...The “Person” of the Holy Spirit Of the three “persons” to the concept of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is often shrouded in more mystery than the other two. While the person of God the “Father” as the creator and sustainer of creation is well established in the scripture and the history of Judaism and Christianity, and while the person of Jesus the “Son” as an actual person in the course of human history is well documented in history and scripture, the person of the Holy Spirit is a person whose characteristics are not well defined. While the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit are often documented throughout scripture, the question of how to address the Holy Spirit is sometimes vague. While there is plenty of scriptural attestation to the Holy Spirit, and while Jesus does use personal pronouns to describe the Holy Spirit, the modern depictions of the Spirit are often amorphous, lacking definition, and sometimes even pictures that do not infer personhood as much as substance, such as depictions of the Holy Spirit as a, “tounge of fire.” Some theologians have pointed to the scripture to attest to the personhood of the Holy Spirit in the same way as Jesus and the Father (with some scripture point to personal pronouns such as “he”) while others are more concerned with the function of the Holy Spirit rather than the form. This begs the question as to whether or not it truly matters what the Holy Spirit is rather than who the Holy Spirit is. The Holy Spirit is first mentioned...
Words: 2455 - Pages: 10
...The Holy Spirit “…Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1:13 (see also 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22) When Jesus went back to His father, He did not abandon us as spiritual orphans in the world. He sent us his Holy Spirit into our lives. The Holy Spirit is the personal presence of God. “…I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.. I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you…” John 14:16-18;16:5-7 (read Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of the Godhead (Matthew 28:19). That means that although the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son, He is indeed God (note Peter’s words in Acts 5:3-4 and John’s description of Jesus in John 1:1-2). All three Persons are actively involved in the process of salvation, as shown in the scripture: “For through [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:18 THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT “We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” 1 John 4:13 The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to every believer. When a person personally receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside, imparting spiritual life. “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized...
Words: 1093 - Pages: 5
...a spiritual experience they call the baptism in the Holy Spirit. At the present time, hundreds of millions of believers identify themselves with the movement that teaches and encourages the reception of that experience. The global expansion of that movement demonstrates the words of Jesus Christ to His disciples that when the promised Holy Spirit came upon them, they would receive power to be His witnesses to all the world (Acts 1:5,8). The New Testament emphasizes the centrality of the Holy Spirit's role in the ministry of Jesus and the continuation of that role in the Early Church. Jesus’ public ministry was launched by the Holy Spirit coming upon Him (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). The Book of Acts presents an extension of that ministry through the disciples by means of the empowering Holy Spirit. The most distinguishing features of the baptism in the Holy Spirit are that: (1) it is theologically and experientially distinguishable from and subsequent to the new birth, (2) it is accompanied by speaking in tongues, and (3) it is distinct in purpose from the Spirit’s work of regenerating the heart and life of a repentant sinner. Baptism in the Holy Spirit The term “baptism in the Holy Spirit” does not occur in Scripture. It is a convenient designation for the experience predicted by John the Baptist that Jesus would “baptize in [Greek en] the Holy Spirit”1 (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33)...
Words: 568 - Pages: 3
...about the Holy Spirit Talking with kids about the Holy Spirit can be challenging, so many church leaders avoid it as much as they can. At CentriKid Camps in 2013, we focused on the truths that God is with us from creation, He is with us in the person of Jesus Christ, and He is with us through the Holy Spirit, and our response is that we follow Him. We felt it was important to give kids age-appropriate lessons with some tangible object lessons so they could grow in their understanding of the Holy Spirit. Here are some passages and illustrations from CentriKid to help you teach kids about the Holy Spirit: 1. Revelation 21:3 - “God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them.” 2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit. Define sanctuary, and help kids know that when we give God control of our lives, He makes our body a holy or sacred place. 3. Acts 2:1-3 – Appearance as flaming tongues of fire. Illustration: Empty gas can (since most folks at your facility might be upset if you started a fire in the children’s department). 4. John 3:8 – The wind that blows where it pleases. Illustration: Box fan. Cut it on, have a child with long hair stand in front of it and you’ll be able to quickly illustrate seeing the effects of the wind, but not seeing the wind itself. 5. 1 Kings 19:11-12 – Soft whisper. Illustration: Piece of rope that gently tugs at your heart As you teach kids about the Holy Spirit, move them...
