For this month’s Insight I would like to welcome my good friend Tony and I appreciate his willingness to ask me a spiritual and challenging question. Tony is a family man supporting his mother, wider family and is married with two children and four grandchildren and lives, works and worships in Greater Manchester.
For many years Tony has worked in very challenging environments seeking to keep the peace in different social and community settings. I asked Tony as to how he wants me to introduce him and his simple answer was as a “Manchester City fan who faithfully studies the Word of God”.
The question Tony wants to ask is: “Graham how would you describe the Holy Spirit? How important is it for Christians to recognise the immense power of the Holy Spirit has for today”?
Thank you Geralt pixabay.com
Rev Graham replies: Thank you Tony for your question and how you have asked me to make my response Biblical and simple! Where do I start to answer such an important and expansive subject that is referenced implicitly and explicitly throughout the whole of the Bible from Genesis to the book of Revelation?
In Christian circles when we mention the Holy Spirit there can be a certain assumed knowledge and understanding, yet I think a majority of believers do not fully embrace or understand about the place and experience of being continually filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit for daily Christian living.
Personal Testimony
At this point I feel it is important for me to share, very simply, my own experience of the Holy Spirit and how it has changed my life completely. I was brought up in a solid Christian family and attended a very vibrant local church. It was at a summer youth camp that I gave my life to Christ and experienced his living presence and to know that my sins were forgiven. In last month’s question and answer, Sarah shared her story of how she became a follower of Jesus which you might want to check out.
I continued to live and grow as a follower in every aspect of my social and work life up to my early twenties. It was then that I fully experienced an infilling of the Holy Spirit that really took my Christian life and expression to a higher level. It was from such an encounter with the Lord that I went on to be called into training for full time ministerial work and to be continually filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit for worship and service to and for the Lord.
Understanding
In Ephesians Chapter 5: 15 – 21 Paul writes ‘that we should be careful how we live, being wise and not foolish and not to get drunk on wine but to be filled with the Spirit’. In Acts 2 it outlines how the birth of the church took place and was empowered by the Holy Spirit. In that situation the believers were accused of being drunk early in the day but in reality they were filled exuberantly by God’s Holy Spirit.
In modern philosophy and academic thought any concept of a ‘Divine Being’ that influences human activity is disputed or sought to be contained because it would challenge a human sense of self-control and having a freedom to be one’s own god and guiding power. The prevailing view in the Western world is that our existence comprises of body and mind yet throughout world history, in various forms, there has always been the belief that humans are holistic body, mind and spirit!
Relationship
The Godhead or Trinity, as found in the Bible consists of one person in a three way relationship, as represented in a human understanding of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A formula for the Trinity can be seen in Matthew 28: 19 where the Holy Spirit is aligned with the Father and the Son as God and has and is used in church liturgical practise for infant and adult baptism.
Creator and Sustainer
The Holy Spirit is involved in the Creation of the world (Genesis 1: 20), Humanity (Psalm 33: 6 and Genesis 2 7) and the Maintenance of the earth, universe and heavenly realms (Colossians 1: 15 – 17).
Each aspect of the Trinity is part of a whole and all have been instrumental in the creation of the earth and the universe which in its entirety is beyond any human comprehension. In reality we all live on the earth that is sustained and maintained by God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
There is a lovely thought as found in Proverbs 20 27 that as we seek to live by his Spirit we can be like ‘a Lamp or Candle of the Lord’ fulfilling all of God’s purposes for us. Because of the fall and sin in human existence we are essentially self-centred and mar God’s perfect image in us that results in humanity not living in harmony with each other or God as their creator.
Old Testament
In the Old Testament the Spirit (Ruach) represents the breath and wind of God in all creation and human activity. In Exodus 31: 1 – 3 the Spirit gave certain tradesman perfect skills to build the first Tabernacle.
Individuals such as Samson were given extra human power and strength (Judges 16: 28). Various prophets were endowed with wisdom and understanding that related to the future ministry of the Messiah (Isaiah 42: 1). In all the Holy Spirit coming upon any person, was a temporary experience for a specific task and mission.
