Understanding the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit Made Easy

By Lola Stradford Richey

What is the Holy Spirit?

Many di?ering names and interpretations surround this frequently misunderstood subject. Even Christians who go to church every Sunday cannot seem to agree on what the Holy Spirit means to them.

Through concise study of biblical passages that clearly teach about the Holy Spirits identity and purpose, Understanding the Holy Spirit throws light on misplaced notions of the Holy Spirit, exposing its true meaning as the power of God. Youll walk away knowing what importance the Holy Spirit holds in your everyday life; why the Holy Spirit doesnt pertain to just one Christian denomination; and how a clear understanding of the Holy Spirit can improve your spiritual health.

Discover how the Holy Spirit relates to God the Father and the Son and how the Holy Spirit reveals Gods presence. Whether you are a new Christian, a lifelong believer, or someone who simply wants to learn more about the qualities of the Holy Spirit, Understanding the Holy Spirit serves as a guide for biblical knowledge and spiritual wellness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462049318

Lola Stradford Richey

Lola Richey lives in South Carolina and is a believer of Jesus. She graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Science. Lola Richey obtained her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and her Master of Taxation from the University of Florida College of Law. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master in Practical Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. Lola Richey also served in the United States Naval Reserve.

Book preview

Contents

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

CONCLUSION

SALVATION CALL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NOTE TO THE READER

FURTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP

RELATED REFERENCES

Requests for permission to quote from this book should be directed to:

Network of Glory, Inc.

102 Red Branch Lane

Simpsonville, South Carolina 29681

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright ©1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by the Lockman Foundation. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996. Used with permission from the NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotation marked NCV taken from The Holy Bible, New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotation marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible. Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION

The very mention of the phrase Holy Spirit brings up different thoughts, opinions, and emotions. What, and who, is the Holy Spirit?

Having grown up in the church for over thirty years, I have often noticed the various ideas and thoughts people have about the Holy Spirit. As a practicing attorney and Christian, I had a desire to understand the Holy Spirit. I have found the Holy Spirit is often a neglected or misunderstood topic by many professing Christians. Many people think the Holy Spirit is meant for just one denomination of churches.

Therefore, I set out to research and discover the true meaning of the Holy Spirit. I learned the Bible speaks clearly about the Holy Spirit. This book will help bring a clear understanding of the importance the Holy Spirit holds for our everyday lives.

Chapter 1

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An Introduction to the Holy Spirit

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2 (NKJV).

The Holy Spirit is the power of God. He is the active force or the power of God at work in the world and has been active since the dawn of time (Genesis 1:1-3). The Bible establishes that the Holy Spirit is God in the scripture in Acts stating that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God (Acts 5:3-4), and through the linking of the Holy Spirit with God the Father and God the Son in benedictions (2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-6) and in the formula of baptism (Matthew 28:19).

God eternally exists in three Persons—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit—yet He is one God (Mark 1:9-13).[1] God the Father is fully God, God the Son (Jesus Christ) is fully God, and the Holy Spirit is fully God. During the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3-17; Mark 1:9-11; and Luke 3:21-22), all three Persons were visibly present together as one as revelation, and witnessed by the people. The fullness of God — the Trinity — was fully expressed in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:9-10).

The Holy Spirit is the only Person of the Trinity currently active on earth. Forty days after Jesus Christ’s resurrection, He returned to God the Father (Acts 1:1-10). Jesus Christ is now seated at God’s right hand in heaven (Mark 16:19; Colossians 3:1). God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son) continue their work on earth through the Holy Spirit.

God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit are equally and fully eternal—omnipresent, omnipotent, infinitely wise, infinitely holy, and infinitely loving. Thus, the Holy Spirit is the same in substance, power, and glory to God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ). These three Agents continuously work together to create, save, and protect humanity on earth (Romans 8; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2). This knowledge should cause us to humbly worship, love, honor, adore, and respect equally God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

The only difference between God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the ways in which these three Agents act as They relate to each other and to the rest of creation. The work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the active presence of God in the world, especially to the church. He is the member of the Trinity most often present to do God’s work in the world, especially in the New Covenant age. The Holy Spirit has the role of bringing regeneration or new spiritual life (John 3:5-8), sanctifying (Romans 8:13; 15:16; 1 Peter 1:2), and empowering people for service (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11). In general, the work of the Holy Spirit seems to be to bring to completion the work that has been planned by God the Father and begun by God the Son.

