By God's grace, I'm assured that Jesus is my Shepherd, my Savior, and my Lord. But I have never been quite clear on the Holy Spirit: exactly who He is, what He does, how I can recognize His activity in my life--things like that. Why do you suppose the Lord in His earthly ministry didn't speak about the Holy Spirit in greater depth?
This has bothered me for quite some time and has even made me wonder occasionally whether I am truly born again, or just deceiving myself. Thanks.
No disrespectful or mean answers, please.
Thanks.
2007-01-30 12:10:27 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bible says we look thru a dark glass now and not all things are so clear to us. That is not everything is so easily understood.
But if we are patient and faithful God will show us all we need to know. We just need to trust Him and take it patiently. There is no hurry. Make it a joy serving God don't get in a hurry to have everything all at once. That would take all the fun out of it. We have eternity to find out all things and learn more things as eternity goes by. I have been there to where you are and I am sure there are many others who have asked the same questions . He said ask and you shall recieve seek and you shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you. Ask God He is pleased when you ask Him believing.
2007-01-30 12:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by justice 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just read a workbook study that touched on this quite clearly. I can't write it all out, but I'll list the verses and you can study it yourself. The book is called "Bible Studies for a Firm Foundation" by Bob and Rose Weiner
Acts Ch 1 & 2 -- This is the main portion that talks about it, many individual verses are listed in the study, so to save space I'll just lump them all together.
Luke 24:47-53 -- Acts 10:38 -- John 14:16-17 -- John 14:26 -- John 15:26 -- John 16:13 -- 1 Cor 2:4 -- Matt 10:18-20 -- Matt 3:11-12 -- Malachi 3:1-3 -- 2 Cor 3:18 -- Acts 10:44-46 -- Acts19:6 -- Ezek 36:26-27 -- Luke 11:13 -- 1 Cor 14:2, 4, 14 -- Romans 8:26-27 -- Jude 20 -- 1 Cor 14:5, 15, 18, 24 -- Rev 19:10 -
Have fun - I thought I understood it, coming from a church that actively manifests the Spirit, but these verses brought me some clarity.
2007-01-30 20:26:06 · answer #2 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit is the comforter talked about in the Bible. People have so much trouble understanding the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, this is easy Father at the Right, Son at the left and Holy Spirit being poured out on the people that are accepting. When you have that small voice whispering no that some say is just conscience but you know isn't that is the Holy Spirit. You understand what you read in the Bible, that is given to you by the Holy Spirit. It is time for you to study the Bible and grow, this is why you are questioning.
2007-01-30 20:23:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a Christian, so you can ignore the rest of what I write if you want to.
The Holy Spirit is a confusing topic for a lot of Christians. The Spirit is mentioned in The Bible many times, but there is a lack of specificity that makes it hard to understand.
The role of The Holy Spirit is to reveal God to people, to guide them, to help them, and, in the case of the apostles and prophets, to give them the power. This power comes from God, through the authority of Christ, by way of The Holy Spirit. When the apostles healed people, and the prophets spoke the word of God, it was through The Spirit. Likewise when someone is converted and accepts Jesus as their savior.
When you pray for guidance, or comfort, or answers, it's The Holy Spirit that guides, comforts, or gives you an answer. When you feel that your are moved by God to do something, or when you feel the presence of God, that's The Spirit moving you.
I don't know what denomination you are, but different ones have vastly different views on this. The Pentecostal view is completely different from the Catholic view. If you have questions like this, it's a good idea to do some reading, or ask one of your clergy. You don't want to fall in to apostasy like this poor, benighted heathen, do you?
But as far as being saved, most Christians believe that as long as you accept that Jesus died for your sins, and that because he did this you are forgiven, you're "safe."
2007-01-30 20:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by RabidBunyip 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When Jesus departed from the Earth or Ascended to Heaven He told His followers the Apostles that He would send someone Greater than He to comfort us while He was Away. This some one is the Holy Spirit or the Comforter as Jesus Himself described the Holy Spirit.
This is a big reason why many Christians acknowledge the trinity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God was important to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is important to Jesus and God...this is why we honor the Trinity. When we are influenced from Heaven here on earth it is either form God Himself, Jesus or the Holy spirit mainly interacting on Jesus's and sometimes God's behalf. Angels too can be influential as they have a means to appear here on earth.
Treat God, Jesus and the Holy spirit as greater than yourself and listen to them when they call upon you for your help or to help you. Remember what ever it maybe it has to be always righteous because if it isn't it is of Satan.
RD
http://dogwoodsquotes.blogspot.com
2007-01-30 21:17:17 · answer #5 · answered by Richard D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, I'm stoked you asked this question, it's so easy to just assume you have it all figured out and never question anything.
I really beleive the best answers for this question will come straight out of the scriptures. Don't just take my answer on board, please check it out for yourself. But I'll still share what God has shown me, and only by his grace.
Read the Gospel of John, particuarly the latter part. Chapter 14 onwards really explores the role of the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit, as does John 16 (verse 5 onwards).
Now for the proof. If you are unsure, God will give you proof. In Mark 16v16 onwards, it talks about the signs of a beliver, and also the nessecity to be baptised (any by baptised, it's talking of full immersion baptism, just as happened to Jesus Christ).
Also read Acts 2 from verse 1, which explores the day of Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost, many were filled with the Holy Ghost, and the most obvious sign, or proof was that they spoke in other tounges.
