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Home , God the Son, Pneumatology

HOLY () By Simon Kande

OUTLINE 1. Introduction – Perceptions and Realities about the 2. Understanding the Holy Spirit  Holy Spirit in the  The Holy Spirit in Biblical History both in OT and NT  Personhood of the Holy Spirit  Holy Spirit Visibility to human beings  Conditions for Holy Spirit Indwelling  The Fruit verses the Gift of the Spirit 3. Theological Divides - , Filling in/with the Holy Spirit and 4. The Work of the Holy Spirit 5. Reflection and Implication to Christian life 6. Conclusion

1. CURRENT PERCEPTIONS AND REALITIES While the work and the gifts of the Holy Spirit can easily be recognized, the Holy Spirit himself can be termed as;  Anonymous,  Faceless aspect of the divine being  Distant and impersonal by comparison with the Father and the  Power  Imbalanced inclination - there are many Christians whom everything rotate around the Holy Spirit while both the Son and the Father remain in the periphery. Why seek to study/know the Holy Spirit – because he is:  Mis- understood  Mis- quoted  Mis- Judged  Mis - represented

Prologue Questions - Who is the Holy Spirit

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- What in you makes you know you have the Holy Spirit (As he real or theoretical) - What are the marks or expressions of a Spirit filled person in (a) (b) today

2. UNDERSTANDING THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(a) Holy Spirit in the Trinity It’s apparently important to mention that, the of the trinity remains a mystery and it’s only through the written word (Bible) that we can get grips of the threefold in the Godhead. The word trinity comes from the word trinitaswhich means ‘threeness’. The doctrine of the trinity upholds that even though is ONE, he exists in three persons; , and God the Holy Spirit. Each person in the trinity is self-conscious and self-directing and yet never acting in opposition. Equality in dignity of the three persons  There is perfect equality in nature, honor and dignity between the persons. Fatherhood belongs to the very essence to the first person and it is so from all eternity. The Spirit is God himself in the innermost essence of his being. The Spirit is revealed as the only one who knows the depth of God’s nature “for the spirit searches everything even the depth of God (1 Corinth. 2:10).  The three persons are divine. The Holy Spirit is given divine attributes; Everlasting (Heb 9:14), Omnipresence (Psalms 139:7-10), omniscience (1Corinthians 2:10-11), omnipotent (Luke 1:35).  The appearance of subordination is not in nature but in their redemptive roles Unity in the persons  (the Word – :1) and the Holy Spirit and the father cannot be separated. Key references:  Creation story in Genesis 1 (the three are present – Spirit hovers over the earth, the father speaks the Word)  You can’t have either/OR (Jesus or the Spirit). If you do not have the Spirit, you do not belong to (Romans 8:9)  United for your and victory – Sword of the Spirit which is the Word (Ephesians 6:17), your counselor, teacher and reminder of the Word (John 14:23-25)

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(b) The Holy Spirit in Biblical History both in OT and NT  Root word in OT and NT related (OT Ruach generally carries the meaning of wind or breath (Ps. 148:8, Ezek. 1:4) and NT Pneuma (also covers the notion of wind or breath in the . Ruach is identifiable with Pneuma and are the same (Acts 2:16-21, 4:25, 7:51, 28:25, 1 Peter 1:11, 2 Peter 1:19-21).  Present at Creation (Gen 1:2)  Redemption and formation of Israel (Moses, Joshua deliverances – Ex 28:3, 31:3, Num 11:17.  Judges – empowered warriors and involved in the leadership by judges (Jug. 3:10, 6:34, 11:29)  Monarchy – Key in kings (1 Sam 10:1-10, 16:13)  Prophecies - There are several OT prophecies that predicted the coming of the Holy Spirit in greater fullness after God makes a with his children – Ezek 36:26-27; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28-29.  Inter-Testamental period – waiting for the fulfillment of the messianic hope  The early – fully involved in the Acts of the Apostles  15th Century church  19th Century evangelical/Pentecostal revivals

(c) Personhood of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit is NOT a power BUT a person who gives power

The way also the apostles following Jesus refer to the Holy Spirit shows that they looked on the Spirit as a person and indeed is a person. In the scripture, the Spirit inspires scriptures, is lied to (Acts 5:3,9), desires and decides what is good and what is not (15:28), bears witness, is resisted (Acts 7:51), directs (Acts 8:29), carries somebody away, informs (Acts 10:19), is pleased (Acts 15:28) commands (Acts 11:12), calls & appoints (Acts 13:2), sends, forbids & prevent (Acts 16:6-7), warns (Acts 20:23), can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30) and reveals truth (Acts 1:16). This shows that the Spirit is self conscious and directing but one in God.

