WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Many Christians claim they are born again of the spirit, yet know very little about the Holy Spirit. The only recognition given is He being part of the Trinity: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Some even perceive Him as a mystical force/wind or an unknown tongue.

The Holy Spirit is the third personality of the Trinity. Trinity means one God yet existing as three persons; each person is not the same as the other, yet they are not recognized as three gods, but only one.

This gives us an understanding that the Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and God the Son and definitely not a force or an unknown Language. The unknown language or tongue is given to believers by the Holy Spirit. (It is received through water baptism, hearing of the word, praise /worship or laying of the hand). He is a personality with a will, intellect and emotion. He thinks, loves, feels, speaks, understands and can even be grieved.

The Holy Spirit has been very active in creation (Gen. 1:2). He has been the driving force of the prophets of old and had reveled Christ onto them before His birth. He played an active role in Jesus’ Ministry. Act 10:38 ‘How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost… and as a Promise to believers in Christ. Joel 2:28, Isiah 44:3-5, John 14:16-17.

The Holy Spirit is one but has many functions. He is often referred to as the Spirit of the Lord, the Comforter, the Promise and Spirit of: Grace, Truth, Counsel, Wisdom, Knowledge, Revelation, Understanding, among others.

THE PROMISE TO BELIEVERS

Jesus Christ has been with his disciples for three years. He has been their helper, counselor and comforter. On this very great day in John 14:16-21, He was telling them that a time will come, he will depart to his Father who sent him. The disciples upon hearing this feared being left alone. However, Jesus assured them of having another helper who will dwell with them forever. He will minister to them and comfort them as He did.

The promise Jesus made in the broader context was not meant for only the disciples but applies to anybody who will believe and obey his commands - for all nations, tribes and languages.

At the time Jesus was speaking, the world did not know him; even the Jews were full of disbelief. The people who knew, loved and believed him were the apostles.   Therefore, the apostles had to receive the Holy Spirit to enable them remember and understand everything Jesus thought them and also have the power to preach the gospel without fear or intimidation.” Acts 1:8…”you shall be witnesses…”. By so doing the Holy Spirit will reach the world through the testimonies of the apostles. Hallelujah!

HOW TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Acts chapter 2 reveals how the apostles received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, ten days after the ascension of Jesus Christ. Luke said “On that day they were all together in one place in fellowship, suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting… ³⁷Peter witnessed Christ to a huge crowed, when the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ he replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. On that day about three thousand souls repented and accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord and personal Savior. Glory be to God!

In simple terms, we receive the Holy Spirit into our human spirit at the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our savior without doing any work. We become born again into the Kingdom of God.

However, we need to take one step further to release the Holy Spirit onto our soul and that is the work of the believer. We grow in the spirit by recognising and relying solely on him to lead us, guide us and help us in achieving God’s purpose over our lives. He speaks to us always, mostly in line with the scripture. To have a continuously fellowship with Him, we need to consistently read our bible and pray (mostly in tongues) and keep the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We will then start bearing the fruit of the spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When we start bearing the fruit of the spirit that is where our lives shine and we become the light of the world. Our light will overcome darkness and be a testimony where unbelievers shall ask “Brothers, what shall we do?” and just like Peter responded, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

THE BENEFIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. The Holy Spirit generated the new bath in believers: - John 3:5-7
2. The Spirit adopted believers as sons and testify to God we are His children: Rom 8:15- 16
3. Spirit helps us to stop sinning and do the things that please God. He intercedes by praying for us Romans 8:28
4. The spirit reveals deeper revelation of Christ onto us; He interprets the bible and teaches us. (1Corinthians 2:9-14)
5. The spirit reveals deeper revelation of Christ The Holy Spirit quickens our mortal bodies by bringing it back to life Romans 8:11
6. The Holy Spirit guides us by convicting us of sin. He always works through our conscience to make us aware of sin in our lives so that we can get rid of it John 16:8  
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8. With these expositions, we have come to the realization that the spirit plays a vital role in our lives as Christians. He is the glorious mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and now disclosed to God’s people- Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Colossians 1:27

An Evangelist which pursuit of happiness is to bring the message of Jesus Christ to your door step. For God has made us Kings to be served and Priests to serve others