The Hope that Christmas Brings

“be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. This is a present continuous action and requires a believer to be (a) daily yielded to God, (b) daily in repentance with confession with godly sorrow, (c) daily allowing the word of God to richly indwell the inner man. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit empowers a believer (a) daily in spiritual battle (Spirit versus flesh) and, (b) daily in living out the person and character and conduct of Christ and in being obedient to the will of God.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred at Pentecost. The power of the Holy Spirit in union with the spoken word of the gospel of salvation resulted in the addition of 3000 souls and the beginning of the church at Pentecost. Each individual believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit is given at least one spiritual gift according to the grace of God for the purpose of (a) equipping of believers for serving fellow believers, (b) building up the body of Christ and, (c) glorifying God. Each believer is tasked of being a steward or manager of their spiritual gift/s; the expression of their gift being in love.

The power of the Holy Spirit is illustrated by (a) inspiration of scripture, (b) illumination of hearts, (c) regeneration of a believer, (d) indwelling presence in a believer, (e) baptism into the body of Christ, (f) sealing and giving of a pledge in a believer and, (g) filling in a believer.

The Holy Spirit abides (spiritual union) with and is in a believer from salvation to eternity. The three names of the Spirit a. Helper or Advocate = spiritual defense or intercession on behalf of a believer, b. Spirit of truth: truth the essence of Godhead and, c. Holy Spirit: holiness the essence of Godhead. The Holy Spirit continues the ministry of Jesus in teaching, guiding into truth, bearing witness of Jesus and glorifying Jesus. The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.

The Holy Spirit is the least understood and least taught person of the Trinity. Scripture demonstrates the person of the Holy Spirit as evident by having mind, will and emotions. The Holy Spirit searches the depths of God, knows the mind of God and the will of God and communicates spiritual thoughts, spiritual knowledge, spiritual wisdom and the spiritual will of God to the mind of a born again believer of Jesus Christ. Scripture calls upon believers to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit.