
1 Corinthians 14:2
"For anyone who speaks in tongues does not speak to men but to God. Indeed no one understands him; He utters mysteries with his Spirit."
Romans 8:26-27
"In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for. But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
Jude 1:20
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."
2) For public exhortation: Speaking in tongues only edifies public worship when it is interpreted.
1 Corinthians 14:5
"I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified."
1 Corinthians 14:1:3
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy; but everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort."
The fruits of the Spirit are blessings given to all believers as we yield our lives to God and His spirit. Fruit as evidence to our yielding.
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to study further as this is just the tip of the iceberg concerning the Holy Spirit.
May God bless each and every one of you!
Love to hear from you.
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LINKS TO MY OTHER PAGES
Unlock The Door...
What's Next?
WAR My Home Page Kristi's Testimony
Something Cool
His Touch
Who we are in Christ. Letter From Jesus...
Regardless?!? A Friend Is...... Ten Names Of God.
The Choice. God's Abundant Grace.
Can I Live A Holy Life? What If ???
Curtis' Testimony Laughter is Good Medicine.
Who Jesus is a walk through the books of the Bible.
Sign Guestbook
View Guestbook
You are my--
LINKS TO MY OTHER PAGES Unlock The Door...
What's Next?
WAR My Home Page Kristi's Testimony
Something Cool His Touch
Who we are in Christ. Letter From Jesus... Regardless?!? A Friend Is...... Ten Names Of God. The Choice. God's Abundant Grace. Can I Live A Holy Life? What If ??? Curtis' Testimony Laughter is Good Medicine. Who Jesus is a walk through the books of the Bible.