There are two major sources of evidence for the existence of God - The book of nature and the scriptures. When we speak about the book of nature we are referring to the world that He has created and the things that are therein. David wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). John says that God's revelation, including nature, enlightens everyone (John 1:9). Scripture gives abundance of evidence of the existence of God; it is a direct revelation from God. We cannot prove God exist, but by faith we believe that He exist and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrew 11:6). Prophets, priest, and people, have all given personal testimony of the existence of God. The scriptures of the Old Testament begins with the words "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). This scripture refers to the triune God. There is one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal persons. The Old Testament does not explicitly teach that God is triune, but it alludes to a plurality within the Godhead. At times God employs plural pronouns such as, "let us make man in our image, after our likeness." "Behold the man is become like one of us." "Come let us go down." (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7). At times the "Angel of the Lord" is identified with God. Appearing to Moses the "Angel of the Lord" said, "I am the God of your Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Exodus 3:2-6). Various references distinguish the Spirit of God from God. In the creation story "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). Some text not only refer to the Spirit but includes a third person in God's work of redemption: "and now the Lord God (the Father) and His Spirit (the Holy Spirit) have sent Me (the Son of God). I (the Father) have put My Spirit upon Him (the Messiah). Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 42:1.
The first advent of Christ gives us a much clearer insight into the triune God. John's gospel reveals that the Godhead consist of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: a unity of three co-eternal persons having a unique and mysterious relationship. There is no distance between the persons of the triune God. All three are divine, yet they share their divine powers and qualities. In human organizations final authority rest with one person- a president, king or prime minister. In the Godhead, final authority resides in all three members. While the Godhead is not one in person, God is one in purpose, mind and character. This oneness does not obliterate the distinct personalities of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Nor does the separateness of personalities within the Deity destroy the belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God.
Within the Godhead an economy of function exists. God does not unnecessarily duplicate work. Order is the first law of heaven, and God works in orderly ways. This orderliness issues from and preserves the union within the Godhead. The Father seems to act as source, The Son as mediator, and the Holy Spirit as applier or executor. The incarnation beautifully demonstrated the working relationship of the three persons of the Godhead: The Father gave His Son, Jesus gave Himself, and the Spirit gave Jesus birth, or, presented the gift to us (John 3:16; Matthew 1:18,20). The angel's testimony to Mary clearly indicates the activities of all three in the mystery of God becoming man. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, therefore, also, that Holy One that is to be born will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). Each member of the Godhead was present at the baptism of Jesus: Christ giving Himself to be baptized as our example; God sent the Holy Spirit to empower Him; and the Father give encouragement; Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21,22.
Toward the end of His earthly life Jesus promise to send the gift of the Holy Spirit as counselor or helper (John 14:16). Hours later, hanging on the cross, Jesus cried out to His Father "My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me" (Matthew 27:46). In those climatic moments for salvation's history, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all part of the picture. Today the Father and the Son reach out to us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "when He, the Holy Spirit is come, Whom I shall send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (John 15:26). The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ to each person. The great burden of the trinity is to bring God and a knowledge of Jesus to everyone. John 15:26; John 16:14,15.
The apostolic benediction includes all three persons of the Godhead: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14). Christ heads the list. God's point of contact with humanity was and is through Jesus Christ- The God who became man. Though all three members of the trinity work together to save, only Jesus lived as a man, died as a man, and became our Saviour. But because God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19) God is also our Saviour. Titus 3:4-6.
In the economy of function, different members of the Godhead perform distinct task in saving man. The work of the Holy Spirit does not add anything to the adequacy of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross. The early church baptized people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But since it is through Jesus that God's love and purpose was revealed, the Bible focuses on Him. He is the hope foreshadowed in the Old Testament sacrifices and festivals. He is the One who occupies center stage in the gospels. He is the "Good News" proclaimed by the disciples in sermons and writings, the "Blessed Hope." The Old Testament looked forward to His coming, the New Testament reports His first advent and looks forward to His return or second coming. Christ the mediator between God and us, thus unites us to the Godhead.
