The Holy Spirit: In Spirit and In Truth

By Tinos Masaka

This book was written out of deep passion and earnest desire that all God’s beloved—believers and non-believers—would have a deeper understanding of the divine nature and purpose of the Holy Spirit in order to experience His power and influence in their lives. Being knowledgeable about the Holy Spirit is a key concept in living a victorious Christian life, for it is written that, ‘It is not good to have zeal without knowledge (Proverbs 19:2). The book handles various topics associated with true worship in Spirit. The contents take extensive direction from the Word of God and learnings acquired from various great men and women of God of our time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483455143

Book preview

The HOLY

Spirit

IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

TINOS MASAKA

Copyright © 2016 Tinos Masaka.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Kings James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Some of the bible verses herein have been paraphrased and inspired by the Kings James Version (KJV).

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5515-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5514-3 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 08/30/2016

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Endorsements

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1

The Holy Trinity

Chapter 2

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Chapter 3

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Chapter 4

Divine Attributes of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 5

Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 6

Emblems and Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 7

The Personality Attributes of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 8

The Body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 9

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Chapter 10

Speaking in Other Tongues

Chapter 11

Spiritual Gifts

Chapter 12

Fruit of the Spirit

Chapter 13

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus

Chapter 14

The Work of the Holy Spirit in a Believer

Chapter 15

Anointed Power and Fire of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 16

Water of Life in the Holy Spirit

Chapter 17

Filled and Full of the Spirit

Chapter 18

Spiritual Insight

Chapter 19

Spiritual Warfare

Chapter 20

Spiritual Growth

Chapter 21

Singing in the Spirit

Chapter 22

Indicators of Spiritual Dryness

Chapter 23

Author’s Testimony

Chapter 24

Afterword

Jesus said, ‘But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father

in Spirit and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him

in Spirit and in truth.

John 4:23–24

Dedication

T HIS BOOK IS DEDICATED to my beloved wife, Jescah, and our lovely children, Sean, Shekinah, Shana and Shane, who bring bundles of joy to our family each day; whom I pray for, so that the Holy Spirit may protect and guide them in this dynamic world.

The book is also dedicated to people all over the world, whom God chose and called to Himself before the foundations of this world; to be Holy and blameless before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4).

Acknowledgments

F IRST AND FOREMOST, I give all the glory and honour to the Almighty God who made it possible for me to write this book. I am very grateful to my spiritual parents, the Apostles of our time, Archbishops Ezekiel and Eunor Guti, who gave me the water of life from the LORD Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. I’m also thankful for their time taken to prepare the foreword for this book.

I’m also thankful to Amanda Greenslade for the editorial work in the preparation of the manuscript. Special recognition to Bishop Michael Maoko, Rev Stanley Masaka, Rev Misheck Nyambo, Pastor Thomas Gonera, Pastor Catherine Marurama and Elder Ian Postle for writing the book endorsements.

I appreciate the patience, support and encouragement I received throughout the writing of this book from my dear wife and best friend, Jescah, and other family members, especially my parents, Phibeon and Erina Masaka, who brought me up in a God-fearing way of life. I’m also thankful to my parents-in-law, Lucky and Regina Mhlanga, who also encouraged me during the writing of this book.

I have been privileged to be surrounded by wonderful, inspiring and encouraging Pastoral men and women of God in Forward in Faith Ministries International in Australia and other parts of the world, who the LORD used to lead me to a better understanding of the Holy Spirit especially my uncle and aunt, Dr and Rev Stanley and Dr Dorcas Masaka.

Many thanks also to my elder brothers Buyani, Gwinyai and brother-in-law Edzai for the proofread.

Endorsements

I F YOU WANT TO increase your knowledge on true worship in Spirit and in truth, or if you long to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life in a deeper way than ever before, this book is for you. I highly recommend this book. The teachings are profound and inspirational, for it provides a true biblical theology of the Holy Spirit. I’m proud of Tinos for writing such a passionate book which is core to true Christian living. Tinos is one of the Elders in our Church who is passionate about the things of God, the Holy Spirit enabled him to lead many to Christ and has opened Church assemblies in Australia. Among other things, Tinos discusses the essential conditions of receiving and being filled and led by the Spirit. This is a book you will certainly read often. Bishop Michael Maoko (FIFMI – Australia). Diploma in Biblical Studies and Christian Counsel ling.

