He Arrives

The Holy Spirit is turned loose in the New Testament. It happened in Acts 2, and it was impressive. Acts 2:1-4, “And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues (glossa), as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues (dialekto), as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Don’t let the symbols distract you; they are simple. We have all looked at campfires and seen the “tongues of fire” dance around. What is in heaven? Our Abba Father. What is his characteristic? Fire. A sound of a mighty wind filled the house. What is his wind? The Spirit. We see the presence of our Abba Father through the Holy Spirit blasting into the room and filling the disciples with power.

Speaking with other tongues is different languages, not the “speaking in tongues” we do not understand. We can tell by the Greek words used. The crowd spoke languages from around the world to celebrate the Jewish Pentecost. The disciples also received miracle power to heal and drive out demons. Contrast that arrival with the dove image ascending to Jesus. The difference might be due to the amount of work needed by humans.

The Holy Spirit is the power and doer of our Abba Father’s manifestation. The Greek word for normal wind, breath, and spirit is “ruach,” used throughout the New Testament. But the word used here is “pnoēs,” and its only other appearance is Acts 17:25, “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath (pnoēs), and all things.” The word “pnoēs” is a blast of breath or wind. A powerful, life-giving breath that gives all things. That is what happened in Acts 2.

Not celebrating that Pentecost event with equal enthusiasm to Paschal Sunday (Easter) is theological malpractice. John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.” Jesus said we would do greater things with the Holy Spirit than with him. Why? Because after ascending, Jesus is about his return. This life is us and the Holy Spirit guiding and teaching us, yet we barely acknowledge him. We added a Pentecost celebration to our church calendar, and the results have been amazing. You do not need the church to celebrate it; invite some friends. S7M10 dives into worship celebrations.

Acts 2:1-4 is about the disciples and their special powers needed to continue building the community and creating the New Testament. Many believers discount the above verses because it doesn’t happen to us. That is not what happens to us. Our Abba Father never intended it. That experience was as unique as the Holy Spirit coming to Jesus.

Now let’s look at Acts 2:38-39, Peter’s first sermon, “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:41, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.“

Peter’s sermon started the church movement with Jesus ascended. And as usual, Peter got it half right. He was just the first; preachers have been getting it half right ever since. And it all serves our Abba Father’s purpose; he will make it work for the good. Mathew 28:18, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Peter did not do that. Peter did not “get it” until his encounter with Cornelius, and I find that profound.

Acts 2:36, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?” Guilting people into becoming believers is still common today. When the Holy Spirit came to Peter, my question is, did he listen? Was he tuned in? Did he know how his GCS worked? Only you and the Holy Spirit can answer for you.

Acts 10:9-14, “Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven.”

“And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.” We have to love Peter, “not so Lord . . . ” Our Abba Father sure loves him. Please pray on that.

Acts 10:19-20, “And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them.”

Acts 10:44-48, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Notice the Holy Spirit was already in them. Water baptism has nothing to do directly with the Holy Spirit.

Our Abba Father brought Paul in to make the Scripture right, and there was tension with Peter. Romans 10 holds our redemption, not Peter on that Pentecost Day. Peter started it, and the Scripture grew from there. Peter’s message in Acts 2 may be responsible for much of the weak faith in believers. I see that as analogous to “love your neighbor as yourself” and “love others as Jesus loved.” Many messages get better as the plan moves forward.

The body

What I share now is an enormous faith builder with the Holy Spirit. Let’s look very slowly at 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.“

The Holy Spirit is what connects us all into one body. Galatians 3:26-27, “For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.”

Let’s look at Jesus’ prayer in John 27:20-23, “Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word (receiving Jesus); that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.“

That passage tears my eyes because what it describes is so beautiful. If only we could live that way. You can. The next time you go to church, feel a little closer to your brothers and sisters in the Family of our Abba Father around you.

The Samaritans

This chapter of Acts often leads to confusion. Look at Acts 8:5-8, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.“

Notice Phillip’s power with his infilling, “and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.” Remember that the Jews hated Samaria and would not even pass through it to travel between Jerusalem and Nazareth. But part of Jesus’ last words were Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.“

Acts 8:14-17, “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.“

People read this and see a different process for the Holy Spirit in the Samaria setting. Redemption and the baptism in the Holy Spirit were separated, and Peter and John prayed him in. But that is a unique situation. We cannot break the promise of the Holy Spirit, so we look for an answer.

