Thoughts on the Holy Spirit

A friend challenged me with some questions about the Holy Spirit recently. Most of my growing up years the Holy Spirit was mentioned in passing as part of the Trinity, but was not emphasized in Sunday school lessons or sermons that I can remember. As I did some searching, I found the Spirit is very active throughout Scripture! Here are some examples, just from the book of Acts:

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it”.

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 11:22-24 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

These are just a few places where the Holy Spirit is mentioned. It is amazing to see how the Spirit is at work! Here are a few summary points from Acts of the Holy Spirit’s:

•         Gives power and boldness for evangelization

•         Enables cross-cultural communication of the gospel

•         Gives the power which brings spiritual awakening

•         Qualifies, equips, and empowers people for Kingdom service

•         Enables to act boldly and endure in persecution

•         Gives guidance for divine appointments

•         Encourages

•         Expands the Kingdom of God

•         Brings conviction and repentance to those not yet following Christ

•         Consecrates and sends out believers

•         Gives prophecies

•         Speaks through believers

•         Helps people understand the gospel

•         Guides in and to the harvest

I think too often we focus on Jesus and forget about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I feel like I am just scratching the surface in understanding how that applies to my life and what it means to allow more of the Holy Spirit to fill my own heart and life, to speak through me and give me boldness and wisdom as was the case with the believers in the book of Acts. There are times when I am reading and I don’t understand the work of the Holy Spirit, like when people spoke in tongues or other things that are a bit out of my comfort zone. But I'm still learning and seeking to understand.

Do you have any thoughts on the Holy Spirit or ways that you have been learning more in this area?