Looking at the cross, we gaze into the heart of God. On that instrument of torture He poured out His love for us. Through Christ, the love of the Godhead fills our aching, empty hearts. Jesus hung there as God's gift and our substitute. At Calvary God descended to earth's lowest point to meet us; but it is the highest place where we can go. When we go to Calvary by faith, we have ascended as high as we can toward God. At the cross the trinity made a full revelation of unselfishness, There was our most complete revelation of God. Christ became man to die for the race. He valued selflessness more than self-existence. There Christ became our "righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians1:30). Whatever value or meaning we have or ever will have, comes from His sacrifice on the cross. The only true God is the God of the cross.
Christ revealed to the universe the Godhead's infinite love and saving power. He revealed a triune God who was willing to go through the agony of separation because of unconditional love for a rebel planet. From the cross God proclaims His loving invitation to us - be reconciled, "and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.
The triune God shares names, qualities and attributes. He is our Father- for He created us. He is our Lord- for He rules over us. He is Omniscient- knowing all things. He is the Alpha and Omega- knows the end from the beginning, He knows all things. He is Omnipresent- always present, always with us. He is eternal- exceeding the limits of time, yet fully present in every moment of time. God is omnipotent- all powerful, nothing is impossible with Him. He accomplishes whatever He wills. He is immutable or unchangeable- because He is perfect. He says, "I am the Lord I do not change. He is sovereign- for He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is love, merciful, patient, Holy, righteous, just, gracious and true. He is everything that is good. Most of all He is Saviour. All the foregoing names and attributes refers to the triune God.
One God - The Trinity: The Father
1. How many Gods are there? Isaiah 45:5; Mark 12:32 ______________________
2. Who created the heavens and the earth? Genesis 1:1 ______________________
3. Who did Jesus pray to in John 17? _____________________________________
4. Whose commandments did Jesus say He kept? John 15:10 last part____________ _________________________________________________________________
5. What is the nature of God? 1 John 4:8 __________________________________
6. Who was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself? 2 Corinthians 5:19________
7. Who loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to die for it? John 3:16 _____
8. What did Jesus tell Mary not to do and why? John 20:17._____________________
9. Who gave Jesus revelation to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass? Revelation 1:1 __________________
10. There are three that bare record in heaven: The Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost. What is the relationship between these three? 1 John 5:7 ________________
God the Father is frequently misunderstood. Many people are only aware of Christ mission to the earth for the human race, and the Holy Spirit's role within the individual, but what has the Father to do with us? The unity of the Old and New Testaments, and of their common plan of redemption, is revealed by the fact that it is the same God who speaks and acts both Testament for the salvation of His people. God (the Father) who at various times and in different ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1,2).
Although the Old Testament alludes to the persons of the Godhead, it doesn't distinguish them. But the New Testament makes it clear that Christ was the active agent in Creation and that He was the God who led Israel out of Egypt (John 1:1_3,14; Colossians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Exodus 3:14; John 8:58). What the New Testament says of Christ role in Creation and the Exodus from Egypt suggest that even the Old Testament often conveys to us its portraits of God the Father through the agency of the Son. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. The Old Testament describes God in such terms as: A God of mercy, no sinful human being has ever seen Him. We have no photographs of His features. His character is revealed through His gracious acts and by the word picture He proclaimed to Moses "the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin" (Exodus 34:6, 7).
The Bible describes the Father as a covenant keeping God, a redeeming God, a God of refuge, a God of forgiveness, a God of goodness, a faithful God, a God of salvation, the God of creation. The Father of all believers, a God who gives, a God of love, A God of mercy. Genesis 8:22; Genesis 9:11; Genesis 12:1-3,7; Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:1-7; Genesis 17:1-8; Genesis 22:15-18; Exodus 33:19; Job19:25; Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 47:4; Isaiah 49:26; 60:16; Psalm 27:5; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 62:8; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 51:1,11; Psalm 146:7,9; Isaiah 49:9, 10; Leviticus26:40-42; Isaiah 35:4; Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 64:8; Malachi 2:10. He is the sovereign Lord - He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He sets up kings and takes them down, and no one can stay His hand or say to Him what doest Thou? He is eternal- His reign shall have no end. He is immortal, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, immutable, He is Lord, He is merciful, longsuffering, patient, He is tenderhearted, and slow to anger. He is the loving God, the everlasting Father. These names and attributes refers also to the Son and Holy Spirit; for they are one.
