The Holy Spirit

The Christian Mark of the Beast Survival Manual Copyright © 2014 by Erik K. Olinger All rights reserved.

READERS: This is a rough-draft of the manuscript.  It is unedited and contains errors that will be corrected at the final release.

 

The Holy Spirit

 

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (NIV Ac. 2:38-39).

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Trinitarianism is the belief in three coequal parts in one God, and is a belief most Christians will hold. It is respectful to the Trinity, the triune of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, because neither part of what constitutes God is devalued. The Trinity took full form in the N.T. writings and sayings of Christ, however careful research will reveal that the O.T. hints to the multiple persons of God. Trinitarianism is close to monotheism, but when carefully defined trinitarianism has no affinity for polytheism, the belief in multiple gods. God is not broken and divided in three separate parts, He is one God explained best as three persons with the same nature, divine attributes and equality. The focus of this chapter is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit is divine and is referred to by Jesus as “He,” implying personality and equality with God. The Holy Spirit has the same characteristics as God. The Holy Spirit is:

• Omnipotent (Lk. 1:35).

• Omnipresent (Ps. 139:7).

• Omniscient (1Co. 2:10-11).

• Eternal (Heb. 9:14).

Mainstream Christianity recognizes the personality of the Holy Spirit, however not all of so-called Christianity does. Common among the cults is the devaluation the triune nature of God (please see Religious Groups That Are Cultic).

Living Water and Pentecost

Prior to Jesus’ arrival to earth, only a sparse amount of people such as Moses and David were truly filled with the Spirit. The reason is that the Spirit was not freely given yet and the mission to send the Spirit from the Father to believers was upon Christ,

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me (NIV Jn. 15:26-26).

Jesus freely did what He foretold He would do, send true power to believers. Ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven, Pentecost day arrived and the Holy Spirit was given to a hundred and twenty disciples who exhibited miraculous manifestations of the Spirit (a summary of some of the powers given by the Spirit will be shared momentarily). Pentecost is from the Greek word pentekostos, which means “fifty.” This term was used first in reference to the Jewish Festival of Weeks, Shavuot in Hebrew. Pentecost is celebrated in liturgical and pentecostal churches fifty days after Easter. The hundred and twenty apostles who received the Spirit that day were enabled to speak in foreign languages,

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (NIV Ac. 2:1-4).

Post Pentecost, the book of Acts retells the giving of the Spirit to three thousand who repented and were baptized in the Spirit. The three thousand were a multitude of people who “accepted the message.” They became members of the promise based upon on their belief, repentance, and baptism,

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day (NIV Ac. 2:40-41).

Manifestations and the Fruit of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is an immeasurable power that manifests Himself in a recipient when one first receives Him, and throughout one’s life. A recipient may feel or see something when he or she receives Him. David Wilkerson wrote, “It’s something you feel, a little like a shock, except that the sensation is not at all unpleasant.¹” This author has the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit early in life when first forming an honest prayer to turn to Christ. It felt like a quick downward electrical shock to the head. It was not the first prayer to Christ, but a small commitment and hope in Christ. People are receiving the Spirit freely and are sometimes unaware that they have received Him because not everyone has a sensation or dramatic manifestation. However, after Pentecost the Spirit gave many strange powers for ministry. People were speaking boldly about their experience, prophesying the future, and speaking in tongues,

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines (NIV 1Co. 12:7-11).

The powers above are dramatic manifestations, but the power of the Spirit can even be a more subtle gift for ministry. Preachers can be aptly talented and charismatic or intelligent and provocative. God has blessed them and given them power for office. Consider the church choir that lures membership. How many of them use their heavenly voice to worship the Lord? Some people do not know how to pray until the Spirit teaches them. Each person receives a different supernatural gift for their benefit, but understand also that all people with the Spirit will exhibit long-term evidence of the Spirit working in them. The fruit of the Spirit (NIV Gal. 5:22) is:

• Love.

• Joy.

• Peace.

• Forbearance.

• Kindness.

• Goodness.

• Faithfulness.

• Gentleness.

• Self-Control.

