Introduction to the Holy Spirit

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, but I wonder about the Holy Spirit?”

Wind (John 3 v 8) Breath (2 Timothy 3 v 16; John 20 v 22) Fire (Acts 2 v 3; 1 Thessalonians 5 v 19) Oil (1 John 2 v 20,27) Wine (Acts 2 v 13; Ephesians 5 v 18) Water (John 7 v 38,39) Dove (Matthew 3 v 16)

“How does one render that reality that is wind, fire, breath, life – tangible yet intangible, invisible yet powerful, inexpressible yet intimate, powerful yet gentle, reliable yet unpredictable, personal yet impersonal, transcendent yet immanent?”

TRINITY “Word to express the church’s faith in the one God, whom they knew to be a unity of three divine persons.” “Each person of the Trinity is conscious of itself as divine and distinct from the other persons in reciprocal relationships.” “The Godhead comprises of three equal persons in loving unity.”

Holy Spirit The Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The Spirit is fully God. The Spirit is a person in fellowship with, but distinct from, Father and Son.

FATHER Source from which every work issues or originates SON HOLY SPIRIT Intermediary through Executive by which which the work is the work is carried performed into effect

GOD IN ACTION!

JOHN 14 v & 16 v 5-15

ANOTHER JUST LIKE HIMSELF!

COUNSELLOR

He knows (2 Corinthians 2 v 11) He wills (1 Corinthians 12 v 11) He thinks (Romans 8 v 27) He loves (Romans 15 v 30) He speaks (Revelation 2 v 7) He prays (Romans 8 v 26) He teaches (John 14 v 26) He guides (Romans 14 v 26) He appoints (Acts 20 v 28)

Holy Spirit can be ……. Grieved (Ephesians 4 v 30; Isaiah 63 v 10) Blasphemed (Matthew 12 v 31,32) Insulted (Hebrews 10 v 29) Lied to (Acts 5 v 3)

2 Corinthians 13 v 14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Koinonia = communion, sharing together participation in a common life

Ezekiel 36 v 26,27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6 v 19) “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2 v 12,13)

It is to your advantage!

Holy Spirit Convict the world of guilt (v8) Guide the disciples into all truth (v13) Bring glory to Jesus (v14)

Transformation not information!

Acts 2 v 38,39 “Repent and be baptised, 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are afar off – for all whom the Lord God will call.”

Holy Spirit -third person – fully God – equal -divine yet distinct – God in action -present in us and among us -another like Jesus -Counsellor – someone not something -God present with his people -teacher and guide -draws men and women to Christ -brings glory to Jesus