Thursday, October 1, 2015

The Third Person of the Godhead:

The Holy Spirit


The Holy Spirit is also called the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, the power of God, or simply the Spirit or the Spirit of God. His attributes are the same as of God: He is all knowing – I Jn. 5:6, “it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” He is everywhere present – Ps. 139:7, “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” He is all powerful – Rom. 15:19, “mighty signs and wonders were done “by the power of the Spirit of God.” The Holy Spirit is the agent of all of God’s doings and He has a distinct personality and offices.
We know by II Pet. 1:21, it was He that inspired the writers of the Bible; “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. He convicts sinners of their sin - Jn. 16:8, “He will reprove the world of sin.” He is the agent of the new birth – Jn. 3:5, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” At that regeneration (Jn. 3:14) they are “born of the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit witnesses to that new relation - Rom. 8:16, the Spirit Himself “beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.”
The offices of the Holy Spirit are many-fold. As new born babies in Christ, we need to grow spiritually. The Holy Spirit will guide us. How blessed we are, as we take in the Word of God, His Spirit will guide us into all truth, Jn. 16:13-15. Also as we travel on in this life with the Lord, we have need of comfort. Jesus said, The Comforter “shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” He also said (John 15:26), the Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me. In John 16:7, Jesus said, “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.”
It is also the work of the Holy Spirit to call and to direct ministers of the Gospel (Acts 13:2,2; 8:29; 20:28). A man knows when he has the call of God to the ministry. Sad to say, many call themselves when God has not called. They seek a place and push themselves forward. Not everyone is called to preach or teach or to be a pastor. But all believers should study to know the Word of God. All members of Christ Body have a God given place in the Body and a function to fulfill. We are responsible to be faithful in that place.
For all members of Christ’s body are useful, for the profit or general good of all the Body. For that reason the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts which are preeminently the property of the Spirit; for they are the direct channels of the operation of the Spirit (I Cor. 12). Chapter 13 of I Corinthians teaches that the gift are nothing without love. Romans 12:3-9 is very clear and calls for a surrendered life that each member be true to his gift and calling.
Consider the life of God’s Son on the earth. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit – Mt. 1:20. He was anointed with the Spirit at His baptism for His public ministry – Mt. 3:16. He was led by the Spirit – Lk. 4:1. He journeyed in the power of the Spirit -Lk. 4:14. He taught or ministered by the power of the Spirit – Lk. 4:15. We even read in Mk. 1:12 that he was driven by the Spirit.
Concerning the lives of the Apostles: we read in the book of Acts and in Paul’s epistles how the Holy Spirit spoke to them, commanded and reproved them, even hindered them, drove and led them, taught, protected and comforted them.
There are emblems of the Spirit found in the Scripture: such as a Dove – Mt. 3:16 – which is far seeing, we don’t see very far, but the Holy Spirit does. Oil – James 5:14 – which is soothing, healing and comforting. Water – Jn. 7:38 – which is refreshing, thank God for that refreshing. Wind – Acts 2:2 – which is quickening, the quickening power of the Spirit. Fire – Acts 15:8-9 – which is purifying, burning off the dross. The Holy Spirit is doing a work in you and I so we might be fruitful unto God. Thank the Lord for His influence in our lives. 
Earlene Davis