The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Believer’s Life {Acts 1-5}
Jesus said in John 16:7,
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 go, I will send him to you.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see Jesus face to face?
Yet Jesus said it is BETTER if he goes…
Watch the video below to find out why and to hear more about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
This video above was based on the Good Morning Girls reading in Acts 1-5 and the basic teachings in scripture regarding the Holy Spirit but there is so much more in God’s Word regarding the Holy Spirit.
Our GMG Statement of Faith Regarding the Holy Spirit says:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe that He brings about the new birth, indwells, baptizes, seals, anoints, and endows all who are regenerated with spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit also leads believers who daily surrender their life to Him by guiding, teaching, sanctifying, and filling them (John 15:26, 16:8, 3:3-6, 14:16-17, 14:26).
4 Symbols for the Holy Spirit
A Dove – The dove appeared at Jesus’ baptism. (Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32)
Wind – The Greek word for Spirit (pneuma) can also be translated as breath or wind. (Acts 2:4; John 3:8)
Fire – At the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Spirit appeared like tongues of fire and Paul said “Do not quench the Spirit”.(1 Thess.5:19) When we disobey God, it is like throwing water on a fire.
Water – In John 7:37-39 Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit,whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given,because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
Spiritual Gifts Come From the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
We are each given at least one spiritual gift and the Holy Spirit decides which gift we are given. Our gifts are not to be used to draw attention to ourselves but for the common good. When our gifts are used for God’s glory, God is magnified.
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16
In Conclusion:
God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. Just as God the Father and Jesus guide, teach, and counsel us – the Holy Spirit does the same through personal indwelling.
YOWSA! Fascinating!!! Our God is an awesome God!
The Holy Spirit – the presence of God – goes with you!
We are never alone. He wants to comfort us, lead us, and help us.
May we live like the Holy Spirit is with us – courageously and victoriously!
Walk with the King,
Courtney
**Chime In**
How does growing in our understanding of the Holy Spirit change your life?
Do you relate to the feelings of wanting to see Jesus face to face?
Do you struggle with remembering that the Holy Spirit is always with you?
We can live courageously and victoriously because He is with us! Thank you for this teaching on the Holy Spirit.
SWEET! THANK YOU! t.
Such a precious reminder of the role of the Holy Spirit. Thank you so much for all you do for us. We love you!
How do we decide/choose what is relevant today versus then? If God does something so mighty and tangible like that today, would we miss it thinking it isn’t normal? I just don’t want to put Him in a box or limit His power in any way. Just some things/thoughts I struggle with… especially in this book.
The power of God is real and it does not change. If the Word of God says people spoke in tongues it can happen in today’s time as well. God still blesses people with speaking in tongues just like he did in Pentecost. Many ignore this part of scripture because it not normal. We Don’t Serve A God Of Normal! A real conformation that you have the Holy Spirit is by speaking in tongues. Act 2:4, Acts 10: 44-46.
Some will disagree with me but all through the book of Acts you see that believer receive the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. I says it, I believe it. ?
Agreed!!
Tongues = Languages. Not random gibberish.
Yes, that’s what I believe as well, J.
Well said Jana! The baptism of the Holy Spirit through evidence of speaking in tongues was not a one time deal. I know the same power poured out in the Upper Room is still available to us today.
I think the key here is not that the occurrences in Acts can’t or don’t happen today. I think the key is understanding that the genre of Acts is a narrative. It is describing what happened. It is not necessarily prescribing how the church should behave today (the instructional letters to churches in other books of the New Testament are written for that purpose-most were written while the events in Acts were taking place). Narratives teach us about what God has done and what He is capable of. God does not change. He does not always act the same way in every situation, but His character and power remain the same.
Thank you Bethany for explaining that further! That is exactly what I meant – you explained it perfectly!
Lots of Love,
Courtney
Such great encouragement and truth here…thank you so much Courtney!
Thank you Courtney! This was a great reminder this morning for me! God always gives us what we need, when we need it…..thank you Jesus.
Right before this school year started I started praying to the Holy Spirit asking for Him to surround me with peace and calmness throughout my day. I struggle with keeping my emotions at bay and that can sometimes lead to breakdowns. The Lord is always with me, and through the Holy Spirit I can FEEL the comfort and peace and I thank Him for it!
Knowing that God is always there is such a blessing……I too wish I could run up and hug Him in the flesh and talk with Jesus…….but knowing without a doubt that He is here is pretty amazing! Someday I will get my Jesus hug! =)
To have Jesus here with us in the flesh would make it easy to believe but Jesus sent the Holy Sprit to live in side us so Jesus is always beside us leading us. It is just often times we forget it is better to believe without seeing then by seeing .We are blessed when we have faith without seeing… Jesus himself said in John 20: 27&29.
27a- be not faithless but believing
29a- blessed are they that have not seen , and yet believed THANKS to everyone at Good Morning
Girls. I love the fellowship and all the comments are helpful to me. Good
Sorry had a couple typing mistakes. Using a small phone. Everyone have a great weekend!!
I can understand the idea of desiring the Lord’s physical presence, but the power of the cross is forgiveness and reconciliation with Father God. In fulfilling His promise He has given us His Spirit — “God with us!” What an awesome God that He draws us to Himself and dwells within for all that we need. My desire is to experience more of Him through the power of the Holy Spirit moment by moment, day by day. We have Jesus interceding at the Father’s right hand and also, the Spirit making intercession for us. What TERRIC prayer partners! How can we fail?!?!?!?
I love this! I want it, bring on the FULLNESS of the Holy Spirit!
Fantastic week reading Acts 1-5. I have read it many times, but this is the first time I actually “see” what I am reading. God Bless everyone. Looking forward to next week and what God will continue to reveal to me in His scriptures.
I needed to hear this again today.
Thank you
Donna
Far better to have God inside of me, changing me, leading me and controlling me than me seeing God and trying with my own will, my own ability to please Him. Look how Peter failed when he was walking with Christ and how He was used powerfully once God was living inside of him.
Thank you! I think that is a very good point.
I’ve also been pondering the Holy Spirit’s power in me and in His church body. Acts 2 tells us the Holy Spirit is a gift. It hit me fresh that so many earnest, devout believers had lived and died before Pentecost and never experienced one day full of the Spirit. And it’s ours! Am I stirring up the Spirit in me, obeying Him, following His promptings or just giving Him a nod and then quenching His power most of my day? I also began to wonder how different our world would look if every believer allowed the Holy Spirit to work in them fully and constantly.
Thank you for sharing. I would love to have Jesus face to face in the flesh but that is not God’s plan. I am filled with the Holy Spirit. I love the videos. Your attitude of love is contagious.
What does this look like…how…to let the Holy Spirit dwell in me and then to WALK in Him?
“Living water” really impacted me after reading your book. You used that term throughout and it really stuck. Such powerful imagery. Grateful for the Holy Spirit and the work He does in my life. I can’t imagine life without Him.
Thank you for that video! It was very encouraging and exactly what I needed! I wanted to ask how you make those cool pictures with quotes or verses. I love them so much!! I want to do that too! Thanks!
Hi Raquel,
Thanks! I use picmonkey.com to make verse images. 😉
Much Love,
Courtney
Wow Courtney so powerful! You have summed it up perfectly, and in line with our thoughts on the work of the Holy Spirit too!
God Bless!