Tinos has provided this comprehensive book about the Holy Spirit which I’ve considered a mandatory tool in my personal reference library. This is one of those books that when you start reading you won’t want to stop. It is a must-have for every believer who wants to go further and deeper into true worship. Tinos was raised in a family that loves and serves the LORD and I‘ve seen him grow both physically and spiritually. He is a born again believer who is filled and led by the Holy Spirit. I have seen the LORD using him, baptising many in water and in the Holy Spirit and ministering deliverance. As a youth Tinos was invited as the main guest speaker in Johannesburg, South Africa where he met Jescah, a kind hearted daughter-in law. Reverend Stanley Masaka – Overseer (FIFMI – Zimbabwe). Doctorate in Biblical Studies and Spiritual Counselling.

When Tinos sent me the manuscript of this book and asked me to read it through and endorse it, I did not hesitate to agree to his request. I first met Tinos and his lovely wife Jescah when I visited Australia in 2009 on a missionary journey. It was evident to me that God had deposited something of great value in this young man. The book you are about to read is a clear demonstration of the treasurer that God deposited in him. I have no doubt that this book will benefit the body of Christ especially leaders, bible scholars and tutors. Tinos has broken into new territory where he takes us through the bible from the Old Testament times throughout all generations explaining in greater details who the Holy Spirit is and His work in the life of believers and the church. You will find this book to be both inspiring and insightful. Reverend Misheck Nyambo - National Administrator - (FIFMI- UK). Member of Chartered Management Institute. Diploma in Biblical Studies and Spiritual Counselling.

I met Tinos Masaka for the first time in Zimbabwe when he was still a youth leader, and from that time I perceived and understood him to be a mature person in the things and knowledge of God. Because of his love for God he was appointed an elder in the FIFMI church at a young age. Years later, after he married his wife Jescah, we met and worked together again in New Zealand and he was even more zealous for the things of God. Tinos is indeed a builder of the body of Christ. He loves and always has a passion to see people repent, baptised in water and most of all in the Holy Spirit. It does not come as a surprise to me that he has written a book on the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to read this book as it’ll take you to another level in your understanding of the operation of the Spirit in your life. Pastor Thomas Gonera – Overseer (FIFMI - Australia). Diploma in Biblical Studies and Spiritual Counselling.

Thank you Tinos for your dedication and sacrifice in producing this outstanding book which is carefully researched to draw the reader into inspired scriptures. I believe all those who thirst for the Spirit, will find this a helpful guide in their journey with Christ. As you read this book you will see every aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit revealed. Besides excelling in more than one area of spiritual gifting, the LORD has also bestowed upon Tinos the grace of giving. A few years ago while pastoring in Christchurch, New Zealand, we invited Tinos as our main guest speaker all the way from Australia. He is a motivational preacher who teaches the word of God with simplicity. You will notice that this book is well thought out and can be read with great ease. It is a book to be treasured. Pastor Catherine Marurama – Overseer (FIFMI - USA). Doctorate in Biblical Studies and Spiritual Counselling.

Tinos Masaka provides here, a valuable resource which offers biblical theological wisdom. I believe authority and the power of the Holy Spirit reside in this book and as you read, allow the truths herein to change your life for the better. True worship is not just a Sunday thing, but a lifestyle, for we need the infilling of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. This book must be read by every person who desires to be led by the Spirit so as to worship God in Spirit and in truth. I believe the Holy Spirit will likewise nourish your spirit as you meditatively read this book. I have known Elder Tinos for more than 8 years, and I appreciate his passion for the study of the word of God. He is one of the most insightful, Spirit filled persons that I have met. Ian Postle – Elder (FIFMI – Queensland, Australia). Commonwealth of Australia Registered Marriage Celebrant.

Foreword

Dr Eunor Guti

Archbishop - Forward In Faith Ministries International

I T IS A DELIGHT to write the foreword for this book which is about true worship in Spirit and in truth. The Holy Spirit is for everyone who is eager to experience the life changing benefits of being led and empowered by the Spirit. The knowledge on how to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit can be one of the most important discoveries of your life, if you are willing and obedient to be led by the Spirit of God.

