Who is the Holy Spirit? And What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?Sample

# Who is the Holy Spirit? I spent years in Baptist churches with no real introduction to the Holy Spirit. I don't remember ever hearing a sermon on the subject. We knew to trust in Jesus and worship his Father, but I had no idea how to relate to the Spirit. Or even if I should. I suspect that many of us have a similar story. So, let’s begin with some introductions: * The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal neuter, an "it." * He is more than a "presence." * He is not a "ghost," holy or otherwise (the King James Version notwithstanding). Rather, the Spirit is a Person who works personally. He possesses the three distinctive characteristics of personality: 1. Knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:10–11) 2. Will (1 Corinthians 12:11) 3. Feeling or emotion (Romans 15:30) He performs acts only a person can perform. He: * searches (1 Corinthians 2:10) * speaks (Revelation 2:7) * cries (Galatians 4:6) * prays (Romans 8:26) * testifies (John 15:26) * teaches (John 14:26) * leads Christians (Romans 8:24) * and commands people (Acts 16:6, 7). He is treated in Scripture as only a person can be treated. He is: * grieved and rebelled against (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30) * insulted (Hebrews 10:29) * and blasphemed (Matthew 12:31, 32). But is he God? ## Why is the Spirit “Holy”? The Holy Spirit is God for five reasons. 1\. The Holy Spirit possesses the four distinctly divine attributes: * eternity (Hebrews 9:14) * omnipresence (Psalm 139:7–10) * omniscience (1 Corinthians 2:10, 11) * and omnipotence (Luke 1:35). 2\. The Holy Spirit performs each of the three distinctively divine works: * creation (Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Genesis 1:1–3) * impartation of life (John 6:63; Genesis 2:7) * and authorship of prophecy (2 Peter 1:21). 3\. Old Testament statements about God are applied to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (see Exodus 16:7 and Hebrews 3:7–9). 4\. The name of the Holy Spirit is often coupled with that of God (1 Corinthians 12:4–6; Matthew 28:19–20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). 5\. The Holy Spirit is called God. Peter asked Ananias, "How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?" (Acts 5:3). Then the apostle warns, "You have not lied to men but to God" (v. 5). If you’re still unsure, survey the names given to the Spirit in Psalm 104:30, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Isaiah 11:2 and 61:1–3, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Romans 8:9, Philippians 1:19, Acts 16:6, 7, and Galatians 4:6. The Holy Spirit is God. Consequently, he matters a great deal.