HE'S A VERY BUSY PERSON!

When the Apostle Paul visited Ephesus he asked the disciples there, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." (Acts 19:2) There are probably some today that either have not heard about the Holy Spirit or what they have heard may be confusing. So let's discover Biblical truth about the Holy Spirit. You see it doesn't matter what I think or have been told about the Holy Spirit, what really matters is what God in His Word has said.

Let's begin by clearing up a very important fact about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is NOT an "IT" or some unidentifiable force, influence or power. I have heard Christians, Bible teachers and even some pastors refer to the Holy Spirit as an "IT". One example might be, "When the Holy Spirit is present, it will bless you with peace." Rather, the Holy Spirit is a "HE"! The teaching of Jesus affirms this truth. ". . .He will teach you all things." (John 14:26) ". . .He will bear witness about me." (John 15:26) ". . .He will guide you. . . "(John 16:13) "He will glorify me. . . ." (John 16:14) "He is the Holy Spirit, who leads you. . . ." (John 14:17) (New Living Translation) Many other Scriptures also affirm this truth. ". . .His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11) "The Spirit Himself bears witness. . . ." (Romans 8:16) "The Spirit Himself intercedes. . . ." (Romans 8:26) (these are just a few examples) Let's NEVER refer to the Holy Spirit as an "IT"!

So then, let's carefully consider HIS IDENTITY! He is the third PERSON of the Trinity; God the Father, God the Son - Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit. This Holy Trinity is the nature of God as three distinct PERSONS IN ONE DIVINE ESSENCE! Hard to fathom and explain? Yes, indeed, but nevertheless true and taught definitively in Scripture! Watch this: "But. . .the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name (Jesus), He will teach you. . . ." (John 14:26) Note the THREE PERSONS clearly identified. The Holy Spirit who eternally "procedes" (or comes from) the Father is co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal with the Father and with the Son.

Two terms are used in Scripture; one is the "Holy Spirit" and the other is the "Holy Ghost." These terms are used interchangeably to refer to the third person of the Trinity. In general, these terms represent the divine and spiritual presence of God in the believer and in the world. "Holy Spirit" is used more in Scripture and the "Holy Ghost" is an older and somewhat archaic term. Both terms signify the fact that God is active in the world, guiding followers of Jesus and working in their lives. In essence, there is no substantial difference in the meaning between "Holy Spirit" and "Holy Ghost". Both terms are used in the Bible to describe the same divine entity or Person.

In the Old Testament and prior to the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts, chapter two, the Holy Spirit came upon certain people at certain times to accomplish God's will. He was not an abiding person living within the followers of God. In the Old Testament, we observe the work of the Holy Spirit. He was God's agent in creation (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; 34:14-15), interacting with human beings (Genesis 2:15-23), God's agent of revelation (Genesis 41:38; Numbers 24:2), and of empowering select leaders of God's servants (Moses and the Seventy (Numbers 11:17-29), Joshua (Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9) and Bezalel and Oholiab with skills of craftsmanship for constructing the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:3; 35:31) to name a few. In the New Testament, beginning on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given as an ABIDING PERSON to live within true followers of Jesus. Jesus' teaching prior to Pentecost helps us here. He said, "The Spirit of truth. . .He abides WITH you, and He will be IN (or WITHIN) you." (John 14:17) "He will abide IN you forever." (John 14:16) Jesus commanded His disciples that "they should not depart from Jerusalem, (after His acension back to heaven) but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, you have heard me speak about. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4) Then on the Day of Pentecost we read, "When the Day of Pentecost arrived, they (the followers of Jesus) were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. . . ." (Acts 2:1-4) This event has been accurately called "The Birth of The Church".