This book is a valuable resource for every believer, scholar, tutor or any person who is serious about living a Spirit led life in Christ Jesus. I encourage the reader to meditatively study the scriptures and text herein with an open mind and receptive heart so as to allow the Holy Spirit to take lead. The depth of the scriptural insight in this book will be of benefit to the non-believer also, for it is the Holy Spirit who convicts sinners of sin and believers of righteousness.

God is no respecter of persons. If you are battling for victory in your spiritual life, or hungry and thirsty for the benefits which come from the baptism in the Holy Spirit; here then is a valuable resource to developing a deeper intimate relationship with God.

The author emphasises that the Holy Spirit was given freely without measure, to all who believe according to (John 7:37–39) were, Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this Jesus meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.

I highly recommend this book to all followers of Jesus Christ who yearn to experience a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. You are privileged here to learn how to live a Spirit led life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Preface

A S THE TITLE OF the book reveals, this compilation focuses on shedding more light and providing more knowledge to equip and prepare the reader to fulfill their calling to fellowship with the Father in Spirit and in truth. It also handles topics associated with true worship in Spirit. The contents take extensive direction from the Word of God and learnings from the various great men and women of God of our time.

The book is made up of 24 chapters, starting with the background of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. The following chapters will discuss the Holy Spirit’s personality and divine nature in depth, then the book will conclude with a discussion of 25 indicators and symptoms of spiritual dryness (chapter 22) which prompt us to desire to be baptised and be filled with the Spirit all times.

The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood and overlooked, and after many years in church, some do not know the realities of being filled with the Holy Spirit, who in reality is supposed to be their constant companion and guide. On the other hand, we have believers who are knowledgeable in the theology of the Holy Spirit but have not yet experienced His manifestation in their lives. What good is a blacksmith without fire or a cook without water?

LORD Jesus emphasised the importance of the Spirit in his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. He said that, ‘The time is already here that those who worship the Father should worship Him in Spirit and in truth.’ (John 4:23-24) The honest truth is, without the Holy Spirit, worshipping in Spirit and in truth is impossible. The Holy Spirit helps us realise the truth found in Jesus, in John 14:6 Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’

The main objective of the message in this book is so that we finish this race of faith, in Spirit. Galatians 3:1–3 says;

‘You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your eyes Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified … are you so foolish? After beginning by the means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by the means of the flesh?’ (NIV)

Working under the influence of the Spirit depends on the individual’s thirst and hunger for Him, for the Spirit was given without limit or measure. It’s up to the individual, and Jesus emphasised this by saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come and drink of the Spirit and streams of living water will flow from within him.’ (John 7:37).

We need the Holy Spirit to help us understand God’s expectations in our lives. In his Epistle to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote, ‘But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.’ (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Introduction

T HIS BOOK WILL GIVE you a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit and will guide you step by step on how to receive and be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. The purpose and importance of Him in a believer’s life was emphasized when the LORD Jesus commanded his followers that they should not leave Jerusalem until they were empowered by Him (Acts 1:4).

Jesus forbids the disciples from embarking on the great work of salvation without the Holy Spirit. The call to do the great work of salvation can become difficult, even unbearable, when a person embarks on it with only their own ability. The scriptures say, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.’ (Zechariah 4:6). When it comes to salvation, it is the Spirit of God who does virtually everything. A person is just a vessel.

We also see the importance of the Holy Spirit to the early Church in the book of Acts. There was a concern about the distribution of food at Church (Acts 6:1). The Apostles had to choose seven men to take care of this responsibility and the main qualification was ‘Men full of the Holy Spirit’. If serving food required men who were full of the Spirit, how much more would it have been required in other ministries, such as witnessing, praise and worship, intercession, leadership, preaching, secretariat and other various church ministrations? This should make us pause a moment and meditate on the requirements to serve in God’s house.

In Church there are some individuals who categorise themselves as lower class citizens in the Kingdom of God because of what they have gone through in life, their previous failures or mistakes. But such people can be encouraged since God is no respecter of persons. He does not show favouritism, as written in Romans 2:11. God does not look at one’s background or history in order to use them as vessels of honour. Never feel unqualified to serve the LORD. God looks at the heart, not the past. No one can make you inferior without your consent.