He is the greatest giver. We see His giving at Creation, at Bethlehem, and at Calvary. God gave us life in spite of knowing that doing so would cost the life of His Son. At Bethlehem, He gave Himself as He gave His Son. We can not even imagine the Father's feeling as He saw His Son exchange the love and adoration of angels for the hatred of sinners; and the glory and bliss of heaven for the pathway of death. But it is Calvary that gives us the deepest insight into the Father. The Father being divine suffered the pain of being separated from His Son, in life and death, more acutely than any human being ever could; and He suffered with Christ in like measure. No greater testimony about the Father could be given. The cross reveals as nothing else can, the truth about the Father. Jesus' favorite theme was the tenderness and abundant love of God. In everything that Jesus did He was displaying the Father's love. In stooping down and washing the feet of His betrayer, in feeding the hungry, healing the deaf, opening the eyes of the blind, lifting up the paralyzed, curing the lepers, raising the dead, forgiving sinners, and casting out demons, we see the Father mingling among men. Christ knew that revealing the precious love of His Father was the key to bringing people to repentance. Three of Christ's parables portrays God's loving concern for lost humanity. (1) The lost sheep of Luke chapter 15, teaches that salvation comes through God's initiative, and not because of our searching after Him. As a shepherd loves His sheep and risk His life when one is missing, so in even greater measure does God manifest His yearning love for every lost person. The lost sheep represent our rebellious planet, a mere atom in God's vast universe. God's costly gift of His Son to bring our planet back into the fold indicates that our fallen world is as precious to Him as the rest of His creation. (2) The parable of the lost coin emphasizes what immense value God places on us sinners. (3) The parable of the prodigal son shows the enormous love of the Father, who welcomes home His penitent children. If there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7), imagine the joy the universe will experience at Christ second coming. The Father is intimately involved with His Son's return. At the second advent the wicked cry to the mountains and rocks, "fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! (Revelation l6:16). Jesus said, "for the son of man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels (Matthew 16:27). With a longing heart the Father anticipates the advent when the redeemed will finally be brought into their eternal home. Then His sending His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him, will clearly not have been in vain.
God has made the infinite sacrifice for our salvation. He has sent His Son to die so that we could live. He has sent us the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, teach, direct, and keep us. He invites us to come and reason with Him, He says "though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, and though they be red as crimson they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1: 18). He also says "if we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
God is knocking at our hearts door through the gift of the Holy spirit. He wants to come into our hearts. For it is only through the entrance of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we can have eternal life; for it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philipians 2:13). What that is saying, is, that it is only through God that we can even have a desire to accept Him; for without God we could do nothing (John 15:5).
One God The Trinity: The Son
1. When did John say the Word existed? John 1:1,2. _________________
2. State another name for the Word. John 1:1.______________________
3. How many things were made by Him? John 1:3 ___________________
4a. What name did the Holy Ghost tell Mary to give her baby? Luke 1:31._______
4b. Why? Matthew 1:21.__________________________________________
5.Fill in the blanks: Matthew 1:23: Behold a _________ shall be with _______ and shall bring forth a Son, and they _______ _________ His name _______ which being ___________ is, God with us.
6. True or false: When Jesus was born He was to be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35 last part. __.
7. When Jesus was baptized and went out of the water, what lighted upon Him? Matthew 3:16. ____
8. What did a voice from heaven say? Matthew 3:17 _______________________
9. Who died for our sins? 1 Corinthians 15:3. _____________________________
10. Jesus was received up into heaven in what? Acts 1:9 _____________________
11. Fill in the blanks: This same Jesus which is ________up from you into ________ shall so ________ in like __________ as ye have seen Him go into Heaven. Acts 1:11.
