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Spiritual Thought of the Day: Who is the Holy Spirit?

This week, Ty Buckingham was a guest speaker at CLA, and I purchased a couple books he wrote about the Holy Spirit. I'm only on the third chapter but will probably include a few things he wrote in his book, titled "The Holy Spirit is Not a Bird."

Although the word "Trinity" isn't in the Bible, we're introduced to the Trinity in the first verse of the Bible:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

The Hebrew word for God, "Elohim," is a plural noun meaning Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who created the heavens and the earth. The heavens here refer to the earth's atmospheric envelope – outer space. He then made two great lights; the greater light is to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night.

Isaiah 40:26

"Lift up your eyes on high and see who created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing."

Psalm 147:1-5 tells us that praise is a good, pleasant, and beautiful response to the many blessings of God: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up all their wounds. He counts the number of stars and calls them all by name. He also knows your name and loves to hear your voice every time you call on His name.

In the opening verse of the Bible, seven words in the Hebrew text establishes seven key truths upon which the rest of the Bible is based.

First, God exists. The essential first step in pleasing God is recognizing His existence (Hebrews 11:6).

Second, God existed before there was a universe and will exist after the universe perishes (Hebrews 1:10-12).

Third, God is the main character (subject) of the Bible.

Fourth, as Creator, God has done what no human could ever do. Creation is a work that is uniquely God's.

Fifth, God is mysterious – He is three divine persons in one divine essence.

Sixth, God is the Creator of heaven and earth. He doesn't just modify pre-existing matter but calls matter into being out of nothing (Psalm 33:6, 9; Hebrews 11:3; Romans 4:17). We can release the creative power of God's word by believing it and declaring it in the face of challenging circumstances.

Seventh, God is not dependent of the universe, but the universe is totally dependent on God. Hebrews 1:3 says He upholds all things by the word of His power.

Jesus Christ and everything connected with Him is superior to all that came before and all things that will come after Him. Jesus Christ is the heir of creation for whom all things have been made. He is the Creator through whom all things have come into existence. He is the radiance of the divine glory toward which all of creation looks for fulfillment. He is the exact image of the person of God the Father. He is the Word of God, the only prophet of God who has provided the perfect sacrifice for all human sin. He is the King who sits on the throne at the right hand of the Father – fully human, but fully divine. He is the Son who created heaven and earth in the beginning, and who will remain the same when creation is consummated because He shared the divine nature (attributes) of the eternal (Psalm 102:25-27). God the Father declared Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, to be the eternally begotten Son of God. He was given a name higher than any other and was crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death for everyone.

What has been your response to the One who loves you so much that He died for you?

The Holy Spirit is the Executive Arm of God.

"Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters" (Genesis 1:2).

The Holy Spirit is God, just as much as Jesus is God and Abba is our heavenly Father.

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the heavens were opened to Him and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him (Matthew 3:16). Matthew wrote down what he saw – he didn't say the Holy Spirit was a dove, but that He looked like a dove. Matthew used words he was familiar with for comparison purposes. Unlike a powerful eagle or a roaring fire, a dove lands softly and quietly, representing a calm, tender, and non-aggressive presence. Jesus tells His followers:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).

The Spirit anointed and empowered Jesus for ministering to the needs of all who came to Him. The dove symbolizes gentleness, innocence, and meekness, and it was offered in sacrifice (Leviticus 12:6; 14:22; see also Luke 2:24). The gentle, innocent, and meek Jesus would be a sacrifice for sin. The Gospels show us that Jesus didn't perform miracles until He was baptized in the Jordan and the Holy Spirit came upon Him.

The Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity. While the word "Trinity" isn't in the Bible, it's the best way to describe the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are all separate beings who are all God. The Holy Spirit is God, God the Father is God, and God the Son is God. The three become one.

Think of it like a PB & J sandwich: There is bread, there is peanut butter, and there is jelly. Together they are PB & J. Yes, they are all separate, but they become one if you want a PB & J sandwich.

How do you get to know the Holy Spirit and develop a relationship with Him? Every relationship's bond is built on time. Since our days on earth are numbered, use time wisely and don't squander it. The relationship we have with God on earth, we will begin with in heaven. So, make the most of it while you have it.

"The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be clear minded and watchful in prayer" (1 Peter 4:7).

See also James 5:7-9 where James encourages his readers to be patient, with the reminder that the coming of the Lord is near, at which time God will fulfill His function as Judge to reward the righteous and punish the wicked. James also encourages us to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22). To hear and do nothing is a sign of a deceived, wicked, or a heart that has become calloused and hardened by the difficulties of life. Faith acts. Believers do. Put into practice today what your faith proclaims.

If you are a born-again believer, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you and will give life to your mortal body through the Holy Spirit who dwells in you (see Romans 8:11). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christians are in a new realm because the Spirit of God indwells them. The Holy Spirit's presence is the mark of Christ's ownership. The Christian's physical body will still die because of sin's effects (unless the Lord returns before death; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57). The pledge and promise of the Spirit is that He will raise us up as He did Jesus. Currently, the Holy Spirit equips and provides life and righteousness for all who place their faith, hope, love, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.