HOLY SPIRIT TODAY

The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood person of the Godhead. Yet He is one of the foremost truths of redemption. Therefore, it is vital that everyone who professes to be a Christian and disciple of Jesus Christ should seek to know all they can of the person, ministry and work of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the scriptures.

The Holy Spirit is mentioned more than 90 times in the Old Testament with at least 18 different titles. In the New testament the Holy Spirit is mentioned more than 260 times and is given 39 different names and titles.

In the New Testament Holy Spirit is mentioned in every book except 2 John and 3 John.

The Old Testament foretold the coming of the “last days” when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all flesh, in contrast to the Old Testament where the Holy Spirit was available to only a select few in Israel.

In God’s plan, this present age has been given over to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and It is vitally important that every believer needs to know, understand, appreciate and experience the person, work and ministry of Holy Spirit in their life.

It is fear, formalism, religion (religious spirit) and ignorance that robs the church (ecclesia) from understanding the dogma of the Holy Spirit and make room for His blessings and ministry.

Biblically, dogma refers to a decision, decree or teaching that is considered authoritative. (Strong’s G1378.)

God desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us and God Himself comes and lives within us through the person of the Holy Spirit.

As a Christian we must come to know and honour the Holy Spirit as our friend, comforter, Helper, and indweller.

Every born-again Christian must understand that they have the person of the Holy Spirit living within them, and that He is not just some impersonal influence.

When did Jesus begin His ministry?

(Matthew 3:16) And Jesus, when He had been baptized, went up immediately out of the water. And lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and He (John the Baptist) saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him. MKJV

(Matthew 4:1) Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to confront and overcome the temptations of the devil —The Remedy Bible

(Luke 4:14) And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. And a report went out throughout all the neighbourhood concerning Him. —MKJV.

Up to this time in His life, Jesus had not done any major preaching, to the lost or performed any miracles.

How old was He?

(Luke 3:23a) Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. —-NLT.

(Mat 4:23) Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness.

(Mat 4:24) News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralysed—He healed them all. —NLT.

So, what changed?

Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit,

(Luke 4:14) And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. And a report went out throughout all the neighbourhood concerning Him. —MKJV.

Power—Dunamis—Strongs #1411—means energy, a manifestation of power, might, great force, great ability, strength. Divine power overcoming all resistance, power for performing miracles.

The Dunamis in Jesus resulted in dramatic transformations. And this should be the norm for a Spirit-filled and Spirit led church.

Jesus delegated His authority.

Why do I say this? —Because Jesus said He would give us ALL AUTHORITY to do just like He did

First, He delegated, to His disciples, — His authority over demons and the power to heal every disease.
Luke 9:1,2 in The Passion Translation says,

(Luke 9:1) Jesus summoned together his twelve apostles and imparted to them authority over every demon and the power to heal every disease.
Vs. 2) Then he commissioned them to preach God’s kingdom realm and to heal the sick to demonstrate that the kingdom had arrived. (TPT)

Authority—exousia Strong’s G1849—is another power word,
the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege), one invested with power, delegated influence, authority, jurisdiction.
Power—Dunamis—Strongs #1411—means energy, a manifestation of power, might, great force, great ability, strength. Divine power overcoming all resistance, power for performing miracles.

Disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit

Jesus gave the same power and authority He had received from the Holy Spirit to His disciples and the results were evident as we read in Mark 6:12,13 in the New Living Translation,

(Mark 6:12) So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. Vs.13 And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. (NLT)

Jesus drops a bombshell!!!

They were having a great time proclaiming the Word of God—casting out demons, healing all kinds of diseases as evidence that the Kingdom of God was real— and then Jesus drops a bombshell on them.
In John 16:7 &13 Jesus says this to His disciples.

(John 16:7) “But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you”. MKJV.
Vs.13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come”. NKJV.

Helper:

I wonder if they really understood what Jesus meant—and who the “Helper” was—lets unpack what the “Helper” meant.

helper,
parakletos (par-ak-lay-toss); Strong’s #3875: From para “beside,” and kaleo “to call,” hence, called to one’s side. The word signifies an intercessor, comforter, helper, advocate,
In nonbiblical literature, parakletos had the technical meaning of an attorney who appears in court in another’s behalf.
The Holy Spirit leads believers to a greater apprehension of gospel truths.
In addition to general help and guidance, He gives the strength to endure the hostility of the world system.

Can you imagine how the disciples felt, Jesus is leaving and the Spirit of God is leaving with Him as well!!!!
However, in John 14:16 & 17 Jesus says this to His disciples.

I will send another Helper.

John 14:16,17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — “the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. NKJV.