If Phillip only goes and preaches, the Jerusalem church will still be at odds with the Samarians. But with Peter and John witnessing that the Holy Spirit even came to the Samarians with their help, the church, the body of Christ, becomes unified at the human level as well when Peter and John bring the news back to Jerusalem. In this case, the Holy Spirit waited to help create unity in the body. Acts 8:45, “So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.“

The Gentiles

Acts 10 is the story of Peter and Cornelius, a Roman soldier and gentile. Please stop and read Acts 10 because Peter’s understanding is finally completed and is an essential lesson for reaching the gentiles. Acts 10:43-48, “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.”

“Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.” Notice the Holy Spirit was already in them. No direct connection exists between the Holy Spirit and water baptism. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is discussed in S5M3.

Acts 15:7-8, “And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us . . .” That event led to the Jerusalem Council to decide on the issue of circumcision after Christ.

Paul found a small group in Corinth who were baptized by John the Baptist. That event is also unique and does not change the promise of the Holy Spirit with redemption. Acts 19:4-7, “Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.“

Laying on hands has no definition in the Scripture except fellowship with believers and fellowship with the body. Typically, Paul or others would put their hand on a person and hear their expression of belief and repentance, which then triggers the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The laying of hands has no direct effect on the Holy Spirit. Or healing, for that matter.

When Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, Mathew 5-7, all those gathered around heard him. What about the rest of the world? They heard nothing. But after Pentecost, Jesus in us and us in him through the Holy Spirit and everywhere his disciples go, that would now be us; Jesus and the Holy Spirit can be there to speak as well.

The most important thing to see in Acts is how much the early church depended on the Holy Spirit, spoke about the Holy Spirit, and interacted with the Holy Spirit. Given the troubled nature of the times, it is easy to understand why. Without the Holy Spirit, there would be no Christianity, which is an essential thought. And ELB does all it can to distract us from the Holy Spirit.

Look at the apostle Peter who messed up everything he touched before Pentecost and the Holy Spirit. He did not get it until the Cornelius story in Acts 10. A lot of work went into Peter. Our Abba Father chose a difficult man and brought him to glory to launch the church and the Family.

What baffles me the most in ELB is the minimalization of John 14:12, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” Too many people worship Jesus like he might be jealous if we get too close to the Holy Spirit.

But Paul defines our real relationship so beautifully in his benediction in 2 Cor 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” The word translated as communion is “koi-nonia,” which is also translated elsewhere as fellowship, partnership, or intimacy. Paul says, “may the fellowship, partnership, and intimacy of the Holy Spirit be with you.”

How many believers live life in ELB of daily routine with maybe some happiness and God is a concept that seems right, but the daily routine takes a lot of time? The book of Acts is the go-to book for the Holy Spirit. It is a book to know inside and out, up and down, and over and under.

 Baptized or Filled?

First, forget about the Holy Spirit and the water baptism. There is zero connection to the symbol of our cleansing and resurrection and how the Holy Spirit arrives in us. Two other meanings of the Greek “baptismo” are “to immerse” and “overwhelm,” which is closer to reality but not enough to understand fully.

Jesus said in Acts 1:4-5,“and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.” Our understanding starts with “the promise of the Father.” Mathew 3:11. “I (John the Baptist) baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.“

Those verses say “baptize” in or with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said Jesus would “baptize” them in the Holy Spirit and fire, which is what happened to the disciples in Acts 2. I associate baptism in the Holy Spirit with the promise, Jesus, and the other definitions, immerse and overwhelm.

But we are not involved in the gift-giving of the Holy Spirit. It is an integral part of the gift of redemption. John 14:26, “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.” We are involved in our awareness of the Holy Spirit and how to work with him, especially in our time spent in the Word. And ELB diminishes our faith and relationships with weak teaching. All our attention belongs on being “filled” with the Holy Spirit whom Jesus said he would send us, promised by the Father. Even at the start in Acts 2:4, we see, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . . .”

Let’s look at Peter and John with Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas in Acts 4:7-8, “And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders . . .”

Acts 4:31. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 6:8, “And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 7:55, “But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God . . .”

Acts 9:17, “So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul (Apostle Paul), the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.“

Let’s watch the Holy Spirit work and then open your Holy Bible and read all of Luke 1. Bible study in Luke 1 typically overshadows the Holy Spirit with Jesus and Gabriel, which is unfortunate. Luke 1:39-45, “And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (And John the Baptist.)

