Continuing our studies of the Apostles’ Creed, we looked at the statement ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit’. We believe in one God who has revealed Himself in Three Persons – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All are co-equal. The Holy Spirit is God just as much as God the Father or God the Son! He was involved in Creation (Gen 1:1-2), is omnipresent (Ps 139:7), is omniscient (1 Cor 2:10-11) and is eternal (Heb 9:4) – all attributes which only God possesses. He is also involved in the resurreciton of Christ (1 Pet 3:18) and in the resurrection of believers (Rom 8:11).
As a Pentecostal church, we believe it’s important to understand as much as we can about the Holy Spirit, who is often called ‘the forgotten member of the Trinity’. The Holy Spirit is involved in so many things in our lives. Here are just twelve of them.
The Works of the Holy Spirit
1) He loves (Rom 15:30). If God is love (1 John 4:8), this is an obvious statement, but one we must never forget!
2) He gives spiritual life (John 3). We cannot be born again except through the Spirit of God.
3) He convinces the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-10). We may testify to the Gospel, but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts and saves people.
4) He lives within believers (1 Cor 6:19-20).
5) He directs and guides us (Acts 16:6-7, John 16:13). He will guide us into truth.
6) He gives us the word of God, which is divinely inspired by Him (2 Pet 3:20-21)
7) He is our teacher (John 14:26), reminding us of all that Jesus has taught and bringing understanding to us.
8) He gives us power to witness to Christ (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:2-4)
9) He gives gifts to us (1 Cor 12, Romans 12)
10)He develops the fruit of the Spirit in us, developing Christ’s character in our lives (Gal 5:22-23)
11)He intercedes for us (Rom 8:26-27)
12)He directs our lives (Acts 14:2-3)
Ps 143:10 says “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” That is our hope and prayer for 2012, that we may be led by God’s Spirit on level ground.