What does another mean? Let’s look at the Greek definition.
another, allos (al-loss); Strong’s #243: One besides, another of the same kind. The word shows similarities but diversities of operation and ministries.
Jesus’ use of allos for sending another Helper equals “one besides Me and in addition to Me but one just like Me. He will do in My absence what I would do if I were physically present with you.”

The Spirit’s coming assures continuity with what Jesus did and taught.
Jesus fulfills His promise that He will send the gift as promised.
In Acts 1:1-5 we read what Luke said to Theophilus,
(Act 1:1) In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach.
Vs. 2) until the day He was taken up to heaven after giving His chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Vs.3) During the forty days after He suffered and died, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
Vs.4) Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before.
Vs.5) John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus says that, through His Spirit, He would be able to dwell with and in all those who believe in Him; He could be everywhere at once by and through the Holy Spirit,
and in Acts 1:8 He goes on to say;

Jesus says that, through His Spirit, He would be able to dwell with and in all those who believe in Him; He could be everywhere at once by and through the Holy Spirit,

and in Acts 1:8 He goes on to say;

(Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” NLT

Again, it is the same Power word—Dunamis, the Holy Spirit will give them the same authority over demons and the power to heal just as they did when Jesus was with them before He was crucified.

The Holy Spirit’s arrival.

In Acts 2: 1-13, we read of the Holy Spirit’s noisy arrival. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came in mighty power. The sound as of a rushing mighty wind announced to both the physical and spiritual world that He had come, fulfilling Joel’s prophecy and also the promise of Jesus to His disciples that He would send another Helper of the same kind as Himself.

As the Holy Spirit came and filled the waiting disciples, they began to speak in unknown languages of the wonderful works of God. The Holy Spirit’s power was so strong that some onlookers supposed that the disciples were drunk.

And in Acts 2:14-18 we read this
(Act 2:14) Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.
Vs.15) These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that.
Vs. 16) No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
Vs.17) ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
Vs. 18) In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.

We then read in Acts 2:33, how Peter explains to the crowds what has just happened.

(Acts 2:33) Now He (Jesus) is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. NLT

Cut to the heart.

As the people listened to Peter, they were cut to the heart when they realised, they had actively campaigned to have Jesus crucified, and they asked Peter and the other apostles what to do.
Acts 2:38,39 says this,
(Act 2:38) Peter replied, “Repent and return to God, and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Vs.39) For God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is for you and your families, for those yet to be born and for everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” The Passion Translation.

Apostles “partnered” with Holy Spirit

The apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform many miracles as proof and a demonstration of the reality of the Kingdom of God—and great numbers of people came to experience the healing power of Jesus Christ—as a result, thousands were saved—brought of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light—they could not deny Jesus Christ—words alone did not convince them—they saw the tangible evidence of God at work amongst them.

And the following verses confirm this;

(Acts 2:43) A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. NLT

(Acts 4:33) And the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power. And great grace was on them all. NLT

(Acts 5:12) The apostles performed many signs, wonders, and miracles among the people. TPT

(Acts 5:16) Great numbers of people swarmed into Jerusalem from the nearby villages. They brought with them the sick and those troubled by demons—and everyone was healed! TPT

Up to this point, the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to perform signs and wonders as evidence of the reality of the Kingdom of God.

Then we read how the gift was given to the Jewish disciples and apostles—the big surprise for the Jews was when the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the gentiles— that’s people just like you and me!!!

Can you imagine how much of a shock that was to the Jewish Apostles, their customs and culture taught them to not associate with the gentiles. —in fact in some Jewish religious circles we called dogs and looked down upon.

The gifts and infilling of the Holy Spirit given to the gentiles.

In Acts 10:38—48 we read the story of Apostle Peter, who had clearly been commanded by God to visit a gentile family—and we read the account of him talking to Cornelius and his household, a gentiles household, in other words, non-Jewish people.

(Acts 10:38) And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Vs. 44) Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message.
Vs.45) The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.
Vs.46) For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked,
Vs.47) “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”
Vs.48a) So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. ——. NLT

They were filled with the Holy Spirit first and then they were water baptised—the main point is that there are two components to our walk with Jesus.
1—Being water baptised into the name of Jesus Christ ( as adults)
2—Baptism of the Holy Spirit and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit—the gift that Jesus said He would send to everyone who believes in Him

The Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to the believers as He wills.

(1Co 12:7) But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit.
(1Co 12:8) For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom;
and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
(1Co 12:9) and to another faith by the same Spirit;
and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
(1Co 12:10) and to another workings of powers,
to another prophecy;
and to another discerning of spirits;
and to another kinds of tongues;
and to another the interpretation of tongues.
(1Co 12:11) But the one and the same Spirit works all these things,
distributing separately to each one as He desires. MKJV.