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New Testament
In the New Testament the Sprit (Pneuma) is associated to events prior to the conception of Jesus. Then from his birth, baptism and earthly ministry and miracles the Spirit empowered Jesus for his earthly mission. In Isaiah 61: 1 – 3 Jesus, before starting his public ministry, declared in the synagogue that the “Spirit of the Lord is upon me”.
In the physical absence of Jesus the Holy Spirit comes to represent Jesus on earth. The Spirit will remind followers of the example and teachings of Jesus and to convict the world of sin and to enable followers to be a light and salt in a fallen world. Jesus instructs the disciples that the Holy Spirit will act as an Advocate and Comforter (Paraclete) in all life situations (John 14: 15 – 17).
After the resurrection of Jesus, the Spirit helps to form and create the church, as witnessed on the day of Pentecost and exists as a living organism that unites all followers. The Spirit exists as a distinct personality and in scripture is known as God and Jesus identifies the Spirit as the Comforter.
Holy Living
In the life of King David as found in Psalm 51:10 – 11, the Spirit enables David to live a holy and righteous life. The Spirit gives gifts of power and understanding, as well as an ability to produce Godly fruits in the life of all followers and the mark of a person under the Spirit is to have a Contrite Spirit that produces a clean heart full of constancy and joy.
The Spirit indwells in believers permanently which has to be daily and continual expressed. The life and ministry of the Trinity is to enable Christians to fulfil God’s mission on earth. The Spirit assists us in our life of prayer and the Spirit living in our bodies makes us like ‘Living Temples’ of God’s grace and goodness (1 Corinthians 6: 19 – 20).
To our Advantage
The Spirit transforms a follower and enables them to live out a holy life following the laws and commands of the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 3: 18 we are to reflect the Lord’s glory so as to be transformed into God’s likeness by the Spirit. In Galatians 5 we have a contrast between ungodly living and a Spirit filled holy life. The Spirit gives to each follower gifts that help build up the body of Christ.
The Epistles expound the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church and stresses the importance of the ‘Great Worldwide Commission’ as found in Matthew 28: 16 – 20. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are very closely associated and often described as the ‘Spirit of Christ’ without any distinction.
The Holy Spirit is the author and source of power enabling a follower to know the indwelling presence of the risen Christ and continually intercedes for all the saints (Romans 8: 26 – 27).
In the book of Revelation, Jesus reveals his vision to John who writes to the early churches about their shortcomings and encourages them to continue to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit so as to fulfil that Great Worldwide Commission.
Take Away
People come to a personal knowledge and experience of Jesus in various ways from living in a home that radiates God’s love and become immersed themselves in the love of God. However, there are many who just like St Paul, on the road to Damascus, experience a radical and life changing experience when becoming a Christian.
Whatever way we confess Christ as our Saviour and Lord we then become united to God the Father by the sanctifying Holy Spirit. We will experience a new relationship with fellow believers that is shown in the life of a Spirit filled church and be like that ‘Lamp and Candle shining brightly’ that reflects the redeemed light of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Prior to experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit, what held me back was the ‘Giant of Total Commitment.’ Once I was ready and willing to slay that ‘Giant‘ I found such release and purpose that has characterised my whole life and witness thereafter.
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It has been difficult Tony to try and condense in a simple way the full length and breadth of the relevance and power of the Holy Spirit for a Christian and the Spirit’s place within society generally.
In summary the Holy Spirit is a separate person within the Trinity who helped in creation and gave temporary power to those in the Old Testament. In the New Testament the Spirit resides in a follower permanently to help the person live a holy and empowered life but it is important to note that the Holy Spirit can be grieved and even depart from a follower in extreme circumstances.
It is interesting to note that in all ages and within the church, people may be happier to partake in a fullness of alcoholic drink rather than becoming filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit!
I conclude with a blessing from Romans 15: 13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”.
Graham
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship
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