Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit part 1


This past Sunday we continued our series "iValue: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit." You can listen to the message on our website (media tab) or at iTunes. 


Talking about the Holy Spirit in one Sunday morning gathering, just isn't enough. I will post several times this weeks different studies and thoughts on the Holy Spirit. I pray that as you learn more from Scripture, the Holy Spirit becomes more real and tangible in your life and relationship with God!!


Below is Who is the Holy Spirit? 
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The Holy Spirit has been around since the beginning of time. Get ready to look at the history of the Holy Spirit from Genesis to Revelation (leaving out a few verses in between LOL)

Genesis 1:1-2— In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  ² Now the earth was ^[a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

1.     The Holy Spirit was involved in creation

Like a bird, hovering over her nest, the Holy Spirit hovered over his creation, just like he does today. The Holy Spirit always brings newness. He still does that today. Brings new attitudes, thoughts, and relationships.

2. In the O.T. the Holy Spirit came to particular people at particular times for a particular task

Exodus 31:1-5— Then the LORD said to Moses, ² "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- ⁴ to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ⁵ to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship

I love this verse because not everyone is called to full-time Christian work but everyone is called to be filled with the Spirit at work. When we are filled with the Spirit of God, it changes everything.

Judges 16—Samson—received power and strength when the Holy Spirit came on Him. It says several times he was bound but when the Spirit of God came on Him he broke loose and broke free.

Many times in scripture when something happens physically it also correlates spiritually. Many of us have been or are currently bound by habits, patterns of thoughts, attitudes, or addictions. Some are obvious but others are more under the radar like jealousy, bitterness,  worry, inappropriate anger.

The Holy Spirit comes in strength and power enabling us to live the life we truly long for deep down. Every time in Scripture the Holy Spirit comes, something happens. But at this point in history, He is still coming to particular people at particular times for a particular task.

3. Then in the O.T. you have the promise of the Father: The anticipation (to summarize the O.T. it is PROMISE.)

Jeremiah 31:33— This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people

God’s promise is to place His law, not on tablets of stone but in our hearts.

Ezekial 36:26-27— I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

He promises by His love to live within us.

4. To whom does the promise apply & in who is it fulfilled?

Joel 2:28— And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

All people, regardless of sex, age, background, race or rank.The Spirit of God was promised to be poured out on all mankind!

Nicky Gumball the creator of Alpha was preaching at a Baptist Church about the Holy Spirit. He gave an invitation for those who haven’t received the Holy Spirit to do so. There were two who responded. One older grey hair lady (she can be described as old because her daughter was 75) and one 8 year old boy. The 8 year boy was just laying on his back laughing down front having a good time with God. A few weeks later he got a letter from the boy’s mom. It read…

He had been quite naughty, bad tempered and difficult on occasion. Since he has received the Holy Spirit he has become a very different person. He has been sunnier, more hopeful and with it. Obviously he still has his moments but he’s different. Nothing an 8 year old child could sustain in his own strength for any amount of time. It was a powerful night.

This promise is for all people. However, the promise was still unfulfilled and they waited for 100 of years. 

Then the birth of Jesus Christ. Everyone connected to the birth of Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:15—(John the Baptist)— for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.^[a]
Luke 1:35—(Mary the mother of Jesus)— The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[a] the Son of God.

Luke 1:41—(Elizabeth)— When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:67—(Zacheriah)— His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied

*However, it’s still particular people, at particular times for particular tasks.

4. John Links the Promise of the Holy Spirit with Jesus Christ

Luke 3:16— John answered them all, "I baptize you with^[a] water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Jesus is the Baptizer..it means to plunge, to drench, the picture of a sunken ship. The Holy Spirit wants to do the same thing in our lives.

If you have ever seen a dry, old sponge. It’s doesn’t work very well. However, when you put it in water and the edges begin to soften it starts to soak up the water. When you lift it out is dripping wet. (That is a picture of what the promise is)

We see that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit

Luke 3:22— and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Luke 4:1, 14, 18— Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor

5. Jesus, predicts the coming of the Spirit

John 7:37-38— On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸Whoever believes in me, as^[a] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him

Thirst—this thirst is in every human heart. It’s something we all identity with. I know I do.

End of Luke 24:49—Jesus says I going to send You what My father Has promised. SO WAIT!

So the disciples and 120 total waited. Over 10 days later we see the fulfillment of the promise Like shaking a bottle of Champagne. The fulfillment in Acts 2:2-4 is like the cork popping off

Acts 2:2-4— Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Who got filled with the Holy Spirit? ALL OF THEM (all 120)

We see mixed reactions after this happened (There was amazement—V7, Confusion V12, and making fun of them V13) They were trying to explain a supernatural thing in a natural way.

Peter stands up and explains what is happening in v15..this is the promise.

VERSE 37-39—THIS IS FOR YOU…and for future generations to come

The amazing promise of the Holy Spirit. No longer for particular people at particular times for particular tasks but for EVERYONE…FOR YOU!

Now we live in the age of the Holy Spirit. More on the Holy Spirit to come this week! Check back!