IGNITED BY THE SPIRIT- A study of the Holy Spirit

John 14:16 & 17, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever- The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you [AMPLIFIED VERSION].

The Old Testament Hebrew word Ruwach which means WIND (Genesis 1:2); The New Testament Greek word Pueuma which means BREATHE or BREEZE (Acts 2:2).  

Most Christians today understand Jesus the Son and God the Father as two very distinct Persons within the Godhead; however, there has been much confusion over the identity of the Holy Spirit. Many people throughout the ages have thought of the Holy Spirit more as a thing than a Person.  The Holy Spirit is a Person not a thing or a feeling; He is the third Person of the Godhead (1 John 5:7). As we get to know the Person of the Holy Spirit we will want to have a closer relationship with Him just as we would the Father or Son.

Jesus left the Holy Spirit here on the earth to comfort and help us. His assignment was completed and He was no longer going to be on earth to show His disciples the ways of God.  Jesus is now at the right hand of God, so He left the Holy Spirit to help us fulfill the great commission and our purpose on this earth.  The New Testament church began with the Holy Spirit and He is still in operation on the earth today. He is just as active today as He was in Acts.

What does the Holy Spirit do?

• The Holy Spirit is our Comforter (John 14:18).
• The Holy Spirit is our Helper (John 14:16).
• The Holy Spirit is our Teacher (John 14:26).
• The Holy Spirit is our Intercessor (Romans 8:26 & 27).
• The Holy Spirit reveals Truth to us (John 16:13).
• The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins (John 16:8).
• The Holy Spirit is our power source (Acts 1:8).

Qualities of the person of The Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit has intellect. 1 Corinthians 2:10. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit seartheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
• The Holy Spirit has knowledge. 1 Corinthians 2:11 even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
• The Holy Spirit has emotions. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve (to make sad or sorrowful) not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
• The Holy Spirit has His own will and He makes decisions.  Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia,
• The Holy Spirit loves. Romans 15:30, Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

People full of the Holy Spirit

·        Peter(Acts 4:8)

·        Stephen (Acts 6:5, Acts 7:55)

·        Phillip (Acts 6:5, Acts 8:5-13)

·        Paul (Acts 9:17)

10 Facts from Acts on The Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit exalts God (Acts 2:11).

2. The Holy Spirit makes you bold (Acts 4:8-12, 31).

3. The power of the Holy Spirit cannot be denied (Acts 4:16).

4. Being filled with the Holy Spirit makes some people uncomfortable (Acts 5:13).

5. Being filled with the Holy Spirit makes you an outcast but people will respect you (Acts 5:13).

6. People will be changed when they come in contact with someone filled the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:15 & 16).

7. Religious people hate Holy Spirit filled people (Acts 5:17).

8. The Holy Spirit is imparted through the laying on of hands (Acts 11:15).

9. The Holy Spirit launches you out in ministry (Acts 13:4).

10. You speak and the Holy Spirit falls (Acts 11:15).