How to Receive the Spirit

No person must go to great lengths to pray themselves closer to or try to earn the Spirit. It can not be bought or earned. The good news is that it is out-poured freely and given as a no-cost gift “to help and be with you forever” (NIV Jn. 14:16). As discussed in the chapter The Way to Salvation, a person must be born again of water and of Spirit. Baptism seems to be the prerequisite to receiving the Spirit, however there does not seem to be fine-line between infant sprinkling baptism and immersion later in life. In the case of those sprinkled on at birth, they receive the Spirit later in life when they turn to Jesus in prayer and are officially converted to Christ. It would not hurt to be rebaptized with immersion later in life. Baptism in the Spirit is the result of baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The commission of Christ is (NIV Mt. 28:19-20):

• Make disciples of the nations.

• Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

• Teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

• Christ will be with us to the end of age.

Acts documented the spread of the Holy Spirit. The story of Simon the Sorcerer emphasizes the correct way to obtain the Spirit, or rather the incorrect way to pursue the Spirit. Turning to Acts 8:9-25, Simon the Sorcerer bore witness to the disciples who had laid their hands onto others who then received the Spirit. Simon, who was a proponent of dark magic and powers to perform spectacles, offered money to the disciples to be able to likewise give powers to others by laying hands on them. Peter told Simon that he was captive to sin for thinking he could buy the Spirit. It can not be obtained in this manner. Simon was out of luck in purchasing the Spirit. Receiving the Spirit calls for an honest heart and willingness. The process simplified is to:

• Repent (Ac. 2:38).

• Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Ac. 2:38).

• Baptize others (Mt. 28:19).

Who Can Receive the Spirit?

Early Christians were surprised when they witnessed the Holy Spirit come on non-Jew Gentile Christians. Gentiles were pagan converts to Christianity. To the Jews the Gentiles were heathen, but to God they were adopted vessels of the promise, the Holy Spirit. Gentiles receiving the Spirit were not circumcised (a requirement to participate in the Abrahamic Covenant). The early Christians discussed this matter, and many of the apostles boldly came forward and cited the proof of the requirements to become Christian on basis of the Gentile Christians who received the promise just as the circumcised members had. Hence, no longer is Judaism a prerequisite to Christianity. Even pagans who believe on Jesus and are converted can receive the promise that is sealed by the Holy Spirit.

A Promise of Salvation

The gift of the Spirit is not only miraculous powers and endless help on earth, it is a sealed oath-bound promise of adoption for eternity. When the day of redemption comes, the children of the promise will become permanent heirs. The gift of the Spirit is:

• A sign that one has been bought at a price (1Co. 6:19-20).

• A seal guaranteeing our inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14).

• God’s seal of ownership (2Co. 1:22).

This deposit in our heart guarantees that what Christ has promised will come for those who are God’s possessions. Those with the Spirit can be one hundred percent assured that they will be redeemed, so long as they are steadfast in waiting for redemption.

Help from the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the “Advocate,” “Counselor,” and “Spirit of Truth” (NIV Jn. 14:26, 15:26) by Jesus. He sent the Spirit to instruct and raise His children and the Spirit gives the benefit of protection, comfort, guidance, love, and incomprehensible help that only the Spirit can give. The following is a partial listing of what exactly the Spirit does for a believer,

The Spirit gives life:

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life (NIV 2Co. 3:6).

The Spirit leads:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (NIV Ro. 8:14).

The Spirit testifies:

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (NIV Ro. 8:16).

The Spirit helps in weakness and in prayer:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (NIV Ro. 8:26).

The Spirit intercedes God’s will for us:

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (NIV Ro. 8:27).

The Spirit gives joy:

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit (NIV 1Th. 1:6).

The Spirit convicts of sin:

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment (NIV Jn. 16:8).

The Spirit guides in all truth:

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth (NIV Jn. 16:13).

The Spirit glorifies the Son and speaks His voice:

He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you (NIV Jn. 16:14).

The Spirit teaches and reminds us:

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (NIV Jn. 14:26).

The Spirit prevents mistakes from being made:

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to (NIV Ac. 16:7).

The Spirit saves us through washing and rebirth:

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior (NIV Titus 3:5-7).

The Spirit causes people to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams:

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy (NIV Ac. 2:17-18—and see Joel 2:28-29).

