The Spirit of The Living God

Most Christians use the term God interchangeably between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God is a one size fits all title that can refer to any or all members of the trinity, and a lot of other things as well. Jesus in John 14:26-27 is trying to get the people to see The Spirit as unique, one who would pick up where he would leave off, and one who could come into your life and enable you to see the big picture and live your life “more abundantly.” Jesus after all was human. He could only reach the people who were within the sound of his voice. He actually had very few people (12, 20, 100 ?) with whom he could talk and council and be close to. The Holy Spirit on the other hand has no limitations. The Spirit can be close to any individual The Spirit chooses, any time, any where and all at the same time. .
Note again the words of Jesus:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter (The Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7).

The Holy Spirit is much more qualified to add God’s one on one presence to the world, because of The Spirit’s very nature, that of Spirit. The Holy Spirit can actually live within those believers with whom The Spirit chooses. The Holy Spirit is real, just as real as was Jesus, and The Spirit is approachable. Wherever you are, the Spirit is, and the Spirit is always available. The fact that one can not see The Spirit is irrelevant.

The Holy Spirit has always been present in this world, but at the Jewish Feast of Pentecost shortly after Jesus had ascended into heaven, The Spirit took on a new role. The Spirit actually entered into the heart and life of Human beings, and became available to live within believers and to assist believers to live successfully and progressively in this society. Remember the words of Jesus from John 14:16, “You know him, (The Holy Spirit) for he abideth with you and shall be in you.”

Recorded below is the complete story of The Spirit’s initial actions in the Spirit’s new role. We pick the story up with the words Jesus spoke to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven. Carefully consider this story from the book of Acts. This was without a doubt the most important event in human history, at least potentially. `Remember, Spiritual Power, the power available to live within you by faith, trumps all other forms of power.

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, [Jesus] commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard from me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

And it happened just as Jesus said that it world.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat on each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

The Holy Spirit entered into the hearts of human beings and from that day forward, human potential has never been the same. The Book of Acts records several other incidents where believers were filled with The Holy Spirit. On one occasion Peter and John made a short trip to Samaria to extend the power of the Spirit.

Ac 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Right after Paul met Jesus on the Damascus Road and Jesus turned his world around, The Holy Spirit entered Paul’s life.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

On one occasion, Peter was used by The Spirit as a means to enter the lives of believers who were also Gentiles. Notice below that this was a shock to Jewish Christians, but as we know now, the Spirit of God is available to all people.

Ac 10:44 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Paul introduced The Spirit to some believers he just happened to run across in Ephesus.

Ac 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

The Holy Spirit was a major part of the early church as were miracles, conversions, the laying on of hands, large crowds, etc. One can just feel the excitement. The church was on fire. Life was good.

The Holy Spirit is for you, however you might have to wait awhile. The Spirit knows things about you that you don’t know about yourself and the Spirit will come and occupy a place in your life only when the time is right. There is nothing that you can do to force the issue. God wants to know for sure that you are real. When the Spirit comes inside you and takes up residence The Spirit is making a major commitment. From that moment on, the Spirit goes where you go and does what you do. The Spirit will never leave nor back away under pressure. The only way to get rid of the Spirit is through blasphemy, which by the way is the one sin that will never be forgiven.

While you tarry as did the disciples, take comfort in the knowledge that the Spirit is always with you and can do good things for you even though The Spirit may not be in you as of yet. And you can relax. If you truly want the Spirit to be apart of your life, it will happen, and the Spirit’s presence will make your life complete. Jesus relates a story below in which he makes the point that God in the form of the Holy Spirit very much wants to be a part of your world.

Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Keep the Faith,

Earl