God the Eternal Holy Spirit

By Fransisco Msonge (MD), 2022

Content

• Introduction
• The Personality of the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit is not God’s active force
• The Holy Spirit Is Truly God
• The Holy Spirit and the Godhead
• The Mission of the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit’s Role for Believers

Introduction

For years, the world has been stuck in a theological discussion about the divinity of the Holy Spirit. This article will examine the biblical aspect of the Holy Spirit’s divinity in depth. Before Jesus Christ offered Himself as the sacrificial victim, He instructed His disciples regarding a most essential and complete gift which He was to bestow upon His followers—the gift that would bring within their reach the boundless resources of His grace. (John 14:16-17).

The Saviour was pointing forward to the time when the Holy Spirit should come to do a mighty work as His representative. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred on Pentecost (Acts 2:1–13), and the good news of a risen Saviour was carried to the farthest reaches of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of this message. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all corners of the Earth.

Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, “In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them” (Zechariah 12:8).

The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Jesus declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. The Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness to all who have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour.

But we have to know and remember that it is not conclusive evidence that a man is a true Christian because he can perform “miracles” or manifest spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that comes from God’s mouth; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is resting in God’s love. (1 Corinthians 13:2-3).

1 John 2:5 “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 5:3) “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous”. We must examine all who claim to love God, to have or be led by the Holy Spirit; we must also search our hearts to see if we have the Holy Spirit. In this the scriptures are the standard measure. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all the truths of Scripture, enabling us to live godly lives. With the Holy Spirit we will reveal the character of Christ, the character of love, which are the ten commandments of God. Read (Isaiah 8:20, Deut 11: 1, 6;5).

Isaiah 8:20 KJV                                                

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Here are seven biblical facts about the Holy Spirit.

• 1. The Holy Spirit is eternal and equal to God the Father and God the Son.
• 2. The Holy Spirit is not God`s active force.
• 3. The Holy Spirit is the only true representative (Vicar) of Jesus on Earth.
• 4. The physical nature of the Holy Spirit is the MYSTERY as it is not revealed to MAN.
• 5. The Holy Spirit is the Person, as God the Father and God the Son
• 6. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.
• 7. The Holy Spirit is God.

The Personality of the Holy Spirit

A brief study of the angels reveals that they, like God, are spiritual beings (Heb. 1:7, 14). Yet they always appear in human form (Gen. 18; 1-31,19:1-22; Dan. 9:21; Luke 1:11-38; Acts 12:5-10). God is spirit as contrary to the material-physical nature of man, God is invisible and spirit (i.e., non-body): (John 4:24, Luke 24:39, Romans 1:20 and Colossians 1:15). But the Bible also indicates that some people have seen parts of God’s person. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel saw His feet (Ex. 24:9-11).

Although He did not show His face, after covering Moses with His hands, God revealed His back to him as He passed by (Ex. 33:20-23). God appeared to Daniel in a judgment-scene vision as the Ancient of Days seated on a throne (Dan. 7:9, 10). Christ is described as the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15) and the express image of His person (Heb. 1:3). These passages seem to indicate that God is a personal being and has a personal form. This should not come as a surprise, for man was created in the image of God.

The Bible revealed the nature of God the Father and God the Son, but the nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot fully explain it, because the Lord has not fully revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden.

Different Bible passages associate the Holy Spirit with a dove (Matthew 3:16), a seal (Ephesians 1:13), a fire (Acts 2:3), and oil (Acts 10:38). But none of these characters describe the actual physical nature of the Holy Spirit. Yes, no one can explain the physical nature of the Holy Spirit because God never revealed it to us. It is not essential for us to be able to fully define what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Spirit is the Comforter, “the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father.” It is plainly declared regarding the Holy Spirit that His work is guiding men into all truth.

The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit is a person, not an impersonal force. Statements such as “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us” (Acts 15:28) reveal that the early believers viewed Him as a person. Christ also spoke of Him as a person and distinct person. “He will glorify Me”. He said, “for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).  Scriptures referring to the triune God describe the Spirit as a person (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).

Matthew 28:19 KJV

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”

2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

The Holy Spirit has a personality. He strives (Gen. 6:3), teaches (Luke 12:12), convicts of sin (John 16:8), and directs church affairs (Acts 13:2). The Holy Spirit helps and intercedes (Rom 8:26), inspires (2 Peter 1:21), and sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2). The Holy Spirit has insight (2 Corinthians 2:10–11),  He is to be obeyed (Acts 10:19–20),  He knows things, which requires an intellect (Romans 8:27), and He can be lied to (Acts 5:3). The Holy Spirit can be resisted(Acts 7:51), grieved (Ephesians 4:30), blasphemed (Matthew 12:31), and even insulted(Hebrews 10: 29). All of these are activities and attributes of personhood and cannot be performed by mere power or influence. Only a person can perform them.

