This week as we approach Pentecost Sunday, I have been reflecting on who the Holy Spirit is and how significant His role is in our relationship with God. Is it possible to have a relationship with God apart from the Holy Spirit? I don’t think so.
In the Bible, the Holy Spirit makes His entrance two verses in, after the heavens and earth were created. “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2). After man was formed by God from the dust He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;” or His Spirit into him. (Genesis 2:7)
The Holy Spirit had a big role in creation itself. But there was a promise from Jesus that His role would be even greater for those who believed in Him.
Though the disciples didn’t understand what he meant at the time, Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit as a helper who would be sent in His place after he left to be with the Father. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:12-16)
After his death and resurrection, the Risen Christ appeared to his disciples and reminded them of this gift, saying, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)
The disciples obeyed Jesus and remained in Jerusalem. In just a matter of days the Spirit of God came upon them: “Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:2-4)
No words can accurately describe the amazing gift that the Holy Spirit is to humanity. Through Our Lord’s glorious act of love, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon all flesh, inaugurating a new creation in Christ, for those who believe. The relationship we have with the Holy Spirit today is one that gives us access to God the Father through His Son, and makes us inheritors of His Heavenly Kingdom for all eternity. He can be everywhere and with everyone at once! What an amazing God He is.
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us
Same Power, Jeremy Camp
This article was written by Megan Stanton, Communications Coordinator.
