Understanding the Holy Spirit


he Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity of God. God the Father and Jesus Christ are the two other persons of the trinity of God. He possesses unique attributes that identify exactly who He is as a living person. Using His intellect, emotions and will He speaks (Revelation 2:7; Acts 13:2), He intercedes (Romans 8:26), He testifies (John 16:13), He leads (Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14), He guides (John 16:13) and He appoints (Acts 20:28). He can be lied to (Acts 5:3, 4), He can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29) and He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was present in the lives of selected individuals and remained only for a short time. Samson was able to overcome the power of his enemies through the power of the Spirit of God (Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14). In the Gospels, He is present with the disciples as they follow, watch and learn from Jesus. During this time, He is the Spirit of truth and His character emerges when He connects people with the truth of God. In the second chapter of Acts, each person in the assembled crowd heard Peter's sermon in the language that each of the assembled individuals spoke. Each person accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah for the first time (Acts 2). When an individual invites Jesus to come into a personal relationship with him, that individual is also receiving spiritual guidance. Jesus tells his disciples that when the Holy Spirit will come upon them the Spirit of truth will guide all believers and followers of Jesus as the promised Messiah into all of God's truth (John 16:13). New Testament scripture verses explain how the Holy Spirit helps any individual who has accepted Jesus Christ as his or her personal savior. He enters the body of a believer who is ready to receive Him through preparation and submission to the authority of scripture. Christians discern good from evil, right from wrong and spiritual truths. Christians filled with the Spirit's power are more in tune with His inner voice that directs Christians to live holy lives. Beginning with the first Pentecost described in Acts until today the Holy Spirit is described as being in the people of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19). Christians submissive to the Holy Spirit's instructions regarding human thought and emotions are open to receiving His fruits. These are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Christians receive guidance and direction from Him every day. Obedience to God through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working inside a person means that He performs His work through that individual. The fruit of the third person of the trinity of God is the life of Jesus Christ lived out in the daily lives of every Christian. Sheila D. Koester is a freelance writer specializing in writing affordable quality custom content for small businesses according to client needs and expectations. Please visit her portfolio located at http://sdkoester.wordpress.com/ for freelance writing samples and the freelance writing services available. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheila_D._Koester Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8017703

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