God's plan to rescue those who strayed from His all wise counsel, convincingly demonstrates His love. In this plan His Son Jesus Christ, was foreordained before the foundation of the world as the sacrifice for sin. He was to bring us back to God and provide deliverance from sin through the destruction of the works of the devil (1 Peter 1:19, 20; 3:18; and Matthew 1:21; and 1 John 3:8).
Sin had severed Adam and Eve from the source of life, and should have resulted in their immediate death, but in accordance with the plan laid before the foundation of the world, God the Son stepped between them and divine justice, bridging the gulf and restraining death. Therefore, even before the cross, His grace kept sinners alive and assured them of salvation. But to restore us fully as sons and daughters of God, He had to become a man.
Immediately after man sinned, God gave them hope by promising to introduce a supernatural enmity between the serpent and the woman, between his seed and hers. In the cryptic statement of Genesis 3:15, the serpent and his seed represents- Satan and his followers; the woman and her Seed represent God's people (the church) and the Saviour of the world. This statement in Genesis 3:15 was the first assurance that the controversy between good and evil would end in victory for the Son of God. The victory, however, would be painful: He, the Saviour, would bruise the serpent's head, and Satan would bruise the Saviour's heel; no one was to come out unscathed. From that moment mankind looked for the promised One. The Old Testament unfolds that search. Prophecy foretold that when the promised "One" comes, the world would have evidence to confirm His identity. God promised that the Messiah, the anointed One, would come through Abraham's line: "In your seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 22:18). Isaiah prophesied that the Saviour would come as a male child, would be both human and divine, He would be born in Bethlehem, His birth would be supernatural, He would be despised and rejected of men, and a close friend would betray Him for thirty pieces of silver. During His trial He would be spat upon and beaten. They would gamble for the clothes He wore, none of His bones were to be broken, but they would pierce His side; In His affliction He would not resist. Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:2-4; Psalm 41:9; Zechariah11:12; Isaiah 50:6; Psalm 22:18; Psalm 34:20; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:7.
More than five centuries before Christ was born, God prophesied through the prophet Daniel the exact time of the beginning of Christ ministry and time of His death. Toward the end of the seventy years of Israel's captivity in Babylon, God told Daniel that He had allotted to the Jews and the city of Jerusalem - seventy weeks. In Bible prophecy, one day equals one literal year. Seventy prophetic weeks equals 490 literal years. During this time, Christ was to be born, baptized and crucified. In fact, He was to die in the midst of the seventieth week, or during the last seven years of the 490 years allotted to the Jews. Zechariah 9:9, 10 tells of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding upon a colt the foal of an ass; Zechariah 13:6, 7, portrays the wound in His hand and the scattering of His disciples when He is smitten; Isaiah 61:1, 2 tells of His ministry; Psalm 16:10 says that His soul would not see corruption.
Only Jesus has fulfilled all of these prophecies. Scriptures traced His genealogy to Abraham (Matthew 1:1); and Paul affirms that the promise to Abraham and his seed was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). His birth was miraculous - He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a virgin name Mary; A Roman decree brought His mother to Bethlehem where He was to be born; He grew up in Nazareth; At the tender age of twelve He was found in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 2:46). Jesus identified His mission with that of the Messiah predicted in Isaiah 61:1,2; Luke 4:17-21. In AD27 Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan- exactly 69 prophetic weeks or 483 literal years of Daniel's prophecy. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit, received God's recognition as the Messiah and began His public ministry. Jesus' proclamation "the time is fulfilled" refers to the fulfillment of this time prophecy. He ministered to mankind for 3 1/2 years: He healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, gave sight to the blind, speech to the dumb, made the lame to walk, feed the hungry, raised the dead, and preach the gospel to those who were in darkness. Although He made a profound impact on His people His message was generally rejected. With few exceptions, He was not recognized as the world's Saviour. Instead of acceptance He met death threats. He was betrayed by one of His disciples- Judas Iscariot - for thirty pieces of silver. Instead of resisting He rebuked those who tried to defend Him. Though innocent of any crime, in less than twenty four hours after He was arrested, He had been spat upon, beaten, tried, condemned to death and crucified. Soldiers gamble for His clothing. During His crucifixion none of His bones were broken, and after He died soldiers pierced His side with a spear. Within three days He resurrected Himself, His soul did not see corruption. He had life within Himself. His humanity died, His divinity could not die. Before He died He said "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again." He also said "I am the resurrection and the life, He that believes in Me though he were dead, yet shall he live. Luke 3:21,22; Acts 10:38; John 1:41; Mark 1:15; John 1:11; Luke 23:18; John 5:16; John 7:19; 11:53; 13:18; 18:2; Matthew 26:67; John 19:1-6; Luke 23:14,15; John 19:1-24; 19:32-37; 2:19; 11:25.
