WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
What Is The Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God Himself (Jn
4:24; 2 Cor 3:17). In the Bible the Holy Spirit is variously called the:-
Counselor (Jn
14:26)
Spirit of God (1 Cor 3:16)
Spirit of the Lord (Is 11:2; Lk
4:18)
Spirit of the living God (2 Cor
3:3)
Spirit of the Father (Mt 10:20)
Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9)
Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:7)
Spirit of the Son of God (Gal 4:6)
Spirit of truth (1 Jn 4:6)
Eternal Spirit (Heb 9:14)
Spirit of glory (1 Pet 4:14)
Spirit of wisdom and of revelation
(Eph 1:17)
Spirit of judgment (Is 4:34)
Spirit of holiness (Rom 1:4; Neh
9:20)
Spirit of grace (Heb 10:29)
There is only one Spirit (Eph 4:4)
and all the names are but titles of the same Spirit.
The Work Of The Holy
Spirit In The Old Testament
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the
Father (Jn 15:26), just as Jesus also came from Him (Jn 13:3). The Spirit of
God was moving over the face of the waters when the Universe was created. The
creation which is sustained by the power of God, is
also the work of the Spirit. Man, the most noble among the creatures, is the
glorious master-piece of the Spirit (Job 33:4). Clearly, the Holy Spirit is the
prime source of the creation.
He endowed the tailors of Aaron’s
garment with wisdom and knowledge (Ex 28:3); and vested the Judges with
judicial authority and leadership in warfare (Judg 3:10; 6:34).
In the religious sphere, the
Spirit inspired Eldad and Medad to prophesy (Num 11:26-29); and David to speak
the Word of God (2 Sam 23:2). The prophets instructed, admonished and saw
Visions through the power of the Spirit. (Neh 9:20,30;
Eze 11:24-25). Against the rebellious, the Holy Spirit turned Himself to become
their enemy, and fought against them (Is 63:10).
The Work Of The Holy
Spirit In The New Testament
Christians are born again and
sealed as a guarantee of our inheritance, with the Holy Spirit (in 3:5; Eph
1:13-14). He frees man from the law of sin, sanctifies him and finally
resurrects him in the Day of Judgment (Rom 8:2; 15:16; 8:11).
He teaches man, strengthens the
weak, empowers the disciples, gives comfort, peace and joy (Jn 14:26; Eph 3:16;
Acts 1:8; 9:31; Rom 14:17). He even intercedes for man and bestows gifts upon
him (Rom 8:26; 1 Cor 12:4-11).
The Personality Of The
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has a personality.
He is God and therefore is not merely an ‘influence’ or an ‘active force’ of
God. The Bible portrays the Holy Spirit as a ‘person’ having discernment (1 Cor
2:10), a mind (Rom 8:27), a feeling of love (Rom 15:30), the ability to instruct
and speak to man (Neh 9:20; Acts 8:29). He bestows grace and yet can be grieved
(Heb 10:29; Eph 4:30). With respect to the workers of God, He ordains, sends,
guides and occasionally prohibits them if necessary (Acts 20:28; 13:2-3; Rom
8:14; Acts 16:6-7). He also reveal mysteries to His
Holy apostles and prophets (Eph 3:5).
The Types And Symbols Of
The Holy Spirit
Dove — symbolising
the gentle and peaceful nature of the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:16; 10:16).
Guarantee — symbolising the
reliability of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:14).
Fire — symbolising the forceful
inspiration and the refining work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3).
Oil — symbolising the joy of the
Spirit’s indwelling (Lk 4:18; Heb 1:9).
Seal — symbolising the reality and
power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13; Dan 6:17).
Water — symbolising the abundant
life a Christian experiences through the Holy Spirit (in 7:38-39; Rev 22:17).
Wind — symbolising the life-giving
power of the Holy Spirit (in 3:8; Acts 2:2; Eze 37:9-10).
The Baptism Of The Holy
Spirit
Before His Ascension, Jesus
commanded His disciples to preach the gospel and baptise those who believe; and
to await the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). On the day of Pentecost,
ten days after the ascension of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit descended.
