In our last post we learned how the Holy Spirit, in Old Testament times, would come upon men and women for a specific task or function, but not indwell them the same way He does New Testament believers.
We’ve been privileged to have God’s Holy Spirit living inside our spirits day by day as born-again believers. The Holy Spirit, who is our Helper, was sent to not only recreate our dead spirit when we received Christ but also to empower us through the baptism with the Holy Spirit according to Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, John 7:37-39, Acts 1:8, 10:44-48, 19:1-6.
As previously mentioned, since that Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) the Holy Spirit has been functioning in the earth in the regeneration process of the New Birth (John 3:5-8) and the sanctification, transformation, and empowerment of believers (Romans 15:16). He has not changed. Every day, all over the world, this process is happening in those who have surrendered their lives to Christ.
The Helper comes to aid us in our spiritual walk, calling, and service in the Lord. He will never leave us nor forsake us (John 14:16, Hebrews 13:5), even when we are not sensitive to His abiding Presence. He often waits for us to respond to God’s Word and His gentle nudges, whispers, and revelations.
Now let’s begin discovering some of the wonderful characteristics of the Helper who is the Holy Spirit.
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 1:8
Here we learn one of the main functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives will be to give us power… power that we do not possess in ourselves… and power the world cannot give us. This is power to boldly proclaim the gospel and even endure persecution and suffering as a martyr of Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated 'witness' in the above passage actually means martyr.
Another aspect of the Helper is His faithfulness to lead us into all truth.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. John 16:13
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14
We are not left alone; we have the Holy Spirit with us at all times and He will lead us and guide us through life’s difficulties and challenges. He will lead us into God’s perfect plan for our life. Our part is becoming sensitive and obedient to His lead. He is for us and not against us (Romans 8:31) and He wants to help us in our weakness, even in prayer (Romans 8:26).
The Holy Spirit has also been given to us to help us walk upright before the Lord and to mortify the deeds of our flesh (Romans 8:13). We cannot live the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who reveals Christ within us, makes the Bible clear to us, assists us in prayer and worship to the Father, bears us up in times of trial and difficulty, helps us to overcome the enemy of our soul.
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his
glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like
a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19
He is the One who empowered Jesus to cast out demons and do mighty works during His earthly ministry.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38
If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit when He walked the earth, as a perfect man anointed by God, how much more do we need the Holy Spirit? He was the spotless, sinless Son of God, yet needed the Holy Spirit to aid and empower Him with accomplishing the Father’s will. Jesus is our supreme example.
Just days after His resurrection and before ascending back to heaven, Jesus met with His disciples and declared:
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
Luke 24:49
This is a reference to what Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:8, and was of utmost importance being one of the last things He said to them before ascending to heaven. Jesus did not want His disciples powerless as they went forth to preach His Word. He wanted them to be fully equipped and anointed for the task at hand.
He likewise does not want us to be powerless or helpless in spreading the gospel and accomplishing the good works God has ordained us to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10). Yes, before your birth, God had a plan for your life, and the only way to complete it is, just like Jesus, through the help of the Holy Spirit, who is the promised Helper.
We’ll discover more about the Helper in our next post. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 12/15/2023