(d) Holy Spirit Visibility and Recognition by human beings

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Is the Holy Spirit completely hidden from human visibility? The Holy Spirit gives recognizable evidences that make his presence known. Always? – Visible instances –  Descended as a dove on Jesus (John 1:32),  Came as a sound of rushing wind with visible tongues of fire on Pentecost (Acts 2:2-3), people spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46; 19:6).  Spiritual Gifts - Tongues  In the lives of believers, He bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16)  He will be like a might river flowing from our inner most being (John 7:39) – a simile that suggests that people would be aware of a presence that would be somehow perceptible. He reveals his desires to us so that we can be led by those desires and follow them (Rom. 8:4-16; Gal. 5:16- 25).

(e) Conditions for Holy Spirit Indwelling Many examples in both OT and NT indicate that the Holy Spirit will indwell, bestow or withdraw blessings according to whether or not he is pleased by the situation he sees.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit {Eph 4:30} or quench his fire {1 Thes 5:19}

The conditions seems to be;  Holiness - Jesus was without and the Holy Spirit “remained on him” (John 1:32) and was given to him without measure (John 3:34). He came mightily upon Samson several times (Judges 13:25; 14:6; 19; 15:14) but left him when he persisted in sin (Judges 16:20)  Knowledge and Obedience to Word - He also left Saul when he persisted in disobedience (1 Sam 16:14).  Personal choice, desire and seeking for God’s gift – The Holy Spirit is a gift from God that must be sought for (Luke 11:11). The Holy Spirit does not force himself to people, he can be resisted. Stephen rebuked the Jewish leaders “you always resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51).  Total surrender of will/mind and self/emotions – (through prayer, reflection and listening). Be led of the Spirit and let your mind be controlled by the Spirit (Romans 8: 5-8)

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(f) The Fruit verses the Gift of the Spirit Facts about the Holy Spirit gifts o Gifts given for common Good (1 Cor. 12:7), o Given for the service to others (1 Peter 4:10) o Given for the sake of strengthening the church and not for individual gratification (1 Cor 14:26). o The Spirit gives just as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11) o There is room to desire the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31) o Think yourself soberly and not highly in line with the measure of grace (Romans 12:3) Types of Spiritual Gifts  1 Corinthians 12:8 (word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, working of miracles, prophecy, healing, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues).  1 Corinthians 12:28 (healing, helping others, administration, speaking in tongues)  Romans 12:6 (Prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy)  Ephesians 4:8 (Apostles, , evangelists, pastors and Teachers)

Fruit of the Spirit  The fruit on the other hand is not a gift (Charisma verses Character). It is a product that comes after one walks with the Holy Spirit (Galatian 5:22) – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

 It does not necessarily come instantly but is gradual process that takes time, discipline and commitment. The fruit is the sure way that one have faithfully and diligently walked with the Holy Spirit.

(g) THEOLOGICAL DIVIDES ON THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, FILLING IN/WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPEAKING IN TONGUES Issues around the Holy Spirit – Infilling of the Holy Spirit, Baptism by the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues Can the HS leave or re-enter somebody? Are there measures of the HS -10%, 30% 98% full of the HS or 110% (overflowing)? Does the Holy Spirit need to be invited or he just comes?

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A. Baptism/infilling with/in the Holy Spirit There are two major theological persuasions surrounding the aspect of baptism in the Holy Spirit and the divide is whether this baptism happens when one believes/during conversion or it is a second experience after conversion. This Phrase “baptism in the Holy Spirit” which means the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and is borrowed from Greek term baptize which means “to deep or immerse” is used seven times in the NT (Math 3:11, :8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33 – speaking of Jesus), (Acts 1:5, Acts 11:16 – related to Pentecost), (1 Corinthians 12:13). Argument for the baptism as an after conversion experience (mainly Pentecostal and Charismatics) 1. Jesus disciples were already believers before Pentecost (Acts 1:5) and before Jesus breathed on them in John 20:22. (Peter must have been a believer when he said “you are Christ, the son of the living God” Matt. 16:16). 2. The Un-circumcised believers receiving of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem (Acts 11:15) 3. Ephesian disciples who received the Holy spirit after Paul laid his hands (Acts 19:4) 4. The Samaritans who first believed after Philip preached to them and Peter and John laid their hands that they may receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:16). Arguments for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion 1. We all received the Spirit when we believed because we were sealed with Him (seal of ownership) as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance/redemption (2 Cor 1:21, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). 2. The Pentecost marked a transition – it was more than an individual event in the life of disciples but a transition between the old covenant work and ministry of the Holy Spirit and the new covenant work and ministry of the Holy Spirit 3. 1 Corinthians 12:13 – this baptism according to Paul made us members of the same body and this happened when the Corinthians became members of the , that is when they became Christians 4. Jesus disciples before the Pentecost were not believers and the Ephesians disciples in Acts 19:3 had been baptized by John were disciples of John and hadn’t yet been converted into faith in Christ. Way forward The premium should not be when and how BUT –