We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds. The Holy Spirit is a person because He bears witness with our spirits that we are God’s children. At such times, we believe and are sure that we are children of God.

The Holy Spirit has a personality, or else he could not bear witness to our spirits. He must also be a divine person; or else he could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of man which is in him?” “For no man knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” 

The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. God, the eternal Spirit, participated in creation, incarnation, and redemption alongside the Father and the Son. He is as much a person as the Father and the Son.

He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond, he renews and transforms into the image of God. He is sent by the Father and the Son to be with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures, leads it into all truth. (Acts 1:8; Acts 5:3; Acts 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21) 

Luke 4:18 KJV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”

John 15:26 KJV

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me”.

Acts 1:8 KJV

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

2 Peter 1:21 KJV

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

The Holy Spirit is not God’s active force

Many have seen the Holy Spirit as only God`s active force. This is unbiblical. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. The Bible teaches us that he is active in our lives, a distinct person, and fully God. The Holy Spirit is “not” God’s active force that he uses to accomplish his will.

A real person has the attributes of personality, which include mind, will, and emotions. Does the Holy Spirit have a mind? Yes, He “searches…” the “deep things of God” and knows them. Does the Holy Spirit have emotions? We are told to “grieve not the Holy Spirit.” If the Holy Spirit can be grieved, then he has emotions. Because the Holy Spirit has a mind, a will, and emotions, we know that he is a person.

The Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son, but these three co-external persons are the same in nature, character, mind, and purpose (One God). Some people think that the Holy Spirit is actually the same person as the Father and the Son. But the Scriptures clearly teach a distinction between the Persons of the Godhead.

For example, again and again in John 14–16, Jesus referred to another Comforter that He would send when He went back to the Father. This Comforter would guide the disciples and teach them. If Jesus and the Holy Spirit were one and the same person, Jesus’s reference to the Holy Spirit as another Comforter would not make sense. Jesus must have been referring to another Person distinct from Himself, “Who is the Holy Spirit”.

A real person also has the capacity to have relationships with others. That’s the primary reason we have our mind, will, and emotions. According to (Philippians 2:1), the Spirit is able to have fellowship with us.  According to (2 Corinthians 13:14), the Holy Spirit can have communion with us. One who is able to commune and to have fellowship is capable of having personal relationships. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is a person and a true God.

The Holy Spirit is one in nature, in character, in mind, and in purpose with God the eternal Father. From the beginning, God has been working by His Holy Spirit through human instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race.

This was manifest in the lives of the patriarchs. To the church in the wilderness also, in the time of Moses, God gave His “good Spirit to instruct them.” (Nehemiah 9:20). And in the days of the apostles He wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostelic church effective, has upheld God’s faithful children in every succeeding age. This power is God, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead.

The Holy Spirit Is Truly God:

The doctrine of the Holy Spirit as part of the Heavenly Trio and a third member of the Godhead is not a man-made theology. The Holy Spirit is God, not because of the concept introduced in the Nicene Creed as revised at the Council of Constantinople. The deity of the Holy Spirit was not affirmed by man. The Holy Spirit is God, having an eternal relationship with the Father and the Son, and his existence did not begin when he was sent by the Father or the Son (John 15: 26; 16:7). 

1 John 5:7-8 KJV

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”

Scripture views the Holy Spirit as God. Peter told Ananias that, in lying to the Holy Spirit, He had lied not “to men but to God” (Acts 5:3-4). Jesus defined the unpardonable sin as “blasphemy against the Spirit”, saying, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come (Matt. 12:31-32). This could be true only if the Holy Spirit is God.

Scripture associates divine attributes with the Holy Spirit. He is life. Paul referred to Him as the “Spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2). He is truth. Christ called Him the “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13). The expressions “love of the Spirit” (Rom. 15:30) and “the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph. 4:30) reveal that love and holiness are part of His nature.

The Holy Spirit is omnipotent. He distributes spiritual gifts “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor. 12:11). He is omnipresent. He will “abide” with His people “forever” (John 14:16). None can escape His influence (Ps. 139:7-10). He also is omniscient, because “the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” and “no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:10-11).

The works of God are also associated with the Holy Spirit. Creation and resurrection both involve Him. We read, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4). And the psalmist said, “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth” (Ps. 104:30). Paul claimed, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Rom. 8:11).

Only an omnipresent personal God, not an impersonal influence, nor a created being, could perform the miracle of bringing the divine Christ to one individual, Mary. At Pentecost, the Spirit made the one God-man, Jesus, universally present to all willing recipients. The Holy Spirit is considered equal with the Father and the Son in the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19), the apostelic blessing (2 Cor. 13:14), and the spiritual-gifts discourse (1 Cor. 12:4-6).