What names in Scripture are attributed to the Holy Spirit? In the Old Testament we find the following names in Hebrew (the original language of the Old Testament):

• His Holy Spirit - Isaiah 63:10

• Your Holy Spirit - Psalm 51:11

• Spirit of God - Genesis 1:2

• The Breath of the Spirit of Life - Genesis 7:22

• Spirit of Yahweh - Isaiah 11:2

• Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding - Isaiah 11:2

• Spirit of Counsel and Might - Isaiah 11:2

• Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of Yahweh - Isaiah 11:2

In the New Testament, we find the following names in Greek (the original language of the New Testament)

• Holy Spirit - Matthew 1:8

• Spirit of God - Matthew 12:28

• The Comforter - John 14:26; John 16:7

• Spirit of Truth - John 16:13

• Spirit of Christ - I Peter 1:11

The Greek word used for the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is "Pneuma". It is used 385 times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the "PARACLETE" (Greek Word used in the New Testament). This word means that the Holy Spirit IS THE COMFORTER, INTERCESSOR, ADVOCATE (or LEGAL COUNSEL). It literally means to "CALL TO ONE'S SIDE". Jesus said, "But the Paraclete, Helper, the Holy Spirit. . . ." (John 14:26)

Now, let's carefully ponder THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! First, He CONVICTS OF SIN. Jesus taught this truth. "And when the Spirit "comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." (John 16:8) He provides real evidence to prove the guilt of the ungodly just as a prosecuting attorney provides evidence used to convict criminals. The conviction used by the Holy Spirit is totally just, based upon righteousness. Second, He is THE AGENT OF THE NEW BIRTH! Jesus told Nicodemus, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, . . . ." (John 3:5-6) "Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God." (John 3:6 - Contemporary English Version) Third, HE INDWELLS AND FILLS BELIEVERS IN JESUS! The Holy Spirit is God's Presence in the lives of followers of Jesus! "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells within you?" (I Corinthians 3:16) "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells within you." (Romans 8:9) Fourth, HE IS THE HELPER WHO TEACHES AND REMINDS US! Jesus told His disciples, "The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you," (John 14:26) Fifth, HE GUIDES US TO ALL TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS TO COME! "But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come." (John 16:13-14) If you want to know what is yet to come (in the future) listen to the Holy Spirit! There is no reason to be ignorant or confused about what the future holds in God's plan and purpose! Sixth, HE GLORIFIES JESUS! "He will glorify me because it is from me that He will receive what He will make known to you." (John 16:14-15) Seventh, HE HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS AND INTERCEDES FOR US! "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 through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27) We all have times when we feel weak and don't know what to do. The Holy Spirit helps us align with God's will by interceding in prayer for us during those times. Eighth, HE GRANTS US ETERNAL LIFE AND MAKES BELIEVERS NEW! "But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you." (Romans 8:10-11) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new." (II Corinthians 5:17) Ninth, HE SANCTIFIES US AND MAKES US HOLY! "You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11) ". . .through the sanctifying work of the Spirit." (II Thessalonians 2:13) ". . .that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:16) Tenth, HE IS A SEAL IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS! In ancient times, a seal was a "legal signature" attesting ownership and validating what was sealed. The Holy Spirit is our mark of adoption as God's children. God sent the Holy Spirit to Jesus' followers so that they could be confident in their salvation. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13) Eleventh, HE PRODUCES SPIRITUAL FRUIT IN OUR LIVES! "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . . ." (Galatians 5:23) "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25) Twelfth, HE GIVES GIFTS TO US FOR MINISTRY! "Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. . .To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." (I Corinthians 12:1-7) His spiritual gifts are: wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues and interpretations, (I Corinthians 12:4-10) and service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, evangelism. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (I Peter 4:10)

The Holy Spirit is a very busy PERSON, is He not? Many more descriptions about the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit could be profitably discussed. In closing, though, let's be reminded of this:

• The Holy Spirit speaks to us in our minds.

• The Holy Spirit leads us by making an impression in our inner spirit.

• The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Bible, God's Word.

• The Holy Spirit NEVER speaks anything to us that does not align perfectly with Scripture.

• The Holy Spirit teaches us to know who God truly is and how to follow Jesus daily.

• The Holy Spirit anoints us for His purposes and His mission.

• The Holy Spirit helps us prepare ourselves for the second coming of Jesus to earth and live eternally with Him in heaven.

There is a prayer that was put to song, appropriate to close out this week's blog.

"Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, Mold me, Fill me, Use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me."