God has assured man two great
promises; to send us Ills only begotten Son and to send us a Comforter ie. the Holy Spirit. While the Son is given to die for the whole
world, the Holy Spirit is given selectively to those who profess Christ through
faith (Gal 3:2,14; Eph 1:13; Acts 15:7-8).
John the Baptist testified to the
fact that Jesus is the Lamb of God, and that He alone would baptise with the
Holy Spirit. This testimony is recorded in all the four Gospels (Mt 3:11; Mk
1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33). This means that Jesus has the sole prerogative to
baptise with the Spirit. After Jesus had resurrected, He breathed on his
disciples saying, “receive the Holy Spirit”. Whereupon
the disciples did not receive the Holy Spirit instantly because that was only a
promise. Earlier Jesus said, “....if I do not go away, the Counselor will not
come to you; hut if I go away, I will send him to you” (Jn 16:7). Hence, the
reason Christ told them to wait in Jerusalem.
As promised. the
Holy Spirit came on the clay of Pentecost. Peter claimed that the phenomenon on
that day was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel and John the Baptist (Acts
2:16-21).
What Is The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?
In the Bible, to be ‘baptised by
the Spirit’ is to be fully immersed in the Spirit as baptism of water means to
be immersed in water. Though the Holy Spirit is invisible, when He infills a
person His presence and power can be felt. Different phraseologies have been
used in the Bible to describe it: “I send the promise of the Father upon you’
(Lk 24:49). “the Holy Spirit fell on them” (Acts 11:15; 8:15-16), “the Holy
Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8), “you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit” (Acts 2:38), “the Holy Spirit came on them” (Acts 19:6), “the gift of
the Holy Spirit had been poured out” (Acts 10:45), “sealed with the promised
Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13), “receive the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Gal 3:14)
and “the Holy Spirit which he poured upon us richly” (Tit 3:6).
A person who has been baptised
with the Holy Spirit exhibits outward physical manifestations whilst praying.
This physical experience of his is both visible and audible to those around him
at that time. Peter said, “... and having received from the Father the promise
of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear” (Acts 2:33).
It appears from the records in the Acts of the Apostles that every instance of
the baptism of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by such physical manifestations.
In that book there are five instances where people received the Holy Spirit:-
Jerusalem
On the day of Pentecost,
….. they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts
2:4).
Samaria
When the Apostles laid their hands
on the believers in Samaria,
they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through
the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered to buy that power. (Acts
8:17-18). Though here there is no mention of the “speaking of tongues”, it is
nonetheless implicit because Simon ‘saw’ the Holy Spirit being given. There
must at least be some physical manifestations before it can be seen.
Damascus
When Ananjas
laid his hand on Paul, he said, “... the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the
road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight
and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. And immediately there fell from his eyes
something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was
baptised. Presumably he received the Holy Spirit then. Again there was no explicit
mention of Paul speaking in tongue. But there was also no explicit mention of
him receiving the Holy Spirit. It is indisputable however, that Paul did speak
in tongues: I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all “ (1 Cor 14:18).
Caesarae
As Peter was delivering a message
in the house of Cornelius the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And
the believers from among the circumcised were amazed, because the gift of the
Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles; for they heard them
speaking in tongues and extolling God (Acts 10:44-46).
Ephesus
When Paul had laid his hand upon
the Christians at Ephesus,
the Holy Spirit came on them: and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There
were about twelve of them in all. (Acts 19:6-7).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit
then, contrary to popular belief, is not a mere feeling of joy or a conviction
of guilt: or just a purely emotional episode urging the sinner to accept
Christ. Since the day of Pentecost, the Spirit has revealed Himself vividly
through physical manifestations in the believers. In no uncertain terms, one
can safely assert that the speaking of tongues is the only sure evidence that
one has received the Holy Spirit.
In the book of Joel, second
chapter, verse twenty-eight, the Holy Spirit is said to be ‘poured’ upon man.
