Week #1 - The Spirit isn’t Spooky
Blog Series Intention Recap: Over October, I want to encourage you to journey alongside the Holy Spirit, understanding His roles as a friend, educator, source of solace, and guiding presence. This exploration involves examining the Holy Spirit's interactions with New Testament believers, contemplating the invaluable gifts He provides, and discerning our appropriate responses. Hopefully, by the end of the series, you will no longer be “Scared of the Ghost.”
Let’s jump into Week 1:
As a kid, I grew up in a Pentecostal Denominational Church. For many people, these words bring flashbacks of Jericho marches, being slain in the Spirit, messages in tongues, and all sorts of manifestations of the Spirit… I saw these things as expected. Often, when I would invite my friends, they would look at me freaked out during the manifestations. They were “scared of the Ghost.”
As we embark on a journey into the roles and significance of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers, I want to be grounded in Scripture. The writers of Scripture refer to the “Holy Spirit” or “Holy Ghost” throughout the Bible. But who is the Holy Spirit and why is his existence vital to me? The concept of the Holy Trinity has been a cornerstone of Christian theology for centuries, yet it remains one of the most mysterious aspects of the faith.
The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
To comprehend the role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity, we must first grasp the idea of the Trinity itself. Christians believe in one God who exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. These three persons are distinct but inseparable, co-eternal, and co-equal, forming the Holy Trinity.
A. God the Father
The Father is the Creator of the universe, the source of all life, and the loving sustainer of His creation. He is often referred to as the "first person" of the Trinity, representing the role of authority within the Godhead.
B. God the Son (Jesus Christ)
Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of God, who took on human form to redeem humanity from sin. He is the "second person" of the Trinity, the bridge between God and humanity, and the Savior of the world.
The Holy Spirit: The Breath of God
Now, let's turn our attention to the Holy Spirit, the focus of this discussion.
Personhood of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is often described as the "third person" of the Trinity, signifying His distinct identity within the Godhead. It's crucial to recognize the personhood of the Holy Spirit. He is not an impersonal force but a divine person with intellect, emotions, and will. This isn’t Star Wars!
The Holy Spirit's Role in Creation
To understand the Holy Spirit's role in the Trinity, we can begin with His involvement in creation. In Genesis 1:2, the Holy Spirit is described as hovering over the waters during the act of creation. This demonstrates His active role in the formation of the world, illustrating that the Holy Spirit is not a passive entity but an integral part of God's creative power.
The Advocate and Helper
One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to serve as an advocate and helper for believers. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with His disciples, to guide and comfort them. This "Helper" comes alongside believers, providing guidance, comfort, and support in their journey of faith.
The Holy Spirit's Work in Redemption
The Holy Spirit is instrumental in the process of redemption. Through the Holy Spirit's work, individuals are convicted of sin, come to faith in Christ, and are born again. His regenerative work transforms hearts, making believers new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Triune God in Action: Unity in Diversity
One of the great mysteries of the Trinity is the unity of these three distinct persons within the Godhead. They work in perfect harmony, displaying unity in diversity.
The Father's Sending and the Son's Obedience
The Father sends the Son into the world to accomplish salvation (John 3:16), and the Son willingly obeys. This demonstrates their unity in purpose and mission. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus praying to the Father, submitting to His will, and affirming this unity (Luke 22:42).
The Holy Spirit's Role in Glorifying Christ
Jesus affirms that the Holy Spirit's primary mission is to glorify Him (John 16:14). The Spirit testifies about Christ, pointing believers to the Son as the way, the truth, and the life.
The Holy Spirit's Empowering
The unity of the Trinity is evident in the Holy Spirit's role in empowering believers. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come upon His disciples, enabling them to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. This empowerment from the Holy Spirit allows believers to fulfill the Great Commission and spread the gospel.
So How Does This Help Me Not Be “Scared of the Ghost?”
First, I have to be careful in my explanation because of the mystery around how we understand the Trinity. The infinite nature of God cannot be understood completely by the finite nature of the human mind. The “perichoresis” (the indwelling in one another) of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forces the human mind to places we cannot imagine. This concept should be comforting. As a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit of God is greater than I am. He is omnipotent and therefore knows way more than I do. I can rest in the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is God.
Second, the Holy Spirit is not spooky. Scripture defines for us the role of the Holy Spirit: to glorify Christ and lead men into the truth of who Jesus is. He brings clarity to the heart of men: Jesus died and rose from the dead due to the plan of the Father. The fruit he grows in each believer helps to transform us to look and be more like Christ. In this, the Holy Spirit teaches me things I do not know and helps me to understand things I cannot comprehend.
I cannot wait for the next installment of “Scared of the Ghost”.