 

Final Remarks

The Spirit of God is a powerful ally to the Christian, and is a gift freely given to all who accept the message. This gift guarantees a believer a share in the kingdom and testifies in the existence of Christ. Without the role the Advocate plays, our warfare would not be fought by faith in Christ and through grace, but by law and commandment. This is because our new way of life is by the Spirit,

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code (NIV Ro. 7:6).

The promise is to be with Christians forever, cleansing and regenerating the soul and guiding in all truth. Those who seek the Spirit only need ask the Lord, for we are to ask to receive and our joy will be complete (Jn. 16:24).

Chapter Summary

1. Trinitarianism is the belief in three coequal parts in one God.

2. The focus of this chapter is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost.

3. The Holy Spirit is divine and is referred to by Jesus as “He,” implying personality and equality with God.

4. The Holy Spirit has the same characteristics as God.

5. The Holy Spirit is:

   a. Omnipotent (Lk. 1:35).

   b. Omnipresent (Ps. 139:7).

   c. Omniscient (1Co. 2:10-11).

   d. Eternal (Heb. 9:14).

6. Common among the cults is the devaluation the triune nature of God.

7. Before Christ, few were filled with the Spirit. Christ promised to send living water, the Holy Spirit, to His followers.

8. Ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven, Pentecost day arrived and the Holy Spirit was given to a hundred and twenty disciples who exhibited miraculous manifestations of the Spirit.

9. A multitude of three thousand people later received the Spirit after accepting the message.

10. A recipient may feel or see something when he or she receives Him.

11. After Pentecost the Spirit gave many strange powers to people for ministry. Some of the powers are:

    a. Wisdom.

    b. Knowledge.

    c. Faith.

    d. Healing powers.

    e. Miraculous powers.

    f. Prophecy.

    g. Distinguishing between spirits.

    h. Tongues.

    i. Interpretation of tongues.

12. The power of the Spirit can even be a more subtle gift for ministry.

13. The fruit of the Spirit is:

    a. Love.

    b. Joy.

    c. Peace.

    d. Forbearance.

    e. Kindness.

    f. Goodness.

    g. Faithfulness.

    h. Gentleness.

    i. Self-Control.

14. No person must go to great lengths to pray themselves closer to or try to earn the Spirit. It can not be bought or earned.

15. To receive the Spirit a person must be born again of water and of Spirit.

16. Those sprinkled on at birth can receive the Spirit later in life when they turn to Jesus in prayer and are officially converted to Christ.

17. The commission of Christ is:

    a. Make disciples of the nations.

    b. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

    c. Teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

    d. Christ will be with us to the end of age.

18. The story of Simon the Sorcerer emphasizes that the Spirit is not for sale.

19. Receiving the Spirit calls for an honest heart and willingness. The process simplified is to:

    a. Repent.

    b. Be baptized.

    c. Baptize others.

20. Gentiles receiving the Spirit were not circumcised (a requirement to participate in the Abrahamic Covenant). Hence, no longer is Judaism a prerequisite to Christianity. Even pagans who believe on Jesus and are converted can receive the promise that is sealed by the Holy Spirit.

21. The gift of the Spirit is:

    a. A sign that one has been bought at a price.

    b. A seal guaranteeing our inheritance.

    c. God’s seal of ownership.

22. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the “Advocate,” “Counselor,” and “Spirit of Truth” by Jesus.

23. The following is a partial listing of what the Spirit does for a believer:

    a. The Spirit gives life.

    b. The Spirit leads.

    c. The Spirit testifies.

    d. The Spirit helps in weakness and in prayer.

    e. The Spirit intercedes God’s will for us.

    f. The Spirit gives joy.

    g. The Spirit convicts of sin.

    h. The Spirit guides in all truth.

    i. The Spirit glorifies the Son and speaks His voice.

    j. The Spirit teaches and reminds us.

    k. The Spirit prevents mistakes from being made.

    l. The Spirit saves us through washing and rebirth.

    m. The Spirit causes people to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams.

24. Without the role the Advocate plays, our warfare would not be fought by faith in Christ and through grace, but by law and commandment.