The same verb is used to denote the descent of the Holy Spirit in the third
chapter, the sixth verse of Titus, which reads,”…. the renewal of the Holy
Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly ...” The Holy Spirit does not
descend upon a believer in trickles but in a downpour. Hence, when a believer
receives the Spirit, he experiences a dynamic force in him which is evinced by
outward manifestations. This shows itself in the ‘speaking of tongues’ or even
bodily vibratory movements.
The Importance Of The
Baptism Of The Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
sets a seal on a Christian guaranteeing him of eternal salvation (Eph 1:13-14;
2 Cor 1:22; 2 Tim 2:19). At the Council of Jerusalem, Peter related how the
Gentiles heard the gospel and believed, and that God who knows the heart bore
witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:8). Peter was, of course,
referring to the incident in the house of Cornelius at Caesarea. He maintained
that by this God had affirmed their salvation. He was absolutely certain that
the Holy Spirit which had fallen on them was God’s assurance of salvation for
them (Acts 15:11).
The Spirit joins with our spirit
in testifying that we are God’s children; and if children, then heirs. We are
God’s heirs and Christ fellow-heirs, if we share his sufferings now in order to
share his splendour hereafter (Rom 5:16, NEB).
If a man does not possess the Spirit of Christ, he is no Christian (Rom 5:9, NEB).
The Effects Of The Baptism
Of The Holy Spirit
While water baptism revives our
spiritual lives, the Spirit baptism imbues our spiritual lives with continued
strength from above. Through the ministry of the Spirit our lives arc being
renewed continuously and we grow in spiritual maturity, conforming more and
more to the image of Christ. So then water baptism is a once in a lifetime
experience whereas the baptism of the Spirit continues as a long-term process.
Paul exhorted the Christians at Ephesus saying, “And do
not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit”
(Eph 5:18). Wine intoxicates and is capable of turning a man into a profligate.
But he in whom the Holy Spirit constantly dwells, finds strength to lead a
wholesome spiritual life in Christ —a life that is totally changed.
In A Christian’s Life
A baby is born helpless and weak
and therefore needs care and protection. Paul referred to the new converts as
‘newborn babies’ (1 Pet 2:2), who are young and weak spiritually. The Holy
Spirit then works within them in four successive stages:-
Renews the spiritual life
‘Renewal’ means to discard the
former self and to take on a new nature. The Bible says; “….leaving your former
way of life, you must lay aside the old human nature which, deluded by its
lusts, is sinking towards death. You must be made new in mind and spirit, and
put on the new nature of God’s creating. which shows
itself in the just and devout life called for by the truth” (Eph 4:22-24, NEB). “Do not be
conformed to this world but he transformed by the renewal of your mind “ (Rom 12:2).
The renewal begins with the newborn life of a Christian, and gradually it
proceeds to the renewal of the mind, the conduct and the behaviour until he is
changed by a total spiritual metamorphosis.
Strengthens The Spiritual Life
Ephesians 3:16 says, “That
according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with
might through his Spirit in the inner man”. The ‘inner man’ here refers to the
new life a Christian has through the washing of regeneration. Only through the
power of the Holy Spirit can the regenerated life be strengthened.
Enriches The Spiritual Life
John 7:38 states, “Out of his
heart shall flow rivers of flowing water” and “… the water that I shall give
him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn 4:14).
The holy Spirit in a Christian who has undergone the
baptism of the Spirit, becomes a fountain of spiritual life — a perpetual
fountain not only in this present age but also in the age to come. Furthermore,
he experiences a fuller and richer life. This enriched life is the product of
the fruition of spiritual virtues (Phil 2:15-16).
Culminates The Spiritual Life
Having gone through the initial
stage of renewal, the spiritual life undergoes a series of change until Christ is
formed in that Christian (Gal 4:19). This remarkable change is achieved through
the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 3:18). Ultimately, on the Last Day, our
lowly body will be changed into the glorious body like that of our Lord (Phil
3:21).