There are many other scriptures that explore the role of the Holy Ghost. God gave me the gift of the Holy Ghost a few years ago, and the most obvious sign was that I did speak in tounges. The scriptures talk about the Holy Ghost guiding us into all truth, which basically means it is constantly leading us back to Jesus, as well as changing us from the inside out. It is a very powerful entity, not just a mind trip. The Holy Ghost is very real and tangible experience, and also a nessecary one.
I've really only just touched the surface, but please contact me if you have any more questions about this, I'd love to share with you. I'm just a 21 year old girl though, not a theologian, so don't expect the most academic and consise answers from me, I can only share my experience. Anyone, please feel free to ask me any questions email me at spefio_gong@yahoo.com.au, and likewise to fellow christians, I'd love to meet anyone to talk about things that REALLY matter.
2007-01-30 20:42:41 · answer #6 · answered by spefio 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Sam,
When you were born again, the Holy Spirit indwelt you, but you know that is as far as I got for many years. Then the Lord revealed to me, that I needed the baptism in the Spirit. Read the book of Acts. While your spending time in the Lord's presence, ask The Holy Spirit to empower you. You will know when this has happened, because you have words in a different language, and you will feel the urge to speak them out. This is called 'tongues' and the more you use it, the more you will know the joy of the Holy Spirit. This is evidenced when you be built up in your spirit.
A Christian who has not experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, is like a car chugging along. I was this way for many years.
This infilling of the Holy Spirit is not just a one off experience either, the Bible tells us that we need to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Just relax in His presence, and be hungry for more of the Lord Jesus - and it will happen.
Your welcome to contact me if you so wish to speak further on this matter.
2007-01-30 20:26:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)
the third Person of the Trinity
His personality is proved…
…from the fact that the attributes of personality, as intelligence and volition, are ascribed to him (John 14:17, 26; 15:26; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; 12:11). He reproves, helps, glorifies, intercedes (John 16:7-13; Rom. 8:26).
He executes the offices peculiar only to a person. The very nature of these offices involves personal distinction (Luke 12:12; Acts 5:32; 15:28; 16:6; 28:25; 1 Cor. 2:13; Hebrews 2:4; 3:7; 2 Pet. 1:21).
His divinity is established...
...from the fact that the names of God are ascribed to him (Ex. 17:7; Ps. 95:7; compare Hebrews 3:7-11)
...and that divine attributes are also ascribed to him, omnipresence (Ps. 139:7; Eph. 2:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:13); omniscience (1 Cor. 2:10-11); omnipotence (Luke 1:35; Rom. 8:11); eternity (Hebrews 9:4).
Creation is ascribed to him (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30), and the working of miracles (Matt. 12:28; 1 Cor. 12:9-11).
Worship is required and ascribed to him (Isa. 6:3; Acts 28:25; Rom. 9:1; Rev. 1:4; Matt. 28:19).
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HOLY SPIRIT -- Some cults falsely teach that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal divine influence of some kind, but the Bible teaches that He is a real person, just as are the Father and the Son. Jesus said:
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come" (John 16:13).
TRI-UNITY -- The teaching of the Bible concerning the Trinity might be summarized thus. God is a Tri-unity, with each Person of the Godhead equally and fully and eternally God. Each is necessary, and each is distinct, and yet all are one. The three Persons appear in a logical, causal order. The Father is the unseen, omnipresent Source of all being, revealed in and by the Son, experienced in and by the Holy Spirit. The Son proceeds from the Father, and the Spirit from the Son. With reference to God's creation, the Father is the Thought behind it, the Son is the Word calling it forth, and the Spirit is the Deed making it a reality.
We "see" God and His great salvation in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, then "experience" their reality by faith, through the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit.
Though these relationships seem paradoxical, and to some completely impossible, they are profoundly realistic, and their truth is ingrained deep in man's nature. Thus, men have always sensed first the truth that God must be "out there," everywhere present and the First Cause of all things, but they have corrupted this intuitive knowledge of the Father into pantheism and ultimately into naturalism.
Similarly, men have always felt the need to "see" God in terms of their own experience and understanding, but this knowledge that God must reveal Himself has been distorted into polytheism and idolatry. Men have thus continually erected "models" of God, sometimes in the form of graven images, sometimes even in the form of philosophical systems purporting to represent ultimate reality.
Finally, men have always known that they should be able to have communion with their Creator and to experience His presence "within." But this deep intuition of the Holy Spirit has been corrupted into various forms of false mysticism and fanaticism, and even into spiritism and demonism. Thus, the truth of God's tri-unity is ingrained in man's very nature, but he has often distorted it and substituted a false god in its place.
2007-01-30 20:28:15 · answer #8 · answered by faith 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gods power is the holy spirit, god created the holy spirit to be his power. The holy spirit is Gods presince in your life. God did not explain in greater detail who the holy spirit was because its not a person. The Holy spirit is Gods spirit, such as you would call your spirit just your spirit God is holy and calls his spirit the holy spirit, thus his spirit is his will. by doing gods will you are following the holy spirit which is what Jesus wants you to do, therefore you are saved.
2007-01-30 20:24:29 · answer #9 · answered by a_word_of_praise 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit is God too. God the Holy Spirit comforts us when we need comforting, guides us through difficult times. The Holy Spirit also know as the Holy Ghost is that part of God that is instilled in us, that walks with us and talks with us on a daily basis. Here are a few scriptures that will hopefully help better understand...
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:
Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
If you need more scripture references hit me up.
2007-01-30 20:30:35 · answer #10 · answered by The Last Good Man 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