Integrity- People of God

The person of the Holy Spirit may be one of the most misunderstood persons of the Trinity. The names Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost are used interchangeably to refer to the third person of the Holy Trinity.

This fallen world system does not mind people having religious beliefs, because there are so many “little g” gods to choose from. Having a belief in any “god” without the true knowledge of salvation through faith in Christ can create an entanglement. This also could cause people to follow a religious cult that could bring them into bondage. God the creator, Elohim, has given us His word and His way, which is through Jesus Christ and has sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and guide. 

Belief in the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost, whichever way you may want to address this person, is attacked by the enemy, second only to the person of Jesus as the Son of God born of a virgin. The attack on Jesus is to try to keep people from salvation and the knowledge of Jesus as our Savior and to keep people on a path of eternal destruction.

If the enemy cannot prevent people from being saved through faith in Christ, then he will try and hinder their ability to be effective witnesses for God through the power of the Holy Spirit.     

The Holy Spirit comes upon us to empower us to betransformed into the image of God, valuable witnesses to whoGod is and to show God’s love and compassion for the lost. 

Luke 24: 48-49 You are witnesses of these things.  Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.”  AMP

Jesus demonstrated the different roles of the Holy Spirit after His death on the cross, when He breathed on disciples and they received the Holy Spirit for salvation. Jesus had now paid the cost for salvation with His death. Jesus also promised after His ascension to send the Holy Spirit upon them with power from God so they could teach the gospel of Christ that others may have salvation and forgiveness of sin. 

John 20: 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” NK

Many people and denominations understand and accept the teaching of Jesus that one must receive the Holy Spirit within for salvation. Some people will reject Jesus’ teaching of the Holy Spirit coming upon us to empower us to be bold witnesses of God. The Spirit of God comes to live within us when we accept Christ as our Savior and our names are written in heaven as it was when Jesus breathed on His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. The thief on the cross also acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and asked Jesus to save him and he too received salvation upon his death. 

Luke10:20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

23:43 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” NKJ

At the death of Jesus, the disciples were saved but they were still full of fear and had not yet received the power of the Holy Spirit. Though Jesus had given them the Holy Spirit for salvation, they were fearful and did not operate in the full power of God. Jesus told the disciples that the Father would send them power from on high, the Holy Spirit, to help them. 

Luke 24: 48-49 And you are witnesses of these things.  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.”  NKJ

The Holy Spirit was seen in the Old Testament as the Spirit of God that came upon the people to empower them to fulfill God’s purpose and then return to the Father, the Spirit did not indwell or live within the people. The Holy Spirit came upon Sampson and others to help against their enemies and upon David as the king of Israel. 

Judges 15:14-15 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.  He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. 

1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. SoSamuel arose and went to Ramah. NKJ

Because of the completed work of Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit is now given to live in us and to transform us into the image of God. As followers of Christ the Holy Spirit comes upon us to empower us to be witnesses of the power of God on the earth. Peter was saved through faith in Christ, but he was still afraid and hiding from the Jewish council. Once the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and Peter, he spoke boldly of the resurrection of Christ and 3000 people were converted.

1 John 4:14-16 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Acts 2:14, 32-33 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. NKJ

The Bible speaks with authority and accuracy and every detail is given for a reason and purpose.  The words “indwell” and “upon” have totally different meanings and should not be mistaken as the same. This can cause misinterpretation of God’s word by allowing these terms and their meaning to be used interchangeably. The words “within” and “indwell” refers to being inside; to be in; or to be permanently present in. The word “upon” is to be on; to be affixed to; or to be next to something.  

Just as we can be in a pool of water and can become wet but yetbe thirsty.  We also can have our fill of water within and be completely dry on the outside. These are two different meanings with different aspects as to how the Holy Spirit functions and operates in our lives. One is for salvation when the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, and the other is thepower of God the comes upon us to empower us to be witnessesof God on the earth. 

If Satan cannot stop people from experiencing salvation, he will try to keep them from understanding the power of God through the Holy Spirit. He will try to limit their ability of authenticating the power of God by the Holy Ghost, which will bring God glory on the earth. This is why there is so much controversy, debate and argument over the Holy Spirit. 

Therefore, we must let the Bible verify and confirm the role of the Holy Spirit and not allow this fallen world’s opinion, or the traditions of family, or men determine our beliefs, views and principles.  Many things can be misleading when they are taken out of context. Many people rely on others to give them an opinion and to help them determine what they themselves should think. But, we are told to be diligent and study the word of God so that we may rightly divide and discern the truth of God’s word for ourselves. 

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. NKJ

Anyone can give an opinion, but it is the written word of God that authenticates and settles a matter.  The one question that should be asked, when addressing the things of God, is “where is that principle found in the Bible.” If it is not quoted in scripture, then we must hold those views loosely. God validates His principles and precepts with His word in two or three places. This is one reason some people feel the Bible is often redundant, but in actuality the Bible is confirming and validating the word of God with the word of God. 

Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. 

Jesus said it would be beneficial to us for Him to go to the Father that He may send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit who would teach us in all things and bring to our remembrance the things we have been taught. 

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  

John 16:7, 13 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to yo

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 

Every follower of Christ should ask the Holy Spirit to come upon them to empower them to be bold witness for God on the earth.