The Power of The Holy Spirit

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Friends, my confession to you is this:

 

To know who our Triune God will take more than a lifetime to learn. This series, The Character of God, The Love of Christ, and The Power of The Holy Spirit is only a brief picture of our Triune God.  Our Godhead is far more than my words could ever describe to you.  My greatest hope in this is to give you an introduction, or a new perspective of who our Triune God is.  He is Father, He is Savior, He is Helper. 

 

It is tempting to start out telling you about all the reasons I love the Holy Spirit.  This is not about me though; this is about Him and who he is.  

 

Each person of the Godhead has a unique quality about them in regard to who they are, even though they are of one person.  The Holy Spirit is different than the Father and Jesus because He is Spirit that not only surrounds us but has the ability to live within us. Scripture tells us in several places that those who accept Christ will be given the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Galatians 5:22)

 

The Holy Spirit leads people in the ways of God and then empowers them to walk in the ways of God.  

 

We are first introduced to the Godhead in Genesis 1:26.  

 

We see in Ezekiel 36:26 how the Lord transforms Ezekiel through a new heart and the Holy Spirit. 

 

In John 16:7, we receive a promise of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus refers to him in the passage as Helper, Advocate, or Comforter depending on your translation.  

 

I looked up these names in various versions of the Bible and they are all the same word in Greek.  Parakletos.  (Can I just tell you I am so thankful for websites that tell me how to pronounce this word because I was way off!)

 

*Parakletos:   Strong’s G3875

 

Some of the definitions were:

 

Summoned, called to one’s side, esp. to one’s aid

One who pleads another’s cause before a judge, an advocate

One who pleads another’s causes with one, an intercessor

 

Then there was this:

 

    “The Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom”

 

 

We see the Holy Spirit come to the disciples in a dramatic way in Acts 2:1-4. Violent rushing wind and tongues of fire!  He came in power, to give power.  Not the kind of power that can be lorded over someone, but an enabling power to share the Gospel and all that comes with that. 

 

Later in Acts, we see how this played out.  Scripture tells us about the power and ability that comes with the Holy Spirit.  Acts 4:31

 

There are two things we see in this initial giving of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.  They were FILLED with the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit filled them so they could pour out and do it boldly. They were not trying to pour out of an empty vessel because they were filled to the point of overflowing.  The Holy Spirit also gave them the ability to be bold in sharing the Gospel. The Godhead knew what was in store for the Apostles as they went to share the news of Jesus and with the power of the Holy Spirit, they were able to endure and fulfill their calling. 

 

The Holy Spirit is a gift of God. Acts 2:38

 

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. John 15:26

It is through the power of the Spirit that truth can be discerned and spoken. 

 

He is God within us and gives us the ability to understand the thoughts of God the Father. 1 Corinthians 2:11

 

It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin. John 16:8 This is an important thing to mention.  People without the Holy Spirit do not have the same thoughts about sin as people who have the Holy Spirit.  It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that anyone can understand sin.  Conviction of sin is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit alone.  Believers can speak truth about sin, but it is not the responsibility of Christians to impart judgment of sin on an Unbeliever. 

 

I encourage you to use this 4-part series as an introduction to know who God is.  Then go and seek him out yourself.  His greatest desire is to be in relationship with YOU! He will meet you wherever you are because He loves you.  We will never know who we are until we know who our Triune God is. 

 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

Romans 5:8

 

 

 

 

*Info from www.blueletterbible.org

 

 

 

 

 

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