a-benefit-of-faith-in-god-is-the-holy-spirit

It was not until the day of Pentecost, after Jesus Christ ascended back into heaven, that believers had the priviledge of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Here are the questions for discussion:

What does Jesus Christ say about the Holy Spirit?
How does God send the Holy Spirit to us?
How does the Holy Spirit speak to us?
What are the roles of the Holy Spirit?
What are the ways the Holy Spirit strengthens us?

What does Jesus Christ say about the Holy Spirit?

John 14:26 NIV “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.”

Jesus is talking to the apostles about His departure back to heaven and trying to console them. He promises He will not leave them without help. This will come from the Holy Spirit that God the Father will send to them in Jesus name.

How does God send the Holy Spirit to us?

Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

The Holy Spirit is a seal we receive when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. He is God’s guarantee of our inheritance.

Titus 3:5-6 NIV “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. 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,”

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit. He is generously given to us through Jesus Christ.

John 14:15-17 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Only Christians can experience the Holy Spirit within them. But we know Him because He dwells in us.

The Father sends the Holy Spirit to us when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior. He comes to us at that moment.

How does the Holy Spirit speak to us?

John 16:13 NIV “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”

The Holy Spirit”s job is to tell us what God speaks. This can come from the scripture, other people and through our spirit.

Romans 8:16 NIV “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

What are the roles of the Holy Spirit?

This is the role of the Holy Spirit to the world.

John 16:7-11 NIV “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”

This is from Enduring Word,com

Of sin, because they do not believe in Me: It is unbelief, the rejection of Jesus, which ultimately proves one to be guilty. The Holy Spirit will tell the world of the importance of trusting in, relying on, and clinging to Jesus to avoid this sin.

Of righteousness, because I go to My Father: The ascension of Jesus to heaven demonstrated that He had perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will and had proven Himself righteous – and exposed the lack of righteousness in the world that rejected Him. The Holy Spirit shows the world the righteousness of Jesus and its own unrighteousness.

Of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged: The judgment of Satan himself means that there will be a final reckoning between God and His rebellious creature. The Holy Spirit warns the world of this coming judgment.

John 16:12-15 NIV “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what he hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that He will receive what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what He will make known to you.”

The role of the Holy Spirit to Christians;

He will guide us in truth.
He will only speak what God tells Him to.
He will tell what is to come.
He will glorify Jesus Christ.

What are the ways the Holy Spirit strengthens us?

1. He teaches us.

John 14:26 NIV “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.”

2. Intercedes for us in prayer.

Romans 8:26 NIV “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.”

3. Gives us power to witness for Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:8 NIV “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

4. Strenghtens us in our inner being.

Ephesians 3:16 NIV “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”

5. Helps us not to sin.

Galatians 5:16 NIV “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

6. Gives us hope.

Romans 15:13 NIV “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

7. Sends us God’s love.

Romans 5:5 NIV “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us.”

Conclusion

What a benefit of faith to have God the Holy Spirit in our lives. We would be unable to obey God and live in fellowship with Him.

It was almost impossible to stay in fellowship as an old testament saint. I am so glad I live in a time where I can have this advantage.