The Holy Spirit...Who Is HE?

Do You Know the Holy Spirit? 

Everyone talks about God [or a god] and most saved people talk about Jesus but, have we met the Holy Spirit? Do you know that He is just as relevant as God and Jesus? As a matter of fact, He is VERY necessary for NOW...that is why Jesus sent Him to us after He left the Earth...Jesus KNEW that we could not make it here alone and that we needed God presence in this earth at ALL times. The Holy Spirit IS that Presence.

*Old Testament* In Eden...we see God [the Creator/Father] actually "walking" in the Garden. After sin entered via Adam and Eve...He removed His physical presence from Earth. He had Prophets/Spokespersons for Him and empowered them by His Spirit to do certain things. He also manifested His Presence in other ways: Cloud, Burning Bush, etc. But His Spirit was present in the Earth 24/7.

*New Testament* JESUS! After Jesus is born and grown we see the Dove descending on Him...that was a sign of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus walked the Earth, He embodied the Holy Spirit in FULL measure. ALL the miracles He performed was by the Power within Him...He was flesh and a part from the Power; He would not have been able to do what He did. So again...we have a Portion of God in the Earth but limited. He was here 24/7 but...the Power was still contained.

*NOW* When Jesus left the Earth...He said...I will SEND you a HELPER [Glory to God]...that Helper He was referring to is the Holy Spirit...the One that has been in operation since Eden but just contained. Jesus Released Him and allowed us FULL Access to the SAME Power that He Himself operated in. That SAME Power that even raised Jesus from the Dead is that Power that is NOW available to us! 24/7...365(6) and no longer contained in a few!

We must FIRST accept Christ as our Savior...the we have the privilege to then ASK and Receive the Enfilling of the Holy Spirit. God in FULL Measure!

This study will focus on the Third Person of the Godhead.  This person is rarely talked about and when He is, He is often mistaken as a thing, or an it.  Totally false.  The Holy Spirit is just as much of a person as Jesus and just as divine as God the Father. Would you refer to Jesus as it? No because He is real…the Holy Spirit is just a real.  In fact, Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit to give Him the power to do all of the work that was completed while he walked the earth.  In the Gospel of Matthew, we see a perfect picture of the Trinity and they interact as One.

A Picture of the Godhead

Matthew 3:16-17

16 After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water. Suddenly, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down as a dove to him. 17 Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love--my Son with whom I am pleased."

Jesus 

God the Son

Spirit of God as a dove

God the Holy Spirit

A voice from heaven

God the Father

After this took place, Jesus was prepared to do the work assigned to Him by the Father.

 Four important principles to remember

1) The Holy Spirit is God, He is a Person, not a force

2) We cannot focus on the Holy Spirit too much. Why? What is the Holy Spirit’s mission? To reveal Jesus. What is Jesus mission…to reveal the Father. What about the Father…to send Jesus and the Holy Spirit so we can come to Him. Perfect Harmony.

3) The Holy Spirit gives gifts for use in ministry and empowers effective ministry

4) The Holy Spirit is a distinct Person within the Godhead, not a force, a thing, or an "it"

Qualities that a person has…(a force or thing does not)

1) The Holy Spirit has intellect. 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

2) The Holy Spirit has knowledge. 1 Corinthians 2:11 even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

3) The Holy Spirit has emotions. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve (to make sad or sorrowful, heavy of heart) not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

4) The Holy Spirit has his own will and he makes decisions. Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia (pronounced froog-ee'-ah) and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

5) The Holy Spirit Loves. Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Things only a person would do (a force or thing does not)

1) He teaches you things about God and yourself. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2) He tells the truth. John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

3) He guides. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

4) He convinces. John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

5) He prays for you. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

6) He commands. Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

The enemy would LOVE it if we NEVER get to know this person (The Holy Spirit)...he understands that POWER that comes through knowing God in His fullness (he once experienced this firsthand). I invite you to seek God in this as we study...ask for clarity and wisdom. As we move forward...I expect HIM, The Spirit of God to become more real to you than ever before.

(This is only an introduction and there is much more to be revealed.  Feel free to ask questions or give input.)  BLESSINGS!