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1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5:18 uses a present tense imperative verb which could be translated “be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.” 2. Full of the Holy Spirit – Stephen as he was being stoned (Acts 7:55) – we are never full of the Spirit because as we grow, the more we need divine empowerment. 3. Walk and keep in step with the Spirit (Rom. 8:4, Gal 5:16)

We see examples of repeated filling with the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts after Pentecost.  In Acts 2:4, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,  Later when peter was standing before Sanhedrin “Peter filled with the Holy Spirit,” (Acts 4:8)  Peter after being released together with other believers prayed and the place was shaken and they were filled with the holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Act 4:31). Therefore, it is appropriate to understand the filling of the Holy Spirit not as a one-time event but as an event that can occur over and over again in a Christian’s life. It may involve  A momentary empowering for a specific ministry (Acts 4:8 – peter or Acts 7:55)  A long term characteristics of a person’s life (Acts 6:3 choosing of deacons or Acts 11:24 – Barnabas).

B. Speaking in Tongues There are many cases in the book of Acts where people spoke in tongues after being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6). It is also important to realize that there are cases where as far as the Bible records, after being filled with the Holy Spirit did not result in speaking in tongues;  Jesus filled with the Spirit (Luke 4:1)-result was strength to overcome temptation,  Elizabeth filled with Spirit and resulted in speaking a blessing to Mary (Luke 1:41-45),  Zechariah was filled and prophesied (Luke 1:67-79),  Believers in Acts 4:31 resulted in powerful preaching of .

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 Paul after Conversion, Ananias comes to him after three days, laid his hands on Paul to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit – its not recorded that he spoke in tongues but its recorded that he began to preach (Acts 9:17 – 20). It seems that Speaking in tongues may need to be detached from the immediate moment of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a gradual process that may come after as one continues walking with the Holy Spirit. We need to remember that it is a gift and he gives as he wills (1 Cor. 12:11) and also when He wills. This means that we cannot fully determine whether one is filled with the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues though one cannot speak in tongues (true tongues) if they are not filled with the Holy Spirit.

Though there is no evidence of speaking in tongues as the ONLY proof of being filled with the Holy Spirit, according to 1 Corinthians 14:4, speaking in tongues should be desired by everyone because it edifies the person.

(h) THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The work of the Holy Spirit can be defined as; to manifest the active presence of God in the world and especially in the church. In the , the presence of God was in many times manifested in the glory of God and in the gospels; Jesus himself manifested the presence of God among men. But after Jesus ascended into and continuing with the entire church age, the Holy Spirit is now the primary manifestation of the trinity among us. 1. Holy Spirit gives life – God created through the Holy Spirit (Ps 33:6; 104:30) “when you send forth your Spirit, they are created” (Job 33:4; 34:14-15)“If God should take His Spirit to himself, and gather to Himself his breath, all would perish together and man would return to dust.” It is the Spirit who gives life . . .”(John 6:63). It is the Holy Spirit who conceived Jesus in the womb of Mary the mother of God (math 1:18,20. Luke 1:35). In the final day, it is the Spirit who will complete his life giving work by giving new resurrection life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). 2. Holy Spirit empowers for service: Old Testament - in the OT, he frequently empowered people for special service. Joshua was empowered with leadership skills and wisdom (Num 27:18; Deut 34:9). He empowered the judges to deliver Israel from the oppressors: Othniel in Judg. 3:10, Gideon in 6:34, Jephthah in 11:29 and

