Ministry of the Holy Ghost
Let's start this discussion with Genesis 1:2
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:2
I this verse we see that the earth was in chaos. Wherever there is chaos the Holy spirit is there to bring sanity and order. We also find that God the father, son and Holy Spirit are acting in unison
- Father is the author of salvation or creation
- son executes the plan of the father
- Spirit reveals the plan of God
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From this elaborate work of creation man has continued to pass on the seed of sin that can only be paid with death but the holy spirit Gives life.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you
This is a verse from John 14:16-18 where the Holy spirit is promised as a helper, one that will be with you always. It's quite encouraging as a believer to know you have this power from God Himself, in fact God Himself always with you.
in John 18:17 we see Peter reacting outside of the Holy spirit, in fear, since the Holy spirit had not yet been given to the disciples. when the Holy spirit is at work the fear is no more. We can bear witness to that when the same peter testifies openly and boldly about Jesus on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon him and the others.
The world can't see or know the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:12 We are baptized into one body though having different gifting and the Holy Spirit manifesting in us in different ways.
The moment you believe in Jesus, the following happens
- the Holy Spirit imparts in you an eternal and inseparable union with Jesus. He baptizes you in the spirit of Jesus
- You start receiving the riches of God's grace, one of them being imputed with righteousness.
- Imparts in you the gift of love and the ability to defeat temptation.
Though Adam was morally upright, he lacked the Holy Spirit so he fell when he was tempted by the devil. This is one of the key works of the Holy spirit in a believer in that He strengthens him to resist temptation.
He is also a guarantee that you'll meet God in heaven.
In the old testament the Holy Spirit would on come UPON men but not live In them. We have a classical example of Saul, who would consult from the prophets, get insights to rule over his kingdom and when the Holy Spirit was on him he would do exploits. But when the Holy spirit left him, Saul would become mad, necessitating the services of David, the guitarist.
And here comes the Pentecost
Pentecost comes from a Hebrew word that translates to the 50th day. God chose that day for the Holy Spirit to come and take over from Jesus, to permanently live in us and never go back.
In the old testament the presence of the Holy Spirit was represented by the Ark of Covenant. You needed to be in a certain place, with a particular person as your representative because the box was only meant to interact with a chosen few, the priests. but when the curtain to the holy of holies (where the ark of covenant was kept) tore in the middle, everyone was given free access to Him. He now lives IN US. In fact the Bible states clearly in Acts 7:48 that The Most High can't live in houses made by human hands
6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
Hebrews3:6
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
In the old testament there was a temple, set apart for God, where there was an Ark of Covenant in the Holy of Holies. this is where the Shakaina glory lived. Today if you believe that Christ was raised from the dead and confess His lordship, you become His dwelling place through the Holy Spirit and you have the Shakaina Glory of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20
The power of the Holy Spirit is resident and at work in us who believe.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
This scripture tells me that the Spirit of God is in me and is greater than the one who is outside. Now that God can't share the same place with the devil, that means that the devil can't dare get inside me. the only thing that the devil can do is play tricks on you until you mess up and deceive you how God is angry with you.
Romans 8:8-10 confirms that that the Holy Spirit lives in us . the beauty of it is that by being the Holy Spirit's palace, the angels guard it all the time whether you pray about it or not coz the power of Heaven lives in you.
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