Foundations of Faith: What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?預覽

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. Scripture is clear that there is one God (see Deuteronomy 6:4 and 1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is the Son of God (see John 1:1 and John 1:14) and has been present since the beginning. Likewise, the Holy Spirit has been, too, because we read in Genesis 1:2 that God says, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”

The Holy Spirit has always been with us, but not always in you. Once you made the decision that Jesus Christ was your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit began to indwell you. You have the Spirit of the Living God always with you.

In John 16:12-14, Jesus explains the role of the Spirit in our lives:

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.”

The Holy Spirit came to the first believers on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4a, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (ESV). Those who were present at Pentecost and received the Holy Spirit were radically changed in an instant.

The Holy Spirit is your Helper, sent specifically to help you connect to God. He will help you understand God’s Word and hear from God when you pray. He is the Spirit of the Living God within you, so you are never far away from Him.

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

- John 14:25-26 ESV