Switch to the dad, v1:59-68, “And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, what he would have him called.”

“And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, blessing God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit . . .”

Now, let’s get practical. S3M1 presents our GCS. The Holy Spirit comes to us and connects us to our Abba Father through Jesus and connects us in the body of Christ, the ecclessia. That is the vertical and the horizontal of the cross. What we do with those connections starts with our free will.

Our GCS heart is like a faith tank with a gauge that reads empty to full. The Holy Spirit can fill the faith tank but not if we fill it with ELB idols. Ego, lust, intoxication, adrenaline, greed, anger, sloth, etc., do not leave room for the Holy Spirit to do his will in us. Remember, Jesus knocks, and we have to open the door, our heart. Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” More than anything, that is what I look for and teach my incarcerated flock Galatians 5:16, “But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.“

The Holy Spirit typically does not clean out our heart tank idols. We are supposed to do that in our sanctification process. But few understand because ELB focuses so much on our salvation. 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own.” John 6:63, “It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.”

When we repent and receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are justified, which means we are declared righteous in the eyes of our Abba Father. But Jesus blocks out the real us, washing our vision clean for our Abba Father. That is my conclusion based on what I see and reconciling it with the Scripture. Luke 11:13, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him (the Father)?”

The “helper” nature of the Holy Spirit gives us the strength we need for our job in the Family. But we have to ask for help, not ask for the Holy Spirit; he is already there. That is the confusion. Please pray on that. Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

We see the first ecclesia in Acts 2:44-47, “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.”

What about us today? Please pray on that.

Who is the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit never appears in human form. It is easy not to see him in ELB, a great tragedy of Christianity. Those denominations that believe he is not human enough to be God (Please pray on that) still have all the verses in their Holy Bible, and he still does all those things the Scripture says he does. I am good with that. I am a big fan of the Holy Spirit and see him as what the Scripture says he is, which is fantastic! So let’s look at what it says. This subject will help us tune into the Holy Spirit.

His mind. Romans 27:28, “and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.” Love our Abba Father and be called to his purpose.

Free Will. 1 Corinthians 12:11, “but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.” Many wonder if the Holy Spirit can act on his own. His previous feature, the Mind, “acts to the will of God.” This verse, 12:11, follows the list of gifts of the Holy Spirit and reveals the Holy Spirit has free will with his gifts to help the body.

1 Corinthians 12:4-9, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit . . .”

Note the gifts are for the profit of all; the whole body of Christ and his Family. Think back on the first church presented above and their togetherness. That should be the heart of all of us for the body and Family of Christ. Perhaps even our church buildings!

Please read all of chapter 12. I stopped where I did because those apply to us today for sure. The extra miracle gifts given to the apostles appear to have ended with them as their purpose was to get the attention of Israel and complete the New Testament writings. That does not mean the Holy Spirit does not cause us to do things for his purpose in his will. The point is to see that we are individuals, not “cookie-cutter” people. We are the only ones who can find our purpose and call. Please pray on that.

Leadership. Galatians 5:16-18, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Please read all of Galatians 5, but v5:19-25 are critical to our journey.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.”

Teacher. John 14:26, “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.” Parakletos translates as a helper, comforter, and advocate. Another possible choice is “refresher.” I can see how the references to the Holy Spirit as a “helper” or “comforter” can lead one to think the Holy Spirit might be a lesser being. Teaching and remembering are not as exciting as creating and resurrecting. But John 16:8 works for me.

Convicter. John 16:7-8, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: . . .” The Holy Spirit makes us aware of our sins, but we miss him if we do not know how he works.

Our Guide. John 16: 12-13, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.” The Holy Spirit’s “will” applies to his gifts. Otherwise, he is carrying out our Abba Father’s plan for us. That clarification helps us better understand our Abba Father, his Son, and the Holy Spirit as the kingdom in one accord.

Our Comforter. Acts 9:31, “So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.” Please read Acts 9 for the full context of this verse to see the Holy Spirit’s work more clearly. It is a real faith builder.

Our Helper. Romans 8:24-26, “For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” We opened this chapter with the next verse, Acts 8:27, “and his mind which follows the will of our Abba Father.” As our Helper, the Holy Spirit will help us pray “himself. “

Our Witness. Romans 8:15-17, “For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.”