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Samson in 13:25, 14:6, and 19. The Holy Spirit empowered Bezalel with artistic skills for the construction of the tabernacle and its equipment’s (Ex 31:3; 35:31) and with ability to teach these skills to others (Ex 35:34). The Holy Spirit protected and enabled the people to overcome their enemies (Hag. 2:5 where God put his spirit among them to protect them and keep them against fear). – His empowerment is first seen in the empowerment and anointing of Jesus during his baptism (Mathew 3:16, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22). “The Spirit of is upon me, He has anointed me to preach the good news …” (Luke 4:14). The Spirit also empowered Jesus disciples for various kind of ministry “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be my witness” (Acts 1:8). The empowerment is in the following ways:  Early Christians were empowered for miracles as they proclaimed the Gospel – Stephen (Acts 6:5), Paul (Romans 15:19; 1 Cor 2:4).  Empowerment for preaching the gospel with boldness and great power – Acts 4:8,31; 6:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Peter 1:12)  He gives spiritual gifts to equip Christians for ministry. “He distributes just as he wills…” (1 Cor. 12:11) - but the aim is for the building of the ministry (1 Corinthians 12:17).  He empowers prayer and makes it effective – “we do not know how to pray but …” (Romans 8:26). “We access in one Spirit to the father” (Eph 2:18), the gift of prayer in tongues (1 Cor. 12:10 – 11; 14:2). 3. Grants victory in spiritual warfare. Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit in fighting the enemy (Eph 6:17). “if by the Spirit of God I cast out demons … then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt 12:28). Paul filled with the Holy Spirit faced the magician Elymas in Cyprus who became blind (Acts 13:9-11). The gifts of distinguishing between spirits (1 Cor. 12:10) is a tool in spiritual warfare against forces of darkness. 4. The Holy Spirit purifies – the Holy Spirit has a role to cleanse us from sin and to sanctify us or to make us more holy in actual conduct of life. Paul says “you were washed, you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of the Lord (1 Cor. 6:11) and “he saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5b). This can also by symbolized by the metaphor in Matt. 3:11 where Christ will baptize you the Spirit that we put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13, Phil 1:19).

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5. The Holy Spirit reveals, illumines and Enlightens – the Spirit of God revealed God’s words to the OT prophets and NT apostles which forms the scripture today (Num 24:2, Ezek 11:5, Zech 7:12). The OT scripture came because “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The NT scripture were also guided “into all truth” by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit also reveals and illumines the reality and truth regarding Jesus Christ by reminding (John 14:26) and continually teaching the apostles (Christians) and guiding them to all truth (John 16:13). See also Eph. 3:2-6. 1 Timothy 4:1. He revealed to Simeon that he will not die until he sees the (Luke 2:26). He also helps us to understand “we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God that we might understandthe gifts bestowed on us” (1 Cor. 2:12). He reminds 6. The Holy Spirit guides – Scripture give many instances of direct guidance from the Holy Spirit to various people.  Jesus was led (driven) to the wilderness (Math 4:1).  The Holy Spirit also gave direct words of guidance – Philip “go up and join the chariot” (Acts 8:29).  Peter – advised to go with the three men that came from Cornelius household (Acts 10:19-20).  Antioch Christians “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them” (Acts 13:2).  Jeruaslem council – “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than the necessary things (Acts 16:6-7)  Paul – in the second missionary journey, “they were forbidden by the Holy spirit to speak a word in Asia” and then “they attempted to go into Birthynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”  In more compelling cases – people were transported by the Holy Spirit –Philip (Acts 8:39-40), Ezekiel (Ezek 11:1; 37:1; 43:5) and John (Rev. 17:3, 21:10). 7. The Holy Spirit produces and manifests godly virtues and character in a believer;  He brings a conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-11).  The Spirit also produces the Godlike qualities in His fruit of Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness

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and self-control (Gal. 5:22). The Holy Spirit pours Love into our hearts (Rom 5:5, 15:30; Col 1:8). The kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17; Gal 5:22).  Other elements that the Holy Spirit produces are; truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 5:7), Wisdom (Deut. 34:9; Isaiah 11:2). 8. The Holy Spirit gives us – The Holy Spirit bears witness “with our spirits that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:16) and gives evidence of the work of God within us “And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us” (1 John 3:24). “By this we know that we abide in him and he in us because he has given us his own Spirit (1 John 4:13).

(i) REFLECTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS ON CHRISTIAN LIFE  We must live holy Lives if the Holy Spirit is to operate in us  Walking in and by the Holy Spirit is a choice one makes  The more we surrender ourselves and empty the self, and invite the Holy Spirit, the more full we are of the Holy Spirit.

Personal reflections 1. Are you full of the Holy Spirit? 2. Have you grieved or quenched the Holy Spirit in your Christian walk? 3. Do you walk and keep in step with him – are you sensitive to His guidance? 4. Are you empowered by the Holy Spirit? CONCLUSION It is possible to rejoice in the Spirit (Luke 10:21), to resolve or decide in the Spirit (Acts 19:21), to have access to God in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18), to pray in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18); Jude 20) and to love in the Spirit (Col 1:8). Let’s use the gifts of the Spirit to empower the body of Christ but prove that we have been walking with Him by bearing the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5).

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