Words: 333 - Pages: 2
...BiBLiOTHECA SACRA 157 (January-March 2000) 68-87 THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Eldon Woodcock O N SEVERAL OCCASIONS the New Testament refers to people being filled with the Holy Spirit. What does this involve? What did people do when they were filled with the Holy Spirit? How did t h a t filling come about? How can Christians today experience the filling of the Holy Spirit? W H A T I T M E A N S TO B E " F I L L E D " In New Testament Greek two words with their cognates meaning "to fill, to fulfill, to complete" are used in association with the Holy Spirit. They are πληρόω and πίμπλημι} Both words are flexible enough to designate several kinds of filling. These words are strikingly similar in their meanings. One area of shared meaning is "to finish, complete, fulfill." Both πληρόω and πίμπλημι are used to indicate a time at which something was to begin and the comple tion of a period of time at which something was to end. 2 The verb πληρόω is used of Jesus' finishing a presentation of His message (Luke 7:1) and of the apostles as having completed a Eldon Woodcock is Professor of Bible, Nyack College, Nyack, New York 1 R Schippers, "Fullness πληρόω'' in New International Dictionary of New Tes tament Theology, ed Colin Brown (Grand Rapids Zondervan, 1975), 1 733-41, Ger hard Delling, "πίμπλημι, έμπίμπλημι," in Theological Dictionary of the New Testa ment, ed Gerhard Kittel, t r a n s Geoffrey W Bromiley (Grand Rapids Eerdmans, 1968), 6 128-31...
Words: 10126 - Pages: 41
...The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. * Introduction: I am primarily going to refer to the gifts of the Spirit as spoken in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Would be cool to work through these three chapters verse for verse, but time will not allow this. Before I am even going to touch on the gifts of the Spirit, I do think its important that we look at the context of the book. Why did Paul find it necessary to discuss these gifts with this specific church. So important context pointers (which we read about in Acts and 1 and 2 Corinthians): * It was rebuild by Julius Caesar in 44 BC, after being a waste for about 100 years. * It had a lot of economic advantages, because of where the city was build. (BETWEEN TWO TRADING ROOTS; one land route and one sea route; NOT NECESSARY RICH GROUND; also had unlimited supply of water). Strategic place for a city – the wealth attracted people from all over. * Also known as a place where free slaves came to live, after they received their freedom, and many of them worked their way up into society. Roman soldiers also settled their – less Gentiles, Jews also immigrated to that place. * Temple of Aphrodite (goddess of love) was a famous temple in the city – had over 1000 cult temple prostitutes. * Greeks had a famous proverb in that time, namely, “to act like a corinthian” – referred to the moral decay in the city. * The situation in Corinth have been viewed as a hopeless situation – you do not want to go there as a minister of the...
Words: 1620 - Pages: 7
...Baptism and the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts Water Baptism vs Baptized with the Spirit and Power The book of Acts begins with Jesus' parting words to His apostles before His ascension to the right hand of God the Father. In His opening statement Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, and He does this by distinguishing the coming of the Spirit from the baptism of John. “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5) John had testified the same of his baptism, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11, also in all the other Gospels: Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33) So there are two types of baptisms in the book of Acts, what the old theologians called baptismus flaminis (the outpouring of special gifts of the Holy Spirit) and baptismis fluminis (the Baptism of water which is a Sacrament of the remission of sins). (See Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, II.289, note 53) Water Baptism: John's, Jesus' and the Church's Baptism (baptismis fluminis) Of these two types of baptism, the first is the baptism of John, and then commanded (and expanded) by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and given to all the converts on Pentecost, etc. (This is the normal baptism that continues today. We see many of these in Acts, including Acts 2:41; 8:12-16, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15...
Words: 1277 - Pages: 6
...BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: OUR FRIEND, COMFORTER, TEACHER, AND PART OF THE TRINITY A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO PROF. JOHN CARTWRIGHT IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BIBLE 364 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 SIGNS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST-------------------------------- 4 THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT---------------------------------------------------------- 5 THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL CONVICT US------------------------------------------------------------- 5 RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT---------------------------------------------- 6 CONCLUSION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 INTRODUCTION The Holy Spirit or as some refer to it as the “Holy Ghost”, is real and a very vital part of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). “From the Trinity we learn that the Creator is not static or standoffish but a loving relationality and sheer liveliness. It informs us that creation is grounded in God’s love and that grace underlies the gift of life itself.” There is scripture that shows the three as one, as we look Matthew 28:19 states “therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” There...
Words: 2212 - Pages: 9
...The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Foundational Truth Volume 8 By Peter Tan © Copyright 2008 by Peter Tan Evangelism. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher The pdf copy of this book is A$10. It has been provided free for those who can’t afford it in order that they may be blessed and grow spiritually. Please feel free to donate whatever amounts you can afford towards the upkeep of our ministry. Donations can be made via paypal to elshaddai1@bigpond.com. Please contact us for any other form of donations: Peter Tan Evangelism PO Box 27 Belconnen ACT 2616, Australia. Tel: +614 17755613 Email: elshaddai1@bigpond.com We are still in the process of paper publishing of this book. If you are interested in the translation and publishing of this book, please write to Ps Peter Tan at the above PO address. © Copyright 2008 Peter Tan Evangelism. All rights reserved. 2 PREFACE In this book we seek to focus on the practical aspects of operating the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Definitions and explanations are given on each gift but we also explain the ‘how’ of each operation. Christians need to understand what type of gifts they are receiving before they can operate in them. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not manifesting much in some places because of...