Now you know why I use Abba Father. As I write this, I have tears in my eyes; the verses contain a special message for us. We are not alone in this world. Please stop and spend some time on these verses and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about them.

God. Acts 5:3-4, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land . . . How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.“

Scholars say this exchange establishes the Holy Spirit as God. I agree he is God, but not because of that verse. Father God heard the lie through the Holy Spirit. I see Peter explaining the connection between us, the Holy Spirit, and our Abba Father. But I am not looking for proof like the scholars are. I am looking for faith. The totality of the Holy Spirit and his eternal presence as the implementer of our Abba Father’s power defines him. He is likely the actual omnipresence of our Abba Father; the Holy Spirit is everywhere.

Faith does not require a perfect understanding of the Scripture; let the Holy Spirit lead you. Continuing in Acts 5, “Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.”

Many people misunderstand that passage and think our Abba Father punished Ananias. Our Abba Father judges no one in the New Testament; even Judas committed suicide. Everyone has a chance to repent until they die. That passage says, “Ananias breathed his last.” A verse can never mean what it never said, and the verse does not mention our Abba Father taking the life of Ananias.

A panic attack makes sense, but Peter’s “bedside manor” is not the greatest. Remember Mathew 16:23, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.” Jesus did not blame Peter then. Peter’s question, “why has Satan filled your heart,” blames Ananias. Peter could have prayed with him to drive Satan out and heard Ananias’ confession; it might have saved the wife too. It is helpful to learn from Peter what not to do.

I find this passage a compelling argument for the Holy Spirit as God. Mathew 12:31-32, “Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.“

Other Names of the Holy Spirit

Seeing all the names for the Holy Spirit and his integral nature as God is a faith builder. Hebrews 9:14, “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.” Psalm 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do thy will; For thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; Lead me in the land of uprightness.”

Isaiah 11:1-2, “And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of Yahweh shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh.” If there was ever any doubt of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, Isaiah ends it. John 14:16-18, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you desolate: I come unto you.”

Romans 1:3-4, “concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,” Luke 1:35, “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God.“

Last Point

Let’s look at Luke 1:14-15, “And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” That is John the Baptist, and he received the Holy Spirit in the womb. There is nothing our Abba Father, the Son, nor the Holy Spirit cannot do if they choose to. Please pray on that.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not miracles, outbursts in tongues, going crazing like King David, etc. It is peaceful; it is gentle; it is keeping the tongue you have under control. It is the fruit Paul described in Galatians 5. That is not to say an extraordinary experience with the Holy Spirit can’t be crazy; it just is not the definition of the norm. The primary experience of daily life with the Holy Spirit in you is peace.

Prayer is Essential to the Holy Spirit

 Let Us Pray to Receive Christ

The Holy Spirit comes into us when we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior. I pray to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, to be saved and redeemed. “Beloved Jesus, Lord and Savior, I believe in you. I believe you are the son of God, you came to planet earth, and died on the cross to pay for my sins. I confess to you now, I am a sinner. I ask you know, to forgive me for all the things I have done wrong. I know I have messed up pretty bad. Please help me Lord, come into my heart and show me how to live my life for you. I accept you as my Lord and savior now and forever. In your name I pray, Amen.”

Let Us Pray for the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is in us as believers and does not leave unless our heart hardens against our Abba Father. But how do we know when a container is full? The answer is simple; a container is truly full once it overflows. Then we can see it. Let us now pray to be filled to overflowing by the Holy Spirit, i.e., use him until our life overflows with his presence. This prayer increases our awareness of his presence and overflow as a believer. It does not mean waking or bringing him back; neither is possible. Again, please repeat after me:

“Holy Spirit, you are God. I praise you because you are holy, and I thank you for dwelling in my heart. Thank you for working in my life. You guided me into redemption, renewed my dead spirit, and opened my eyes to the Truth. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Help me to see you more clearly – to recognize your movement in my life. Make me more sensitive to you so I can follow you more closely. Still, I know that I am selfish and rebellious. I ask you to help me be obedient and recognize your leadership. I need you, Holy Spirit. I ask you for your help and comfort today. You know my pain and anxieties very well. Thank you for praying over me. Please help me to rest in your comfort today. Help me to walk in you, the Spirit of God. Grow good fruit in my life. You are the one who produces these in me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I cannot live without these things alone; I need you, Holy Spirit. Amen.”