Definition:
Summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid .one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate 2.one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor .of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins . in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant . of 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
God is one but exists in three distinct personalities: ‘Behold the Lord your God is one’. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29-30)
God the Father, The Word and the Holy Spirit
They were all in action during creation in Gen 1.
The personalities are easily recognized in the dispensations of their interaction / revelation to man.
God the Father with the Interactions with Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham and the prophets until the coming of Jesus. (Gen 1, 2, Gen 5 , Exodus 3:4-6 )
The Word was manifested as the Son and named Jesus Christ. (John 1)
We see the manifestation of the Holy Spirit severally throughout the Bible. He anointed the prophets and Kings and used them as instruments, but there was no complete in-filing. (1 Samuel 11:3, Judges 3:10, 14:6, 15:14, 1 Samuel 16:13).
The Holy Spirit was promised through the prophets Joel, Ezekiel. (Joel 2: 28-29, Ezekiel 36: 27, Acts 2: 15).
Jesus is God the son and was empowered by the Holy Spirit before He began his ministry. (Matthew 3:16)
Jesus was declared as the one who baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire. (John 1:33)
Jesus promised the disciples that the Father will send the Holy Spirit after His departure. John 14:16-19, 16.
He is going to be the Teacher, Comforter, Parakletos – One called to walk alongside with us.
He will be with the believers in the place of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, judgement and righteousness. John 16:8
He gets the unbelievers saved.
He fills the believer with the Holy Spirit – the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:2-8)
He imparts the Fruit of the Spirit – character. (Gal 5:16-25)
He gives the gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry.(1 Cor. 12)
His Personality:
The Holy Spirit is a person.
A person is described as someone who has a
Will, Intellect and Emotions.
Will – separate unto me…, forbade us to go Acts 13:2, Acts 16:6
Intellect – Remind you, teach you, guide you John 14:3026, 16:13
Emotion – grieved the Holy Spirit, felt good to the Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30, Isaiah 63:10. Acts 15:28
How important the Holy Spirit was to Jesus:
1. He prophesied Jesus’ coming. Joel 2: 28-29, Ezekiel 36: 27, Acts 2: 15
2. He conceived Jesus in the womb of Mary. Matthew 1:18-20.
3. He sealed the baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3:16-17.
4. He led Jesus to be tested in The wilderness. To get him ready. Matt 4:1
5. Jesus ministered by the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:14, 18. Acts 10:38
6. His crucifixion was in the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 9:11-14
7. He was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:11
8. His post-resurrection ministry and ascension was by the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:1-9
9. He made the promise to send the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5.
John 1:32-34. John 3:34
His work in the believer:
1. He regenerates the believer. The same way He birthed Jesus. Your new birth is by the Holy Spirit. John 3:6, John 16:8
2. He lives in you. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6:19, John 14:15-18.
3. The spirit seals the believer. Ephesians 1:13-14 To preserve you, and to guarantee your union with Him. Like the engagement ring of a promise.
4. The spirit adopts the believer. Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5-7
5. The Holy Spirit fills the believer Acts 2:4
6. He is the author of scripture 2 Peter 1:20, 2 Timothy 3:16
7. The Holy Spirit interprets the scripture. 1 Cor. 2:9-14 to understand the bible you need the Holy Spirit. He takes the scripture and gives life to it. The letter kills…2 Cor. 3:6
8. The Holy Spirit guides the believer Rom 8:14, Galatians 5:16-18, Acts 8:29
9. Anoints the believer. Sets them aside 1 John 2:27
10. Sanctifies the believer.1 Peter 1:23
11. The Holy Spirit provides fruit for the believer. Galatians 5:22
12. Empowers the believer. Gives you the ability to do what you have been called to do.1 Cor 12 Zechariah 4:1-6
How do you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
You ask for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13
The infilling can be experienced:
- Randomly as God chooses – e.g the day of Pentecost and as the disciples prayed. Acts 2, 4:31
- Laying on of hands. Acts 8:14-17.
The fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-26
The character of God imparted by the Holy Spirit on the human spirit.
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit,
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”[2] The fruit is contrasted with the works of the flesh which immediately precede it in this chapter
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
How the power of the Holy Spirit is manifested.
- 1 Corinthians 12:
- Check
your heart, motive.
- Don’t seek the gifts for show. Seek because you want to be a vessel in God’s hands. He empowers the believer. Gives you the ability to do what you have been called to do.
- The gifts of the Holy Spirit are meant to showcase the power of God and help bring about His kingdom on earth. To lift up Christ in and through you. We must not desire the gifts for personal gains or entertainment Acts 8:17-21.
I Corinthians 12:3 The Holy Spirit exults Jesus. Brings the presence of the Godhead into man. John 14:23.
Conclusion
So we see we cannot really be a Christian nor live a successful Christian life without the Holy Spirit.
If you are born again and have not yet experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you need to consciously desire and ask for the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1 -7).
Olaolu Oyeyemi