Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

The doctrine of God’s Spirit permeates Scripture.  God, who is Spirit, has revealed Himself as the Spirit of God from the very beginning of creation.  He continues to manifest His presence in His Holy Spirit to us today as our Comforter, guide, and energizer.  He will always be the life-giving river to refresh and fructify.   His new creation throughout the endless ages of eternity.

          The Spirit is God breathing up the dust of the ground to create the first human being (Gen 2:7) upon the ‘slain’ of Israel to bring forth a remnant people (Ezek 37:11-14) and upon the believing disciples to unite them in new resurrection life with their risen Lord (John 20:22)

          The Spirit is the glorious presence of God going before His people as a cloud to lead them and protect them (Ex. 13:21; 14:19,20; Is. 63:7-14; Rom 8:14).  The Spirit is God empowering and encouraging His servants the prophets to deliver His word to His people (Mic 3:8; Zech :12; 2 Pet 1:21).  He is God enlightening our minds to understand His truth (John 16:13; 1 Cor 2:10-13; Heb 9:8; 10:15).

          The Spirit is God blowing as a searing desert wind to bring judgment upon rebels and idolaters (Hos 13:15,16).  He is God as fire burning up the chaff to purge and sanctify God’s people (Is 4:4; Matt. 3:12).

          The Spirit is God coming as a dove to signal life and peace (Luke 3:22).  He is God anointing His own Son to be the Servant-Messiah (Is 11:2; 42:1; 61:1) and enabling Christ’s followers to carry on His ministry (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 1:21; 1 John 2:20).

          The Spirit is God pouring Himself out as water to revive parched souls and to supply the vitalizing power that transforms lives (Is. 32:15; 44:3; John 7:38) and floods them with joy (Acts 13:52; Rom 14:17; 16:13; 1 Thess 1:5,6).

          He is the Eternal Spirit, the Spirit of Yahweh, the Spirit of Christ, the promised Holy Spirit who was sent forth at Pentecost to empower the church.  It is God’s will that He, the third person of the Trinity, be with you and in you and upon you both now and forever.  Amen.

Sharon


[1] John Rea, Charisma’s Bible Handbook on the Holy Spirit, 307

[2] To become productive or fruitful, or cause to become productive or fruitful


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