The Old Testament did not clarify that the Holy Spirit is a distinct and separate divine person from God the Father. The New Testament resolves this gap. Jesus Christ explained to His disciples that it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [Counselor, Friend, Comforter] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you (John 16:7). The Helper that Jesus Christ speaks of is the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit as bringer of mercy

29 the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to His people. (Hebrews 10:29 (TLB).

So, it has been established that the Holy Spirit is the Person of the Trinity through whom God acts, reveals His will, empowers people, and unveils God’s personal presence in the Old and New Testament. The Holy Spirit is absolutely holy in His own nature and the source of holiness in all creatures. His central ministry is witnessing and glorifying Jesus Christ by making known to people who Jesus Christ is (John 16:7-15) and who they are in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:6).

The Holy Spirit knows all things

10 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NIV).

The Holy Spirit knows all things, even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). The Holy Spirit’s knowledge is equal to the knowledge of God. He knows the things of God as the spirit of a man knows the things of a man. The consciousness of God is the consciousness of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is our Guide to the end

14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Psalms 48:14 (NIV).

Moreover, the Holy Spirit guides people in their daily lives and daily decisions as their constant Companion (Psalm 48:14; Acts 10:19-20; Acts 13:2; Acts 16:6). The Holy Spirit is like a road map, as He leads and directs people to all truth (John 16:13). Those who believe in Jesus Christ submit and allow God’s Holy Spirit to lead their every daily step (Romans 8:14) because He brings wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Isaiah 11:2).

The Holy Spirit has been called many names since ancient times. Many of these names appear in the Holy Scriptures, and serve as diverse ways for believers in Jesus Christ to conceive of the Holy Spirit, and to reduce the abstraction in their perceptions of Him.

The Holy Spirit has been called or interpreted as:

• Spirit of God

• Spirit of the Lord

• God’s Spirit

• Breath of Life

• Divine Spirit

• Spirit of Holiness

• Resurrection Power

• Friend

• Witness

• Interpreter

• Revealer

• Prosecutor

• Advocate

• Wind

• Motivator

• Empowering Spirit

• Guide

• Comforter

• Encourager

• Restrainer

• Saving Grace

• Sustainer

• Roar of Rushing Waters

• Inspirer

• Helper

• Living Water

• Comforter

• Intercessor

• Strengthener

• Standby

• Christ’s Holy Spirit

• Spirit of Grace

• Writer

• Companion

• Counselor

• Peace of God

• Teacher

• Sanctifier

• Paraclete, Paracletos, or Parakletos (Greek word)

• Wind

• God’s Breath

• Kinship of Spirit

• Pneuma (Greek word)

• Seven Spirits

• Spirit of Wisdom

• Spirit of Christ

• God’s Presence

• God’s Mercy

• Glory of God

• Spirit of Grace and Prayer

• Rushing or Mighty Waters

• Power of God

• God’s Power

• Glorious Power

• The Anointing

• Witness for Jesus Christ

• Spirit of Life

• Jesus Christ’s Spirit

• Spirit of Sonship

• Spirit of Jesus

• Power of Christ

• The Holy Ghost

• Mighty Power

• Spirit of Truth

• Truth-Giving Spirit

• My Spirit (when God speaks)

• His Spirit (when God is spoken of)

Many respected theologians refer to the Holy Spirit as wind, or as God’s breath or power. Spirit is the translation of the Hebrew word ruach or ruakh and the Greek word pneuma, which means wind, breath, or spirit depending upon the context. In English, the word inspiration can mean to inhale and exhale breath, even though this isn’t the common meaning (it is used this way in, for example, medicine); inspiration can signify that someone is driven to higher levels of awareness or spirituality by the actual act of being filled with someone else’s breath.

The wind is a good image for the Holy Spirit because the wind is sent from heaven, cannot be contained