FOUNDATION OF FAITH PART IX

Blessed Sunday To Everyone

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The disciples knew that Jesus was going away. He had told them so. At first it didn't sound like good news and their hearts were troubled. They loved Jesus; they had walked three years with Jesus. How could they live without Him? Jesus read their hearts, and He assured them that it was best for them that He return to His Father in heaven. His Father would send the Holy Spirit (part of the Trinity), and they would never be left alone. God's Spirit wouldn't be felt in just one country, or minister to just one race of people--but over the whole earth. On the Day of Pentecost Peter spoke to the crowd representing at least 15 different language groups. Acts 2:16-17 tells us what he said: "This is what the prophet Joel spoke about: This is what I will do in the last days. God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone." In Section 1 we studied about salvation. Did you know that we are brought to salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit? Let's study about the Holy Spirit and His work in us.

THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is God. He is the third Person in the Godhead, called the Holy Trinity. Like the Father and the Son, He also has other names. Some are the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter. Matthew 28:19 mentions all three Persons. "Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit is like God the Father. He is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere. He works together with the Father and the Son and was with them at Creation. Let's look at some verses that tell us about the Holy Spirit. "Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God" (Hebrews 9:14). "The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God's purposes" (1 Corinthians 2:10). "God's spirit made me and gave me life" (Job 33:4). The Holy Spirit moved on prophets and priests in Old Testament times. He helped men and women to serve God. Of Joseph who was sold as a slave into Egypt it was said, "We will never find a better man than Joseph, a man who has God's spirit in him" (Genesis 41:38).

Verse of the Week

Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God.

- Hebrews 9:14 The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God's purposes.-

1 Corinthians 2:10 God's spirit made me and gave me life

- Job 33:4