The Holy Spirit (1) – Who is the Holy Spirit? (1)
“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
(Acts 2:38)
- The Holy Spirit is One with God
The Holy Spirit is one of God the Trinity who accomplishes God’s providence. He is God the Holy Spirit. God the Trinity refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They act in different ways but they are one God. Therefore, God the Holy Spirit has the same characteristics of God the Father but acts as the spirit of God to fulfill God’s will.
God the Holy Spirit has existed with God the Father since before the eternity. In Old Testament times, He acted as ‘the Spirit of the LORD’, and ‘the Spirit of God’. In the New Testament times, God acts as the Holy Spirit as the Counselor/Helper, and He will be with us through eternity (Hebrews 9:14).
Now, let us consider the activities of the Holy Spirit who acts being one with God.
First of all, Genesis 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.” We can see that the Holy Spirit participated with God in creation.
Also, He worked on priests, prophets, and kings to fulfill God’s will. He also worked in the history of Israel. Genesis 41:38 says that Joseph was a man in whom is “a divine Spirit,” the Spirit of God, who could help Jacob, Israel. In Exodus 31:3-5 God called
Bezalel and filled him with the Spirit of God, so that the building of the Tabernacle would be accomplished well.
During the times of the judges, God appointed judges, filled them with the Spirit of the LORD, and saved Israel (Judges 3:7-10, 6:34).
The Spirit of God fell on Samuel, the last judge and prophet. The Spirit came upon Saul who was the first king of Israel, and also his successor David (1 Samuel 10:10, 16:13, 19:20) and led the history of Israel.
In addition to these, the Holy Spirit came upon many prophets allowing them prophecy and fulfilling God’s providence.
In the New Testament times, He came to those who were just and devout, and were waiting for the coming of the Savior to let them recognize Jesus (Luke 2:25-28).
Also, Jesus was conceived, accomplished God’s will, and fulfilled the providence of salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, whoever accepts Jesus Christ will receive the Holy Spirit and receive the blessings of God’s children.
During the Old Testament times, God the Holy Spirit could not dwell in the hearts of people because of their sins.
So, people received God’s help when the Holy Spirit ‘came upon them’ or ‘moved them’. But in the New Testament times, God the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us through the redemption of Jesus Christ, so we can receive God’s help directly.
Therefore, Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The resurrected Jesus Christ, before He ascended into Heaven, told His disciples the way to receive blessings, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). We can see that the Holy Spirit is one with God in this verse as well.
On the contrary, the Book of Acts 5:3-4 tell us that Ananias and Sapphira sold their land but cheated concerning the price.
Peter said to them, “Ananias, why has Satan filled
your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?”
Peter rebuked him that he did not lie to a man, but to God, and Ananias died. It is because cheating the Holy Spirit is cheating God Himself.