A recent survey found that 62 percent of self-identified “born-again Christians” in the US believe the Holy Spirit is “merely a symbol of God’s power, presence, or purity”—not a person. There evidently has been a dearth of correct teaching on the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.
The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is God (II Cor.3:17; Isa. 61:1; I Cor.6:19; Acts 5:3,4). He is said to possess the attributes of God, some of which are life (Rom. 8:2); truth (John 16:13); love (Rom. 15:30); holiness (Eph.4:30); eternality (Heb. 9:14), and omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence (Zech. 4:6; I Cor. 2:11; Ps. 139:7ff.). The Holy Spirit creates and regenerates (Job 33:4; John 3:5).
Why do we act like humans? Because we are human! Why is the Holy Spirit spoken of as a person? Because He is a person! Consider:
- He speaks: “The Holy Ghost said….” (Acts 13:2)
- He intercedes in prayer: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities…the Spirit
- Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom. 8:26)
- He testifies: “even the Spirit of truth…He shall testify of me.” (John 15:26)
- He commands: “and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia….” (Acts 16:6,7)
- He oversees: “and to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers….” (Acts 20:28)
- He guides: “He will guide you into all truth….” (John 16:15)
- He teaches: “The Comforter…He shall teach you all things….” (John 14:26)
- He glorifies the Son. (John 16:14)
- He may be grieved. (Eph. 4:30)
- He may be vexed. (Isa. 63:10)
- He may be tempted (Acts 5:9)
- He may be resisted. (Acts 7:51)
- He may be blasphemed. (Mark 3:29,30)
- He indwells every believer. (John 14:17)
- He reproves of sin, righteousness and judgment. (John 16:18)
- He empowers believers for service in ministry today. (Acts 1:8)
- He equips believers with spiritual gifts for serving in Christ’s Body, the Church. (I Cor. 12)
So, it is imperative that we understand that without the ministry of God’s Holy Spirit in our midst, the church should expect no blessing from God. We cannot discount or dishonor God the Holy Spirit and expect the Father’s blessing upon us. His Holy Spirit, working in and through us on earth, is our connection to—and with—heaven and God’s storehouse of power and blessings. We must be waiting and praying for a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit on our work and witness.
Two deer hunters became lost in the woods. Not knowing which way to turn, one said, “I’ve heard that whenever you get lost in the forest you should shoot three times in the air and stay where you are until help comes.” They agreed and proceeded to shoot and wait. They did this several times to no avail. At dusk one suggested, “We’d better try it one more time before we try to walk out by ourselves.” But the other fellow explained, “We can’t! We’re out of arrows!” Doing all the right things—without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God in our life and on our labors—produces nothing of lasting value.
God’s Holy Spirit indwells you if you are born again. But He cannot work through you unless you are yielded to Him, obedient to His Word, and surrendered to Christ the Lord for service.
“What God chooses, He cleanses; what God cleanses, He molds; what God molds, He fills; what God fills, He uses.” (J. Sidlow Baxter)
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
YOU and GOD 