Bible Passages That Reveal the Holy Spirit

What or Who is the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead and, as such, is a person. The Spirit has attributes that only a person could have. He has intelligence (1 Cor. 2:10-13), feelings (Eph. 4:30), and a will (1 Cor. 12:11; Acts 16:6-12). He prays (Rom 8:26). He does miracles (Acts 8:39). He can be lied to (Acts 5:3). He can be insulted (Heb. 10:29). He teaches and directs (John 14:26; Acts 8:29; Rom 8:14).

Let’s look at two of these examples. In 1 Cor. 12:11 Paul describes the Holy Spirit’s role in distributing spiritual gifts: “It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as He decides to each person, who produces all these things” (1 Cor. 12:11). Here the Holy Spirit is seen “deciding” what attribute to give to each person. In other words, the Holy Spirit has a will, which is one characteristic of a person.

Here is a second example.  In Acts 5:3, the Holy Spirit is directly equated with God. In the early church Peter is rebuked two individuals who declared that they had given more than they actually had: “But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land?”

Can the Godhead be fully understood by man?  No!  However, because we cannot fully understand something or someone, does not mean that we do not believe in that thing or person.  For instance, do you fully understand the miracle of life that makes your heart beat and causes blood to flow throughout your body? No.  This blood nourishes every cell, making your mind and body function normally. However, you believe in life and that you are enjoying it moment by moment.

Before Christ ascended to Heaven to be at the right hand of the Father, He said that He would leave the Holy Spirit as man’s Comforter, who would also guide us into all truth:

7But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you ;but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:… (John 16:7)

In Romans, Chapter 8, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to live by the Spirit, not by the flesh: 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8: 4-6)

Paul is explaining that the converted Christian is guided in his choices by the Holy Spirit Who will lead us to life eternal; therefore, we must not be guided by the carnal desires of the flesh, which is mortal, but we must be directed by the Word of God, which is our lamp leading to life eternal.

Are you taking full advantage of the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?  Are you asking that He give you power over temptations and that He guide you onto the path of salvation and eternal life?  If not, today, ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to give heavenly life to your relationship with your Creator and His Son, Jesus.

Until next week, may God richly bless you and yours.

Contact: fhevener@oilart.com; www.guthriememorial.org; (434) 392-6255.

©Fillmer Hevener, 2017