Jesus died in the middle of the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy. Exactly three and a half years after His baptism He was crucified. All of the sacrifices and offerings that pointed forward to the all sufficient sacrifice of the Messiah met their fulfillment when Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God, was sacrificed at Calvary as a ransom for our sins. Jesus is the Son God gave that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He is the "Seed" of the woman that was to bruise the serpent's head. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Bread that we must eat to have eternal life. He is the door through which we must enter heaven. He is the good Shepherd that cares for us. He is the Vine that we the branches must stay connected to to be save. John 14:6; 6:44; 6:51; 10:9; 10:14,15; 15:5.
The incarnation of God the Son is a mystery. Scripture says "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Scripture calls it the mystery of godliness. The Creator of worlds, He in Whom was the fullness of the Godhead became the helpless babe in the manger. Far superior to any of the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, yet He condescended to wear the garb of humanity. He waullness of the Godhead became the helpless babe in the manger. Far superior to any of the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, yet He condescended to wear the garb of humanity. He was made a little lower than the angels. His human nature was created and did not possess super human powers. He was truly human. He was flesh and blood. He clothed His divinity with humanity. He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, or sinful human nature. In all things He was made like unto His fellow human beings, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Because He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted (John 1:14; Hebrew 2:7; 2:17,18). Not many days after His resurrection, He ascended to heaven where He is sitting at the right hand of His Father interceding in our behalf. No longer do we have to offer animal sacrifices, or go to an earthly priest to confess our sins and pray for forgiveness; there is only one mediator between God and man, He is Christ Jesus the Lord (1Timothy 2:5). When we sin, we can fall on our knees or lift our heart to God in prayer. We can go straight to the Father in Jesus name and confess our sins. He says, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "He is able to save to the uttermost those who come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for us." "let us therefore go boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 1 John 1:9; Hebrew 7:25; Hebrew 4:16.
Jesus is our High priest in the heavenly sanctuary above. He is sitting on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Soon and very soon he will complete this work, He will layoff His priestly robe and put on His kingly robe, then those scenes described in Revelation 19:11-16 will take place. His coming is not far away; He said, "behold I come quickly; and My reward is with Me to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12.
God has done all that He could do to save us. He is knocking, He says, "behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into Him, and will sup with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20. I urge you to accept Jesus today and allow Him to be your Saviour. When you accept Jesus, you are accepting the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus and the Father comes to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Please accept Him today; tomorrow may be too late.
One God The Trinity: The Holy Spirit.
1.In Genesis 1:2, What moved upon the face of the waters? _____________________
2. Who came upon Mary so that she conceived a child? Luke 1:35. _______________
3 .Who descended upon Jesus after His baptism? Matthew 3:16. _________________
4. Who anointed Jesus for His ministry? Luke 4:14-18. ________________________
5. Who said these words, Fill in the blanks: Acts 1:8. But ye shall receive___________ after that the ________ _________ is come upon you. ______?