Words: 9751 - Pages: 40
...Responding to the Spirit John 16: 13-16 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. 16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” Someone has defined the word sanctification as a process whereby the Spirit of God, takes the word of God, and makes us like the son of God a midst all the circumstances we face as creatures hear on this earth. Jesus says in the gospel “the spirit of truth will guide you into all truth” and whatever the spirit hears Jesus Christ is relaying the message to his children. We are to be people of the word, we are to read the word, meditate upon it, memorize it, love it, and most of all apply it. There is no growth in Christ likeness without personal attention to the word of God in our lives. Ephesians 1 15-18 15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him...
Words: 591 - Pages: 3
...The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts Ministry of Jesus Holy Spirit (Christianity) The gospel * By Bobby374 * Dec 15, 2012 * 2475 Words * 293 Views Page 1 of 6 Liberty University The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts A research paper submitted to Professor P. L. Brewster In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements For BIBL364 Liberty University Online By Robert Ortiz Jr. Lynchburg, Virginia August 17, 2012 Table of Contents Introduction 2 The Coming / Filling of the Holy Spirit 2 The Holy Spirit Speaks through Believers 4 The Holy Spirit Speaks to Believers 4 The Holy Spirit Works Miracles through Believers 6 The Holy Spirit Builds a Church 6 Conclusion 6 Bibliography 8 Introduction Jesus Christ’s work of redemption on the Cross established the foundation for freedom from the penalty of sin and death, it also facilitated in allowing for Jew and Gentile to enter into the household of God, Christ is the cornerstone. With this freedom however comes responsibility, and the book of Acts, as documented by Luke, expresses the Holy Spirit’s role in making available everything that would be necessary to put this responsibility into action. The Holy Spirit would be the conduit by which a revolution was sparked that would lead the work of Christ on to worldwide reach using early believer’s triumphs, sufferings, and persecution to see it through and ultimately begin building His church. Marguerat concludes, “…the Spirit in Luke...
Words: 2109 - Pages: 9
...their advantage. He promised them that the Holy Spirit who is the Comforter would come upon them. In the previous chapters Jesus, had breathed upon them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22, KJV). I believe Jesus imparted to them from His own person and His own life. He promised that the Holy Spirit would be like Him. He would comfort them and be with them forever. In fact, the Holy Spirit would dwell in them. Jesus could only be with them physically but the Holy Spirit would be with and every one of them. Jesus was limited in that he could only be in one place at a time, but the Holy Spirit would go with each one of them to different places and different assignments. In the Old testament, the Holy Spirit would come and not stay or dwell among people. He would visit individuals per their assignment and would immediately depart once the assignment was complete. The disciples knew these facts from their study of the Old Testament. This was a difficult thing for...
Words: 999 - Pages: 4
...Wisdom is the first of the seven gifts of the holy spirit which are strengthened through the sacrament of confirmation. Wisdom helps us realize that the truths of Christian belief are far more important to are eternal soul that the things of these worlds, and and it helps us love creation for the sake of god instead of the sake of the creation itself. Another gift of the holy spirit is understanding. The gift of Understanding allows us to graspthe very essence of the truths of the Catholic faith. Through understanding, we gain a certitude about our beliefs that moves beyond faith. Counsel is the third gift of the holy spirit. Prudence can be practiced by anyone, but counsel is supernatural. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, we are able...
Words: 641 - Pages: 3
...The Holy Spirit is the all – knowing, all – seeing, everywhere – present God. Acts 5:3 – 4 pointed out that the Holy Spirit is God. In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, before Ananias was struck dead, Peter told him, “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?... You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (NIV). It is a clear declaration that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God; therefore, the Holy Spirit is God. Christians also know the Holy Spirit is God because He possesses all the characteristics of God. For example, His omniscience is seen in 1 Corinthians 2:10 – 11, these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of...
Words: 926 - Pages: 4
...The Holy Spirit and the Spiritual Gifts Natalie Barrionuevo Liberty University Introduction Growing up in and out of church I have not only heard about the Holy Spirit but also seen the works of the Holy Spirit and the gifts that accompany it. The Holy Spirit plays a key role in a Christian’s daily life. God has given us this companion as a substitute for himself to lead and guide us on our Christian walk. With this companion comes gifts which we have the ability to receive through Christ to help us along our journey. Here, we will discuss the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts that can accompany it. Holy Spirit Theological Definition Baptism in the Spirit is the moment when the spirit begins to operate in a believer’s life. Being baptized in the spirit does not mean you are more spiritually mature or holier than the next person. Spirit baptism cannot be equated with receiving the gifts of the spirit. (Elwell, 1996) Biblical Foundation The Holy Spirit is discussed throughout the entire bible. In Genesis 1: 2 it states “The earth was formless and empty, and the darkness covered the deep waters, and the spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (KJV/NLT, 2005). This is the first...
Words: 1592 - Pages: 7