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 KJV

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

The Holy Spirit is the all-knowing, all-seeing, everywhere-present God. Acts 5:3–4 teaches us that the Holy Spirit is God. The words of God are the words the Holy Spirit inspired. We are the temple of God because the Spirit indwells us. The one born of the Spirit is said to be born of God. The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the divine Godhead. It is so important to believe in the deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit, because you cannot give Him the honor and respect that He deserves if you don’t consider Him a divine Person and God.

The Holy Spirit and the Godhead:

We have “one God” (Deut 6:4, Mark 12:29, 12:32). From eternity, the Holy Spirit lived within the Godhead as the third member. The Father, Son, and Spirit are equally self-existent and the same in nature, in character, in mind, and in purpose—one God (Isaiah 48:16, Matt 3:16-17, and 28:18-20). Though each member is equal, an economy of function operates within the Heavenly Trio.

The third person of the Godhead (the Holy Spirit) is called by a number of different names these includes. 

• The “Spirit of Jesus Christ”:  Romans 8:9–10, Galatians 4:6
  • In reference to where he comes from, who sends him or represents
• The Spirit of God: Ephesians 4:30, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Romans 8:9
  • In reference to where he comes from, who sends him or represents
• The Spirit of the Lord: Judge 3: 10, Isaiah 11:2, Micah 3:8–10, Luke 4:18
• The Holy Ghost: Matthew 3:11, John 14:26, Acts 2:38, 19:6
• The Spirit of Truth: 1 John 4:6, 1 John 5:6, John 14:15–17, 15:26, and 16:13–15.

The truth about God the Holy Spirit is best understood as seen through Jesus. When the Spirit comes to believers, He comes as the “Spirit of Christ”—He does not come in His own right, carrying His own credentials. His activity in history centres on Christ’s mission of salvation. The Holy Spirit was actively involved in Christ’s birth (Luke 1:35), confirmed His public ministry at baptism (Matt. 3:16-17), and brought the benefits of Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection to humanity (Rom. 8:11).

In the Godhead, the Spirit seems to fulfil the “role of executor”. When the Father gave His Son to the world (John 3:16), He was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18-20). The Holy Spirit came to complete the plan, to make it a reality. The Holy Spirit’s intimate involvement in creation is seen in His presence at Creation (Gen. 1:2). Life’s origin and maintenance depends on His operation; His departure means death.

Said the Bible, “If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust”. (Job 34:14-15). We can see reflections of the Spirit’s creative work in His re-creative work within each person who is open to God. God carries out His work within individuals through the Creator Spirit. So in incarnation, creation, and re-creation, the Spirit comes to bring God’s intention to fulfillment.

The Mission of the Holy Spirit:

The missions of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit were totally interdependent (Like 4: 18). The fullness of the Holy Spirit could not be given until Jesus had completed His mission. Jesus was the first person to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The astounding truth is that our Lord is willing to pour out His Spirit on all who earnestly desire Him

The evening before Christ’s death His words about His impending departure greatly troubled His disciples. He immediately assured them that they would receive the Holy Spirit as His personal representative. They would not be left as orphans (John 14:18). The New Testament reveals the Holy Spirit in a unique way. He is called the “Spirit of His Son” (Gal. 4:6), the “Spirit of God” (Rom. 8:9), the “Spirit of Christ” (Rom. 8:9; 1 Peter 1:11), and the “Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:19).

Who originated the Holy Spirit’s mission—Jesus Christ or God the Father? When Christ revealed the origin of the Holy Spirit’s mission to a lost world, He mentioned two sources. First, He referred to the Father: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). Second, Christ referred to Himself: “I will send Him {the Spirit} to you” (John 16:7). Thus the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.

We can acknowledge Christ’s Lordship only through the influence of the Holy Spirit. Said Paul, “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:3). We are given the assurance that, through the Holy Spirit, Christ, “the true Light,” illuminates “every man who comes into the world” (John 1:9). His mission is to “Convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8)

John16:8-11KJV

“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”.

First, the Holy Spirit brings to us a deep conviction of sin, especially the sin of not accepting Christ (John 16:9). Second, the Spirit urges all to accept the righteousness of Christ. Third, the Spirit warns us of judgment, a powerful tool in stirring up sin-darkened minds to the need of repentance and conversion. When we have repented, we can be born again through the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5). Then our new life becomes the dwelling place of the Spirit of Christ.

The majority of texts concerning the Holy Spirit pertain to His relationship with God’s people. His sanctifying influence leads to obedience (1 Peter 1:2), but no one continues to experience His abiding presence without meeting certain conditions. Peter said God has given the Spirit to those who continuously obey Him (Acts 5:32). Thus, believers are warned about resisting, grieving, and quenching the Spirit (Acts 7:51; Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19).

