Fifty days after the Passover Sabbath, in the year Jesus was crucified, entombed and raised, the Day of Pentecost arrived. This day was a Jewish observance which had been observed for centuries as devout Hebrews celebrated their Feast of Weeks. In the year that Jesus died, the Day of Pentecost was the day when God the Spirit came to indwell the Church of Jesus Christ. The account in Acts chapter two is nothing short of supernatural and, for the Church, it is the historical moment when all that God had planned for communion, worship, fellowship and ministry was granted. The Holy Spirit came to live within believers. This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday on the Christian calendar. Most people in the West are uninformed of this and it is not typically regarded in the same manner that Christmas and Easter are esteemed. Ironically, the Holy Spirit, who came to unify and empower the Church, is often the subject of frustration and division among true believers who all desire to advance the Gospel and glorify Christ. Today’s blog allows us to remember some clear, objective truth about the Holy Spirit that should serve to enlighten, empower and embolden us as we welcome Him to fill us, transform us and use us for the glory of Jesus Christ. All of us need to know Him and none of us can afford to remain under-informed or hesitant to grow in our understanding and experience with Him. He is God and just as the Father and Son have interacted with mankind to be known and personally experienced, the Holy Spirit deserves no less honor and intentionality from the redeemed. I hope you will be strengthened by what is written below. I have broken the compilation of verses down into three very broad categories which will overlap at points with one another. They are: The Holy Spirit for us, The Holy Spirit in us & The Holy Spirit through us. My hope is that the simple arrangement will allow you to see that the Holy Spirit is not hovering somewhere in the background quietly in this present age. He is active and looking for those who are hungry, yielded and submissive to His design for our generation. Read, study and grow with me in this essential area of our discipleship.
HOLY SPIRIT FOR US
- Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us and in us (John 16:14-15).
- Holy Spirit glorifies and testifies of Christ (John 15:26; 16:14).
- Holy Spirit regenerates us (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5).
- Holy Spirit grants everlasting life (Gal. 6:8).
- Holy Spirit is the agent by which we are baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).
- Holy Spirit seals us unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
- Holy Spirit sanctifies us (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 5:16).
- Holy Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).
- Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).
- Holy Spirit is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5).
- Holy Spirit quickens our physical bodies (Rom. 8:11).
- Holy Spirit gives us access to God the Father (Eph. 2:18).
- Holy Spirit makes us all to be corporately, one Body & God’s habitation (Eph. 2:22).
- Holy Spirit reveals the deep things of God to us (1 Cor. 2:10).
HOLY SPIRIT IN US
- Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
- Holy Spirit moves us (2 Pet. 1:21).
- Holy Spirit knows the things of God (1 Cor. 2:11).
- Holy Spirit reveals the mystery of God to us (Eph. 3:5).
- Holy Spirit enables us to know that Jesus abides in us (1 John 3:24; 4:13).
- Holy Spirit teaches us (1 Cor. 2:13; John 14:26).
- Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
- Holy Spirit brings things to our remembrance (John 14:26).
- Holy Spirit comforts us (Acts 9:31).
- Holy Spirit leads us (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18; Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1).
- Holy Spirit empowers us (Luke 4:14; 24:49; Rom. 15:19; Acts 1:8).
- Holy Spirit fills us (Eph. 5:18; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17).
- Holy Spirit teaches us to pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jude 1:20).
- Holy Spirit bears witness in us that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16).
- Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit or evidence of His work and presence (Gal. 5:22-23).
- Holy Spirit dwells in us (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14; John 14:17).
- Holy Spirit cries in our hearts, “Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:6).
- Holy Spirit enables us to wait (Gal. 5:5).
- Holy Spirit strengthens our spirits (Eph. 3:16).
- Holy Spirit enables us to obey the truth (1 Pet. 1:22).
- Holy Spirit dispenses God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5).
- Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth in our conscience (Rom. 9:1).
- Holy Spirit gives us joy (1 Thess. 1:6).
HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH US
- Holy Spirit brings liberty (2 Cor. 3:17).
- Holy Spirit anoints us for ministry (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).
- Holy Spirit speaks to, in, and through us (1 Cor. 12:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:11; Heb 3:7; Matt. 10:20; Acts 2:4; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:2; 16:6,7; 21:4,11).
- Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts and outward manifestations of His presence to and through the body (1 Cor.12:4, 8-10; Heb. 2:4).
- Holy Spirit enables some to preach the gospel (1 Pet. 1:12).
- Holy Spirit makes some to become overseers in the church and sends some out to the work of church planting as He grants discernment through the Body of Christ (Acts 20:28; 13:2).
- Holy Spirit casts out demons (Matt. 12:28).
- Holy Spirit brings unity and oneness to the body (Eph. 4:3; 2:14-18). When the Holy Spirit is operating in a group of people, He unites them in love. Therefore, the best evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a group is Love and Unity – not signs and wonders which come and go and may be counterfeited. When the Holy Spirit is known as He is revealed in Scripture and followed as He leads individuals in the Body in corporate unity. Any departure from the Scriptural revelation of Him will lead to some level of disunity.
So, just by this compilation of passages we find that our Bible speaks volumes about Him and what He is doing. There is actually much more that the Scripture teaches than even what is given here. This Pentecost Sunday may our hearts be committed to honor God the Spirit and embrace our need for His presence and power in our lives.
Something honest and genuine for us to meditate on. May the Holy Spirit reveal these truths to us. Thank you Jeff.
I wish I could make a hard copy of this. It is something I want to bring to my remembrance often.
Wonderfully profound you’re putting all this together for us Pastor Jeff.