At one time Saul was persecuting the early Church, but God used him mightily later on after he repented. It says in Acts 8:3 that ‘Saul began to destroy the Church from house to house; he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.’ It is recorded that when Saul was on his way to persecute the Church in Damascus, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately preached Christ in the synagogues. And all who heard him were amazed, saying, ‘Is he not the one who was destroying the Church?’ Saul increased in strength and demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit.

The LORD Jesus refers to the devil as the ‘strong man’ in Mark 3:27 where He says that, ‘No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder or steal his possessions without binding the strong man first.’ This strong man holds firmly to the possessions, thereby creating a stronghold, but the one in us is greater.

The struggle with the strong man brings about spiritual warfare. The decision to follow Christ is a commitment to wage war against the devil. An Inspiring text for spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3) says, ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.’ The truth is, there is no spiritual warfare that can take place without the Holy Spirit. It is like kids saying, ‘Let’s have a water fight with water pistols,’ when they don’t have water. What kind of a water fight would it be without water?

What sort of spiritual warfare can be fought without the Spirit? None! The Holy Spirit is the basis of all spiritual warfare. You automatically volunteered to take part in spiritual warfare when you received Jesus. The Spirit of the LORD helps us overcome the strong man. Isaiah confirmed this when he prophesied, ‘When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.’ (Isaiah 59:19). The Spirit of the LORD is the Holy Spirit and He is the one that raises the standard within us so we can withstand the evil one.

A Christian can be likened to the Great White Shark, which is powerful and dangerous in water, but when it is out of water, it’s harmless. Similarly, when a Christian is out of prayer, the devil will make them his jumping castle on a daily basis.

It is recorded in the scriptures during the early church era that the seven sons of Sceva had good intentions when they went out to cast an evil spirit from a man. However, the result was a product of zeal without knowledge. Their motives were good but they lacked the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

The bible records that the demon-possessed man they prayed for said, ‘Paul I know, Jesus I know, but who are you guys?’ (Acts 19:13–16). The Holy Spirit is supposed to answer such a question, but if He is not within, trouble is at hand. The seven sons of Sceva were beaten and ran off naked.

Learning and studying more about the Holy Spirit will enable you to experience His presence and works in a deeper and more personal way. Irrespective of your level of knowledge of the theology of the Spirit, you are encouraged to read this book slowly and meditatively, allowing the truths about the Holy Spirit to sink into the depths of your heart. Physically, we are what we have eaten. Spiritually and mentally we are what we have heard and learnt.

Chapter 1

The Holy Trinity

T HE DOCTRINE OF THE Holy Trinity is foundational to the Christian faith. This knowledge helps us understand who God is, how He relates to us and how we should relate to Him. This is a way of honoring God, since we exist to fellowship with and worship Him. We must always endeavor to deepen our knowledge, understanding of and fellowship with God. We should desire to know more about Him so we are not led astray by false doctrines. God says in Hosea 4:6, ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee….’ There is nothing more terrible than seeing ignorance in action. Education costs time and money but ignorance costs more.

Three in one

The word Trinity comes from the Latin noun Trinita meaning, ‘three in one’. It expresses the belief that God is one, being made up of three distinct spiritual beings who exist in co-equal essence and co-eternal communion as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each of the beings is distinct from the other yet identical in essence.

The Trinity doesn’t divide God into three parts. The three are one. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God. Apostle John writes in 1 John 5:7–8 that, ‘The Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and the three are one.’ They are inseparable. In other words, each is fully divine in nature, but each is not the totality of the other.

The Trinity is mentioned by the LORD Jesus to the disciples in the Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:18–19;

‘Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (NIV)

The scripture here says in the ‘name’ not ‘names’, meaning that the three bear one name, because they are one. Jesus mentioned that the Father and Him are one while praying before Jesus was about to be glorified, as written in John 17:11;

‘And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one, as we are.’

The Holy Spirit in the beginning

In the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:26) God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in our own likeness….’ When the plural ‘let us’ is used, it refers to more than one. When God said, ‘let us