The Holy Spirit’s Role for Believers

The Holy Spirit played an important role in resolving serious difficulties that threatened the unity of the church. Indeed, Scripture introduces the decisions of the first church council with the words “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us…” (Acts 15:28). Throughout most sections of this article, we have seen and read many roles and functions of the Holy Spirit. Here below are five principal roles of the Holy Spirit to believers.

• He manifests Christ`s Grace to Us
• He guides us into all the biblical truth
• He is the true Vicar of Christ
• He equips the church with special gifts
• He fills the hearts of believers

He manifests Christ`s Grace to Us: When introducing the Holy Spirit, Christ called Him “another Comforter” (John 14:16) or a “Helper” and he can also be called “Mediator,” or “Advocate”. Christ is the only other mediator mentioned in the Bible, He is our Advocate or Intercessor before the Father. (I John 2:1).

As a Mediator, Christ presents us to God and reveals God to us. Similarly, the Spirit guides us to Christ and manifests Christ’s grace to us. This explains why the Spirit is called the “Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29). One of his greatest contributions is the application of Christ’s redeeming grace to people (1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 9:14; James 4:5-6).

Hebrews 10:29 KJV

“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

James 4:5-6 KJV

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

He guides us into all the biblical truth: Christ called the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13). His functions include bringing “to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26) and guiding “you into all truth” (John 16:13). His message testifies to Jesus Christ (John 15:26). “He will not speak on His own authority,” Christ said, “but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13-14).

He is the true Vicar of Christ: Not only does He bring the message about Christ, He brings the very presence of Christ. Jesus said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

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 (John 16:7). Cumbered with humanity, the Man Jesus was not omnipresent, which was why it was expedient that He depart. Through the Spirit, He could be everywhere all the time. He gave the assurance that the Spirit was to dwell “with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:17-18). Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is in us and He is manifested in us. In this case, the Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, the only Vicar of Christ in the world and not any human authority (Jer 17:5-7).

At Pentecost, the Spirit brought the victorious Christ to the world. Christ’s promises; “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5) and “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20) are realized through the Spirit. For this reason, the New Testament gives the Spirit a title never used of Him in the Old Testament; “The Spirit of Jesus” (Phil. 1:19).

Philippians 1:19 KJV

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

Just as it is through the Spirit that both the Father and the Son make believers their home (John 14:23), so the only way believers can abide in Christ is through the Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit brings the very presence of Christ, He is the only true Vicar of Christ on earth and not the papal system or any religious system. As the abiding center of authority in matters of faith and doctrine, the ways in which He leads the church accord fully with the Bible. The Holy Spirit is the true successor of Christ on earth, the only “Christ Regent,” (Jer 17:5-7).

We must realize and remember that it is the Holy Spirit himself, as God and a third member of the Godhead, who is the successor of Jesus Christ, and not a human-person who is filled with the Holy Spirit or led by the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit for our life and our salvation. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to live a godly life, but this does not make us divine, gods (Gnosticism/Pantheism), or successors of Jesus Christ on earth. Psalm 146:3, Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” Psalm 118:9, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”

He equips the church with special gifts: The Holy Spirit has bestowed special gifts on God’s people. In Old Testament times, “the Spirit of the Lord” came upon individuals, giving them extraordinary powers to lead and deliver Israel (Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29) and the ability to prophesy (Num. 11:17, 25-26; 2 Sam. 23:2).

The Spirit came upon Saul and David when they were anointed as rulers of God’s people (1 Sam. 10:6, 10; 1 Sam. 16:13). To some people, the infilling of the Spirit brought unique artistic skills (Ex. 28:3; Ex. 31:3; Ex. 35:30-35).

In the early church, as well, it was through the Holy Spirit that Christ bestowed His gifts on the church. The Spirit distributed these spiritual gifts to believers as He saw fit, thus benefiting the whole church (Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 12:7-11). He provided the special power necessary for proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)

He fills the heart of believers: Paul’s query to the disciples at Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2), is a crucial question for every believer. When Paul received a negative reply he laid hands on those disciples, and they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6).

Jesus pointed out the necessity of being born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5). Just before His ascension He commanded new believers to be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). In harmony with this command Peter preached that “the gift of the Holy Spirit” is to be received at baptism (Acts 2:38). And Paul confirms the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with an urgent appeal that believers “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

The infilling of the Holy Spirit, transforming us into the image of God, continues the work of sanctification begun at the new birth. God has saved us according to His mercy “through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:5-6)

All of the changes Jesus Christ effects in us come through the ministry of the Spirit. As believers, we should be constantly aware that without the Spirit we can accomplish nothing (John 15:5). Today the Holy Spirit directs our attention to the greatest gift of love God proffers in His Son. He pleads that we not resist His appeals, but accept the only way whereby we can be reconciled to our loving and gracious Father.

Amen