In The Church
In Witnessing
Jesus said, “…. you shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses …. to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Spirit gave them
the power and courage to preach Christ and to witness for Him. Before the day
of Pentecost, the disciples were timid and weak; unbelieving and faithless:
selfish and ignorant; and even contended for high position. Although Peter
boasted of his loyalty towards Christ, in the face of adversity, he faltered
and thrice denied the Master. But there came a complete change in their
attitude after the day of Pentecost when they received the baptism of the Holy
Spirit. The Spirit gave them strength and courage to witness for Christ (Acts
4:13, 33); and eloquence to preach Jesus Christ (Acts 6:10).
In Working Miracles
During the Apostolic era, many
signs and wonders followed the apostles’ witness for Christ, so much so that
they were asked, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7;
6:8). Miracles, signs and wonders are means to testify to man the truth of the
gospel and the reality of the salvation of God (Mk 16:20; Heb 2:3-4). This same
power resides in God’s church even today.
In Service To The Church
The administrative work of the
church must supplement the evangelistic work. The Bible says, pick out from among you. men.... full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
to this duty” (Acts 6:3). Those so entrusted must be full of the Spirit and
wisdom so that they can carry out everything in an orderly manner according to
the will of God (1 Cor 14:40; Rom 12:7-8; ref Zech 4:6; Ex 28:3; 31:3).
The Gifts
Of The Holy Spirit
In Corinthians it is written, “To each is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). The
‘manifestation’ refers to the nine spiritual gifts listed in verses eight to
ten. In a narrower sense, gifts are bestowed to edify the individual Christian.
And in a wider sense, such gifts are for the edification of the entire church.
When each member is edified, the whole church becomes edified as well.
The speaking in tongues is a gift
of the Holy Spirit and also the evidence of having received the Spirit. The
‘speaking of tongues’ serves two functions:-
To edify the individual “He who
speaks in a tongue edifies himself ....” (1 Cor
14:4). “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays ….” (1 Cor
14:14). He who prays in tongues speaks to God. It does not matter if others do
not understand him because he is speaking only to God. lie
who speaks in tongues in prayers utters mysteries in the Spirit and such
prayers edifies him spiritually, increase his spiritual knowledge and enhance
his virtues. So Paul said, “I want you all to speak in tongues.” (1 Cor 14:18).
To edify the church One who speaks (delivers a message of sermon) in tongues,
must have someone to interpret the message or sermon into a known language so
that the congregation can understand and be edified. If there is no
interpreter, let him keep silent in the church. This ‘gift’ is to be
distinguished from the tongues used in prayers. Much confusion arises from
failure to clearly distinguish the two. On the one hand, Paul said the “one who
speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God …. and
on the other, he said, “… if I come to you speaking in tongues ....“ (1 Cor 14:2,6) In prayer, we always come to God alone and
NEVER to men! (ref Mt 4:10). However, God needs no preaching, only men do. Anybody who assert that the
‘speaking of tongues’ serves only one purpose and that it must always be
interpreted, will find himself entangled in a self-contradiction which can
never be reconciled. How can he come to God and to men all at the same time?!
Again contrast verse fourteen and
verse nineteen. In the former, a person is said to “pray in a tongue”, whereas
in the latter that person is said to “instruct others …. in
a tongue”. The dual function of the tongue is once more brought into relief.
Clearly then, if a person prays in a tongue, he edifies himself (he knows that
he has the Holy Spirit who will intercede for him — Rom 8:26) (1 Cor 14:4). He comes to God in prayer and therefore needs no
interpreter. But if he were to instruct others in a tongue, unless he
interprets (or let another interpret — vs 27), the
church may not receive edifying (1 Cor 14:5). In
short, an interpreter is only needed when a person so gifted delivers a sermon
in tongues for the benefit of the congregation. Otherwise, he may pray in
tongues to God without an interpreter.
One final word regarding gifts;
they are all given by one and the same Spirit and should therefore be held in
equal esteem. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor the hand to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’. (1 Cor 12:21). Although certain parts may be weaker and less
significant, they are certainly indispensable (1 Cor
12:22). 11 this fact is well understood in the church, there will never be any
jealousies, divisions or strife.
