The Southgate Christian Fellowship

What about The Holy Spirit?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of what Christians call the Trinity, ie: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. See how the Holy Spirit plays his part alongside God and Jesus in bringing us to salvation (see 1Peter 1:2).

The Holy Spirit comes to us from God, and Jesus calls him the Counsellor (or, in some versions of the Bible, the Comforter, the Helper). The Greek word is 'Parakletos' meaning someone called alongside, ie: to give aid. Jesus said: "And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you" (John 14:16-17).

What does the Holy Spirit do for the Christian?

Basically, the Holy Spirit comes to do in us and through us all that Jesus did for us on the Cross.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will stay with us for ever (see John 14:16). He comes as the Spirit of truth and reveals Jesus to us (see John 15:26). He will come as our teacher, so that, for instance, when we read the Bible the Holy Spirit will help us understand it; and he will also help us remember what we've learnt (see John 14:26).

Spiritual fruit

When we're filled with the Holy Spirit, the fruit of a Christlike life begins to grow (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Spiritual power

There is also spiritual power available to us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit through the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit (see 1Corinthians 12:8-10).

Spiritual language

The Holy Spirit helps us to pray, particularly when we're lost for words (see Romans 8:26-27). When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we can pray, not only in our native tongue (ie: English), but we can also pray (and sing) with the language of heaven (This is called 'speaking in tongues'. see 1Corinthians 14:15). This is because there are times when we can't find the words to express what we want, or need to say. It's in these situations that we can use our prayer language of tongues (see 1Corinthians 14:2).

Spiritual understanding

The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the scriptures and the things of God (see 1Corinthians 2: 10-12).

He enables us to hear the voice of God when we need guidance (see Acts 13:2).

He will tell us what to say to others about Jesus (see Mark 13:11).

He joins us to the Church, the Body of Christ (see 1Corinthians 12:13).

Being filled with the Holy Spirit

Having become a Christian and been through the waters of baptism,

we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit (often called 'Baptism in the Holy Spirit'). This gives us God's power to live by.

All Christians have the Holy Spirit in them, because it's only as the Holy Spirit draws us to God, and we respond, that we become a Christian in the first place (see John 3:5-6).

However, when St Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus, he told them (and us) not to get drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit; and not just once but, as the Greek text implies, continually (see Ephesians 5:18). When he had first met these Christians at Ephesus, he laid his hands on them and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit (see Acts 19:1-7). Now he was writing to encourage them to be constantly filled. Notice that when he prayed for them, the sign that they had received the Holy Spirit was that they spoke in tongues and prophesied (see Acts 19:6).

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus says that we will receive power and we will be his witnesses (see Acts 1:8). Jesus had even said that, when he returns to heaven, we will do greater things than he did (see John 14:12).

St Paul asked the Christians at Ephesus 'did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They said 'no', and so he prayed for them to receive.

What about you?

Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit?

Are you staying filled?

If you haven't been filled with the Holy Spirit think and pray about your response.

This gives a brief look at the work of the Holy Spirit. If you want to know more, please e.mail us.

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