6. In what form did the Holy Ghost come on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:3,4. ________
7. Give another name for the Holy Ghost. John 14:26. __________________________
8a. Who must we not grieve? Ephesians 4:30._________________________________
8b. Why? Ephesians 4:30 last part. ________________ _______________________
9. Who was moved by the holy Ghost to prophesy? Peter 1: 21. _________________
10. Name some of the functions of the Holy Spirit: ____________________________
a. John 16:13 first part _________________________________________________
b. John 16:13 last part _________________________________________________
c. Matthew 10:19,20. __________________________________________________
d. John 16:8 _________________________________________________________
e. Exodus 31:3 _______________________________________________________
f. Romans 8:14 _______________________________________________________
g. John 14:26 ________________________________________________________
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit is a person. Statements such as "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us" (acts 15:28) reveal that the early believers viewed Him as a distinct person. "He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you" (John 16:14). Scriptures referring to the triune God describe the Spirit as a person (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Holy Spirit has personality: He strives, teaches, convicts, directs church affairs, helps and intercedes, inspire and sanctifies (Genesis 6:3; Luke 12:12; John 16:8; Acts 13:2; Romans 8:26; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Peter 1:2).
Scripture views the Holy Spirit as God. Peter told Ananias that in lying to the Holy Spirit, He had lied not to men but to God (Acts 5:3,4). Jesus defined the unpardonable sin as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31). Scripture associates divine attributes With the Holy Spirit: He is referred to as the Spirit of Life. In John's gospel He is referred to as the "Spirit of Truth (Romans 8:2; John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is omnipotent: He distributes spiritual gifts to each one individually as He wills. He is omnipresent: He will abide with His people for ever, none can escape His influence. He also is omniscient: He searches all things, even the deep things of God, and no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 12:11; John 14:6; Psalm 139:7-10; 1 Corinthians 2: 10,11).
The works of God are also associated with the Holy Spirit. Creation and resurrection both involves Him ( Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Romans 8:11. The Holy Spirit is considered equal with the Father and the Son in the baptismal formula, the apostolic blessing, and the spiritual discourse (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13: 14; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6). From eternity the Holy Spirit lived within the Godhead as the third member. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally self existent. Though each is equal, an economy of function operates within the Trinity. The truth about God the Holy Spirit is best understood as seen through Jesus. When the Spirit comes to believers, He comes as the "Spirit of Christ." He does not come in His own right, carrying His own credentials; His activity in history centers in Christ's mission of salvation. The Holy Spirit was actively involved in Christ birth, confirmed His public ministry at baptism, and brought the benefits of Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection to humanity (Luke 1:35; Matthew 3:16,17; Romans 8:11).
In the Godhead, the Holy Spirit seems to fulfill the role of executor. When the Father gave His Son to the world, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit (John 3:16; Matthew 1:18-20). The Holy Spirit came to complete the plan, to make it a reality. The Holy Spirit's intimate involvement in creation is seen in His presence at Creation (Genesis 1:2). Life's origin and maintenance depends on the Holy Spirit's operation; His departure means death.
We can see reflections of the Spirit's creative work in His recreative work within persons who are open to God. God carries out His work within individuals through the Creator Spirit. So in creation, incarnation, and recreation, the Spirit comes to bring God's intention to fulfillment.
In the Old Testament times the Spirit equipped certain individuals to perform special task (Numbers 24:2; Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 10:6). Genuine believers have always had an awareness of His presence, but prophecy predicts a pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28), a time when a greater manifestation of the Spirit would usher in a new age. When Jesus went to heaven He promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit, "that He may abide with us forever. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit equipped the disciples for their ministry. His presence is to remain in this world to teach, guide, comfort, bring things to our memory, sustain us, and to bestow special gifts. When we are baptized, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three, members of the Godhead are active in recreation, redemption, and the salvation process. The infilling of the Holy Spirit, transforms us into the image of God. He is pleading with us to accept the greatest gift that can ever be given - the gift of God's dear Son and His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. If you accept God's gift, you will be receiving the greatest gift that can be given. Jesus said: "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. He is knocking through the person of the Holy Spirit. If you let Him in, you will experience the greatest relationship that mortals can enjoy with the divine. If you do not let Him in, you will be saying to Him I have no time for you, go away.
My prayer is that you will accept Him today. Delay could be to late.
